Parrots & Toucans

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Scarlet macaws are not only large and beautiful, but they have inspiring social dynamics! These parrots can live up to 80 years and mate for life, once partnered. They will do everything together from foraging, to sitting beside one-another on a favored perch. The companions frequently clean each-other, cuddle, and sporadically lock their beaks in a manner that might be interpreted as kissing. Many parrots share these attributes. Love is often perceived as an emotion exclusive to humans, but what does it truly mean to love? Many humans, despite professing such affection toward another, often have reservations about physical touch or quality time, projecting feelings of insecurity onto their partner. Sometimes, we humans even profess to no longer love another, parting ways in a messy fashion. Love is eternal, not conditional. Macaw pairs are not entirely drama-free. They still squabble from time to time, but individuals never abandon their companions, nor do they withhold physical affection. After some intense squawking, they carry on with day-to-day life. Science often rejects anthropomorphizing (assigning human qualities to other creatures), yet the field is constantly uncovering new evidence of consciousness within animals, trees, and even fungus. Are “wild” creatures merely acting out of survival necessity. If so, how are we any different? It seems arrogant and entirely unimaginative to presume that love (or any other emotion, for that matter) is exclusive to humans or even just a handful of creatures with a level of consciousness we find relatable.

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Emerald Toucanet

After a 5-hour bus ride delivered me to a hostel near Monteverde well into the night, morning 1 was wet and dreary. I expended precious energy battling the elements and contriving janky contraptions to protect the gear.
After admiring some neat insects, a brief sliver of sunlight graced my slow jaunt toward the cloud forest. This light was accompanied by an emerald toucanet! He / she emerged from the dark forest cover to pluck a low-hanging nut or three. After crushing this nourishment with the thick powerful bill, this stunning creature briefly surveyed the roadside scene. After one or two quick perch swaps, Mr or Mrs Toucanet disappeared into the shadows from whence this creature came.

Scarlet Macaws

Macaw pairs spend a lifetime together and share nearly every daily activity. The perched scarlet macaw soon followed his / her mate after take-off. Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica.

Fiery Aracari

The term "toucanet" refers to approximately 12 species of "miniature toucans." Toucanets share similar lifestyles to their enormous cousins, consuming fruits and cracking nuts with their powerful beaks. Golfito, Costa RIca.

Palm Provisions

While traipsing down a dirt road adjacent to Corcovado National Park, I came upon 5 scarlet macaws foraging palm fruit. They had a very specific protocol to ensure everyone got their servings. Despite enough space on the fruit cluster to likely accommodate two parrots at a time, they never crowded the buffet. One parrot would fly in and snatch a single berry, promptly relocating to a nearby perch before the next parrot flew in, concisely following suit. No one went hungry and there didn't seem to be the slightest hint of impatience! Their etiquette was astounding! Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

Fruit Frenzy

The Flying Macaw

Having just plucked a delicious palm fruit (I couldn't resist tasting one the parrots had rejected), Mr / Mrs Macaw makes room for a hungry companion. Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

Mealy Parrots

Parrot pairs, these mealy types included, show all manner of affection from spending most of their time together, to cleaning, cuddling, and foraging together. Despite the love and tenderness, they still have an occasional squabble which tends to be quickly resolved after some raspy squawking. Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

The Nesting Parrot

A mealy parrot tenderly nurtures her eggs. Like other birds, parrots are wonderful parents, devoting the entirety of nesting season to caring for chicks and protecting them from danger. Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

Flight of the Parrot

As humans, we often elevate ourselves above other creatures, presuming the right to confine them within cages and label them "pets." These majestic creatures deserve lives of freedom, not confinement. Wild capture and collection is still a major issue and is driven almost entirely by the pet trade. Imagine a 20-year-old creature being taken from his / her mate after a decade of foraging, nesting, and rearing chicks together. Imagine chicks being stolen from a nest. Imagine your reaction, as a parent or lover, being in the position of a captured parrot. Please, please, please never purchase a bird. These creatures deserve to feel the wind in the wings and the freedom of their native homes.
Mealy Parrots photographed in Costa Rica's wild Osa Peninsula.

Parrot Palooza

The three amigos! The two scarlet macaws on left cuddled, preened, and kissed (locking beaks for brief stints). The third fellow, appearing lonely, as also cuddled and preened a bit. He / she seemed to encroach in the lovebirds' space more and more until they got fed up and told him off in raucous parrot song. Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

Majestic Macaws

Like other birds, parrots form extremely strong bonds with their mates. Not unlike other parrots, scarlet macaws do everything together, from cuddling and locking beaks in a manner that might be interpreted as kissing, to foraging. Scarlet macaws behave just like humans who are deeply in love. They may be even more compassionate, as parrots resolve their differences rather than harboring resentment or asserting expectations. Let us be more like parrots!
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.