Justification This species has been downlisted to Vulnerable as a recent review suggests it may be more abundant than currently thought, however it still has a small and declining population owing to exploitation for the cagebird trade and deforestation.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (P. L. Sclater, 1876)

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

Synonyms Ara couloni Stotz et al. (1996), Ara couloni Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Propyrrhura couloni del Hoyo et al. (1997)

Taxonomic note Use of the genus Primolius follows SACC (2006).

Identification 41 cm. Small, colourful macaw. Pale green body with blue edge of wing, primary coverts and flight feathers. Blue head with small grey bare face patch extending from bill around eye. Medium-sized grey bill. Red uppertail, shading to pale blue at tip. Underside of wings and tail dusky yellow. Similar spp. Blue-winged Macaw P. maracana has mostly green head with red front, pale face patch and dark bill. Voice in flight gives a soft rasping purrr or raaah, also a variety of high-pitched srieks and squawks.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

9,200 - 46,000

decreasing

373,000 km²

No

Range & population Primolius couloni occurs in eastern Peru, extreme western Brazil, and north-western Bolivia. In some locations within its range it is considered not uncommon, but in other areas it appears to be scarce, or even absent. It has been recorded throughout the year at some locations, but numbers elsewhere seem to vary seasonally and the species may wander in response to food availability, confounding attempts to draw conclusions about population density across its range. Estimating its population size is therefore notoriously difficult, but a recent review of all known records put the population at 9,200-46,000 individuals, considerably higher than previous estimates⁸.

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

Ecology: It is found on the edge of humid lowland evergreen forest, along rivers and by clearings and other breaks in continuous canopy, locally even on the outskirts of towns, from lowlands to 1,550 m. Young birds have been observed with adults in April. It may be nomadic or wander seasonally in response to food availability⁸.

Threats The species is commonly found in markets in Brazil, being valuable and in high demand owing to its perceived rarity. Reported international trade is low (and virtually unknown before 1995), but apparently increasing: three specimens in 1993 increased to 55 birds in 2000, totalling 150 birds for the whole period; as many as 50 were reported to have been seized/traded illegally. The species has a very low reproductive rate and continued illegal harvest is thought likely to pose a serious threat to its survival⁴. Much of the forest within the species's range is still intact, but the Bolivian forest is threatened by expansion of the logging industry (although the species may benefit from the consequent patchwork clearance), as well as mining and drilling for gas.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I.

Conservation measures proposed Develop an appropriate census methodology. Survey for this species throughout its range to obtain quantitative population estimates. Determine the degree to which this species occurs in protected areas, and whether further such areas need gazetting. Support the enforcement of legislation preventing international trade. Raise awareness among local people of the need to conserve this species and its susceptibility to unsustainable exploitation.

References 1. Whittaker and Oren (1999). 2. S. K. Herzog in litt. to IUCN SSC and TRAFFIC (2002). 3. Lambert et al. (1993). 4. IUCN SSC and TRAFFIC (2002). 5. H. Lloyd in litt. (2003). 6. J. Gilardi in litt. (2004). 7. del Hoyo et al. (1997). 8. Tobias and Brightsmith (2007).

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Donald Brightsmith (Duke University), James Gilardi (World Parrot Trust), S. K. Herzog (Asociación Armonía), Alan Lee (Manchester Metropolitan University), Huw Lloyd (Manchester Metropolitan University), Fabio Olmos, Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Primolius couloni. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

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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