The use of hand-raised psittacines for reintroduction: a case study of scarlet macaws (Ara macao) in Peru and Costa Rica

Published source details Brightsmith D., Hilburn J., Del Campo A., Boyd J., Frisius M., Frisius R., Janik D. & Guillen F. (2005) The use of hand-raised psittacines for reintroduction: a case study of scarlet macaws (Ara macao) in Peru and Costa Rica. Biological Conservation, 121, 465-472.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Release captive-bred individuals into the wild to restore or augment wild populations of parrots Action Link

Release captive-bred individuals into the wild to restore or augment wild populations of parrots

A replicated study (Brightsmith et al. 2005) at three scarlet macaw Ara macao release centres in Costa Rica and Peru found that annual post-release survival of 71 captive-bred birds and former pets was 89% (77% first-year survival and 96% after). First-year survival ranged from 60% to 90% and survival was higher for birds released in larger groups and in areas with birds already present. Pairs formed at all three sites, with at least four chicks fledged at the Peruvian site. Birds began to breed at four to seven years old. Birds were not raised in isolation from humans and did not show fear of humans after release. Five former pets released all survived for at least two years, but they appeared to socialise less with other released macaws. At the two Costa Rican sites, birds were kept in aviaries at the release sites for at least six months, there was little pre-release training at the Peruvian site.