Article

Year-round utilisation of fragmented palm forest by Red-bellied Macaws (Ara manilata) and Orange-winged Parrots (Amazona amazonica) in the Nariva Swamp (Trinidad)

August 2000
Biological Conservation 95(1):1-5

Authors:

The Red-bellied macaw (Ara manilata) and the Orange-winged parrot (Amazona amazonica) on Trinidad have been reported to utilise palms for fruit food and roosting and nesting sites in palm swamp forest. There were little data describing the breadth of their diet or roosting and nesting tree characteristics. Population estimates for the parrot and macaw in the Nariva Swamp were 136 and 224 respectively. Diet included seven plant species with 94% of feeding on Mauritia setigera and Roystonea oleracea palm fruit. This was correlated with palm fruit availability since only in the late dry season when palm fruit availability was low was feeding on non-palm fruit significant. The phenologies and habitat distributions of the palms appear to determine direction of seasonal foraging movement of the psittacids. Roosting sites were concentrated in Roystonea and Mauritia palm stands. Nest sites were found in Mauritia palms. Despite its fragmented nature palm swamp forest in the Nariva Swamp is an important resource for resident psittacines. It is recommended that efforts should be directed towards conserving this forest type in order to sustain psittacine populations.

Learning-by-consequence foraging model of the Northern Mealy Amazon in a modified landscape of tropical moist forest

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2019

Understanding the dynamics of animal responses to heterogeneity of food resources in modified landscapes is crucial for the conservation of threatened species. We evaluated dietary strategies of the Northern Mealy Amazon in a modified landscape of tropical moist forest in Los Chimalapas, Mexico. We established 30 phenology transects (200 × 6 m) to determine food resource availability in primary evergreen, riparian, and secondary forests during the parrot breeding (March–April) and non-breeding (August–September) seasons, and determined parrot diet by observations of foraging individuals. We found spatiotemporal variation in food resource availability, with significantly greater food resource availability in the breeding season compared to the non-breeding season, and significantly fewer resources in secondary forest. Parrots consumed mainly seeds of a variety of plant species, and presented a medium dietary niche during the breeding season. Nevertheless, parrots foraged predominantly in primary forest where they demonstrated dietary selectivity, and rarely foraged in secondary forest where they consumed resources according to availability. We found evidence that Northern Mealy Amazons employ hierarchical criteria in habitat use and resource selection, adjusting foraging strategies according to resource availability. This learning-by-consequence foraging model may enable parrots to rapidly adapt to spatiotemporal variations in food resource availability. Primary tropical moist forest may be a key habitat type for Northern Mealy Amazons during the breeding season as this provides an abundance of food resources for parrots when they are raising young.

The abundance of Red-bellied Macaws (Orthopsittaca manilata) and Orange-winged Parrots (Amazona amazonica) in relation to fruiting Moriche Palms (Mauritia flexuosa) at the Aripo Savannas, Trinidad

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2017

The largest remaining savanna ecosystem on the island of Trinidad is the Aripo Savannas Environmentally Sensitive Area (ASESA). It has been historically fragmented due to a number of anthropogenic activities. This study focused on the densities of the Red-bellied Macaw (Orthopsittaca manilata) and Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica), which are known to rely on palms for roosting, nesting and feeding at the ASESA, in relation to the distribution of the fruiting Moriche Palms (Mauritia flexuosa) at the ASESA. There was a significant correlation between the total number of birds and number of fruiting Moriche Palms on transects for macaws (rs = 0.708, P = 0.022) but not for parrots (rs = 0.421, P = 0.225). Average group size increased significantly from the late rainy to the early dry season in macaws, but not in parrots. Point count surveys estimated higher densities than line transects for both macaws (129 vs. 87/km2) and parrots (193 vs. 103/km2). The use of peripheral areas showed that fragmentation had no effect on the foraging behavior of macaws or parrots. Nevertheless, if the savannas become increasingly modified, human-parrot conflicts may increase and so food resources should be integrated into management plans for this protected area.

Richness, composition and detectability of Psittacidae (Aves) in three palm swamps of the Cerrado sensu lato in central Brazil

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2012

The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate the richness and composition of the Psittacidae in palm swamps; (2) to determine if the sizes of flocks vary seasonally; (3) to compare detectability rates according to species. Psittacid communities were observed from November 2006 to November 2007 in semimonthly visits to the area using fixed-point observation. A total of 1616 individuals from eight species were registered in 199 contacts. The palm swamps were highly similar (H > 0.62), and their diversity was above 1.56. The Yellow-chevroned Parakeet was considered resident in the three palm swamps (Fr > 60 %). The White-eyed Parakeet and Red-bellied Macaw were the most abundant species in the three areas. Most of the species (n = 5) were more abundant in one of the seasons. The most abundant species in the rainy season were the White-eyed Parakeet and Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (42.16 +/- 30.77 individuals), whereas in the dry season the most prevalent was the Red-bellied Macaw (68.50 +/- 39.35 individuals). The highest detectability rate was for the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, which demonstrates the inter-species differences and the need to adapt the methods of research, unclear for this family.

Riqueza, composición y detectabilidad de los Psittacidae (Aves) en tres pantanos del Cerrado sensu lato en el Brasil central

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2012

The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate the richness and composition of the Psittacidae in palm swamps; (2) to determine if the sizes of flocks vary seasonally; (3) to compare detectability rates according to species. Psittacid communities were observed from November 2006 to November 2007 in semimonthly visits to the area using fixed-point observation. A total of 1616 individuals from eight species were registered in 199 contacts. The palm swamps were highly similar (H > 0.62), and their diversity was above 1.56. The Yellow-chevroned Parakeet was considered resident in the three palm swamps (Fr > 60 %). The White-eyed Parakeet and Red-bellied Macaw were the most abundant species in the three areas. Most of the species (n = 5) were more abundant in one of the seasons. The most abundant species in the rainy season were the White-eyed Parakeet and Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (42.16 ± 30.77 individuals), whereas in the dry season the most prevalent was the Red-bellied Macaw (68.50 ± 39.35 individuals). The highest detectability rate was for the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, which demonstrates the inter-species differences and the need to adapt the methods of research, unclear for this family.

Uso de hábitat y análisis preliminar de la dieta del periquito bronceado Brotogeris jugularis en un paisaje rural del piedemonte llanero colombiano

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2022

La mayoría de los estudios ecológicos en psitácidos se han enfocado en especies que presentan una amplia distribución, pero se tiene poca información sobre la historia natural y los requerimientos ecológicos de especies pequeñas como las del género Brotogeris. La especie Brotogeris jugularis (Aves: Psittacidae) se enfrenta a amenazas de origen antropogénico directas como la caza ilegal para comercio o tenencia como mascota e indirectas como la pérdida y fragmentación de sus hábitats. Se evaluó el uso de hábitat y la dieta de Brotogeris jugularis en un paisaje rural del piedemonte llanero, Colombia. Se hicieron 35 transectos, distribuidos en cinco coberturas: bosque ripario, pastizal arbolado, tejido urbano, vegetación secundaria y mosaico de cultivos. Se registraron 114 individuos en cuatro de cinco coberturas; 15 en la época de sequía y 99 en la de lluvias. El bosque ripario mostró 55 individuos, seguido del tejido urbano con 41, mosaico de cultivos con 15 y el pastizal arbolado con 3 individuos. El uso y preferencia de hábitat diferencial en las unidades de muestreo fue congruente con los valores de abundancia por cada cobertura y se puede atribuir a la disponibilidad de recursos alimenticios. La dieta de la especie mostró preliminarmente, el uso de selectivo de variedades de frutales (e. g., Mangifera indica). Se muestra un avance en el conocimiento autoecológico de Brotogeris jugularis, que da cuenta de su condición generalista en la elección de los hábitats, mediada por una selección oportunista por aquellas coberturas que presentan mayor disponibilidad de recursos alimenticios, sean naturales o antropogénicas.

The 24/7 approach to promoting optimal welfare for captive wild animals

Article

Jan 2019

The 24/7 approach to promoting optimal welfare for captive wild animals

Article

Nov 2017
BEHAV PROCESS

We have an ethical responsibility to provide captive animals with environments that allow them to experience good welfare. Husbandry activities are often scheduled for the convenience of care staff working within the constraints of the facility, rather than considering the biological and psychological requirements of the animals themselves. The animal welfare 24/7 across the lifespan concept provides a holistic framework to map features of the animal's life cycle, taking into account their natural history, in relation to variations in the captive environment, across day and night, weekdays, weekends, and seasons. In order for animals to have the opportunity to thrive, we argue the need to consider their lifetime experience, integrated into the environments we provide, and with their perspective in mind. Here, we propose a welfare assessment tool based upon 14 criteria, to allow care staff to determine if their animals' welfare needs are met. We conclude that animal habitat management will be enhanced with the use of integrated technologies that provide the animals with more opportunities to engineer their own environments, providing them with complexity, choice and control.

