Release Sites

Curu Wildlife Refuge is our second release site, situated in the north-west of the country on the Nicoya Peninsula. This reserve is privately owned by the Schutt Family.A small bed and breakfast facility is offered if you book in advance. Tourists are always welcome and tours of the property and the coastal areas are available. Research is always being undertaken on the property, however, the release project is exclusive to Amigos de las Aves and to work with the project and the birds within the Amigos de las Aves Release Project, and you need to apply to us (see volunteers).

The refuge is a small 70 hectares, situated about 5km south of Paquera village. It has however, great diversity, with large forests of deciduous and semi deciduous trees, mangrove swamps and coral reefs. A must for the bird and mammal spotter, monkeys, paca, wild cats and a swarm of birdlife attracts you to visit. The beach has shimmering phosphorescence during the evening and is a beautiful attraction.

The refuge is managed primarily as a farm for cattle and produce, such as mangos, overseen by Frederico Schutt. The release program was primarily begun with the assistance of Adelina Schutt who also has a great interest in the conservation of the monkey population in Curu.

The first release was conducted in January 1999 with thirteen birds, consisting of 8 males and 5 females, aged between 2 and 4 years. After more than six years, 9 macaws from this first release are seen, 7 almost daily.

Several nestboxes have been erected throughout the birds' home area, Constructed of wood or PVC. To date the birds have not utilized any of the boxes.

The birds are well adapted to their environment and have been observed as far as 35.km away. In 2002, two birds were observed in a Kapok tree displaying typical nesting behaviors, with one bird spending hours at a time in the nest whilst the other sat 'guard'. They would leave the tree for 10-20 minutes at a time and return to sit again. Although many, many hours of observations were recorded, the birds eventually left the nest site and no evidence of a youngster was seen.

In 2003, the same pair was observed nesting in a tree hollow and over 500 hours of nest monitoring were recorded. Again no evidence of any youngster was found.

In 2004 this pair were observed investigating natural nesting sites. Bees infested the first site, while the second was in a rotten tree, which eventually fell down. However, although late in the season, the birds found a new nesting site just off the property in a Garambola tree. Observers noted the birds displaying typical nesting behavior again, but this transpired to be short-lived. Unfortunately, it was reported that a rope had been found around a branch of this same tree, which could indicate poachers.

Two juvenile birds, approximately 4 -5 months of age, were noted flying with the flock in Curu in July 2004, by Frederico Schutt, Margot Frisius, Dale Forbes and Sheirys. Since this time, the sightings have been verified by Minae, also Fiona reports that the juveniles' parents are most likely the second of the more dominant pairs of birds. The first pair was constantly monitored during 2003, but the second pair has been difficult and more elusive - and it is likely that these birds are the parents. We belive this to be the first successful breeding of re-introduced scarlet macaws in Costa Rica.

This is very exciting for us, as it proves that the project works. We are delighted, as are the Schutts in Curu.

In 2005 three pairs of birds have been observed displaying and showing pre mating behaviours, and one pair was observed displaying behaviours condusive to conclude that there were eggs in a nest. However, an iguana was observed in the tree and although the male(?) macaw tried to defend the nest, we believe he was unsuccessful, as the following day the pair of macaws had abandoned the nesting site.

During 2006 no youngsters were observed.

We do have plans to send more birds to integrate with the already established flock, but timing will depend entirely on the outcome of the investigation into the problems we have encountered in 2004.

During this time we received official complaints that persons not associated with our release project were noted feeding the birds. Unfortunately, this is one of the difficulties faced with whilst working on a project of this type. We also have reports of possible poaching activities and will act upon the findings in conjunction with Minae and the Schutt family. We also encountered interference from other parties, but we hope this will not jeopardize our continuation of the Scarlet Macaw release project.

Meanwhile, we hope to continue our studies of the flock in Curu, and our researchers will be addressing several interesting aspects of the birds behavior.

Our biologist Ilona Thewissen, will monitor the birds on our Scarlet Macaw release project in Curu, and Frederico Schutt and his family are kindly feeding the birds their sunflower seeds at 4pm. To date no new fledglings have been noted or reported.

How does activity budgets of new macaw's change with time and once released?
How are the investigative instincts, behavior and interactions with other macaws influenced by rearing method?
How much interest do wild macaws have in new release birds?
How long does it take for wild released macaws to investigate new ones in aviary?
Are the ranges of wild/previously released macaws affected by the release of new birds?
How long does it take for behavioral patterns of released macaws to stabilize?

The new researchers will continue with the study program developed by Dale Forbes and Fiona Dear, and Ilona Thewissen will oversee the project. (see the Amigos Study)

We have been able to build a new pre-release cage during the year 2004 , thanks to the generosity of Reno Area Avian Enthusiasts, RAAVE, the Schutt family and ourselves.

Amigos de las Aves and the official Release Programs of Amigos de las Aves in Costa Rica, www.amigosdelasavescostarica.org and www.hatchedtoflyfree.org are not affiliated or associated with any other company, organisation or association, by name or in any other country.