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Bird Conservation International (2003) 13:361–366. BirdLife International 2003
DOI: 10.1017/S0959270903003265 Printed in the United Kingdom
Status and conservation of Yellow-headed
Parrot Amazona oratrix ‘‘guatemalensis’’ on
the Atlantic coast of Guatemala
KNUT EISERMANN
Summary
In 2001 the abundance of Yellow-headed Parrot Amazona oratrix ‘‘guatemalensis’’ at a roost
site in Punta de Manabique, Guatemala was found to be 70 individuals. A comparison
with a roost census in 1994 suggested a population decline. The largest threat to this form
of Yellow-headed Parrot is nest-robbing for the pet trade. The rate of decline and the
limited number of individuals living in the wild suggest the population is facing
extinction. The core zone of reproduction is located in a palm savanna. Information on
feather patterns of the head of this form of A. oratrix is provided.
Introduction
Yellow-headed Parrot Amazona oratrix is endemic to northern Central America,
with several subspecies occurring in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras
(Juniper and Parr 1998). While the taxonomic status of these subspecies is not
yet clear (Howell and Webb 1995), Lousada and Howell (1996) describe a form
named Amazona oratrix ‘‘guatemalensis’’ found on the Atlantic coast of Guatemala,
and emphasize the special threat to this population. The status of this population
and the threats it faces were described in Collar et al. (1992). A. oratrix is consid-
ered globally Endangered by IUCN (Hilton-Taylor 2000) and BirdLife Interna-
tional (2000).
In 2001 a basic study was undertaken on the local avifauna of the Punta de
Manabique protected area (hereafter Manabique) in Izabal, Guatemala
(Eisermann 2001). I attempted to evaluate the status of Yellow-headed Parrot,
using roost counts, and compared the results with previous estimates.
Study area and methods
The peninsula of Punta de Manabique is a marine and terrestrial protected area
on the Atlantic coast of Guatemala (15°50′N 88°30′W) (Figure 1). The terrestrial
area covers 670 km
2
and is characterized by palm swamp forests, coastal brush,
mangrove, and a mosaic of forest fragments and agricultural land. About 2,000
people live inside the limits of the protected area (INE 1994) and practise fishing,
charcoal-making, cattle farming and other agricultural activities for subsistence.
More than 320 bird species are known to occur in Manabique (Eisermann 2001).
In order to estimate the population size of Yellow-headed Parrot, I conducted
Knut Eisermann 362
Coast line
River
Limit of the protected area
10 km
N
Roost site and
principal flight direction
of arriving parrots
Area of reproduction
Gulf of Honduras
Honduras
Guatemala
Belize
Figure 1. The Punta de Manabique protected area surveyed for Yellow-headed Parrot
Amazona oratrix.
counts on a traditional roosting site. According to interviews with local people
it was the only known night roost. Censuses with two observers took place before
and after the breeding season (8 January, 6 May, 14 June 2001). As they arrived
at the roost the parrots were readily observed since the roost was in an isolated
stand of tall mangroves surrounded by the sea and swamp shrub. Calling parrots
were clearly distinguishable from other large Amazon parrots Amazona spp. even
at dusk. Wind strength was classified according to the Beaufort Wind Scale.
Results
Habitat
I documented Yellow-headed Parrots nesting in palm savanna and mangrove
forest. During the reproductive period in April, A. oratrix were most abundant
in an open palm savanna dominated by Roystonea oleracea. The understorey con-
sisted of various species of grass, some up to 2 m tall. The area was used for low
intensity cattle grazing. This palm savanna is usually flooded during the rainy
season (June–January, L. Salgero, pers. comm.).
Most nest holes were found in snags of Roystonea, but were also found in
trunks of other trees with suitable cavities (e.g. Salix spp.). Three nest cavities
were located along the coastline of Manabique in old red mangroves
(Rhizophora mangle), some as high as 20 m tall. In April, when juveniles were
growing within the nest holes, I made an observation of feeding adults. The
majority of nest holes previously observed were destroyed by poachers.
Trunks were either chopped down, their entrance considerably widened, or a
hole made at nest height, when the nest cavity bottom was considerably
below the entrance.
A traditional roosting site was situated in a stand of tall (20 m), mostly dead
mangrove stands on the beach. Parrots were observed using trees 10–50 m from
Yellow-headed Parrot in Guatemala 363
the waterline, with the wind strength 7. It is unknown if parrots use the same
trees in nights with stronger winds. Local people report the roost has existed for
more than 10 years (C. Palencia, pers. comm.). The distance between the core
area of reproduction and the roost site was approximately 13 km.
Abundance and status
In order to estimate the abundance of parrots, repeated censuses were con-
ducted at a traditional roosting site. Parrots arrived soon after sunset within
45 and 80 min, in pairs or groups of three individuals, congregating in the
upper canopy of 7–10 mangrove trees. Between January and June, five Brown
Pelicans Pelecanus occidentalis and a pair of Red-lored Parrot Amazona autum-
nalis roosted in the same trees. During January 2001 and before the breeding
season, 60 individuals of Yellow-headed Parrot were counted, and in May
and June, after fledging of juveniles, 68 individuals were recorded, suggesting
low reproductive success.