Reporte y distribución potencial de una palma exótica ornamental (Roystonea oleracea) en Ecuador

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2017

The Roystonea oleracea palm, a native of the Caribbean, has been introduced in some tropical countries as an ornamental plant and it invades the wetlands of Brazil, Guyana and Panama. In this study we report the presence of R. oleracea in the coastal region of Ecuador where it is widely cultivated as an ornamental. Using a satellite image, we estimated the abundance and coverage of this species at Isla Santay, a Ramsar wetland. We also made a potential distribution model of R. oleracea in Ecuador, using BIOCLIM. At Isla Santay, this species has been naturalized and covers about 43 hectares. The potential distribution model shows that, in addition to Isla Santay, there are five other Ramsar wetlands on the coast of Ecuador that are susceptible climatically to establishment of R. oleracea. Due to the invasive potential of this species in wetlands we recommend that its use as an ornamental plant be prohibited in areas near wetlands in Ecuador. Studies must be carried out to monitor naturalization and ecological impacts of R. oleracea in Ecuadorian wetlands in order to establish management priorities and contribute to the conservation of these important ecosystems.

Variation in the abundance of Red-bellied Macaw Orthopsittaca manilata (Psittacidae) and fruits production in Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae)

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2015

Resumo Orthopsittaca manilatus é um psitacídeo aparentemente associado aos frutos maduros de Mauritia flexuosa, os quais requerem vários meses para a maturação. Objetivando detalhar tal associação, examinou-se a frutificação dessa palmeira, bem como a abundância e atividade alimentar de O. manilatus durante treze meses. A presença/ausência e produção de frutos maduros foram usadas como variáveis explanatórias à incidência e atividade alimentar de O. manilatus. Tais parâmetros foram avaliados em pontos estabelecidos em uma vereda de 4,5 km de comprimento. Mauritia flexuosa frutificou ao longo dos meses de estudo, mas a ausência de frutos maduros durou sete meses. Nesse período, a incidência de O. manilatus foi baixa e sua alimentação consistiu de endosperma líquido dos frutos imaturos. Na presença de frutos maduros, O.manilatus foi mais incidente e sua atividade alimentar intensificou na medida em que os frutos maduros eram ofertados. Observou-se que M. flexuosa tem frutificação sincrônica, ao menos em veredas localizadas num raio de 200 km da área de estudo. Porém, uma revisão bibliográfica indicou assincronias na frutificação ao longo de sua vasta área de ocorrência. Provavelmente, a variação na abundância de O. manilatus resulta de movimentos de longas distâncias, em que elas seguem a maturação dos frutos de M. flexuosa em busca do nutritivo mesocarpo. As veredas do Brasil central têm sido impactadas pelo homem, e O. manilatus poderia ser uma espécie-bandeira em ações de conservação dessa fisionomia. Em termos de aplicabilidade, 50.000 frutos maduros (produzidas por 8-10 palmeiras) pode elevar a incidência local de O. manilatus e assegurar à sua manutenção alimentar em veredas impactadas. Palavras-chave: relações espécies-específica; frugivoria; conservação de áreas alagadas.

Resource requirements of parrots: nest site selectivity and dietary plasticity of Psittaciformes

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2015

Parrots (Order Psittaciformes) are secondary cavity-nesters that depend on existing cavities for nest sites, and consume plant resources of fruits, seeds, and flowers that are highly variable, but little is known of resource selectivity by parrots, or how they deal with variable environments. We reviewed published studies of nest-cavity use by parrots, and those evaluating parrot diet and their relationship with food resources. Most studies have been conducted within the last 20 years and these present data on resource use for only one-third of parrot species worldwide. However, basic information on resource requirements is lacking for the vast majority of Psittaciformes, particularly for species from the Asian region. Nesting studies have found that parrots use nest cavities in large trees, high above the ground, with large nest chambers, of 0.5–1 m deep, and entrance diameters related to body size of the parrot species. A few studies demonstrate that parrots select nest sites based on cavity characteristics, which may influence nest success, but a complete evaluation of adaptive nest site selection by Psittaciformes is lacking. Parrots have varied diets and may employ a combination of strategies of diet switching, habitat shifts, and movements to track food resources. This plasticity in diet and foraging strategy may influence the extent to which parrots can respond to anthropogenic pressures of global change. Parrots may also play an important functional role in forest ecosystems, yet little is currently known of plant–animal interactions of parrots, or the impact of parrot populations on forest dynamics. Based on our review of the literature, we suggest that to meet their resource requirements, parrots employ resource selection strategies of hierarchical nest site selection to increase the likelihood of nest success, and plasticity in diet and foraging strategy to track variable food resources. Future studies need to evaluate resource selection and the consequences of this for fitness in order to assess the potential impacts of global change on parrot populations, and to identify characteristics which make species vulnerable to human pressures

Dry fruits and the abundance of the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna) at a cerrado remnant in central Brazil

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2006
ORNITOL NEOTROP

José Ragusa-Netto

Macaws are mobile pre-dispersal seed predators from Neotropical forests. They wander within habitat mosaics to exploit food resources as they became available. I examined the relationship between food production and the abundance of the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna), at a 'cerrado' remnant in central Brazil. Additionally, I analyzed macaw feeding ecology in this habitat. During most of the time, only a few macaws occurred at the remnant. However, macaw abundance abruptly increased in the late dry season, coincident with a major peak of fruit production. At that time, a large number of trees bore dry fruits, notably the large fruit crops produced by Vatairea macrocarpa. Macaws foraged extensively for the large and soft unripe V. macrocarpa seeds, and seldom used other fruits. Because macaw abundance coincided with the brief fruiting in V. macrocarpa, potentially this abundant and nutritive food source caused an influx of macaws to the cerrado remnant. Therefore, considering both the generalist habitat and food requirements of this macaw, at least during specific periods, those remnants which include high abundance of plants important for macaws may contribute to their persistence, even in fragmented landscapes of central Brazil.

Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri) abundance and canopy foraging at a dry forest in western Brazil

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2008
STUD NEOTROP FAUNA E

José Ragusa-Netto

I studied Brotogeris chiriri abundance and foraging activity at a dry forest of the Urucum mountains in western Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, to evaluate their relationships with food resource production. Brotogeris chiriri abundance sharply increased during the early wet season (mainly October 2001) when it mostly foraged for fleshy fruits. At that time Protium heptaphyllum, one of the most common tree species, bore a large crop of fruits, the arils of which were extensively consumed by B. chiriri. Conversely, only a few parakeets were recorded foraging from the late wet to the late dry season, when dry fruit production predominated. The monthly pattern of parakeet abundance paralleled both its monthly pattern of foraging activity and fleshy fruit availability. Moreover, the variations in foraging activity were highly correlated to fleshy fruit production. Thus, data presented here evidenced the effect of both fruiting pulses and a common tree species that produced a large and ephemeral fruit crop, on the dynamic of a small and mobile canopy forager at a primary dry forest.

Diet composition of reintroduced Red-and-Green Macaws reflects gradual adaptation to life in the wild

Article

Dec 2021

Over the last two centuries, the Red-and-Green Macaw (Ara chloropterus) has become locally extinct in Argentina. In an attempt to restore its key ecosystem functions as both disperser and regulator of large-seeded plants, a reintroduction project was initiated at the Iberá National Park in northeastern Argentina. The ability of released individuals to find food is crucial, especially when working with captive-bred animals, as long-term establishment of a self-sustaining population depends on their short-term ability to exploit wild food sources. Monitoring of feeding habits is usually conducted through behavioral observation, but in recent years DNA metabarcoding has emerged as an alternative for obtaining highly resolved data on diet composition. In this study, we use a combination of both techniques to characterize the breadth and composition of the reintroduced macaws' diet. In addition, we compare the efficiency of both observational and molecular techniques to assess diet composition in a frugivorous bird. Individuals fed on a variety of plant species (n = 49) belonging to a broad phylogenetic spectrum (28 families). Dietary richness estimated by direct observation and DNA metabarcoding was similar, though smaller than the combination of the two datasets as both techniques detected at least 15 species not recorded by the other method. While the total number of detected species was higher for observational data, the rate of species-detection per sampling day was higher for DNA metabarcoding. These results suggest that a combination of both methods is required in order to obtain the most accurate account of the total diversity of the diet of a bird species. The ability of reintroduced macaws to successfully exploit local food resources throughout the year indicates a good level of adjustment to the release site, an important step towards the creation of a stable, self-sustaining population of Red-and-Green Macaws in Northern Argentina.

Socioeconomic Assessment of the Impact of an Invasive Alien Species on the Beekeeping Industry in Trinidad and Tobago: The Case of Varroa Jacobsoni or Varroa Mite. In Economic impact of IAS in the Caribbean by CABI

Chapter

Full-text available

Dec 2014

Varroa Jacobsoni, also referred to as the Varroa Mite, was first sighted in July 1996 in Maraval in the island of Trinidad. The invasive alien species (IAS) is believed to have reached Trinidad on swarms that migrated from the Venezuelan mainland into the country. The mite attacks all stages of the life cycle from pupa to adult. Early reporting indicated that hives were completely destroyed within three months after invasion. Soon after the sightings, beekeepers began to use Apistan strip to treat their hives and this continued to this date. This study seeks to access the Socioeconomic Impact of Varroa Jacobsoni on the Beekeeping Industry in Trinidad and Tobago. More specifically, the study assesses: (i) Producers’ perception of the IAS (Varroa Jacobsoni) as an indicator of “level of threat” on their business. The IAS was rated against other threat factors such as the Africanized honey bee, vandalism and colony migration. This was done through producer surveys in Trinidad using the five point Likert scale and point score analysis. (ii) The cost of the IAS to beekeepers in Trinidad and Tobago. The results of the study showed that producers ranked the Varroa mite as having the greatest impact on their operations while the Africanized bee on the other hand was considered to have little to no impact on the industry. The findings suggest that the use of the Apistan strip might have been effective in control of the mite and prevented the decline of the industry. In 1996, the production of honey in Trinidad and Tobago was recorded at 40 tons. However, by 2012 honey production increased to about 100 tons, which represents a 150% increase over 1996 levels.

