Amigos dreams have been fulfilled and we are very proud to announce:

2 beautiful Scarlet Macaw youngsters have come out of the nest in Curu! They have been observed on the property and at the feed station. As far as we know, this is the first time that macaws raised in captivity have been released in the wild and have babies!

The start of a new release program????

This could be the start of something very special and new…….

The Yellow Naped Amazon (Amazona auropalliata) has now been placed on CITES, Appendix 1 and are now classed as Critically Endangered.

We have a small collection of Yellow Napes at the breeding center consisting of 6 Males, 3 Females and 3 unknowns. Most are confiscated birds donated by MINAE and we would hope that we may be able to help these endangered birds by making sure that we care in a responsible fashion. By maintaining breeding facilities for these birds, we could potentially initiate a possible breed for release program.

The birds are currently housed in a large aviary. Nestboxes constructed of wood.have been placed within. The aviary is fitted with solid and moving perches and toys consist of ropes and hanging objects.

The ground is natural and allowed to grow with local vegetation.

We believe there is no other facility in the country running this type of program at present and it may be possible, in the future, that there will be a need for a release program for this species of parrot. There is certainly a need to conserve these beautiful birds, native to Costa Rica, and Amigos de las Aves can certainly play a part.

We shall be working towards this new venture with enthusiasm and hope.

September 2004

Education Program

We would like to begin an education program at Amigos de las Aves and we would like it to develop and grow through all the schools in Costa Rica. This is a huge task and will depend upon the help of a dedicated volunteer. It could be you…….

We are currently searching for a teacher on summer break, a trainee teacher looking for a different experience to come and start this task for us and help us put together the ideas into a practical program that can enter schools as part of their curriculum and education program.

We would like the program to consist of :

If you have extra ideas then we would delighted to hear them and add to the program.

We already have the beginnings of an education program in Tiskita, thanks to the owner of Tiskita Jungle Lodge, Peter Aspinall. He visits schools in the area and tells of the birds in the release program and how the children can help to observe the birds and their behavior and what they can do to continue to help the birds survive. He also visits all the local community and asks for their help in protecting the birds whilst they are working on surviving at Tiskita. Our regente, Sheirys Jimenez has also worked to produce an educational picture book being used in Tiskita.

We also have a wonderful coloring book "Lets Discover Costa Rica" - a color and activity fun book - produced by Andy Gingold. Helping the younger children understand the birds and the country.

Adopt a bird

We are starting a new 'adopt a bird' program. This will involve the yearly sponsorship of a bird from either the refuge, the conservation project of Great Greens Macaws or the release Scarlet Macaws.

We have choices from the Refuge

Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum is a Red Lored Amazon A plucking nightmare....
Mrs. No Wing
A Scarlet Macaw - who came to us, via Minae, back in 1997 with a severely damaged wing.
Butthead
He came in a very SMALL cage - and hence his feathers have been unable to grow properly.

We have choices from the Breeding Center

- Scarlet or Great Green Macaws
-Baby birds
-Juveniles birds to be released
-A breeding pair
-A confiscated bird that will not pair with anyone else.

We have choices from the Release Birds

- A bird that has already been released and is 'hatched to fly free'
- A pair of Macaws that are bonded

We have a choice of an entire Release
-Tiskita
-Curu

For the sum of $50 per year

You will receive
¨ a photo of your bird
¨ a certificate
¨ a history of your bird
¨ a half yearly progress report
¨ a lapel pin
¨ free admission and tour of the breeding facilities within the year

if you would like to join our adopt a bird program - just email us at: richmar@racsa.co.cr
(please be aware that the availability of birds in this program may be subject to change)

******

November 2004

Education and Competition Time and a new Poster for Amigos de las Aves

We are proud to have enlarged upon our educational program this year. Our volunteer, Rachel Reunis visited our local school, The Escuela David Gonzalex Alfaro, in Rio Segundo de Alajuela and arranged to give talks to every class throughout the day. Each class consisted of approximately 20 - 25 children ranging in ages from 8 - 12 years.
Rachel spoke on matters of Conservation of the Scarlet Macaw in Costa Rica and the Amigos de las Aves re-introduction program.

We ran a poster competition that the children draw us a picture that we could use as promotion of the Scarlet Macaw, and also for Amigos de las Aves. We were delighted with the response; over 60 drawings were submitted. (see our Kids and Education Page)

Our first prize went to: Josue Mauricio Carranza Campos aged 9

Our second prize went to: Edgar G. Vuares Chaves

Our third prize went to:Michel Campos

We would like to thank all the children from the school and the teachers for their help and support.

We would also like to encourage the local children to think about the future of the wonderful macaws that Costa Rica has in its country and we hope to carry out more educational visits in the future.

We hope to be able to distribute the winning poster throughout Costa Rica and raise awareness of the plight of the Macaw!

If your school or club is interested in our educational program, or you wish to find out more about Amigos de las Aves, please contact

New Signs for Amigos de las Aves

If you happen to visit Tiskita, you may see our new signs. There is one at the main gate and two in the village.

They are designed to bring awareness to our project and to inform everyone who see's our birds how the project works and what our aims are.

We think they are exciting and vibrant, just like our birds, so we do hope you enjoy them! And we would like to thank Amable Acosta for her wonderful artwork and Christine Gray for the words.

New Member of the Team

We would like to welcome to our team Dr. Silvia Coto

Silvia joins us on a regular basis and deals with all day to day health issues we encounter, including some we didn't plan for! Silvia offers us her expertise and advice on the routine health management at the Breeding Centre.

Silvia comes highly recommended by Dr. Mauricio Jimenez from the National University Veterinary School.

Silvia has a thriving practice, and also working closely with the Veterinary School.

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.