Conservation of the Yellow-eared Parrot

Blueprint

ASSESS

In 1998, Loro Parque Fundación funded a project to evaluate the last population known in Ecuador as the flock had disappeared unexpectedly. The species was listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species since 1994 and was considered potentially extinct in Ecuador. When re-discovered in Colombia in 1999, there were only an estimated 81 birds. The Fundación began a new assessment project to evaluate the threats to their persistence. The field project found evidence of severe habitat loss, especially related to wax palms (Ceroxylum quindiuense) which are preferred by the Yellow-eared Parrot in the area. The wax palm is the world’s tallest palm, is a slow-growing and long-lived species, and is Colombia's national tree. It was logged for pastures and fence posts, but also extensively overharvested for use in religious celebrations.

PLAN

A local NGO, Fundación ProAves, was formed in response to the task of protecting and recovering the remnant Colombian parrot population. They met with local stakeholders and developed a plan that would: 1) secure the habitat by fencing remaining palm groves, 2) implement reforestation, 3) mount artificial nest boxes to boost reproduction, and 4) develop an environmental education programme with the local population. A major objective was to gain support and collaborate with the local community, to both reduce the immediate threats for parrots, but also lead to preserving the whole palm forest ecosystem.

ACT

In 2000, action was taken to increase the number of parrots which could be successfully raised each year. This was done by supplementing the habitat with artificial nest boxes. At the same time, basic ecological and habitat-use studies began to describe the bird’s foraging and roosting needs. These studies mapped the migration corridors between the parrot’s habitat. Zones at high altitude (2,700–3,000 m) were found to be of great relevance for the immediate survival of the parrot, owing to the relatively good conservation status of these forests and because parrots use these areas for all three main behaviors (feeding, nesting, roosting). Nevertheless, the foraging data indicated that lower zones are essential when food is seasonally scarce in the highlands. Critically important vegetation zones were fenced to protect them from grazing livestock. Reforestation in the lower elevations started with a focus on the five most commonly used food plant species, plus the wax palm in which the entire population prefers for communal roosting every evening and nests in its dead trunks. Slowly this habitat restoration began to provide the birds with necessary resources for population expansion.

Awareness-raising activities included poster campaigns, environmental education, community workshops, school visits, and radio broadcasts. Close cooperation with the local community and churches reduced the need for wax palm leaves during religious events over time. This tradition of use has been reversed and now there are celebratory festivals where wax palm seedlings are planted.

Results

After more than two decades, the Yellow-eared Parrot population has recovered in Colombia and the species now numbers well over 3,800 individuals. Though still threatened, their conservation status has changed to Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List. Two reserves (4,200 hectares) were established where conservation efforts continue for the Yellow-eared Parrot and other species. In 2009, an additional 6,600 hectares was acquired and established a corridor for threatened parrots across the Central Cordillera in Colombia. Currently, Loro Parque Fundación is funding conservation actions to reforest the historic roost site in Ecuador, survey for the species, and secure critical habitat.