Optimal diet strategy of a large-bodied psittacine: food resource abundance and nutritional content enable facultative dietary specialization by the Military Macaw

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2019

Background Dietary specialization should arise when there is a relatively high abundance of a particular resource, where animals may select food items to obtain an optimal diet that maximizes energy intake. Large-bodied psittacines frequently exhibit a narrow dietary niche with specific habitat use, but few studies have determined whether psittacines select food resources, and how this influences habitat use. Methods We established fruiting phenology transects to evaluate food resource availability for the large-bodied Military Macaw ( Ara militaris ) in semi-deciduous, deciduous, and pine-oak forest at two sites along the coast of Jalisco, during the dry season when macaws are nesting. We also determined Military Macaw diet by observations of foraging macaws along transect routes, and conducted bromatological analysis of the nutritional content of the most consumed resource. Results Military Macaws used six plant species as food items during the dry season, and had a narrow dietary niche (Levins’ B = 0.28), with 56% of foraging macaws consuming the seeds of Hura polyandra . No food resources were recorded in pine-oak forest during the dry season, with food resources and foraging by macaws concentrated in tropical deciduous and semi-deciduous forest, where H. polyandra was the most abundant fruiting tree species. When considering the proportional availability of food resources, we determined a broad Hurlbert dietary niche breadth of H = 0.67, indicating that Military Macaws consumed food resources according to their availability. Furthermore, the seeds of H. polyandra were an important source of protein, carbohydrates, minerals and moisture, and the hard fruit-casing means that these seeds are exclusively available for macaws. Conclusions By concentrating their diet on the most abundant resources, Military Macaws may increase foraging efficiency in the dry season. The high nutrient content also means that concentrating the diet on seeds of H. polyandra may be an optimal foraging strategy for Military Macaws to meet their energy requirements during the breeding season.

The connective potential of vertebrate vectors responsible for the dispersal of the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis)

Article

Sep 2019
FLORA

Dirk H. R. Spennemann

Accelerating human intervention has seen the creation of novel ecosystems through intentional planting and adventitious establishment of exotic species. One hundred and fifty years after its commercialisation by the horticultural industry, the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) has become one of the most ubiquitous ornamental palm species throughout all temperate zones. Even though it has become naturalised in many parts of the world, colonising natural as well as managed landscapes, little is known about the vectors responsible for dispersal. This paper reviews the state of knowledge of vertebrate species utilising P. canariensis as habitat and those that feed on the palm’s drupes and disperse their seeds. Globally, P. canariensis forms a major urban habitat for invasive species. The significant dispersers are canids and three families of larger volant birds (Artamidae, Columbidae, and Corvidae). The review demonstrates that the majority of vectors consume the fruit on the tree or on a close-by perch, thereby contributing little to medium or long range dispersal. A few avian and terrestrial species facilitate long-distance dispersal, even though they too deposit the majority of seed close to the source. The paper postulates a conceptual model where effective dispersal success of a horticultural plant is governed not only by the established factors of distance of dispersal quantity of seeds dispersed and seed viability, but significantly also by the ability of a vector species to span several habitat boundaries (e.g. from urban to production landscapes or remnant vegetation) and to deposit multiple seeds at tightly defined locations.

Capítulo IV - Dibujo científico: una herramienta para entender la biología

Chapter

Full-text available

Jan 2016

Ubaldo Sebastián Flores-Guerrero

La comunicación se ha manifestado de variadas formas a través de la historia humana. Ejemplo claro de ello ha sido el desarrollo del lenguaje, la escritura y la ilustración. Esta última ha formado parte de la evolución comunicativa y el desarrollo de conocimiento a través de expresiones gráficas que buscan describir, entender y explicar la realidad. Existen registros que datan del Paleolítico y Neolítico donde los humanos primitivos ya representaban animales, personas, elementos corporales, fenómenos sociales (rituales, costumbres, estilos de caza, etc.) y sucesos que evidenciaban su estrecha relación con la naturaleza (Grilli et al., 2015). Desde sus inicios la ilustración ha sido una herramienta muy útil en el desarrollo del pensamiento y génesis del conocimiento. El potencial de la ilustración es tan amplio como la imaginación misma de las personas, al ser este arte la matriz principal de la expresión gráfica. Sin embargo, la ilustración científica se entiende de diferente manera, ya que se rige por la línea de la objetividad a partir de los elementos reales.

Communal roosts of the Blue-fronted Amazons (Amazona aestiva) in a large tropical wetland: Are they of different types?

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2018
PLOS ONE

Psittacidae species are among the most threatened birds in the world. Approximately one-half of the 390 parrot species are experiencing population declines. The Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) is the most traded parrot worldwide and suffers from poaching and habitat loss. Many species of parrots, including the Blue-fronted Amazon, form communal roosts where they spend the night. Under certain circumstances, roost surveys can be a rapid and cost-effective way to obtain information about the demography of parrots or the consequences of threats. We surveyed an area of 2,700 km² in a large wetland in mid-western of Brazil and located five Blue-fronted Amazon roosts. We conducted monthly counts of the birds arriving at these roosts for 28–61 months and stratified the counts into flock sizes. We used this information to estimate the number of parrots using these roosts to determine whether the roosts follow seasonal patterns and whether they have different flock-size structures and different dynamics throughout the year, as well as to determine the trends of the roosting parrots, which are stratified by flock size. The roosts were different, as they followed different seasonal patterns and had different flock-size structures, which could be interpreted in relation to the parrot breeding cycle. The trends of singletons, which index the number of reproductive couples each year, and the number of pairs parrots increased or fluctuated around a baseline, but the number of fledged young in the year declined throughout the study. This is of concern, as it indicates problems in population recruitment, which could have been unnoticed by the management authorities, as the total numbers were not decreasing. Although every monitored roost had birds of each age or reproductive condition strata, the fact that the roosts were different could be important in terms of management, as it will be more effective for the conservation of the Blue-fronted Amazon to protect a carefully chosen set of complementary roosts.

Parrots consume sodium-rich palms in the sodium-deprived landscape of the Western Amazon Basin

Article

Aug 2017

en Herbivorous animals face shortages of different minerals in different geographic areas. In the Amazon Basin, sodium is often limiting, driving herbivores to seek supplemental sources. In the lowlands of the western Amazon Basin, parrots commonly consume sodium‐rich soils at clay licks but lick use varies widely among species, and to date, parrots in the region have not been reported consuming other supplemental sodium sources. We document 11 species of psittacines consuming sodium‐rich leaves and trunks of Attalea butyracea palms growing on sodium‐rich soils in lowland Peru. Consumed palms had more sodium and less potassium than uneaten A. butyracea palms and other palm species in the area. Among A. butyracea palm parts, sodium and Na:K ratios were highest in trunks (consumed by parrots in 94% of the 387 foraging bouts recorded) and lowest in leaves (consumed in only 14% of foraging bouts). The low potassium and high Na:K ratio suggest that birds may be seeking not just any sodium sources, but those low in potassium, as potassium is known to exacerbate dietary sodium shortages. Use of the palms and species’ abundance in the study area were not correlated. Instead, parrot species that consumed palms the most were those that use relatively few traditional soil clay licks. This finding suggests that parrot species in the region have fundamental differences in preferred strategies for obtaining supplemental sodium and may help explain documented interspecific differences in geophagy. Resumen es Los animales herbívoros enfrentan escasez de diferentes minerales en diferentes áreas geográficas. En la Amazonía, el sodio suele ser limitado, lo cual obliga a los herbívoros a buscar fuentes suplementarias de este mineral. En las tierras bajas de la parte occidental de la cuenca Amazonica, los loros consumen suelos ricos en sodio en las laderas de ríos, en los llamados saladeros o ‘collpas’. El consumo de la arcilla en las collpas varía mucho entre especies. Existen diferentes fuentes de sodio en muchos ecosistemas, pero hasta la fecha, los loros amazónicos no han sido reportados consumiendo otras fuentes de sodio. Documentamos once especies de psitácidos consumiendo hojas y troncos de palmeras Attalea butyracea con altas concentraciones de sodio en el sureste del Perú. Las palmeras consumidas estaban creciendo en suelos ricos en sodio y tenían más sodio y menos potasio que las palmeras A. butyracea no consumidas y otras especies de palmeras en la zona. Entre las diferentes partes de las palmeras A. butyraceae, el sodio y la proporción Na:K fueron más altos en los troncos (consumidos por los loros en el 94% de los 387 episodios de forrajeo registrados) y más bajos en las hojas (consumidas en sólo el 14% de los episodios de forrajeo). El bajo contenido de potasio y la elevada proporción de Na:K sugieren que las aves pueden estar buscando fuentes de sodio con bajas concentraciones de potasio, porque el potasio exacerba la escasez dietética de sodio. El uso de las palmeras y la abundancia de especies en el área de estudio no estuvieron correlacionados. En cambio, las especies de psitácidos que más consumieron las palmeras fueron también aquellas especies que usan relativamente poco las collpas tradicionales de tierra. Este hallazgo sugiere que las especies de loros en la región tienen diferencias fundamentales en las estrategias preferidas para la obtención de suplementos de sodio y pueden ayudar a explicar las diferencias interespecíficas documentadas en la geofagia.

