Over 12 centuries ago, the Copan Valley was inhabited by the great Maya Civilization. For them, this was the Sacred Valley of Scarlet Macaws. A nearby hill was named Macaw Mountain. The magnificent ball court in the center of the Acropolis still has the 6 markers resembling macaws. The entry passage into the ball court still boasts a well-preserved macaw sculpture. There is scientific evidence that the Maya of Copan had a special relationship with Scarlet Macaws. Long after the fall of Copan, the valley was home to macaws. Indeed, Copan is the Sacred Valley of Scarlet Macaws.

Over the years, especially in the twentieth century, the macaws were to disappear from the Copan Valley. Farming, but mainly poaching took a toll on the macaw population until they disappeared entirely. 

The good news is that a project led by a local bird park, Macaw Mountain Bird Park was been very successful in reinserting the magnificent Scarlet Macaws into the valley.  With funds from the Parrot Trust, an international NGO whose goal is to protect parrots, they have pulled together a magnificent achievement. Today, there are more than 60 scarlet macaws flying freely over the Copan Archaeological park!

These magnificent sculptures decorate the ball court at Copan Ruinas, Honduras

This Christmas holiday I was in Copan, and after a pleasant hike to the Archaeological park I visited the park itself. I have done so many times in the past, and it just does not get old. But despite the park being spectacular, it has gotten even better over the years. As I entered the park, there was a tree where at least a dozen Scarlet Macaws where gathered. In a moment, they all took flight, and provided a spectacular show for those of us that were there. We were all in awe. It is easy to understand why they call the area the Sacred Valley of Scarlet Macaws!