Justification This species has declined rapidly, and now has a small and fragmented range and population. The rate of decline is unkown, but it is still trapped for the domestic market and habitat loss continues; the population probably now numbers fewer than 5,000 individuals, and the species therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Wagler, 1832)

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

Identification 26 cm. Plain green parakeet with red bend of the wing. Scattered red feathers on head and breast, bare white orbital ring, red carpal and underwing-coverts, yellowish-green underside of flight feathers and tail. Similar spp. The only parakeet on Cuba. Voice Loud crick-crick-crick in flight, soft calls when perched.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

2,500-9,999

decreasing

11,900 km²

Yes

Range & population Aratinga euops was formerly one of the most common endemic birds on Cuba, but is now rare throughout the island. It survives in a few of the more remote regions, remaining fairly common only in the Zapata peninsula, the Trinidad Mountains and the Sierra de Najasa^1,5,6. Suggestions that the species occurred in the Sierra Maestra appear unfounded⁴. It has been extirpated from the western provinces (excluding Zapata)⁵ and Isla de la Juventud, where it was once abundant. Recent studies of 14 populations have found that four are in serious decline⁶. Even the population within Ciénaga de Zapata National Park appears to have declined, with recent surveys finding no flocks larger than 18 birds^3,4. The total population is now thought not to exceed 5,000 individuals⁹.

Ecology: It has been recorded in semi-deciduous woodland, palm-savanna habitat, trees on cultivated land and the edges of woodland. It nests in tree-cavities or holes in arboreal termite nests, and is mostly restricted to dead Roystonea regia and Sabal palviflora palms⁶. Breeding takes place in late April or early May, coinciding with maximum fruit availability, and runs through to August². The species seems somewhat nomadic, ranging widely in search of food⁵.

Threats Persecution as a crop-pest, habitat loss and in particular trapping for the cage-bird trade explain its current rarity⁹. Trapping for the international trade is now insignificant, with only 10 birds recorded in trade between 1991 and 1995. Another significant threat is loss of nesting-trees⁶ as a result of hurricane damage (such as caused in Zapata by Hurricane Lilli in 1996), and tree-felling for Cuban Parrot Amazona leucocephala chicks⁴.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. It is legally protected. It occurs within seven environmental reserves, including the important Ciénaga de Zapata National Park⁶. A study of the species and an intensive public awareness campaign are intended to help establish an effective management programme⁷. Ecotourism programmes have been initiated in some areas⁶. A nest box provisioning scheme has been initiated, synthetic boxes are used because they are longer lasting than those made of natural materials⁸.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct further research to determine the species's ecological requirements and population^6,7. Conserve additional habitat, especially nesting areas⁶. Tailor environmental awareness and nest-site protection to local situations⁶. Continue to plan for the re-establishment of the species on the Isla de la Juventud^6,7.

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. Juniper and Parr (1998). 2. A. Kirkconnell in litt. (1999). 3. Mitchell and Wells (1997). 4. A. Mitchell in litt. (1998). 5. Raffaele et al. (1998). 6. Snyder et al. (2000). 7. Wiley (1998). 8. Waugh (2006). 9. A. Kirkconnell in litt. (2007).

Further web sources of information

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), Isabel Isherwood (BirdLife International), David Wege (BirdLife International)

Contributors Arturo Kirkconnell (Museo Nacional de Historia Natural), Andy Mitchell

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Aratinga euops. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

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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