Seed dispersal by macaws shapes the landscape of an Amazonian ecosystem

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2017

Seed dispersal is one of the most studied plant–animal mutualisms. It has been proposed that the dispersal of many large-seeded plants from Neotropical forests was primarily conducted by extinct megafauna, and currently by livestock. Parrots can transport large fruits using their beaks, but have been overlooked as seed dispersers. We demonstrate that three macaws (Ara ararauna, A. glaucogularis and A. severus) are the main dispersers of the large-seeded motacú palm Attalea princeps, which is the biomass-dominant tree in the Bolivian Amazonian savannas. Macaws dispersed fruits at high rates (75–100% of fruits) to distant (up to 1200 m) perching trees, where they consumed the pulp and discarded entire seeds, contributing to forest regeneration and connectivity between distant forests islands. The spatial distribution of immature palms was positively associated to the proximity to macaws’ perching trees and negatively to the proximity to cattle paths. The disperser role of livestock, presumably a substitute for extinct megafauna, had little effect due to soil compaction, trampling and herbivory. Our results underscore the importance of macaws as legitimate, primary dispersers of large-seeded plants at long distances and, specifically, their key role in shaping the landscape structure and functioning of this Amazonian biome.

Requerimientos ecológicos en las aves: un enfoque en psitácidos

Chapter

Full-text available

Jun 2016

Los recursos desempeñan un papel decisivo en la dinámica poblacional de las aves. Sin embargo, distintos factores puede modificar la disponibilidad de los recursos en el ambiente. Los psitácidos, para su supervivencia y reproducción, dependen de recursos (hábitat, alimento y sitios de anidación) que muestran heterogeneidad espacial y temporal. Estudios sobre la abundancia de psitácidos demuestran que, a pesar de que estas aves pueden moverse y cubrir extensas áreas, no se distribuyen de manera uniforme entre los hábitats; en general, son más abundantes en hábitats conservados con mayor disponibilidad de recursos. Asimismo, la mayoría de los psitácidos son principalmente granívoros del dosel y pueden consumir una variedad de especies de plantas que muestran variación espacial y temporal en su productividad, así, los psitácidos emplean distintas estrategias adaptativas como la plasticidad en dieta, cambios en el uso del hábitat y movimientos al ajustar la búsqueda de los recursos alimenticios y seguir su disponibilidad en el ambiente. El 78% de las especies de psitácidos son anidadores secundarios de cavidades, y dependen de la disponibilidad de cavidades con condiciones adecuadas para su anidación y éxito reproductivo. Los esquemas actuales de deforestación de los bosques están afectando a las distintas poblaciones de psitácidos, al disminuir la disponibilidad de recursos alimenticios y limitar sus oportunidades de anidación. El estudio de los requerimientos ecológicos en psitácidos es clave para generar información sobre la conservación a largo plazo de especies en riesgo.

Diffusion of novel foraging behaviour in Amazon parrots through social learning

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2017
ANIM COGN

While social learning has been demonstrated in species across many taxa, the role it plays in everyday foraging decisions is not well understood. Investigating social learning during foraging could shed light on the emergence of cultural variation in different groups. We used an open diffusion experiment to examine the spread of a novel foraging technique in captive Amazon parrots. Three groups were tested using a two-action foraging box, including experimental groups exposed to demonstrators using different techniques and control birds. We also examined the influence of agonistic and pilfering behaviour on task acquisition. We found evidence of social learning: more experimental birds than control birds interacted with and opened the box. The birds were, however, no more likely to use the demonstrated technique than the non-demonstrated one, making local or stimulus enhancement the most likely mechanism. Exhibiting aggression was positively correlated with box opening, whilst receiving aggression did not reduce motivation to engage with the box, indicating that willingness to defend access to the box was important in task acquisition. Pilfering food and success in opening the box were also positively correlated; however, having food pilfered did not affect victims' motivation to interact with the box. In a group context, pilfering may promote learning of new foraging opportunities. Although previous studies have demonstrated that psittacines are capable of imitation, in this naturalistic set-up there was no evidence that parrots copied the demonstrated opening technique. Foraging behaviour in wild populations of Amazons could therefore be facilitated by low-fidelity social learning mechanisms.

An Economic Assessment of the Impact of Raoiella Indica on the Nariva Swamp, Trinidad and Tobago

Chapter

Full-text available

Dec 2014

Marc Garcia

Habitat, abundance and conservation perspectives of parrots at Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, Veracruz, Mexico

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2010
ORNITOL NEOTROP

During the years of 2008-2010, we assessed the conservation status of parrot species in Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, southeast Mexico, obtaining data on abundance, habitat use and date of pet trade. During our field studies, we visited sites that included all the terrestrial habitats in the region, from the mangrove forest at sea level to montane rain forest at 1100 m.a.s.l. We were able to record only three species, out of the nine species previously reported in this area. Through linear transects we registered a total of 379 records. Amazona autumnalis was then the most abundant parrot with 78,9% of the total records, 1001 individuals recorded, and 6,9 individuals/km, and A. albifrons whit 13,7% records, 181 individual recorded and 1,25 individuals/km, and Aratinga nana whit only 7,3% records, 167 individual recorded and 1,15 individuals/km. In general, species prefer open habitat. We believe that habitat destruction and fragmentation, as well as extraction for the pet trade have led parrot species to decline and in some cases perhaps to local extinctions, as well as to jeopardize the persistence of parrots here recorded. Efforts for the conservation of parrots in Los Tuxtlas are urgent and should be undertaken by government or non-government bodies, and research centers with the cooperation and participation of local people.

Figs and the persistence of Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) at dry forests from western Brazil

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2010
ORNITOL NEOTROP

José Ragusa-Netto

The Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) is a large canopy frugivore common in the seasonal areas of the interior of Brazil. In this study, I evaluated fruit production and analyzed the toucan's feeding habits in two types of dry forests, one deciduous, although rich in figs, and another semi-deciduous, both in the western Brazil. Both areas exhibited marked fruiting patterns, which peaks overlapped the late dry and early wet seasons. However, in the deciduous forest the fruiting peak resulted mostly of dry fruits, while in the semi-deciduous forest the major peak was widely comprised by fleshy fruits. On the other hand, in the deciduous forest, despite of fluctuations, figs were available all year. In the semi-deciduous forest, the feeding activity varied substantially exhibiting peaks coincident with the extensive consumption of seasonally available fruits, mainly Guibourtia hymenaefolia and Scheffera morototoni. These food resources presented such traits as prolonged availability and lipid-rich diaspores. Conversely, in the deciduous forest Toco Toucans foraged every month, mostly for figs, so that their feeding activity exhibited no significant seasonal differences. Therefore, the exploitation of distinct habitat types caused either by asynchronous or seasonal fruits, emphasizes the importance of habitat mosaics for a large frugivorous bird, such as the Toco Toucan, which wanders for wide areas searching for fruiting patches. Data present here increase our knowledge on the species' generalistic habits, which at least partly may explain its persistence and wide distribution in the dry interior of Brazil. Accepted 16 December 2009.

Avian frugivores feeding on Mauritia flexuosa (Arecaceae) fruits in Central Brazil

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2012

The buriti palm tree M. flexuosa has a widespread distribution in South America and is very common in central Brazil. Information about the interactions between frugivores and the buriti palm tree are scarce. The objective of the study was to investigate the consumption of buriti fruits by avian frugivores in the Cerrado of Central Brazil and to analyze its importance to the plant. In order to describe fruit availability, we sampled 100 buritis determining monthly, the presence or absence of ripe fruit. We gathered data on buriti fruit utilization by avian frugivores by direct observation of bunches on three buriti individuals. Observations included visit frequency, flock size, number of eaten fruits, and foraging behavior. We also placed three buriti fruit collectors to evaluate fruit drop rates. Eight species of birds ate the buriti fruit and psitacids were the main consumers, especially Orthopsittaca manilata. Fruits of M. flexuosa are an important food resource for frugivores in the dry season when other fruits are scarce in the Cerrado.

