Nido Adoptivo™ NEST BOX PROJECT:
From fewer than 100 birds to a flourishing wild population today, our nest boxes are reversing the decline, bringing the Blue-throated Macaw back from the brink.
Since its launch in 2006, the Nido Adoptivo™ supplemental nest box program at the Laney Rickman Blue-throated Macaw Reserve in Bolivia has played a vital role in the recovery of this critically endangered species. To date, an incredible 184 Blue-throated Macaw chicks have successfully fledged from our nest boxes, helping the wild population grow from fewer than 100 birds two decades ago to nearly 800 today—a remarkable conservation success story made possible by our community of supporters!
Even more exciting, second-generation chicks have fledged from our nest boxes since 2017—and their numbers continue to grow. Blue-throated Macaws that once fledged from Nido Adoptivo™ nest boxes—identified by leg bands—are now returning as adults to raise their own chicks. This wonderful milestone is an encouraging sign that the population is not only growing but also becoming increasingly self-sustaining.
Sponsorships are available for the 2028 breeding season!
Thanks to the tremendous generosity of our donors, the 2027 breeding season is fully sponsored, and we are now accepting sponsorships for 2028. With a $300 donation, you may sponsor a nest box for an entire breeding season, directly supporting:
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Nest box construction and maintenance
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Fieldwork to identify optimal nesting sites
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Ongoing monitoring throughout the breeding season
100% of your sponsorship goes to our conservation partner in Bolivia, Asociación Armonía, ensuring your contribution directly supports the Nido Adoptivo™ project in the field.
You can also make your sponsorship personal! You may specify two initials for your nest box, and your name will be recognized on our Supporters page. You may also include a special tribute “In Honor Of” or “In Memory Of” someone meaningful to you.
Sponsor a nest box and become part of the next generation of “Saving the Blues!”
"Discover Blue-throats" Education Project, Laney Rickman Reserve
The future of the Blue-throated Macaw depends on local communities becoming stewards and raising awareness of this critically endangered bird's conservation needs. Once on the brink of extinction, the Blue-throated Macaw, native to Bolivia's Beni region, is now an inspiring conservation success. Over the past two decades, the wild population has increased from fewer than 100 birds to nearly 800 today, thanks in part to the positive outcomes of the Nido Adoptivo nest box project at the Laney Rickman Reserve.
Despite this progress, many residents of the Beni region in northeastern Bolivia still have not seen this iconic bird. They are unaware of its habitat or what it takes to protect it. The “Discover Blue-throats” program aims to change that. Armonía’s unique educational initiative provides schoolchildren with the opportunity to visit the Education Center at the reserve’s Field Station. There, they will learn about the Blue-throated Macaw and have a rare chance to observe it in its natural environment from a hidden viewing area.
Our goal is to create a lasting impact and inspire the next generation to care about conservation. By the end of their visit, students will understand the Blue-throated Macaw's significance to their region—how it lives, what it eats, and where it nests. Most importantly, they will feel empowered, knowing that the future of this species depends on their efforts to protect it.
Blue-throated Macaw Habitat Restoration Project, Laney Rickman Reserve
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The Blue-throated Macaw Habitat Restoration Project at the Laney Rickman Reserve in the Beni Savanna, Bolivia is a crucial initiative for the conservation of this critically endangered species and its habitat. Now that Armonía owns this important piece of land, we are taking action to restore the habitat. Your contribution plays a vital role in helping to restore the habitat to its natural state, ensuring the Blue-throated Macaw's long-term survival and promoting biodiversity in the region. Restoring the savanna/forest island ecosystem in the reserve is essential for providing suitable nesting areas and resources for the Blue-throated Macaw and other threatened wildlife to thrive.
Work on this critical project commenced in late 2022 with surveys to document the current diversity, structure, and composition of the remnant forest, an important first step in understanding the ecosystem and determining what needs to be done to restore the habitat. The next immediate step is the Greenhouse Project to research and understand what specific types of plants need to be restored. The primary food source for the Blue-throated Macaw is the fruit of the motacú palm tree Attalea phalerata. In addition, these birds also enjoy fruits from various other trees.
"Friends of Laney Rickman Blue-throated Macaw Reserve"
With the establishment of the Laney Rickman Reserve in 2018, the most important breeding site for the southern subpopulation of the Blue-throated Macaw is now protected forever. But conservation goals are not met by buying land alone, as emblematic species can suffer from threats such as poaching, uncontrolled fires, and invasive cattle, which negatively affect their habitat. Your support will go directly to protecting this species and its crucial habitat by restoring this endangered ecosystem through the nest box program, fire prevention, park guard patrols, and habitat restoration.
General "Saving the Blues" Donations
General contributions that support Bird Endowment and Armonía's efforts in "Saving the Blues" at the Laney Rickman Blue-throated Macaw Reserve in Bolivia play a vital role in conserving this critically endangered species.
Every contribution, regardless of the amount, makes a difference in the conservation of this iconic bird species. It's heartening to see collective efforts to safeguard biodiversity and preserve the natural heritage of the Beni Savanna in Bolivia. These contributions help fund a range of activities, including habitat restoration, nest box provisioning, monitoring and research, community engagement, and education programs. By supporting these efforts, individuals and organizations contribute directly to the protection and recovery of the wild Blue-throated Macaw population and its habitat.
"Laney Rickman Blue-throated Macaw Fund"
In 2017, to honor Laney Rickman’s legacy and continue her dedicated efforts to save this critically endangered species from extinction, the Bird Endowment, Asociación Armonía, American Bird Conservancy, and Laney's family partnered to establish the “Laney Rickman Blue-throated Macaw Fund”. American Bird Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) organization, manages the Fund, with all disbursements sent directly to Asociación Armonía in Bolivia. Over $330,000 has been raised to date.
Thanks to your support, the
Blue-throated Macaw is flying toward a brighter future!
