Because in this edition we also report on the commissioning of the Chalillo Dam in the Cayo District which many environmentalist believe has destroyed the main nesting sites for the Scarlet Macaw, a bird highly sensitive to its environment, we thought is would be a great opportunity to research the status of the Ara macao, the Scarlet Macaw population in Belize.

With a range from South Central Mexico to Bolivia and Central Brazil, the Scarlet Macaw prefers a habitat that consists of forest area, lowland tropical rain forest up to 90m and mountains. Here in Belize, the Scarlet Macaws that has a population of somewhere between 24 and 200 birds are primarily located in the deep reaches of the Maya Mountains. In the wild their diet consists of tropical fruits, figs, berries and nuts. During the breeding season, the Scarlet Macaw is also known to have a taste for insects and their larvae.

As with most species of Parrots, the Scarlet Macaw is also threatened with extinction because humans are destroying much of their habitat at an increasing alarming rate. With their large, red, yellow and blue feathers, their pointed tail and huge bill, the Scarlet Macaw is probably the most strikingly beautiful of all the macaws.

The Scarlet Macaw is sometimes confused with the Green Wing Macaw because they both are primarily red, but this is their only similarity. Generally, the Scarlet's red is not as dark as that of the Green Wing. The Scarlet is not as heavy bodied as the Green Wing, although, it is usually six to eight inches longer because of its long, slender tail. Other Macaw species include spixs, lears, blue throated, red fronted, hyacinth, great green or buffons, military, green wing, blue and gold, scarlet, yellow collared, chestnut fronted or severe, red bellied, blue winged or illigers, noble, hahns and, blue headed, glaucous (probably extinct).

According to Ms. Sharon Matola, the founder and director of The Belize Zoo, "The Scarlet Macaw is arguably the most magnificent bird of the parrot family. With their wide strong wings, macaws can reach speeds of 35 miles per hour. They often fly in pairs or small groups and often call to each other in raucous hoarse voices. Macaws appear to prefer higher elevations and riparian (riverine) forests. They are known to have very large territories. They prefer to nest in holes high up in trees and usually lay one or two eggs. They feed on specific fruits such as polewood, roaming large areas searching for clumps of their favorite foods. As recent as 1989, the reported Belizean population of Scarlet Macaws was a total of 24 birds. But in 1996, a new population of over 100 birds was "discovered" south of the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Unfortunately, over most of its range, the Scarlet macaw is endangered, a victim of human greed - many have been taken as a commodity in the pet trade".

Known to be excellent climbers, the average size of an adult Scarlet Macaw is 3 feet from head to tail and weigh up to 2.5 pounds. They produce up to four eggs over an incubation period of 24 to 25 days. The young fledge at 105 days and stay with parents up to one year. With the establishment of the World Parrot Trust in 1989 private breeders are now providing feathers to try to slow the poaching of birds for feathers. Sadly, these days in Belize, the chances of seeing the Scarlet Macaw while doing some quality tropical backyard birding is slim to none.