Parrots as key multilinkers in ecosystem structure and functioning

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2015

Mutually enhancing organisms can become reciprocal determinants of their distribution , abundance, and demography and thus influence ecosystem structure and dynamics. In addition to the prevailing view of parrots (Psittaciformes) as plant antagonists, we assessed whether they can act as plant mutualists in the dry tropical forest of the Bolivian inter-Andean valleys, an ecosystem particularly poor in vertebrate frugivores other than parrots (nine species). We hypothesised that if interactions between parrots and their food plants evolved as primarily or facultatively mutualistic, selection should have acted to maximize the strength of their interactions by increasing the amount and variety of resources and services involved in particular pairwise and community–wide interaction contexts. Food plants showed different growth habits across a wide phylogenetic spectrum, implying that parrots behave as super-generalists exploiting resources differing in phenology, type, biomass, and rewards from a high diversity of plants (113 species from 38 families). Through their feeding activities, parrots provided multiple services acting as genetic linkers, seed facili-tators for secondary dispersers, and plant protectors, and therefore can be considered key mutualists with a pervasive impact on plant assemblages. The number of complementary and redundant mutualistic functions provided by parrots to each plant species was positively related to the number of different kinds of food extracted from them. These mutually enhancing interactions were reflected in species-level properties (e.g., biomass or dominance) of both partners , as a likely consequence of the temporal convergence of eco-(co)evolution-ary dynamics shaping the ongoing structure and organization of the ecosystem. A full assessment of the, thus far largely overlooked, parrot–plant mutualisms and other ecological linkages could change the current perception of the role of parrots in the structure, organization, and functioning of ecosystems.

La palma de Moriche (Mauritia flexuosa Lf;) un ecosistema estratégico

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2011

RESUMEN Con esta revisión se busca recoger los aspectos generales que se han investigado, especialmente en lo concerniente a la biología, la ecología y los usos, en los países donde se encuentra distribuida la especie. La palma de moriche (Mauritia flexuosa L. f) presenta una amplia distribución desde la cuenca amazónica hasta la isla de Trinidad. La especie presenta una gran adaptación a suelos con baja fertilidad, además es parte integral del sistema natural regional porque se ha convertido en un elemento fundamental, para la conservación de las fuentes hídricas y la biodiversidad. En el caso de algunas economías locales es usada como un recurso que genera alimento, fibras y madera. Su importancia económica varía entre las diferentes regiones geográficas, en Colombia es escasamente comercializada, mientras que en zonas como Iquitos (Perú), comienzan a seleccionar ecotipos para el cultivo comercial de la especie, ya que existe una red económica basada en sus productos. ABSTRACT This review was mainly aimed at bringing togethergeneral aspects concerningthis speciewhichhave been investigated to date, especially regardingits biology, ecology and use in the countries where the specie is located.

The exotic palm Roystonea oleracea (Jacq.) O.F. Cook (Arecaceae) on an island within the Atlantic Forest Biome: Naturalization and influence on seedling recruitment

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2014

Here, we investigated the population structure of the exotic palm Roystonea oleracea in a swamp on an island within the Atlantic Forest Biome, evaluating its influence on the seedling recruitment of other plant species. The population structure was analyzed in six 4 × 30 m plots, within which we categorized all individuals by ontogenetic stage. The influence of R. oleracea on the seedling recruitment of other plant species was evaluated in 2 × 2 m plots established beneath palm crowns and in adjacent areas without palms. We recorded 53 R. oleracea individuals. The majority (56.6%) of the R. oleracea population was composed of immature adults, followed by mature adults. The density, richness and diversity of seedling species differed significantly between areas beneath and away from palms, the values being lower beneath R. oleracea crowns. Our results indicate that R. oleracea recruitment does not require human intervention, the number of reproductive individuals characterizing successful naturalization. This underscores the need for management policies aimed at palm eradication in order to avoid reductions in biodiversity.

CARACTERIZACIÓN ESTRUCTURAL Y FLORÍSTICA DE UN BOSQUE CON PALMAS ANEGADO (CHAGUARAMAL), PENÍNSULA DE PARIA, ESTADO SUCRE, VENEZUELA

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2012

The swamp forest (Chaguaramal) located in the northwest border of the Turuépano National Park (Sucre State), contains a rich fauna of value for conservation including a variety of parrots, macaws and monkeys, nevertheless the vegetation is little known in Venezuela. The structure of the ligneous vegetation (≥ 2,5 cm dbh) was studied in four rectangular plots (0.1 ha) and the local flora was inventoried. The dominant arboreal species are Pterocarpus officinalis, Inga vera, Tabebuia rosea, Roystonea oleracea, Ficus maxima, and the herbaceous Montrichardia arborescens, Crinum erubescens and Typha dominguensis. The plants are grouped in three strata and the coverage is, in general, dense in the understory and open in the canopy. Forty three families, 48 genera and 75 species were identified and a species key is presented. The frequent fires in the herbaceous swamps of Eleocharis spp. and Typha dominguensis surrounding the formation constitute a strong threat for the flora and fauna of the Chaguaramal, therefore, its inclusion into the Turuépano National Park is recommended to assure its conservation.

Natural history and conservation of Blue-and-gold Macaws in Peru

Article

Donald Brightsmith

The Blue-and-gold Macaw is a stunning bird that is well known in the pet trade. It is found in the wild from Panama to eastern Brazil and Bolivia. While not formally endangered, it is declining in most parts of its range due to habitat loss and poaching for the pet trade. In many areas, the species is closely tied to the presence of palm swamps dominated by Mauritia flexuosa (Aguaje) palms. The birds eat the fruit and nest in the hollow dead palms. However, this palm tree is also threatened, as people commonly cut down the entire palm to harvest the edible fruits. The Blue-and-gold Macaw is a common site at the clay lick and in the palm swamps near Tambopata Research Center (TRC). In this report I will present information from my work at TRC on how the annual patterns of food supply apparently drive the timing of breeding and the movements of the birds, and how these drive the fluctuations in clay lick use. I will describe the creation of a Blue-and-gold nesting colony near TRC by mimicking naturally dieing sections of palm swamp. I will also discuss how ecotourism and nesting macaws can combine to help conserve valuable tropical forest areas.

The Moriche palm(Mauritia flexuosa L. f) represents astrategic ecosystem

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2011

This review was mainly aimed at bringing togethergeneral aspects concerningthis speciewhichhave been investigated to date, especially regardingits biology, ecology and use in the countries where the specie is located.The Moriche palm(Mauritia flexuosa L.f) has a wide distribution, ranging from the Amazon Rever basin to the island of Trinidad. The specie has excellent adaptation to low-fertilitysoil; it is also an integral part of regional natural systems because it has become a fundamental elementin preserving hydric resources and biodiversity. It is being used as a resource generating food, fibres and woodin some local economies.Its economic importance variesamongst different geographical regions;it is barely commercialisedin Colombia while in zones like Iquitos (Peru), ecotypes have begunto be selected for the specie's commercial cultivation and exploitation as an economic network based on its productsalready exists.

The Imperial Palm (Roystonea oleracea (Jacq.) O.F. Cook) as an invasive species of a wetland in Brazilian Atlantic forest

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2013

The aim of this research was to study the population structure of an exotic palm, Roystonea oleracea (Arecaceae), map its spatial distribution and investigate its invasive status in an Atlantic forest wetland. A total of 130 live and 7 dead standing palms ≥10 cm DBH were sampled. Data showed a trend towards population expansion, with most seedlings and saplings occurring within a radius of ~12 m from the mother plants but some larger trees (DBH >10 cm) up to 440 m from the parents. This exotic species is established and has the potential to become invasive, especially near wetlands. Its control or eradication should be undertaken and we suggest the immediate removal of reproductive individuals, and constant monitoring of young individuals leading to their future removal. Use of this species as an ornamental should be made with care to prevent or reduce possible harmful effects of this exotic and potentially invasive species in Brazilian wetlands.

Parrot ecology in a modified landscape, Tambopata, Peru

Article

Jan 2008

Peter Cowen

Response of a Scarlet Macaw Ara macao population to conservation practices in Costa Rica

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2005
BIRD CONSERV INT

The Central Pacific Conservation Area contains one of Costa Rica's two viable, but threatened Scarlet Macaw Aramacao populations. For 14 years (19901994 observations revealed seasonal and long-term changes in population size. The peak of annual population size occurred in August, with a cyclic range of about 90 birds between the lowest and highest points of the annual cycle. The best model also revealed a decline in population size of approximately eight birds counted per year or 4% of the total population per year (19902003). These ratios exceeded 8% for three different years (1995, 1996 and 2000). All three of these recruitment years occurred after management began, and two of them were associated with zealous anti-poaching efforts that ultimately could not be sustained. After intensive management practices began in 1995, the August counts increased by about 37 individuals in two years (19951996, and from 1996 to present the population has sustained itself.

