Conservation of the Vinaceous-breasted Amazon (Amazona vinacea) in Argentina

Abstract

The Vinaceous-breasted Amazon (Amazona vinacea) is endemic to the Atlantic Forest and is one of the most endangered birds in Argentina. The species has disappeared from a large part of its range in Misiones and now occurs mainly in the central-eastern portion of the province in an area dominated by towns and farms. The decline of the Vinaceous-breasted Amazon is thought to be linked to habitat loss and direct persecution, especially capture of nestlings to be made into pets. Based on eight years of interviews, environmental education and field work, we evaluate the current situation of the species in Argentina. After seven years of environmental education, more than 80% of primary school students indicated that it is not good to capture a parrot to keep as a pet, even if a nestling is found on the ground, fallen from the nest. Capture of nestlings appears to have declined since 2005, and the parrot population is stable in central-eastern Misiones, with 247 individuals counted in 2011, approximately 94% of the population of Argentina and 10% of the global population. A serious problem for the Vinaceous-breasted Amazon could be the scarcity of suitable nesting cavities (a result of deforestation and selective logging of large trees) that leads to increased competition with other species. Demographic studies are needed in order to prioritize future conservation measures, but two measures currently appear essential: environmental education should be expanded to reduce the capture of nestlings in the northern part of the current distribution, and education, environmental policies and technical support should be promoted in central-eastern Misiones to conserve, over the long term, large cavity-bearing trees.