Justification This species apparently occurs very locally and at low densities in a declining habitat. Its population is likely to be small and declining, with very small subpopulations at each known locality. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Sclater, 1862)

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

Synonyms Touit stictoptera Stotz et al. (1996), Touit stictoptera Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Touit stictoptera BirdLife International (2004), Touit stictoptera BirdLife International (2000), Touit stictoptera Collar et al. (1994), Touit stictoptera Collar and Andrew (1988)

Taxonomic note Gender agreement of species name follows David and Gosselin (2002b).

Identification 17-18 cm. Chunky, dusky green parrotlet. Overall green with dusky brown wings, whitish tips to coverts and orange tips to two outer median coverts. Female and immature have green wing-coverts with black bases. Similar spp. Scarlet-shouldered Parrotlet T. huetii shows conspicuous red (and sometimes yellow) on wings. Cobalt-winged Parakeet Brotogeris cyanoptera has pointed tail and blue wings. Voice In flight, two or three rasping raah-reh notes, with lower first note. Apparently silent when perched. Hints Moves silently around canopy, and has non-undulating flight with deep, steady wingbeats.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

1,000-2,499

decreasing

33,100 km²

No

Range & population Touit stictopterus occurs disjunctly through Colombia (Cundinamarca, Meta, Cauca), Ecuador (Napo, Morona-Santiago, Zamora-Chinchipe) and northern Peru (Cajamarca, San Martín and Amazonas²). A recent record from Manu Biosphere Reserve was erroneous⁶. It is uncommon and local throughout its range, and may already be extinct (or nearly so) in Colombia⁵, where recent surveys in apparently suitable habitat have failed to produce any records⁷. In 1983, 5-25 were recorded daily at Jesús del Monte, San Martín³, but it has been recorded less frequently¹, or not at all, by subsequent observers at this site¹⁰, suggesting a decline¹. However, it appears to occur naturally at low density⁵, and may sometimes be overlooked and thus more widespread than records suggest.

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

Ecology: It inhabits the upper tropical and lower subtropical zone, favouring tall, humid, montane forest at 1,050-1,700 m, but has occasionally been reported from savanna-like woodland as low as 500 m, and from stunted ridge-top forest up to 2,300 m. It is often seen in small flocks of 5-12, sometimes more⁵, but occasionally in pairs⁴. It feeds on fruit, including Ficus spp., and reportedly raids maize crops⁵.

Threats Its fragmented habitats are affected by continuing deforestation⁹, especially in Colombia. Improvements to road networks lead to deforestation associated with human settlement of new areas. Habitat loss is also known to be occurring in the Cordillera de Cutucú and at Jesús del Monte.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. It has been recorded in Sumaco Protection Forest, Cordillera de Cutucú Protection Forest, Sangay National Park and Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, Ecuador, with an old specimen collected in Serranía de la Macarena National Park.

Conservation measures proposed Assess its distribution, population status and current threats through field surveys⁹. Maintain and improve the integrity of national parks in which the species occurs. Designate a protected area in the Cordillera del Cóndor, and involve local people in the land-use management of this region⁸.

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. C. Bushell in litt. (1999). 2. Clements and Shany (2001). 3. Davis (1986). 4. J. Hornbuckle in litt. (1999). 5. Juniper and Parr (1998). 6. H. Lloyd in litt. (2001). 7. P. G. W. Salaman in litt. (1999). 8. Schulenberg and Awbrey (1997). 9. Snyder et al. (2000). 10. Wege and Long (1995).

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), Tom Stuart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors C. Bushell, J. Hornbuckle, Huw Lloyd (Manchester Metropolitan University), Paul G. W. Salaman (Fundación ProAves)

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

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