Programs

  • Nido Adoptivo Nest Box Project

    Our in situ Nido AdoptivoTM ("nest adoption") supplemental nest box project on the Laney Rickman Reserve is a cooperative effort with the Bolivian bird conservation NGO Asociación Armonía, the BirdLife International Partner in Bolivia. The Laney Rickman Reserve protects the most significant breeding grounds for the critically endangered Blue-throated Macaw. This vitally important reserve comprises ~6,000 acres of former cattle ranches, more than three times the size when dedicated in 2018. The survival success of the Blue-throated Macaw in the wild is highly dependent on the availability of large trees where they prefer to make their nests in empty cavities. However, over 150 years of land use in the Beni Savanna, this bird's native range, has cleared almost all these older-growth trees, reducing the availability of suitable nest areas for the Blue-throated Macaw. To remedy this lack of suitable nesting sites, our objective is to increase the Blue-throated Macaw wild population by installing and monitoring supplemental nest boxes. To date, a total of 128 Blue-throated Macaw chicks have fledged from our Nido Adoptivo nest boxes since project inception in 2007. This number of successful fledges is truly significant, approximately one-third of the wild Blue-throated Macaw population (based on current population estimates of 420 - 480). The cumulative number of successful fledges by year is trending upward; specifically, it took 12 years for the first 64 chicks to fledge, yet only six years for the next 64 fledges. The steepening of the trend after the 2017- 2018 breeding season is most likely due to two significant factors: 1.) when the land became protected as the Laney Rickman Reserve, and 2.) for the first time, a second-generation chick fledged. The number of banded parent birds has generally increased each breeding season, an important indicator of increasing population recruitment where chicks fledge into the wild, reach sexual maturity and return to raise their chicks. These previous Blue-throated Macaw fledges, now parent birds, have learned the nest boxes are a safe place to return to raise their own families, showing the success and positive impact of this program.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $0

  • Habitat Restoration for Blue-throated Macaw

    Habitat Restoration Project on the Laney Rickman Reserve: Bird Endowment and partner Armonía are taking action to restore the habitat of the Laney Rickman Reserve in Bolivia which protects the most significant breeding grounds for the Blue-throated Macaw. To provide the best chance for this critically endangered bird's survival, steps are being taken to restore the savanna and forest island habitat to as close to its original state as possible so that the Blue-throated Macaw and other threatened species in the ecosystem can rebound and thrive. The survival success of this critically endangered bird in the wild is highly dependent on the availability of large mature trees for nesting in empty cavities. However, over 150 years of ranching in the Beni Savanna, this bird's native range, has cleared almost all these older-growth trees, reducing the availability of suitable nest sites. Work on this critical project commenced in late 2022 with surveys to document the remnant forest's current diversity, structure, and composition, an important first step in understanding the ecosystem and determining what needs to be done to restore the habitat. Armonía staff worked closely with a botanist to map the reserve and assess the various levels of degradation. The resulting data are incorporated into the Reforestation and Monitoring Plan for the Laney Rickman Reserve. Since Armonía now owns the land, plans are being made not only for 5-year and 10-year goals but also long-range goals for 100 and 200 years. The next immediate step is the Greenhouse Project to research and understand what specific types of plants need to be restored. The primary food source for the Blue-throated Macaw is the fruit of the motacú palm tree (Attalea phalerata). In addition, these birds also enjoy fruits from various other trees. Once the types and sources of seeds are determined, the project steps include sowing and nurturing them in the greenhouse. Research will also be done on testing the best methods for planting and maintaining the seedlings to ensure they will grow into mature trees. After the seedlings are planted, Armonía will construct firebreaks to protect the restored areas. In addition, workshops will be held on the reserve to share the best conservation and restoration practices with local landowners, cattle ranchers, government personnel, as well as university staff and students.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $0

  • Program 1 [2024]

    Our in situ Nido AdoptivoTM ("nest adoption") supplemental nest box project on the Laney Rickman Reserve is a cooperative effort with the Bolivian bird conservation NGO Asociación Armonía, the BirdLife International Partner in Bolivia. The Laney Rickman Reserve protects the most significant breeding grounds for the critically endangered Blue-throated Macaw. This vitally important reserve comprises ~6,000 acres of former cattle ranches, more than three times the size when dedicated in 2018. The survival success of the Blue-throated Macaw in the wild is highly dependent on the availability of large trees where they prefer to make their nests in empty cavities. However, over 150 years of land use in the Beni Savanna, this bird's native range, has cleared almost all these older-growth trees, reducing the availability of suitable nest areas for the Blue-throated Macaw. To remedy this lack of suitable nesting sites, we aim to increase the Blue-throated Macaw wild population by installing and monitoring supplemental nest boxes. To date, a total of 145 Blue-throated Macaw chicks have fledged from our Nido Adoptivo nest boxes since project inception in 2007. This number of successful fledglings is truly significant, approximately one-third of the wild Blue-throated Macaw population (based on current population estimates of 420 - 480). The cumulative number of successful fledges by year is trending upward; specifically, it took 12 years for the first 64 chicks to fledge, yet only six years for the next 64 fledges. The steepening of the trend after the 2017- 2018 breeding season is most likely due to two significant factors: 1) when the land became protected as the Laney Rickman Reserve, and 2) for the first time, a second-generation chick fledged. The number of banded parent birds has generally increased each breeding season, an essential indicator of increasing population recruitment where chicks fledge into the wild, reach sexual maturity, and return to raise their chicks. These previous Blue-throated Macaw fledges, now parent birds, have learned the nest boxes are a safe place to return to raise their own families, showing this program's success and positive impact.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $0