Reproductive success of the Blue-fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva) in the Chaci region of Argentina

BERKUNSKY, IGOR; REBOREDA, JUAN CARLOS

Veracruz, México

Congreso; IV North American Ornithological Conference - Wings Without Borders; 2006

Pouching for the bird trade is responsible of the decline of several parrot species. In Argentina a national program regulates the harvest and commercialization of approximately 5000 Blue-fronted Parrots Amazona aestiva chicks every year. The aim of this study was to determine the main factors that affect the reproductive success of Blue-fronted Parrots, providing information for modeling the impact that harvest could have on wild populations. During four consecutive years we monitored 140 nesting attempts in the Chaco region of Argentina. Nesting success was on average 43% (range 31-58%). Clutch size was 3.6 eggs and hatching success and chick survival were 68% and 87% respectively. Brood reduction was relatively uncommon and restricted to the first week after hatching. Cavity reoccupation was 71% and was not affected by the harvest of chicks. Considering the proportion of nests that were successful and the number of chicks fledged per successful nests, the number of young produced per nesting attempt was approximately 1. Our results indicate that the harvest of chicks do not affect future cavity reoccupation. However, because the harvest occurs when chicks are closing to fledge, it results in a decrease of approximately 50% of the fledglings produced per nesting attempt. of this study was to determine the main factors that affect the reproductive success of Blue-fronted Parrots, providing information for modeling the impact that harvest could have on wild populations. During four consecutive years we monitored 140 nesting attempts in the Chaco region of Argentina. Nesting success was on average 43% (range 31-58%). Clutch size was 3.6 eggs and hatching success and chick survival were 68% and 87% respectively. Brood reduction was relatively uncommon and restricted to the first week after hatching. Cavity reoccupation was 71% and was not affected by the harvest of chicks. Considering the proportion of nests that were successful and the number of chicks fledged per successful nests, the number of young produced per nesting attempt was approximately 1. Our results indicate that the harvest of chicks do not affect future cavity reoccupation. However, because the harvest occurs when chicks are closing to fledge, it results in a decrease of approximately 50% of the fledglings produced per nesting attempt. of this study was to determine the main factors that affect the reproductive success of Blue-fronted Parrots, providing information for modeling the impact that harvest could have on wild populations. During four consecutive years we monitored 140 nesting attempts in the Chaco region of Argentina. Nesting success was on average 43% (range 31-58%). Clutch size was 3.6 eggs and hatching success and chick survival were 68% and 87% respectively. Brood reduction was relatively uncommon and restricted to the first week after hatching. Cavity reoccupation was 71% and was not affected by the harvest of chicks. Considering the proportion of nests that were successful and the number of chicks fledged per successful nests, the number of young produced per nesting attempt was approximately 1. Our results indicate that the harvest of chicks do not affect future cavity reoccupation. However, because the harvest occurs when chicks are closing to fledge, it results in a decrease of approximately 50% of the fledglings produced per nesting attempt. of this study was to determine the main factors that affect the reproductive success of Blue-fronted Parrots, providing information for modeling the impact that harvest could have on wild populations. During four consecutive years we monitored 140 nesting attempts in the Chaco region of Argentina. Nesting success was on average 43% (range 31-58%). Clutch size was 3.6 eggs and hatching success and chick survival were 68% and 87% respectively. Brood reduction was relatively uncommon and restricted to the first week after hatching. Cavity reoccupation was 71% and was not affected by the harvest of chicks. Considering the proportion of nests that were successful and the number of chicks fledged per successful nests, the number of young produced per nesting attempt was approximately 1. Our results indicate that the harvest of chicks do not affect future cavity reoccupation. However, because the harvest occurs when chicks are closing to fledge, it results in a decrease of approximately 50% of the fledglings produced per nesting attempt. Amazona aestiva chicks every year. The aim of this study was to determine the main factors that affect the reproductive success of Blue-fronted Parrots, providing information for modeling the impact that harvest could have on wild populations. During four consecutive years we monitored 140 nesting attempts in the Chaco region of Argentina. Nesting success was on average 43% (range 31-58%). Clutch size was 3.6 eggs and hatching success and chick survival were 68% and 87% respectively. Brood reduction was relatively uncommon and restricted to the first week after hatching. Cavity reoccupation was 71% and was not affected by the harvest of chicks. Considering the proportion of nests that were successful and the number of chicks fledged per successful nests, the number of young produced per nesting attempt was approximately 1. Our results indicate that the harvest of chicks do not affect future cavity reoccupation. However, because the harvest occurs when chicks are closing to fledge, it results in a decrease of approximately 50% of the fledglings produced per nesting attempt.