Oversized pellets naturalize foraging time of captive Orange-winged Amazon parrots ( Amazona amazonica)

Article

Jun 2010
APPL ANIM BEHAV SCI

Parrots held in captivity experience distinctly different environmental demands, as compared to their wild conspecifics, particularly in regard to feeding. Cages equipped with computer-monitored infra-red beams (placed across a primary perch, in front of the feeder, in front of the drinking fount, and at the peak of the cage; interruption of a beam indicated a parrot's location) were used to supplement direct observation in characterizing activity budgets of adult male and female captive Orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica) fed pelleted diets. Parrots spent nearly all of their time perching, moving off the perch only a few times daily to drink and a few dozen times daily for pellet meals (each meal consisting of pellet retrieval and manipulation of the pellet(s) before swallowing). Such meals were temporally clumped, usually into 3–5 meal clusters per day, and clusters tended to be concentrated in morning and afternoon periods of a 12:12 LD light cycle, with a midday respite. Over-sized pellets formulated to be approximately 20–30 times larger than regular pellets (approximately 3–5g each vs. 0.16g each, respectively) exerted no detectable effect on the frequency distribution of off-perch bout lengths, but over-sized pellets dramatically increased post-pellet retrieval manipulation time approximately five-fold. In choice preference trials, parrots strongly preferred over-sized pellets to regular pellets, retrieving over-sized pellets approximately seven-times more often. Likewise, parrots offered only regular pellets removed 47.6±6.4g (mean±SE) pellets from their feeder per day, but removed only 6.5±2.0 of regular pellets, if over-sized pellets were offered concurrently. Finally, the option of manipulating/consuming over-sized pellets strongly affected use of wooden cube enrichment devices. During a 3-day period, parrots offered both regular and over-sized pellets reduced the mass of wooden cubes (through biting/chewing) by approximately 0.13g; removal of the over-sized pellet option increased this amount 50-fold. These results suggest that parrots offered only regular-size pelleted diets are deprived of an opportunity to engage in foraging behavior. Offering parrots over-sized pellets or enrichment devices that provide foraging-like opportunities can dramatically reduce periods of inactivity and encourage a more naturalistic activity budget, thereby enhancing welfare.

HÁBITAT, ABUNDANCIA Y PERSPECTIVAS DE CONSERVACIÓN DE PSITTACIDOS EN LA RESERVA DE LOS TUXTLAS, VERACRUZ, MÉXICO

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2010

Habitat, abundance and conservation perspectives of parrots at Los Tuxtlas Bio-sphere Reserve, Veracruz, Mexico. – During the years of 2008–2010, we assessed the conservation status of parrot species in Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, southeast Mexico, obtaining data on abundance, habi-tat use and date of pet trade. During our field studies, we visited sites that included all the terrestrial hab-itats in the region, from the mangrove forest at sea level to montane rain forest at 1100 m.a.s.l. We were able to record only three species, out of the nine species previously reported in this area. Through linear transects we registered a total of 379 records. Amazona autumnalis was then the most abundant parrot with 78,9% of the total records, 1001 individuals recorded, and 6,9 individuals/km, and A. albifrons whit 13,7% records, 181 individual recorded and 1,25 individuals/km, and Aratinga nana whit only 7,3% records, 167 individual recorded and 1,15 individuals/km. In general, species prefer open habitat. We believe that habitat destruction and fragmentation, as well as extraction for the pet trade have led parrot species to decline and in some cases perhaps to local extinctions, as well as to jeopardize the persis-tence of parrots here recorded. Efforts for the conservation of parrots in Los Tuxtlas are urgent and should be undertaken by government or non-government bodies, and research centers with the cooper-ation and participation of local people. Resumen. – Entre los años 2008 y 2010 evaluamos el estado de conservación de la familia Psittacidae en la región de Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, al sureste de México, obteniendo datos poblacionales, patrones de uso del hábitat y entrevistas con los pobladores locales, en las estaciones de primavera y otoño. Se visitaron sitios que incluyeron todos los ambientes terrestres de la región, desde el manglar al nivel del mar hasta el bosque mesófilo de montaña a los 1100 m s.n.m. Sólo registramos tres de las nueve espe-cies reportadas en estudios previos. Mediante transectos, en total se obtuvieron 379 registros. Amazona autumnalis fue la especie más abundante con el 78,9% de los registros, con 1001 loros totales y 6,9 ind/ km, seguido de A. albifrons con el 13,7% de los registros, 181 loros totales y 1,25 ind/km, por último Aratinga nana con solo 7,3% de los registros, 167 loros observados y 1,15 ind/km. En general, las tres especies prefieren espacios abiertos de la vegetación. Consideramos que tanto la destrucción y frag-mentación del hábitat como el comercio de vida silvestre que han ocurrido en la región, han llevado a la declinación o pérdida del resto de las especies, así como a poner en riesgo a los loros aquí registrados. Ante esta problemática, resulta apremiante que los esfuerzos de conservación de loros en Los Tuxtlas se lleven a cabo urgentemente por parte de las instancias gubernamentales o no-gubernamentales y de

Roystonea oleracea (Caribbean royal palm)

Article

Jan 2022

M Florin

This datasheet on Roystonea oleracea covers Identity, Overview, Distribution, Dispersal, Diagnosis, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Natural Enemies, Impacts, Uses, Prevention/Control, Further Information.

A percepção dos moradores sobre a maracanã-de-cara-amarela (Orthopsittaca manilatus, Aves: Psittacidae), em área urbana de Campo Grande –MS

Article

Full-text available

May 2021

A percepção dos moradores sobre a maracanã-de-cara-amarela (Orthopsittaca manilatus, Aves: Psittacidae), em área urbana de Campo Grande-MS The perception of the residents about the red-bellied macaw (Orthopsittaca manilatus, Aves: Psittacidae), in an urban area of Campo Grande-MS RESUMO A degradação ambiental pode ocasionar a recolonização das espécies do meio rural para os grandes centros urbanos, por isso, é importante que as cidades tenham áreas verdes conservadas que sirvam de suporte para as espécies que ali chegam. Além disso, os moradores de uma cidade também são responsáveis pela manutenção e conservação dos ecossistemas e da fauna presente nesse ambiente, portanto entender como os moradores percebem uma espécie é fundamental para sua conservação e para criar ações de educação ambiental. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a percepção dos moradores em relação a ocorrência da maracanã-de-cara-amarela (Orthopsittaca manilatus) em área urbana. A coleta de dados foi realizada em Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, para uma amostra de 30 moradores que tem ninhos ocupados pela O. manilatus em suas residências ou nas proximidades. Foi aplicado um questionário, contendo perguntas abertas e fechadas, a primeira parte com perguntas relacionadas ao perfil do entrevistado e a segunda parte sobre questões da percepção

Palm Physiology and Distribution in Response to Global Environmental Change

Chapter

Mar 2016

Palms (Arecaceae) represent one of the oldest surviving monocot families maintaining a presence in tropical rainforest-like biomes throughout history. Comprising a variety of plant growth forms (arborescent, acaulescent, lianoid), palms are one of the few monocots that achieve significant heights. In doing so, they face many of the same environmental and physiological constraints as dicotyledonous trees including long-distance water transport and longevity making them an important, but largely missing, component of comparative tree physiological studies. Palms differ from dicot trees in several key ways including lacking dormancy mechanisms that restrict them to mainly tropical climates. Palms also lack a vascular cambium and the constant addition of new conduits, and instead, rely exclusively on vascular bundles for fluid transport and mechanical stability. The majority of arborescent palm species also possess only one apical meristem complex from which all new leaf and stem growth originates thereby limiting their options for leaf positioning and light acquisition. These differences will likely alter the response of palms to global change compared with dicot species. Temperature increases have the potential to extend palm distributions to higher elevations and latitudes, but could negatively affect individual palm carbon balance. Within the tropics, precipitation has been shown to have the strongest positive effect on palm species richness and future changes in rainfall patterns will likely alter palm distributions. Therefore, global change has the potential to alter both palm distributions and individual physiological functioning, but palms will likely continue to have a considerable presence in many tropical ecosystems.

Stomach contents of Brazilian non-passerine birds

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2013

We report on the stomach contents of 70 individuals belonging to 36 species and 12 families of non-passerine birds of the Ornithological Collection Marcelo Bagno, University of Brasilia, Brazil. The stomachs, mostly collected during the rainy season and in the Cerrado area, were opened and their food items sorted to the nearest taxonomic level. Virtually all stomachs contained food items consistent with the literature. Galbula ruficauda, however, had plant material in its stomach, although it is considered insectivorous. It is interesting to mention that species considered omnivorous, such as Rhynchotus rufescens, Nothura maculosa and Ramphastos toco, contained only animal material in their stomachs. Columbina talpacoti, Leptotila verreauxi and Leptotila rufaxilla, which can supplement their diet with arthropods, ate only vegetable material, reinforcing items of animal origin as unusual in their diet. Geotrygon montana, C. talpacoti, L. verreauxi, N. maculosa, Aratinga aurea and Aratinga cactorum had stones in their stomachs, which can help to macerate food items. This study covers non-passerines poorly sampled in the literature and can assist in improving the knowledge about the diet of these species.

Behavioral monitoring, of Blue-and-yellow Macaws (Ara ararauna) reintroduced to the Nariva Swamp, Trinidad

Article

Jan 2008
ORNITOL NEOTROP

The Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna), once native to the island of Trinidad, was extirpated in the early 1960's, primarily due to nest poaching for the pet trade. Between 1999 and 2004, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Trinidad's Ministry of Environment and the Centre for the Rescue of Endangered Species of Trinidad and Tobago (CRESTT) translocated wild-caught birds from Guyana to Trinidad. During acclimation in a pre-release flight cage, the flight-readiness of the first 14 birds was monitored as the main criterion for release. Nine of the 14 birds released (64%) survived and produced 12 chicks in three nesting seasons. Three years later 20 additional wild-caught wilds were imported and the criterion for their release was expanded. Trained villagers spent time each day carefully detailing the behavior of the macaws using an ethogram. In addition to flight-readiness, they noted which birds were aggressive or formed bonded pairs, which other birds stayed together and what native foods they ate. There was 100% survival of the first 12 flight-ready birds released from the second flock. Bonded pairs and social groups that were released stayed together, and exhibited behaviors indicating healthy social structure. When five additional birds were released, they integrated with members of the original flock, and also had 100% survival. Fourteen additional chicks were produced in three more nesting seasons. This study suggests that releasing birds in pairs and socially compatible groups might enhance their chances of survival in the wild. Accepted 28 November 2007.

