Scarlet macaws are partners for life. At ECOTICA, some of those couples have made their home with us, in two tall royal palms on the property.
Two old palms, many nests
The tops of these palms were cut a long time ago. For us, that was the end of two trees. For the macaws, it was the beginning of something good. A palm trunk like that is soft inside, and scarlet macaws love it because they can open a hollow and make a home.
Today each of the two palms holds a number of nests. When the pairs come and go, it’s one of the most beautiful things to see here: couples of scarlet macaws flying all around the ECOTICA sky, red, yellow and blue against the green.
A feather to keep
One of my favorite moments with the macaws was a small one. One day I found one of their feathers on the ground. It was red and orange, very bright and very colorful. Finding one is rare. I kept it as a souvenir, and I still have it.
When to see them
Come early. The best time to watch the macaws is early in the morning, when they seem to be busy looking for food. Many guests watch them over breakfast, and the property, with its trees and its natural setting, is a beautiful place to do it. You’ll usually hear them before you see them.
Watching them the right way
- Enjoy the nests from a distance. Don’t go close to the palms, and never try to reach a nest.
- No flash, and no calls or recordings to bring them closer.
- If you find a feather, enjoy it and take a photo. Scarlet macaws are a protected species, so feathers shouldn’t go home in your suitcase.
Want to know more? Read about the scarlet macaw and other birds of Manuel Antonio, and see the wildlife guide. More stories from ECOTICA: the capuchin who took a seat at YOLO Social and the rainy day a sloth came to visit.
