Release Procedures

The site specifications, owners, history of the site and birds, ecological statistics
food availability, including seasonal information
the status of the seasons on the property
the wildlife on the property
the eco-systems/habitats
the water availability
specific requirements for the macaws - release-aviary size, volunteer facilities, feed stations, nest-boxes, how we want the birds monitored, instructions for pre & post monitoring, release procedures, security procedures etc.
How we require the release to be scheduled, how we add to the flock,
How the birds are fed before and after release, how they are release

The 'Plan' is written by the Amigos de las Aves regente, Sheirys Jimenez, in conjunction with Amigos de las Aves and is based on all the above factors at each release site. The land-owner must sign and agree to co-operate with the Plan and allow their land to be used for release purposes. The 'Plan' is submitted to MINAE, who will recommend any alterations if they feel it necessary before they authorize the document, allowing us to move forward with the practical considerations of the release.

The 'Plan' covers all further releases at a particular site, but MINAE must have appropriate paperwork submitted for every bird released.

The 'Plan de Manejo' is a working document; it may be changed if party's request, but all parties must be agreeable to this and all paperwork must be amended in the correct legal format.

Release Age

Although the age of the bird is relevant to the release program, we generally feel "the younger the better" as it is an easier learning curb for a younger bird.

However, we are also interested in the behaviour of some of the older birds and we are releasing one or two to integrate with our flock. By having a population where breeding birds differ in age, there is less squabbling amongst available male and female birds. Releasing older birds also gives these individuals a chance to 'be free'.

It will be an interesting concept to see the differences of behaviour between the adaptability of the older and the younger birds. Will the older lead the youngster?, or vice verca? Will the older gain by experience? Or the younger by the learning curve?

Pre Release Procedures

Birds are selected according to age, genetic diversity, gender and the flock already in-situ (if there is one) We generally release younger birds of approximately 2-3 years as we believe they adapt to their surroundings. However we also release one or two older birds, of 3 - 5 years, in each release flock as we would like to integrate stock nearer breeding age, how well older birds adapt after being in captivity for a longer period of time.

Transportation to the release site can be varied - car, ferry and even plane -

Cleared medical samples requested by MINAE include those for Newcastles, Polyoma, Pacheco's, Salmonella, Avian Flu and Chlamydia. A complete physical veterinary check is also required prior to release.

Photographs of each bird are kept with the bird's records at all times.

Assuming the Plan de Manejo is in place, and all the permit and test papers have been submitted to MINAE, permission to release the birds is requested and permits are then issued.

Photographs of birds are included in the paperwork that travels with the birds during transfer to the release site.

Identification

It is important to make careful observations of the markings of each bird. Every bird is completely individual and as such prepares its own 'passport'. We endeavor to take photographs of left and right wing, left and right beak and back, in order to assist with identification purposes in the field.

However, the wing provides the most individual marking on the Scarlet Macaw and depending upon the origins and sub species of the bird, the markings are most obvious and always different.

Can you spot the difference?

Therefore, we include photographs of each bird with the official MINAE documents as a matter of course.

A combination wing and beak patterns, along with behaviour, is the most complete method of differentiating between the birds once they are released.

The photographs also serve as identification should any of the birds be stolen or lost. Although Macaws do tend to moult their feathers, the markings can still hold as good identification for any individual bird.

It is possible to microchip birds, and some of our birds do carry microchips, however you have to physically catch the bird to identify it by microchip, which isnt very practical and rather defeats the object.

We do not use transmiters at Amigos de las Aves. We dislike radio collars, we feel they are dangerous and can catch on branching etc. They also attract attention to the collared bird by another birds/preditors and thereby allowing the bird to "stand out" to be "picked upon", and being "different" from the other birds.

Tail transmiters used on raptors are also an option, but tend to drop off once the moult is complete, and so is therefore only a short term solution.

The BEST solution, is a biologist who doesn't mind "leg work"!

On site

Upon arrival at the release site birds are placed in a pre-release aviary with no human contact, other than that required to feed and replace branches, browse and clean.