Distribution of the Orange-winged Parrot Amazona amazonica (Linnaeus, 1766) (Aves, Psittacidae) in the coastal region of the State of Paraíba, Brazil

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2014

Fifty-six villages along the coast of the State of Paraíba, Brazil, were visited to determine and map the occurrence of Amazona amazonica (Linnaeus, 1766). Search was conducted with binoculars and the residents of each locality were interviewed using a questionnaire to obtain information about the occurrence and species's biological data. Reports of recent and old occurrences, absence and feeding areas were registered. The food items mentioned were fruits, such as cashew, cashew nuts, palm oil, and agricultural products, such as corn. The reproductive period occurred between November and December. Breeding sites were mangrove areas and coconut trees, with nests being made in tree hollows. Questionnaires helped to elaborate a distribution map of the species, in which the actual distribution was based on visual records, whilst the potential distribution of the species was based on the questionnaire answers. Furthermore, they provided an overview of the biology of the species in agreement with that reported in the literature. Current data may be used in future studies on the conservation of the species in the State of Paraíba.

Ríos de morichal de la Orinoquia venezolana. Modeladores del paisaje, soportes de biodiversidad, flujo geohídrico e identidad cultural

Book

Dec 2014

Entre los sistemas fluviales llaneros pertenecientes a la Orinoquia venezolana, los ríos de morichal son uno de los principales modeladores del paisaje y son tanto expresión del ambiente como “escultores” de estos espacios, imprimiéndoles un carácter distintivo entre los ámbitos llaneros. Así mismo, son pivotes de la biodiversidad, el flujo geohidrológico y la cultura regional. Tales ríos se localizan en antiguas planicies y altillanuras centrales, meridionales y orientales de los llanos y en su entorno se forman complejos bosques palustres, en cuyas fitocomunidades asociadas destaca la palma moriche Mauritia flexuosa y otras palmas de hábitos hidrofílicos, pertenecientes al género Mauritiella (Mauritiella aculeata y M. armata). Por su sistema de recarga estos ríos son del tipo conocido como efluentes, y al filtrarse sus aguas a través de antiguas formaciones cuaternarias adquieren compuestos férricos y minerales de otra índole, los cuales en conjunto con ácidos húmicos, coloides orgánicos y minerales le proporcionan al agua un color oscuro característico. Sin embargo, comparadas con las de otros ríos llaneros, las aguas de los ríos de morichal tienen bajas cantidades de sales y minerales disueltos, así como bajos valores de conductividad y de pH. El carácter ecosistémico peculiar y la gran utilidad social de estos ríos, y sus bosques palustres asociados, han motivado que oficialmente se designen áreas con figuras legales de protección especial en sus entornos; además tanto habitantes actuales como etnias originarias de nuestro territorio nacional han tenido su vida signada por estos ecosistemas. Entre los recursos que se pueden aprovechar, tanto de los ríos como de sus bosques palustres asociados, destacan abundantes recursos pesqueros, animales de caza, frutos alimenticios, insumos de construcción y materiales para elaborar artesanías y objetos utilitarios. Su ictiofauna es muy diversa debido a la gran cantidad de hábitats formados en estos peculiares ambientes acuáticos. Los ríos de morichal no están exentos de amenazas, pero las principales se relacionan con la expansión de la frontera urbana y agropecuaria, que promueven la descarga de aguas servidas y el drenaje completo de áreas de morichal, así como la posibilidad de contaminación con agrotóxicos de los depósitos subterráneos recargadores. Por otra parte, en el desarrollo de actividades asociadas a la explotación petrolera, los bosques y cauces acuáticos en oportunidades se pueden afectar severamente por la construcción de infraestructura y por derrames de crudo así como otros productos o subproductos asociados con la explotación petrolera.

NARIVA SWAMP RESTORATION INITIATIVE -TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Article

Full-text available

Habitat characterization and modeling of the potential distribution of the Military Macaw (Ara militaris) in Mexico

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2013
REV MEX BIODIVERS

Forest structure and composition have been used to assess the habitat characteristics that determine bird distributions. The patterns of distribution have been shaped by historical and ecological factors that play different roles at both temporal and spatial scales. The objectives of this research were to characterize the habitat of the endangered Military Macaw (Ara militaris) and evaluate the potential distribution of this species based on trends of land use changes in Mexico. We characterized the community structure and floristic composition of 8 forests that are currently used by the Military Macaw for breeding and feeding and compared the results with 6 similar forests characterized in other studies but without historical records of the presence of the Military Macaw. The Military Macaw preferred sites with high diversity of plant species dominated by trees from 4 to 15 m in height and from 5 to 90 cm in diameter at breast height. We identified 236 plant species in the 8 forests with 20 species (8.4%) used for nesting and feeding by the Military Macaw. The floristic composition is important for the presence of the Military Macaw because there were significant differences between forests with and without its presence. The potential area of distribution of the Military Macaw had decreased by 32% and the remnant areas are included in only 8 National Protected Areas. The protected areas of natural forests should be increased to preserve the sites of potential distribution and consequently the habitat of the Military Macaw in Mexico.

What grounds some birds for life? Movement and diving in the sexually dimorphic Galapagos cormorant

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2008

Flightlessness in previously volant birds is taxonomically widespread and thought to occur when the costs of having a functional flight apparatus outweigh the benefits. Loss of the ability to fly relaxes body mass constraints which can be particularly advantageous in divers, because underwater performance correlates with mass. The Galápagos Cormorant Phalacrocorax harrisi is flightless and the largest of its 27-member genus. Here, the loss of flight, and consequent reduced foraging range, could be compensated by enhanced dive performance. Over three years, 46 Galápagos Cormorants were successfully equipped with time-depth-temperature recorders, and 30 birds with GPS recorders during the breeding season. Birds foraged at a mean of 690 m from the nest and just 230 m from the nearest coast, confirming an extremely limited foraging range during the breeding season and corresponding increased potential for intraspecific competition. Although the maximum recorded dive depth of 73 m tallied with the species body mass, >90% of dives were conducted in water <15 m deep. The heavier males foraged in different areas and dived longer and deeper than females, which exposed males to colder water. Consideration of how plumage insulation decreases with depth indicates that diving males should lose 30% more heat than females, although this may be partially compensated by their lower surface area : volume ratio. A simple model highlights how energy expenditure from swimming underwater due to buoyancy and energy lost as heat have opposing trends with increasing depth, leading to the prediction of an optimum foraging depth defined by the volume of plumage air and water temperature. This has ramifications for all diving seabirds. It is proposed that the reduction in wing size, together with energy-expensive flight musculature, allows the Galápagos Cormorant to be more efficient at shallow depths than other seabirds, but only in warm equatorial waters. The high prey density and predictability of benthic prey in defined areas of the Galápagos can be particularly well exploited by this flightless species, with its limited foraging range, but the Galápagos Cormorant is unlikely to be able to accommodate much change in environmental conditions. © 2008 by the Ecological Society of America.

The effect of rope color, size and fray on environmental enrichment device interaction in male and female Orange-winged Amazon parrots ( Amazona amazonica)

Article

May 2010
APPL ANIM BEHAV SCI

Environmental enrichment devices (EDs; a.k.a. cage “toys”) are often provided to captive parrots to mitigate the austerity of their environments, but the basis of attraction to EDs by parrots is poorly understood and many EDs go un-used. Preferences of Orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica) for various properties of sisal rope were tested by suspending rope EDs from computer-monitored switches attached to cage ceilings, two ED-switches per cage. Separate experiments examined preference for rope fray, length, diameter, and color, as operationalized by switch closures elicited by each ED when EDs of varying parameter quality were offered on either side of the cage. Bradley–Terry analysis contrasting woven vs. frayed rope found that both female and male parrots preferred wound (i.e., non-frayed) over frayed rope, though the extent of the difference was substantially greater for females than males (Cohen's d=0.86 vs. 0.10, respectively). In contrasts of different rope lengths (6, 16, 26 and 36cm), females preferred longer over shorter rope in four of six contrasts (d=0.45–0.90), while males preferred shorter over longer rope in four of six contrasts (d=0.25–0.72). Similarly, in contrasts of three rope diameters (12, 26 and 38mm), female parrots preferred 38mm over 26mm diameter rope (d=0.20; other diameter contrasts were not significant), while in all contrasts males consistently preferred smaller over larger rope diameters (d=0.20–0.44). Both male and female parrots preferred red rope over green (d=0.92, 1.21, respectively) or yellow (d=1.23, 1.04, respectively); females additionally favored red rope over brown (d=1.34); males additionally preferred brown over both green (d=0.87) and yellow ropes (d=1.78). Overall, male parrots interacted much more extensively with rope EDs than did female parrots (t=−3.431, P=0.006; Cohen's d=−2.11). These results show that Orange-winged Amazon parrots have sex-specific preferences for rope length, diameter and color and that males interact more with EDs more than do females. These results provide the basis for developing EDs that are more likely to engage bird behavior and therefore be more effective in mitigating the austerity of cage environments.

