Lear's Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari) - BirdLife species factsheet

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EN	Lear's Macaw Anodorhynchus leari

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

Justification This species is now steadily increasing in numbers owing to intensive conservation action, and although a significant proportion of the population have not reached breeding maturity, the number of mature individuals is now considered to have exceeded 250 for over five years, and the species has consequently been downlisted to Endangered. Some of this apparent increase may be due to improved survey methods but a genuine increase has also taken place; nevertheless continued conservation measures and repeatable monitoring remain a high priority for this species.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author Bonaparte, 1856

Taxonomic source(s) SACC (2005 + updates), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Stotz et al. (1996)

Identification 70 cm. Large, blue macaw with yellow facial skin. Slightly paler blue on head. Long tail. Bare, yellow orbital area and lappets adjoining lower mandible. Large bill. Immature has shorter tails and paler yellow, bare facial skin. Similar spp. Hyacinth Macaw A. hyacinthinus is much larger and Glaucous Macaw A. glaucus is very similar, but slightly smaller and paler, and only escapees could occur within the range of A. leari. Voice Croaking and screeching sounds, notably higher-pitched and less guttural than A. hyacinthinus.

Population estimate	Population trend	Range estimate (breeding/resident)	Country endemic?
250 - 500	increasing	3,900 km²	Yes

Range & population Anodorhynchus leari was known to science for 150 years from trade birds before a wild population was found in 1978. It is known from two colonies at Toca Velha and Serra Branca, south of the Raso da Catarina plateau in north-east Bahia, Brazil. In 1995, a roosting site holding 22 birds was located at Sento Sé/Campo Formoso, 200 km to the east². Initially, this was thought to represent a distinct subpopulation², but is now considered to refer to birds from the Toca Velha/Serra Branca population following patches of fruiting licurí Syagrus palms^5,11. The global population was estimated at 246 birds in 2001⁶, 400-500 in 2004⁷, 630 in 2006⁷ and 960 in 2008¹³. These figures are likely to include a large proportion of sub-adults⁸, and it is notoriously difficult to determine the number of mature individuals in the population because sub-adults form pairs and behave like nesting birds for a number of years before they actually breed⁸. Some of this increase may reflect changes in methodology and survey effort⁸, but there has also been a genuine increase as a result of intensive conservation measures.

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

Ecology: It occurs in arid caatinga with sandstone cliffs (for colonial nesting and roosting) and stands of licurí palms. It forages in trees and on the ground, largely for licurí palm nuts (individuals eat up to 350/day), but also Melanoxylon, Atropha pohliana, Dioclea, Spondias tuberosa, Agave flowers and maize. Breeding is in February-April. Two young often fledge.

Threats In 1992-1995, c.20 birds were caught and sold to smugglers from Toca Velha/Serra Branca² and, in 1996, at least 19 individuals were taken³. Licurí palm-stands formerly covered 250,000 km² but have been vastly reduced by livestock-grazing. A major fire could now eradicate most of the food supply for the Toca Velha/Serra Branca population. Birds are occasionally persecuted for foraging on maize crops when palm nuts are scarce. Hunting for food and wildlife products are potential threats.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I and II and protected by Brazilian law. Infiltration of trading networks and improved surveillance at breeding sites has resulted in arrests of poachers, smugglers and collectors^1,3,4. The Toca Velha/Serra Branca cliffs are guarded and protection has recently been improved following the acquisition of the 1,450 ha Canudos Biological Station¹⁴, and there are plans to grow, plant and fence 50,000 licurí palm seedlings^3,4,6. Management agreements with key landowners have been signed⁶. Parrots International and the Lymington Foundation began a corn replacement scheme for the farmers in 2007¹⁰. There is a small captive population but there is no coordinated breeding programme.

Conservation measures proposed Ensure the de facto protection of all known populations. Continue to liaise with local people to locate additional populations². Study the nesting ecology to estimate reproductive success, determine home ranges and consider double-clutching⁴. Continue to compensate farmers for crop losses. Develop a long-term strategy of planting and protecting licurí palms^2,3,4. Enforce legal measures, especially through local patrolling to prevent trapping^2,3,4.

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. IBAMA Press Release 14 July 1998. 2. Munn (1995). 3. Reynolds (1997). 4. Snyder et al. (2000). 5. C. Yamashita in litt. (2000). 6. Gilardi (2001). 7. Y. Barros in litt. (2007). 8. J. Gilardi in litt. (2007). 9. S. Williams in litt. (2007). 10. W. Wittkoff in litt. (2007). 11. Melo Barros et al. (2006). 12. de Menezes et al. (2006). 13. P. Develey in litt. (2009). 14. Holmer (2007).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Fully detailed species account from the Threatened birds of the Americas: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 1992). Please note, taxonomic treatment and IUCN Red List category may have changed since publication.

Recuento detallado de la especie tomado del libro Aves Amenazadas de las Americas, Libro Rojo de BirdLife International (BirdLife International 1992). Nota: la taxonomoía y la categoría de la Lista Roja de la UICN pudo haber cambiado desde esta publicación.

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), David Capper (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International), Rob Williams (BirdLife International)

Contributors Y. Barros, Andressa Borsari, Yves de Soye, Pedro Develey (SAVE Brasil), J. D. Gilardi, João Luiz X Nascimento, Joaquim R. S. Neto, Fabio Olmos, Luís Fábio Silveira (University of São Paulo), Sam Williams, William Wittkoff, Carlos Yamashita

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2010) Species factsheet: Anodorhynchus leari. 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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