By Dr Matthias Reinschmidt

This year, for the first time, we have installed a camera in the nest box of the Hyacinth macaw pair, which gives us detailed information about the breeding behaviour of the animals. During the breeding period, the female was often visited by the male and was fed and preened extensively. This plumage care was mutual, because the male was also preened by the female as a reward for the visit. Quite often, the male came in the nest box just to be with the female, to be next to her or just to rest a little bit, without intervening actively in the business of breeding.

From the moment the young bird hatched, the male fed, not only the female, but also the youngster. It was fed by both parents equally, initially with regurgitated very thin mucus-like liquid food, that is more like saliva than a mash. It was interesting to observe how carefully the parents treated the young chick of only 25g and without any feathers.

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