Tucked away in the lush hills of Copán Ruinas, Honduras, is a sanctuary that’s doing something extraordinary. It’s not a zoo, it’s not a theme park—and it’s certainly not your typical bird park. This is Macaw Mountain, and it’s part of the reason we do what we do at The Aviary.
If you've ever wondered where our yearly donation goes, or why we care so much about parrots and conservation, this is the place to start.
Where It All Began
Macaw Mountain’s story doesn’t start in a boardroom—it starts on an island, with a woman who simply cared.
In the 1980s, on Roatán Island, an American woman named Mandy Wagner began taking in unwanted parrots and macaws. Some were former pets, some had been rescued from difficult conditions, but all needed help. Over time, her collection grew, and when she returned to the U.S., the care of these birds passed to Lloyd Davidson, who didn’t just maintain their care—he expanded it.
Lloyd eventually established a bird park in Roatán, but realised the setting wasn’t ideal for the long-term health and wellbeing of the birds. So he made a bold move: he relocated the entire project to the mainland, into the heart of Honduras’ Copán Valley.
In December 2001, Macaw Mountain Bird Park & Nature Reserve officially opened its gates—and it hasn’t stopped growing since.
What They Do (And Why It Matters)
At its core, Macaw Mountain is a bird rescue, rehabilitation, and release centre. The birds that arrive here have often lived through years of captivity, neglect, or illegal trade. Some come from people who simply didn’t know how to care for them. Others are seized from the black market.
Many of these birds are too old, injured, or imprinted on humans to survive in the wild. For them, Macaw Mountain is a permanent home—a place of peace, safety, and dignity. But for the ones that can be released? That’s where the magic really happens.
Since 2011, Macaw Mountain has been working with conservation groups and the World Parrot Trust to reintroduce the scarlet macaw—the national bird of Honduras—back into its natural habitat. These aren’t just symbolic releases. They're monitored, supported, and deeply rooted in long-term habitat protection and community involvement.
So far, the park has helped release over 40 scarlet macaws into the Copán Valley. For a species once nearly wiped out in the wild, that’s not just good news—it’s incredible.
What Visitors Can Experience
Macaw Mountain isn’t just for conservationists. It’s also a thriving eco-tourism experience that lets visitors get up close with the birds—and see the work firsthand.
The park features:
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Spacious aviaries built into the natural forest
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Opportunities to interact with macaws, parrots, and toucans
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A botanical garden filled with native plants
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A natural pool to cool off in
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A historic coffee roasting house, because yes—coffee and parrots go together more than you’d think
It’s peaceful, educational, and unforgettable. And when you visit, you don’t just learn—you become part of the mission.
Why The Aviary Supports Macaw Mountain
When we were searching for the right conservation partner for our first full year of trading, we didn’t want a faceless charity. We wanted boots on the ground. Real people. Real impact. And we wanted a direct connection between the coffee we sell and the birds we care about.
Macaw Mountain is all of that.
They’re based in a coffee-growing country, the area that provides us with our beans for Jungle Breeze, a light roast coffee represented by the scarlet macaw. They’re releasing wild parrots back into landscapes where coffee is grown. And they’re building a future where ethical farming and wildlife protection go hand in hand.
That’s why 5% of our profits in 2025 go directly to Macaw Mountain—and it’s just the beginning.
Want to Be Our 2026 Conservation Partner?
We’re already thinking ahead. If you’re part of a conservation organisation working in parrot protection, reforestation, or sustainable farming in coffee-producing regions—we’d love to hear from you.
We’re looking for our 2026 partner and will be donating another 5% of profits to a cause that aligns with our mission. Drop us an email, share what you do, and let’s start a conversation.
At The Aviary, every cup of coffee is doing something bigger.
Macaw Mountain proves what’s possible when passion meets purpose.
You can learn more about them at macawmountain.org, or follow us for updates on the impact your orders are helping to create.
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