Justification Trapping for the cagebird trade and habitat loss are the most important threats to this species. Despite heavy trapping pressure in the early 1990s, the species's range is believed to have remained essentially the same, and populations have remained stable or declined less steeply than was previously feared they might, with a recent estimate even suggesting a population increase. Owing to its small breeding range and highly fragmented habitat, the species qualifies as Vulnerable.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Linnaeus, 1758)

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

Identification 37 cm. Green parrot with colourful head. Overall deep green with yellowish margins to feathers. Red forecrown and lores, becoming purplish on mid-crown. Bluish auricular and face, paler on cheeks and throat. Duskier wings with some red on shoulders. Bluish base to tail feathers, broad red band and yellow tips, except green central rectrices. Horn-coloured bill. Voice High-pitched and musical growls, klit-cráu, klit-cráú, and liquid chatters.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

4,000 - 5,500

increasing

4,800 km²

Yes

Range & population Amazona brasiliensis occurs in a narrow littoral strip, between the Serra do Mar and coast, from Itanhaém in São Paulo through Paraná to extreme north-east Santa Catarina, south-east Brazil¹. Breeding areas are mostly located on small estuarine islands with few on the mainland. Populations were thought to have declined from c.3,500-4,500 birds in the 1980s to fewer than 2,000 individuals by 1991-1992⁴. A recent estimate of 6,600 individuals suggests long-term conservation measures have enabled the speccies to make a recovery¹⁰. The population in Paraná was estimated at 3,600 in 1996², and a more recent census found 3,379 birds, suggesting that the population there is either stable or has suffered a small decline⁹.

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

Ecology: Almost the entire population migrates daily between mangrove and littoral forest roosting and breeding areas, and Atlantic forest feeding areas. It feeds primarily below 200 m, but has been recorded up to 700 m ¹. At the extremes, breeding occurs from late August to early March, with up to four eggs laid in natural tree-cavities, mostly in Gerivá palms Syagrus romanzoffianum and Guanandi Callophyllum brasiliense^1,2. Although essentially frugivorous, it also feeds on leaves, flowers and insects within fruit¹.

Threats There is extensive poaching for national and (especially) international trade with 356 birds, mostly nestlings, captured during 1991-1992 breeding season in the municipality of Cananéia (a quarter of the species's range)⁵. Of 47 nests monitored between 1990 and 1994, six were naturally predated and the other 41 robbed by humans⁶. Nest-cavities are virtually always damaged when removing nestlings, reducing the number available⁵. There is continuing habitat loss for boat building, banana plantations, cattle- and buffalo-grazing and beach houses^2,7. Palmito palms are cut for processing in Guaraqueçaba². The proposed construction of a bridge to Ilha Comprida will increase pressure from tourism and habitat conversion⁷.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I and II and protected under Brazilian law. It occurs within 15 protected areas, but these are not locally enforced^2,5. Superagui National Park, Paraná protects the stronghold¹¹. The creation of new reserves is hampered by economic interests⁵. Several programmes are raising local awareness^2,5,8. Conservation projects and the protected areas created in the species range seem to be paying off, although some trapping still occurs. There are studbooks and successful captive-breeding programmes in the European Union and Brazil³ and the provision of artificial nests and the repair of natural nesting cavities is boosting reproductive success in the wild¹⁰. The Red-tailed Amazon Conservation Project is monitoring the population in Paraná¹¹.

Conservation measures proposed Carry out surveys to monitor population trends. Monitor rates of off-take for trade. Monitor trade levels. Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation. Enforce laws on trafficking, especially on access routes to breeding islands^1,2. Effectively protect existing reserves^1,2. Formally designate Ilha Comprida State Park and Itapanhapina Ecological Station⁷. Expand Superagüi National Park to include Ilha do Pinheiro⁷. Reforest breeding islands². Continue and expand awareness efforts².

References Collar et al. (1992). 1. Lalime (1997). 2. Lalime (1999). 3. Lucker (1998). 4. Martuscelli and Scherer Neto (1993). 5. Martuscelli (1994). 6. Martuscelli (1997). 7. Snyder et al. (2000). 8. Padua et al. (2001). 9. F. Olmos in litt. (2003). 10. Waugh (2006). 11. R. Bóçon in litt. (2006).

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), Matt Harding (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Roberto Bóçon, Fabio Olmos

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

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