Current threats faced by Neotropical parrot populations

BERKUNSKY, IGOR

Chattanooga

Congreso; AFO-WOS Meeting; 2018

Psittaciformes (parrots, cockatoos) are among the most endangered birds, particularly in the Neotropics. The drivers of this situation appear to be manifold and mainly of anthropogenic origin. However, this assessment is based on the last extensive consultation about the conservation situation of parrots carried out in the 1990s. Given the rapid development of anthropogenic threats, updated data are needed to strategize conservation actions. The present study evaluates current threats faced by Neotropical parrots following a population-based approach. We gathered updated information through a wide-ranging consultation involving biologists, wildlife managers, government agencies and non-governmental conservation organizations. We obtained up-to-date information on threats affecting 192 populations of 96 Neotropical parrot species across 21 countries. Moreover, we investigated associations among current threats and population trends. Many populations were affected by multiple threats. Agriculture, capture for the pet trade, logging, each of them affected >55% of the populations, suggesting a higher degree of risk than previously thought. In contrast to previous studies at the species level, our study showed that the threat most closely associated whit decreasing population trends is now the capture of wild parrots for the domestic local pet trade. Other threats associated with decreasing populations include small-holder farming, rural population pressure, nest destruction by poachers, agro-industry grazing, small-holder grazing, and capture for the international pet trade. Our results highlight the importance of a population- level approach in revealing the extent of threats to wild populations. It is critical to increasing the scope of conservation actions to reduce the capture of wild parrots for pets.