Justification The fragmentation of this species's range by extensive deforestation has been and remains a significant threat. The overall population is likely to be very small and declining, with tiny subpopulations. For these reasons the species is classified as Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Wied, 1820)

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

Synonyms Touit melanonota BirdLife International (2000), Touit melanonota Stotz et al. (1996), Touit melanonota Collar et al. (1994), Touit melanonota Collar and Andrew (1988)

Identification 15 cm. Well patterned parrot. Green on head, nape and underparts, bluish-grey flanks. Large, dark brown patch on back. Green rump. Red tail, tipped black with green central rectrices. Wings have extensive dusky brown on primary coverts, tips of primaries and secondaries. Similar spp. Golden-tailed Parrotlet T. surda has extensive yellow on tail and green back. Voice Harsh chatterings.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

250-999

decreasing

6,700 km²

Yes

Range & population Touit melanonotus is confined to south-east Brazil (Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo). It is sporadically, but widely, reported in Rio de Janeiro, while in São Paulo, there are records from six sites south to Ilha do Cardoso⁹. Recent records from three sites in Bahia^6,10 are the first since the 19th century. It has generally been considered rare throughout its range, even by 19th century commentators, but with the proviso that parrotlets of this genus occur at very low densities, and their inconspicuous habits result in their often being overlooked. Records from several new sites since the mid-1980s, including the first for Espírito Santo¹⁰, have stemmed from knowledge of the species's calls, after previously fruitless fieldwork in the areas involved.

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

Ecology: Records are principally from lower montane evergreen forest at 500-1,200 m ⁹, but up to 1,400 m in Itatiaia National Park⁵, and near sea-level in Bahia and São Paulo^7,9. It may undertake seasonal migration or dispersal, in some areas possibly only over quite short altitudinal distances. The only known food items are the seeds of large leguminous forest trees and the fruit of Rapanea acuminata, Clusia sp. and mistletoes¹⁰. Breeding presumably occurs in September-October, but this remains unconfirmed².

Threats Agricultural conversion and deforestation for mining and plantations have historically threatened its habitats⁴. Current key threats are urbanisation, agricultural expansion, colonisation and associated road-building³. Although the lower montane slopes have suffered comparatively less destruction than adjacent lowlands⁸, it has not been found at these elevations in São Paulo.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II and protected under Brazilian law. It occurs in numerous protected areas, with recent records from: Desengano and Pedra Branca State Parks, Itatiaia, Serra dos Órgãos and Tijuca National Parks (Rio de Janeiro); Ubatuba Experimental Station, Iguape Environmental Protection Area, Serra do Mar, Ilha do Cardoso and Intervales State Parks (São Paulo)^1,9.

Conservation measures proposed Survey suitable habitat in Bahia and Espírito Santo to clarify distribution and status. Determine seasonal abundance at different elevations. Consolidate protected areas where it occurs.

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. Aleixo and Galetti (1997). 2. Collar (1997a). 3. Dinerstein et al. (1995). 4. Fearnside (1996). 5. Juniper and Parr (1998). 6. J. Minns in litt. (1999). 7. F. Olmos in litt. (1999). 8. Stattersfield et al. (1998). 9. Wege and Long (1995). 10. E. O. Willis and Y. Oniki in litt. (1999).

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), David Capper (BirdLife International), Rob P Clay (Guyra Paraguay), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Andre De Luca (SAVE Brasil), Pedro Develey (SAVE Brasil), Jeremy Minns, Fabio Olmos, Y. Oniki, E. O. Willis

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Touit melanonotus. 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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