Protecting Nests! Parrot Conservation in Guatemala

Yellow-naped amazon conservation project

Guatemala is one of the countries in the world with the greatest diversity in flora and fauna.due to its strategic position as a geographical bridge between north- and south-America This biodiversity is being threatened by habitat loss, pollution and the illegal wildlife traffic.

One of the most threatened species of fauna in the country is the yellow-naped parrot (Amazona auropalliata),  a species subject to habitat loss due to the expansion of agroindustry and a target species for wild animal traffickers.  It is a valued species by traffickers and parrot enthusiasts for its advanced ability to imitate the human voice and other sounds.

COLORES, the Yellow-naped Parrot conservation project, began its conservation work of this charismatic parrot in 2010 on the Pacific coast of Guatemala.  It has contributed to knowledge about parrots in Guatemala, the strengthening of local conservation and protected area management capabilities, as well as working with communities from a social and landscape conservation perspective.

In Guatemala, the yellow-naped parrot only inhabits the coastal plain of the Pacific.  It is currently classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.  In Guatemala, the population is alarmingly low.   A case study funded by WCS/DOS-INL estimated that there are fewer than 400-500 individuals in the wild (Joyner, Muccio, 2019).

ACTIVITIES 2022 COLORS

MONITORING AND NEST PROTECTION

The review of nests recorded in previous years was taken, evaluating if the presence of adults in the trees, bitten cavities, or features in the tree were identified as signs of looting. With the support of the staff at each site, the search for potential trees was carried out. Usually, the yellow-naped parrot prefers trees with thick trunks with large cavities, and tall trees to have a good view of their surroundings. In some sites, there were 18 potential trees from which they were gradually discarded. 

STAFF TRAINING FOR NEST SEARCH

On each visit made by the coordinator, the collaborators at the sites were trained on the identification, behavior, and vocalizations of parrots and chicks. Usually, when finding a chick, the main thing that attracts is the sound. They generate a deep vocalization compared to adults. Chicks and juveniles are a more brilliant green color compared to the light green of adults and have gray pupiles while it is orange in adults. Chicks and juveniles also lack yellow on the nape and head. During visits to the sites, the coordinator takes the time to talk with the collaborators about the findings, and to review the data, especially those on the presence of cavities and the presence and behavior of adults (Time in trees, entries and exits, if they are sleeping in the tree, etc.).

THREAT IDENTIFICATION

During visits, the threats facing parrots are identified, both anthropogenic threats (looting and habitat destruction) and natural threats (the presence of bees and other predators). The presence of bees, raptors, and other wildlife was reviewed, signs of blows or cuts on the tree with a machete or club, signs of loops on branches, cuts near the cavity, and loss of branches due to storms or machete.

MONITORING OF NESTS

Priority was given to cavities with more potential to be active nests, taking into account the observation of the staff at the sites.

ARTIFICIAL NESTS

Due to the logging of large trees and the lack of suitable nesting cavities on the Pacific coast, one of the strategies of the COLORES consortium is the installation of artificial nests for yellow-naped parrots. In 2021, 38 artificial nests were installed. Unfortunately, most of them were taken over by bees. Due to this problem, during the 2022 season no artificial nests were installed. However, for 2023, new nest designs and the use of repellents to deter bees are planned to be experimented with.

PARROT COUNT

During the months of July and August, formal parrot counts were carried out at each hotspot. These counts were taken during the last 2 hours of the afternoon to record the populations at each site, collecting the following data: time, species, number of individuals in each flock, and flight direction. 

SEARCH FOR NEW SITES

In an effort to expand our circle of friends, research locations, and sites where psittacids may be inhabiting, some farms were visited and meetings were held with landowners to understand their situation. In most of the farms visited, the presence of parrots was evident, taking them into account for future stages of the COLORES project.

