Hispaniolan Parakeet (Aratinga chloroptera) - BirdLife species factsheet

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VU	Hispaniolan Parakeet Aratinga chloroptera

2010 IUCN Red List Category (as evaluated by BirdLife International - the official Red List Authority for birds for IUCN): Vulnerable

Justification This species has a small and fragmented range and population, which continues to decline as a result of habitat loss and persecution. It consequently qualifies as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Souancé, 1856)

Taxonomic source(s) AOU checklist (1998 + supplements), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)

Identification 30-33 cm. Plain green parakeet with red carpal and underwing-coverts. Bare white orbital ring, yellowish-green underside of flight feathers and tail and sometimes red feathers on head. Similar spp. Introduced Olive-throated Parakeet A. nana is smaller, duller green and lacks any red. Voice Screeching calls in flight and when perched. A. nana is higher-pitched.

Population estimate	Population trend	Range estimate (breeding/resident)	Country endemic?
2,500-9,999	decreasing	19,000 km²	No

Range & population Aratinga chloroptera occurs in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with feral populations in Puerto Rico (to USA)^1,3 and possibly Florida, USA¹, and Guadeloupe (to France)³. The extinct race maugei formerly occurred on Isla Mona in Puerto Rico³. It is now generally rare with isolated populations in the Cordillera Central, Sierra de Baoruco and the suburbs of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic². Recent records from Monte Cristi and Ebano Verde may represent additional local populations². Its status in Haiti is unclear. It has been suggested that it may be extinct in Haiti¹, and the species was not recorded in the previously inhabited La Viste National Park in 2000⁶, but there are also claims that it is common in the Massif de la Selle and la Citadelle area of the Massif du Nord³.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It inhabits all kinds of natural habitat from montane forest to arid lowland forest, palm-savanna and open woodland, and ranges into agricultural land and second growth¹. It occupies a wide altitudinal range from the lowlands to 3,000 m ¹. Nesting takes place in tree-cavities or arboreal termite nests¹.

Threats Habitat loss and persecution as a crop-pest are the greatest threats to this species. It is exploited for local and international trade, but only 12 wild-caught individuals were reported in international trade in 1991-1995⁴.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. In the Dominican Republic, it is legally protected against hunting and trapping, but this legislation is not adequately enforced⁴. An education strategy with community participation has been launched for the protection of this species⁵. Interactions between this species and Olive-throated Parakeet A. nana (because of the recent increase in numbers of A. nana in the Sierra de Baoruco²) are being investigated⁷. A volunteer parrot protection group is to be set up and damaged nest cavities refurbished⁷.

Conservation measures proposed Clarify the status of the species in Haiti. Study ecology and breeding success to determine natural limiting factors. Enforce existing legislation in the Dominican Republic.

References 1. Juniper and Parr (1998). 2. S. Latta in litt. (1998). 3. Raffaele et al. (1998). 4. Snyder et al. (2000). 5. Vásquez et al. (1995). 6. Dávalos and Brooks (2001). 7. Anon. (2007)

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International), Isabel Isherwood (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), David Wege (BirdLife International)

Contributors S. Latta

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2010) Species factsheet: Aratinga chloroptera. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 30/7/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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