Scarlet macaws occasionally fall prey to jaguars and other large cats. Examples of Rainforest Bird Scarlet Macaw, Toco Toucan, and Xenops. There are two main reasons why Scarlet Macaw Research is so crucial: Scarlet Macaws are a flagship species. Conservation status. Scarlet Macaws eat a variety of fruits, nuts and seeds. Scarlet, Hyacinth, Red-fronted and Blue-throated Macaws are seriously endangered, while it’s thought that both the Glaucus and Spix’s Macaws may already be extinct. Scarlet Macaws are so friendly that they often stop by our Tambopata Research Center lodge for a breakfast-time visit. Nine of the sixteen species of macaws are listed on Appendix I of CITES, including scarlet macaws. Scarlet macaws are important as seed eaters of large tree fruits. Some of the birds that call the rainforests their home are the Scarlet Macaw, which has the scientific name Ara Macao.. Reproductive rates in the wild are low for a number of reasons, including a natural scarcity of suitable nesting sites. They also help with insect population control. Their strong talons and long toungue are well adapted to breaking open the shells of tough nuts and seeds. Why are macaws important to rain-forest? They make their nests in the humid climates of these ranging forests, near rivers where the vegetation is thick, lush, and bright. To learn more about how to help, visit the World Wildlife Fund . Macaws are rainforest dwellers and many animals living in the jungle are green to camouflage with all the trees and plants. Here, they’re camouflaged from predators. Most macaws live in the emergent layer in the rainforest, but some species, such as Red-fronted macaws, live in swampy areas within rainforests, while Scarlet macaws tend to favour lowlands. So, why is it so important to research Scarlet Macaws? At least 17 different species of macaws live in the Central and South American rainforests, with many calling the Amazon their home. Ecological niche. by Lindsay Bradshaw, Animal Care Manager. Scarlet macaws inhabit humid lowland subtropical rain forests, open woodlands, river edges, and savannas. Most macaws live in the emergent layer in the rainforest, but some species, such as Red-fronted macaws, live in swampy areas within rainforests, while Scarlet macaws tend to favour lowlands. WWF helped create Peru’s spectacular Manu National Park, home to the scarlet macaw and nearly 10 percent of all bird species on Earth. Visit the clay licks (colpas): Scarlet Macaws often visit the clay licks near the Rainforest Expedition lodges to gain important nutrients. The scarlet macaw is one of the most impressive birds you will ever encounter. The habitat of scarlet macaws is also considered to have the greatest latitudinal range for any bird in the genus Ara, as the estimated … Scarlet Macaws are an endangered species due to their capture as pets and loss of habitat. In the Amazon Rainforest, many macaws will gather on steep river banks to eat the clay located there. Before the Scarlet Macaws decline in population, its distribution included much of Costa Rica. Currently this species is classifed as Least Concern (LC); however its numbers today are decreasing.