The aviary is approximately 20feet x 30feet x 8 feet in height. An extra annex cage of approximately 10 x 10 x 8 should be attached at one end of the flight. Allowing the birds to be separated before release and also for closer observation if the bird looks ill

The height of the aviary allows the bird's adequate flying space, but does not allow for a full build-up of flight and chest muscles. When the birds are released, they are not as fit as they could be, preventing them from flying great distances and 'getting lost' following the initial release.

The diet of the birds at the Breeding Centre is continued at the release site in the first days after arrival to assist in the acclimitisation of the birds. After the settling in period, it is gradually replaced by local foods in their raw and natural state, until the birds are feeding entirely on these natural foods a few weeks following arrival. The food is often presented still attached to branches so that the birds may learn to recognise the plant species. This tends to range from 2 - 4 weeks. It is necessary to make sure ALL the birds are eating properly with enough food to sustain each bird. Depending upon time of year and availability, the birds learn to adapt to a variety of their new natural food sources

Branches and browse are secured at one end only in the pre-release aviary.
To simulate natural branching.

The birds need to be observed to define and identify the 'alpha' pair. This pair will be the first to be released .

No contact will be made with the birds, other than to feed, or if necessary to treat illness.

The birds are released two at a time, generally as a male/female pair, once it is definitely confirmed that all birds are thriving on a diet of local natural foods, and they sustain good condition, the flock is ready for release. This is approximately 4 weeks following arrival on site (if there is already birds flying free - it would be more if it is an initial release). No more birds are released until the first two birds return to the feeding station. The feeding station will also be a constant source of collected natural foods, until such time as the birds are foraging on their own, and believed to be able to sustain themselves. If the entire flock is released at once, they may flock and fly off. Newly released birds do not have their bearings and may fly too far and get lost. If only a small number of the birds are released at a time, the remaining birds in the pre-release aviary will discourage them from leaving the release area by calling. Any previously released birds will guide the new birds back to the feeding station for their daily sunflower seeds.

A handful of sunflower seeds are placed in the feeding station between 3.30. - 4.00 pm. This encourages the birds to stay and roost in the area and allows for observations for health purposes and for identification of individuals and with whom they may be associating with. Birds that have been released for any length of time tend to place less importance on the sunflower seeds, showing their complete integration into the wild. Younger and more recently released birds tend to take advantage of the feed as they establish themselves into the environment. The area itself and the aviary proves to be a constant meeting place for the birds and appears to be important to their social wellbeing.

Assuming every release is 'perfect' the older birds (previously released birds) will guide the younger birds (newly released birds) to food sources and assist with integration into the flock and their adaptation into the wild. We have noted this to be the case with our 2nd and 3rd releases.

Initially, the feed station is a source of food following release, with natural foods provided. The food is gradually reduced until it is obvious that the birds are finding food enough on their own. After this stage, only the feeding of sunflower seeds continues daily.

From the time the birds arrive at the pre-release aviary until after release, we have volunteers and biologists monitoring the entire process every daylight hour and providing all necessary food.

Sunflower Feeding

Sunflower feeding after release is an important part of our release program

A feeding station is placed within sight of the macaws in the pre-release cage. Food should be placed in the feeding station a few days before release so the macaws see the food there.

When the first birds are released, a selection of natural foods is placed at the feeding station throughout the day in their natural state. Old food/seed husks should be removed and cleaned away daily, and replaced with fresh and varied food. New food is placed daily until the birds are feeding on their own.

A handful of sunflower seeds are given at the same time every day at 3.30pm - 4pm. We believe this is vitally important to our release program. It initially encourages the birds to return to the release area to roost. We believe that this keeps the birds within a safe environment initially whilst they find their bearings. It also allows us to monitor their behaviour, their health and their socialising. If the seeds are fed any earlier in the day, then the birds tend to eat and fly off to find food at other sources and they can then tend to roost elsewhere.

Over the years we have noted that the release area, feed stations and sunflower seeds tend to keep the birds in the area that we wish them to be in, which in turn affords them as much protection as we can offer from poachers and the like.

Final Stages

The final stages of the post-release protocol includes a detailed research and monitoring program, with three main objectives:
to collect data on habitat usage, movements, foraging behavior, and flock integration;
to document nesting/at natural and artificial nest sites;
educational activities within the community

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.