A full report of the activities of the COLORES consortium in 2022 is available at https://arcasguatemala.org/who-we-are/arcas-publications/

Links:

• ARCAS publications page

COLORES is a consortium founded in 2010 by One Earth Conservation, ARCAS and other partners with the goal of conserving the yellow-naped parrot (Amazona auropalliata) in Guatemala. It is estimated that there are only 500 individuals left in the wild of this species, classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered. COLORES works in 10 "hotspots" in the Southwest region of the Pacific coast of Guatemala where the largest numbers of the species are concentrated.

NEST MONITORING

Continuing with the research and coordination work of previous years, patrols were carried out in each hot spot, to evaluate the presence of parrots, nests in cavities, features in the tree as signs of poaching, data that can be used to determine if these nests were active and successful. Threats such as the presence of bees, predators or the looting and/or destruction of nests were also evaluated. In each visit, time was taken to train the collaborators in the sites on the behavior of the parrots, to identify active nests, and it was used to maintain the bonds of friendship between the personnel of the Reserves and the COLORES project by sharing information and new findings.

ARTIFICIAL NESTS

The COLORS project continues to make and install artificial nests, experimenting with designs and placing them in places that are easy to protect against poachers. In the second half of 2021, around 47 nests were installed. Unfortunately, most were occupied by bees, and during 2022 no artificial nest was placed pending the development of a strategy to repel bees.

COUNTS

During the months of July and August, formal counts were carried out in each hotspot, taking the data: time, species, quantity, geographical movement and flight log, evidencing the presence of pairs, trios or groups of four to five individuals together, as well as movement in flocks.

ANNUAL WORKSHOP

One of the most important activities of COLORES is its annual training, education and coordination workshop for the various partners of the consortium, to present the results of the previous season (January – May) and plan activities for the following year. During the workshop of May 9, 2021 we were joined by our friends from the yellow-headed parrot (Amazona oratrix) conservation project who traveled from Izabal on the Caribbean side of the country to share their experiences. It was an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, challenges, and solutions between the two projects.

NEST CLIMBER TRAINING

COLORES needs to form its own tree-climbing team in order to better research and verify nests. We contacted the IRTRA park who expressed great interest in participating in COLORES, and we held a training session with their grounds and tree-pruning teams who have committed to monitor the trees on the park for parrot nests. This training session and was a great step and achievement for COLORES since in the future the information collected in the field can be expanded.

EDUCACION AMBIENTAL

As part of our environmental education program and the participation of COLORES in the regional network Loros Sin Frontera (https://www.lorossinfronteras.com/), we participated in the Parrot Festival November 18-20, 2021, where gave a training workshop to teachers from the municipality of Asintal, distributing our psittacine education guide and coloring book. Educational activities with the children, included drawing contest and a bird watching tour on the grounds of the Tak Alik Abaj archeological site.

During the month of June, we visited the schools in the farms or reserves where COLORES works. In these visits we trained teachers and children, using the COLORES teacher's guide and coloring book. These types of educational activities are very important because most of these children are the children of workers or people who live in the fields and are closer to the areas where the nests are located, in addition to these they are the ones who better receive and transmit the information on the current problems of parrots in the field. In total, 4 schools were visited, reaching more than 50 children.

TRAFFICKING ENFORCEMENT

COLORES and ARCAS coordinated with CONAP in enforcement activities in the illegal trade of parrots and other wild animals. Contact was maintained with the Public Ministry, supporting activities for the investigation into the death of Pedro Viteri, a conservationist collaborating with COLORES.

NEW ALLIANCES

We also approached private entities such as the ICC, GUATEMAGICA and IRTRA in search of new alliances and new members to expand our range and purpose of work.

For more information on these and other parrot conservation activities carried out by COLORES, ARCAS and LSF, please visit ARCAS’s publications page (https://arcasguatemala.org/who-we-are/arcas-publications/), or LSF’s publications page (https://www.lorossinfronteras.com/)

Links:

• Arcas
• Loros sin fronteras