Introduction The Tambopata Macaw Project has been working with wildlife and local communities since 1989. A long history of dedicated research and monitoring has provided many insights into various aspects of parrot and wildlife of south eastern Peru. We are always looking to collaborate with anyone with a passion for conservation and biology. We have supported many national and international students and look forward to hearing from you should you wish to participate in our project or conduct your studies with our support.
Tambopata is a unique forest environment, with the highest concentrations of avian clay licks in the world. A range of animals come to satisfy their need for salt or the soothing effects of the clay along the river banks of the region. The experience of hundreds of macaws at a claylick is one of the ornithological highlights in the world.
Rainforest Expeditions is a Peruvian tourist company who have 3 established tourist lodges along the Tambopata River that function as research bases. The Tambopata Macaw Project has now become the umbrella under which many research projects have taken place. Dr Donald Brightsmith of Texas A&M is the project director, managing the research which is conducted at the Tambopata Research Centre. Alan Lee of Manchester Metropolitan University manages research at the lodges Refugio Amazonas and Posada Amazonas.
We hope you find our work interesting. The Tambopata faces imminent threat from the paving of a highway through one of the planet's most biodiverse regions. We need all the help and assistence we can get to try and understand what the impacts may be for one of the forests major icons.
This site has been designed to explain research being undertaken and for anyone who is interested in the project and is thinking of taking part. Read more on volunteering here or contact us for research opportunities.
Thanks to our sponsors: Earthwatch Institute, Rainforest Expeditions, Tambopata Reserve Society, Manchester Metropolitan University, Texas A&M, and the Chester Zoo.
Research Aims
Research was initiated in December 2005 at Posada Amazonas under Alan's direction. The principal aim to understand the impact of clay licks on parrot abundance and ecology.
The work being carried out in 2009 at Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas continues to look at the impact of boats and tourism on claylick activity. For the first time in 2009 we will be concentrating on macaw behaviour around the licks. The goal is to see if the claylicks function as important social interaction sites. The project is also supporting Peruvian students, one of whom,Yesenia Quispe, who is working as a project field leader. In addition, the project provides the framework for internships whereby students who help with the long term monitoring are able to build in their own research projects, examples of which can be found in the Research
The work being carried out in 2009 at Posada Amazonas and Refugio Amazonas continues to look at the impact of boats and tourism on claylick activity. For the first time in 2009 we will be concentrating on macaw behaviour around the licks. The goal is to see if the claylicks function as important social interaction sites. The project is also supporting Peruvian students, one of whom,Yesenia Quispe, who is working as a project field leader. In addition, the project provides the framework for internships whereby students who help with the long term monitoring are able to build in their own research projects, examples of which can be found in the Research
Reports section.
The projects objectives are:
1. Determine the density of macaw, parrot, parakeet and other cavity nesting species in different habitat types
2. Monitor seasonal changes in clay lick visitation of Psittacine species at clay licks as a further clue to breeding season
3. Monitor macaw behaviour and interspecific interactions to determine the importance of claylicks for establishing social hierarchies that may impact on nest occupation and breeding success.
4. Monitor the monthly fruiting and flowering status of marked trees in key habitats to identify which are keystone food sources for breeding parrots and parakeets.
5. Obtain information on parrot diet, through foraging walks, recording all events of parrots, toucans and guans feeding.
1. Determine the density of macaw, parrot, parakeet and other cavity nesting species in different habitat types
2. Monitor seasonal changes in clay lick visitation of Psittacine species at clay licks as a further clue to breeding season
3. Monitor macaw behaviour and interspecific interactions to determine the importance of claylicks for establishing social hierarchies that may impact on nest occupation and breeding success.
4. Monitor the monthly fruiting and flowering status of marked trees in key habitats to identify which are keystone food sources for breeding parrots and parakeets.
5. Obtain information on parrot diet, through foraging walks, recording all events of parrots, toucans and guans feeding.