I recorded the distribution pattern of yellow head feathers of six parrots
(Figure 2) to further document exterior features of the Manabique population
as provided by Lousada and Howell (1996) since the taxonomic status of the
intermediate form A. oratrix ‘‘guatemalensis’’ is still unclear. Three wild indi-
viduals (a, b, c in Figure 2) were observed clearly on 8 May 2001 at the roosting
site after sunrise. Photographs were taken of these and also of three captured
individuals in huts of local Guatemalans. Table 1 provides a characterization of
the unfeathered parts of the three captured individuals.
Discussion
Semideciduous and deciduous forests, moist forest, gallery forests, pine sav-
annas, mangroves and coastal shrub have been reported as habitat of A. oratrix
(Collar et al. 1992, Howell and Webb 1995, Lousada and Howell 1996, England
2000). The use of Roystonea palm savanna has not been described previously and
seems to be a unique trait of the Manabique population. However, the structure
of this vegetation is similar to pine savanna.
Lousada and Howell (1996) counted about 100 individuals in Manabique at
the traditional and only known roosting site in 1994. The difference in counts
between 1994 and 2001 could indicate a population decline of some 30%. These
results underlie the dramatic decline of the species in most of its range (Snyder
et al. 2000). Due to habitat destruction and natural barriers, the Manabique popu-
lation of A. oratrix ‘‘guatemalensis’’ is isolated from other populations (Lousada
and Howell 1996). It may be therefore, that Yellow-headed Parrot is seriously
threatened in Manabique.
The primary threats to Yellow-headed Parrot throughout its range are nest-
robbing for the pet trade and loss of habitat (Snyder et al. 2000). The Manabique
population suffers from this illegal trade, which is organized from Honduras,
but only three parrots were seen in huts of local Guatemalans during 10 months
in the field. Nest-robbers cross the border armed and carrying machetes, axes
and ropes (L. Salgero pers. comm.). Nest cavities and trees are almost always
destroyed when poaching juveniles or eggs. Therefore, the population faces a
Knut Eisermann 364
Figure 2. Distribution pattern of yellow head feathers (drawn in black) among different
individuals of Amazona oratrix in Punta de Manabique according to photos by K. Eiserm-
ann. (a, b) wild-living couple, (c) wild-living individual, (d) captive individual at the age
of 1 year, (e) captive individual at the age of 3 years, (f) captive individual at the age of
4 years.
Table 1. Exterior features (referring to Lousada and Howell 1996) of three captive individuals of
Amazona oratrix.
4-year-old bird 3-year-old bird 1-year-old bird
Claws Dark Pale Dark
Mandibles Very pale Very pale Pale
Cere/bristle Pale/pale Pale/pale Grey/pale
Orbital ring/eyelid edge Pale/dark Pale/dark Pale/dark
loss of productivity, not only due to the loss of individuals, but also due to the
declining number of potential nesting sites. An additional threat to A. oratrix is
hunting, evidenced by the discovery of parrot wings beside a fireplace in a local
fishing camp near the roosting site. Available suitable habitat is further
Yellow-headed Parrot in Guatemala 365
threatened by intensive cattle grazing, which is practised even within the pro-
tected area.
A. oratrix ‘‘guatemalensis’’ is considered an intermediate form between the
recognized subspecies A. oratrix belizensis and A. oratrix hondurensis (Lousada and
Howell 1996, 1997). My characterization of clearly observed individuals matches
closely the description in Lousada and Howell (1996) and further documents the
exterior features of this small population.
Punta de Manabique is a designated wildlife refuge. In order to preserve the
Manabique population of Yellow-headed Parrot, planning and conservation
administered by FUNDARY (Fundacio
´
n Mario Dary), should be focused in the
short term on preventing nest-robbing.
Acknowledgements
I thank FUNDARY for the technical support and Cesar Paz, Edy Troches and
Lucio Salgero for the field assistance. I appreciate critical and helpful comments
on the manuscript made by James D. Gilardi, Seb Buckton, Dylan Stearns, Jessica
Eberhard and Francisco Villela, who also improved the English usage provided
through the Association of Field Ornithologists’ programme of editorial assist-
ance. Results presented here are part of a study supported by the National Fish
and Wildlife Foundation and USAID.
References
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Knut Eisermann 366
KNUT EISERMANN
Fundacio
´
n Mario Dary (FUNDARY), 5a avenida 9–62, 3er Nivel Apto. 2, Zona 1, Guatemala
Ciudad, Guatemala. Present address: P.O. Box 098 Perife
´
rico, Guatemala Ciudad, Guate-
mala.
Received 18 May 2002; revision accepted 4 June 2003
