Justification This species is considered Vulnerable because anecdotal evidence suggests that there has been a rapid population reduction. The size of the population and the exact extent of the decline are unclear, and clarification may lead to the species being reclassified as Near Threatened.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Müller, 1776)

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

Identification 28-31 cm. Bright green parrot with white forehead, blue flight feathers, maroon belly-patch and red in tail. Similar spp. Only Amazona parrot on Hispaniola. Introduced in Puerto Rico where more common that Puerto Rican Parrot A. vittata. Voice Noisy. Wide variety of squawks and screeches. Bugling flight call.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

10,000-19,999

decreasing

14,300 km²

No

Range & population Amazona ventralis is endemic to Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and associated islands of Grande Cayemite, Gonâve, Beata and Saona¹. Introduced populations are established in Puerto Rico (to USA), and St Croix and St Thomas in the Virgin Islands (to USA)¹. It was common on Hispaniola, but declined significantly during the 20th century. By the 1930s, it was mainly restricted to the interior mountains, where it remains locally fairly common in suitable habitat, particularly within several major forest reserves^4,5. Elsewhere, it is now uncommon, rare or absent⁴. The introduced population in Puerto Rico numbers several hundred and is apparently increasing⁴.

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

Ecology: It inhabits a variety of wooded habitats, from arid palm-savanna to pine and montane humid forest, up to and slightly above 1,500 m ⁴. It frequently forages in cultivated lands¹, such as banana plantations and maize fields². Breeding is known from February to May, but prospecting pairs have been seen in mid-April, suggesting that the season may extend further into the year^2,3,4. Nests are situated in tree-cavities, and sometimes dead tree-stumps^2,3,4.

Threats Agricultural conversion and charcoal production have destroyed most suitable habitat⁴. It is also persecuted as a crop-pest, hunted for food and trapped for the local and formerly at least, international cage-bird trade⁴. Trapping for the local pet trade is a particular concern because in some areas most families own a parrot, and these only live a few years before they have to be replaced⁹.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix II. An education strategy with community participation has been launched to protect the species⁷. In 1997-1998, 49 captive-reared birds were released and radio-tracked in Parque del Este, Dominican Republic⁸.

Conservation measures proposed Assess the current size of the population. Establish a comprehensive monitoring programme. Determine the extent of remaining habitat. Determine the impact of the various threats. Enforce the laws and regulations protecting this species and its habitat⁶. Encourage better bird-keeping practices to reduce the demand on wild birds.

References 1. AOU (1998). 2. Collar (1997a). 3. G. M. Kirwan in litt. (1998). 4. Juniper and Parr (1998). 5. Raffaele et al. (1998). 6. Snyder et al. (2000). 7. Vásquez et al. (1995). 8. Vilella et al. (1999). 9. Woolmer in litt. (2005).

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Isabel Isherwood (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), David Wege (BirdLife International)

Contributors G. M. Kirwan

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

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Amazona ventralis. 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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