Universidade Federal de Uberlândia Instituto de Biologia Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de

Article

Full-text available

Paulo Antonio Silva

What grounds some birds for life? Movement and diving in the sexually dimorphic Galápagos Cormorant

Data

Nov 2008

Flightlessness in previously volant birds is taxonomically widespread and thought to occur when the costs of having a functional flight apparatus outweigh the benefits. Loss of the ability to fly relaxes body mass constraints which can be particularly advantageous in divers, because underwater performance correlates with mass. The Galaagos Cormorant Phalacrocorax harrisi is flightless and the largest of its 27-member genus. Here, the loss of flight, and consequent reduced foraging range, could be compensated by enhanced dive performance. Over three years, 46 Galaagos Cormorants were successfully equipped with time–depth–temperature recorders, and 30 birds with GPS recorders during the breeding season. Birds foraged at a mean of 690 m from the nest and just 230 m from the nearest coast, confirming an extremely limited foraging range during the breeding season and corresponding increased potential for intraspecific competition. Although the maximum recorded dive depth of 73 m tallied with the species body mass, .90% of dives were conducted in water ,15 m deep. The heavier males foraged in different areas and dived longer and deeper than females, which exposed males to colder water. Consideration of how plumage insulation decreases with depth indicates that diving males should lose 30% more heat than females, although this may be partially compensated by their lower surface area : volume ratio. A simple model highlights how energy expenditure from swimming underwater due to buoyancy and energy lost as heat have opposing trends with increasing depth, leading to the prediction of an optimum foraging depth defined by the volume of plumage air and water temperature. This has ramifications for all diving seabirds. It is proposed that the reduction in wing size, together with energy-expensive flight musculature, allows the Galaagos Cormorant to be more efficient at shallow depths than other seabirds, but only in warm equatorial waters. The high prey density and predictability of benthic prey in defined areas of the Galaagos can be particularly well exploited by this flightless species, with its limited foraging range, but the Galaagos Cormorant is unlikely to be able to accommodate much change in environmental conditions.

A review of animal-mediated seed dispersal of palms

Article

Full-text available

Jan 1989

Repartição do Habitat entre Psitacídeos Simpátricos no Sul da Amazônia

Article

Full-text available

Jan 1984

Paul Roth

Estudaram-se de agosto de 1977 a junho de 1979 16 espécies de Psitacídeos na região do Núcleo Pioneiro Humboldt (10019' S, 590 12' W), alto rio Aripuanã, MT, Brasil. Verificou-se que diferentes tamanhos de corpo e peso dão acesso a espectros alimentares diferentes. Com respeito ao peso, as 16 espécies podem ser divididas em quatro grupos:55 até 110g: Tuit huetii, Pyrrhura picta, Brotogeris chrysopterus, Pyrrhura rhodogaster, Aratinga weddellii.140 até 300g: Aratinga leucophthalmus, Pionopsitta barrabandi, Pionus menstruus, Deroptyus accipitrinus.360 até 600g: Ara severa, Ara manilata, Amazona ochrocephala, Amazona farinosa.950 até 1350g: Ara ararauna, Ara macao, Ara chloroptera.As estratégias alimentares variam dentro de cada grupo de peso: Ara manilata é especialista puro, Tuit huetti, Brotogeris chrysopterus, Pionopsitta barrabandi, Ara severa e Ara ararauna são especialistas parciais. Os especialistas parciais têm bicos relativamente compridos e estreitos. Com respeito às proporções do bico, Brotogerischrysopterus é mais especializado do que Tuit huetii no mesmo grupo de peso.As espécies muito próximas morfologicamente, como Ara chloroptera e Ara macao ou Pyrruhura rhodogaster e Pyrrhura picta, podem ser reconhecidas principalmente pelo modo com que exploram o habitat. Ara chloroptera se encontra nas estratos superiores da floresta, junto às copas de árvores muito altas, com maior freqüência do que Ara macao. Pyrrhura rhodogaster visita mais freqüentemente matas densas e vegetação secundária do que Pyrrhura picta. Diferenças sazonais de abundância e épocas diferentes de reprodução separam as duas espécies de Amazona. Amazona ochrocephala é mais comum e inclusive cria os seus filhotes na época seca, enquanto que Amazona farinosa reproduz e se torna mais comum na época chuvosa.

Composition, Density, and Fruiting Phenology of Arborescent Palms in an Amazonian Terra Firme Forest

Article

Sep 1994

Carlos A. Peres

The composition, density, and fruiting phenology of arborescent palms were examined in a remote terra firme forest site near the upper Urucu river, Amazonas, Brazil. A total of 248 individuals with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥10 cm, including 8 single-stemmed and 1 multistemmed species, occurred within a 5-ha area (twelve 0.25-ha plots and two 1-ha plots). Using a point-quadrant method, an additional 75 palms were tagged along 4.9 km of transects. Arborescent palms accounted for 7 percent of 4915 trees, and comprised the sixth most abundant tree family. The combined density of all palm species was substantially greater in relatively patchy areas of poorly drained to waterlogged soils within creekside forest (81 ind./ha) than on well-drained, high forest soils (36 ind./ha). Palm species appeared to segregate according to habitat topography, resulting in two relatively distinct subcommunities. Jessenia bataua, the most common species, accounted for 42 percent of the arborescent palms. Immature and mature fruits of this and other palm species were available throughout the year, and represented an important food source for frugivores during the dry season, when ripe fleshy fruits of nonpalm trees became rare or nonexistent. The reproductive phenology of arborescent palms is discussed in terms of its role in sustaining frugivores through periods of generalized ripe fruit scarcity.

Studies on the biological resources of the Nariva Swamp The Natural Vegetation of Trinidad

Jan 1936
1-35

P R Bacon
J S Kenny
M E Mootoosingh
E K Seeberan

Bacon, P.R., Kenny J.S., Alkins M.E., Mootoosingh S., Ramcharan E.K., Seeberan G., 1979. Studies on the biological resources of the Nariva Swamp, Trinidad. In: Occasional Papers 4, Zoology Department, University Of the West Indies, Trinidad. Beard, J.S., 1946. The Natural Vegetation of Trinidad. Clarendon Press, Oxford. Belcher, C., Smooker, G.D., 1936. Birds of the colony of Trinidad and Tobago Part 3. Ibis Series 14, 1±35.

Birds of the Eastern Caribbean. MacMillan Edu-cation Limited A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago

Jan 1990

P G Evans

Evans, P.G., 1990. Birds of the Eastern Caribbean. MacMillan Edu-cation Limited, London. rench, R.P., 1991. A Guide to the Birds of Trinidad and Tobago, 2nd edition. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York.

The ¯oral history of the Nariva Swamp, Tri-nidad

Jan 1980

E K Ramcharan

Ramcharan, E.K., 1980. The ¯oral history of the Nariva Swamp, Tri-nidad. Ph.D. thesis, University of the West Indies, Trinidad.

Forests and forestry in Trinidad and Tobago. A statement prepared for the British Empire Forestry Conference

R L Brooks

Brooks, R.L., 1935. Forests and forestry in Trinidad and Tobago. A statement prepared for the British Empire Forestry Conference, South Africa. Government Printer, Trinidad. Bucher, E.H., 1992. Neotropical parrots as agricultural pests. In: Beissinger, S.R., Snyder, N.F. (Eds.), New World Parrots in Crisis. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C, pp. 201±220.

The parrots of Bush Bush Arborescent palms in an Amazonian Terra Firme Forest

Jan 1961
285-294

G H C Herklots
Trinidad
Tobago
Collins
England
F Nottebohm
M Nottebohm

Herklots, G.H.C., 1961. The Birds of Trinidad and Tobago. Collins, England. Nottebohm, F., Nottebohm, M., 1969. The parrots of Bush Bush. Animal Kingdom 72, 18±23. Peres, C.A., 1994. Arborescent palms in an Amazonian Terra Firme Forest. Biotropica 26, 285±294.

Neotropical parrots as agricultural pests

Jan 1992
201

Bucher

The parrots of Bush Bush

Jan 1969
18

Nottebohm

Repartiçäo do habita entre Pisitacı́deos no sul da Amazônia

Jan 1984
175

Roth

Arborescent palms in an Amazonian Terra Firme Forest

Jan 1994
285

Peres

The floral history of the Nariva Swamp

E K Ramcharan

Puerto Rican parrots and predation by pearly-eyed thrashers

Jan 1977
47

Snyder

Year-round utilisation of fragmented palm forest by Red-bellied Macaws (Ara manilata) and Orange-winged Parrots (Amazona amazonica) in the Nariva Swamp (Trinidad)

Abstract

No full-text available

Recommended publications

Avian frugivory in Miconia (Melastomataceae): Contrasting fruiting times promote habitat complementa...

Habitat selection of Whooper Swan at Bayanbulak in Xinjiang of China

Habitat Selection and Migration of Caiman crocodilus crocodilus in a Swamp and Swamp-Forest Habitat...

Nest-site selection pattern of Grus japonensis in Zhalong Nature Reserve of northeast China