Red and Green Macaws (Ara chloroptera)

Mato Grosso do Sur, Brazil

A single person can make an enormous difference. The sandstone sinkhole known as Buraco das Araras near Bonito in the Southern Pantanal was long known as a nesting area for wild Red-and-Green Macaws. But after decades of the hole being used for other purposes– target practice, garbage disposal, and as a place to drive cars off a cliff–the macaws abandoned the place. (No surprise there...) Then a farmer named Modesto Sampaio bought the land around it, and decided he want to try and lure the macaws back. He removed the trash and the wrecked cars, and convinced people to stay away. Eventually, slowly, the birds began to return. Today, the Buraco is one of the most popular attractions in the region, and once again echoes with the raucous shieks of over 100 macaws. I was fortunate to meet Modesto when I was there and to thank him personally for what he has done, both for the birds - and for all of us.

I spent several mornings at the place, photographing the macaws. My favorite shot of the trip was this, of two birds fighting - or courting, I'm not sure which...

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Join Kevin in the field in 2013!  He will be leading two winged safaris in Southern Africa in July/August, and lecturing aboard the National Geographic Explorer on a magnificent cruise of Argentina and the Chilean Fjords in October. If you have questions about either trip, please feel free to contact Kevin directly.