Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PSITTACIFORMES	PSITTACIDAE

Scientific Name:

Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha

Species Authority:

(Swainson, 1827)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Thick-billed Parrot
Spanish	–	Cotorra-serrana Occidental, Loro Piquigordo, Periquito de Pico Grueso

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered C2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Taylor, J., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Enkerlin-Hoeflich, E., Salgado, J., Healy, S., Ortiz-Maciel, S., Cruz, J., Lammertink, J., Peterson, A., Cruz-Nieto, M., Valdés-Peña, R.

Justification:
This species has a very small population which is declining owing to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. These factors mean that it qualifies as Endangered.

History:

2007	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Endangered
1996	–	Endangered
1994	–	Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha is largely restricted to the Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico, in north-east Sonora, west Chihuahua, south and west Durango and Michoacán (two collected in April 1987 and 200 birds in April-May 1990^6,7 are the first records since 1941). Smaller, occasional or extirpated populations have occurred in Sinaloa and Jalisco. Seasonal migrations occur to the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima and Michoacán¹². Pre-1960 records of Rhynchopsitta parrots from Coahuila, México and Veracruz may pertain to wanderers. It formerly occurred in USA, in Arizona and New Mexico, but had disappeared by the early 1990s¹². Reintroduced birds have bred in USA more recently. The population was estimated at fewer than 5,000 birds in 1992⁷, and 1,000-4,000 in 1995⁴. In 2004, the population was thought to number 3,000-6,000 individuals, including c.2,800 mature individuals¹². These figures may represent an over-estimation, as not all of the nest cavities surveyed are used every year¹⁴. Anecdotal observations by the rural residents of ejidos (communally owned lands) indicate a continued general decline in flock sizes and the frequency of sightings throughout its range, including the disappearance of some local populations¹².
Countries:	Native: Mexico Reintroduced: United States
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	In 2004, the population was thought to number 3,000-6,000 individuals, including 2,800 mature individuals (Ortiz Maciel and Cruz-Nieto 2004). However, these figures may represent an over-estimation, as not all of the nest cavities surveyed are used every year (M. A. Cruz-Nieto et al. in litt. 2007), thus the number of mature individuals is assumed to fall within the range 2,000-2,800.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It inhabits temperate conifer, mature pine-oak, pine and fir forests at 1,200-3,600 m, but breeds from 2,000 to 2,700 m¹³. It nests in tree-cavities (especially in pine snags and Pseudotsuga menziesii^1,11), often originally excavated by woodpeckers. The selection of tree species in which pairs nest appears to shift in reaction to changes in local availability¹¹. Breeding coincides with the peak in production of pine-seeds, which are the species's primary food resource¹². The egg-laying period is mid-June to late July¹¹. Flocks roost on cliffs, but reintroduced birds have used trees. Outside the breeding season, it is nomadic in response to variations in cone abundance.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It inhabits temperate conifer, mature pine-oak, pine and fir forests at 1,200-3,600 m, but breeds from 2,000 to 2,700 m¹³. It nests in tree-cavities (especially in pine snags and Pseudotsuga menziesii^1,11), often originally excavated by woodpeckers. The selection of tree species in which pairs nest appears to shift in reaction to changes in local availability¹¹. Breeding coincides with the peak in production of pine-seeds, which are the species's primary food resource¹². The egg-laying period is mid-June to late July¹¹. Flocks roost on cliffs, but reintroduced birds have used trees. Outside the breeding season, it is nomadic in response to variations in cone abundance.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Less than 0.06% remains of the original forest cover in the Sierra Madre Occidental ecoregion¹². There has been extensive modification of old-growth pine forests for timber and woodpulp. In the Sierra Madre Occidental, 80-85% of forest cover remains, but only 0.6% is old-growth⁴. In 1994, there was extensive penetration and degradation of habitat in south Chihuahua by drug-growers, loggers and huge numbers of cattle. In the same year, forest stands at Mesa de Guacamayas were heavily burned¹¹. Fire remains a serious threat to the species¹⁴. Logging has been intensive in the Sierra Madre Occidental, with no large fragments of old growth forest remaining in northern areas¹¹. Commercial logging in the area involves the removal of larger trees and standing dead wood, and appears to reduce nest-site availability by leaving few snags and pine trees large enough for the species to nest in. Such large-scale logging operations across the species's historic range may be responsible for its decline¹¹. As a result of habitat loss, breeding is now concentrated in two areas; Cebadillas de Yahuirachi and Madera¹³. Illegal trade in the species has fluctuated with peaks in the early 1970s and mid-1980s. Unofficial records confirm that the species is taken for illegal trade, but the extent of trapping is not known¹⁴.

Major Threat(s):

Less than 0.06% remains of the original forest cover in the Sierra Madre Occidental ecoregion¹². There has been extensive modification of old-growth pine forests for timber and woodpulp. In the Sierra Madre Occidental, 80-85% of forest cover remains, but only 0.6% is old-growth⁴. In 1994, there was extensive penetration and degradation of habitat in south Chihuahua by drug-growers, loggers and huge numbers of cattle. In the same year, forest stands at Mesa de Guacamayas were heavily burned¹¹. Fire remains a serious threat to the species¹⁴. Logging has been intensive in the Sierra Madre Occidental, with no large fragments of old growth forest remaining in northern areas¹¹. Commercial logging in the area involves the removal of larger trees and standing dead wood, and appears to reduce nest-site availability by leaving few snags and pine trees large enough for the species to nest in. Such large-scale logging operations across the species's historic range may be responsible for its decline¹¹. As a result of habitat loss, breeding is now concentrated in two areas; Cebadillas de Yahuirachi and Madera¹³. Illegal trade in the species has fluctuated with peaks in the early 1970s and mid-1980s. Unofficial records confirm that the species is taken for illegal trade, but the extent of trapping is not known¹⁴.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix I and II and protected in the USA. The species has been the subject of field studies since 1994, and a permanent research team, located in the Sierra Madre Occidental ecoregion, monitors nesting sites and studies its breeding biology¹². The goal of the research project is to develop sustainable forest management practices that incorporate the species's needs¹². Breeding or foraging sites at Tancítaro, El Carricito, Monte Oscuro, Mexiquillo, Las Bufas and Cebadillas have varying degrees of protection^{2,4,5,6,7,8,11}. In 2003-2004, the Madera nesting area (the second most important breeding area) was in the process of being declared a National Forest Reserve, and efforts were underway for the protection of Mesa de Guacamayas¹¹. In 2002, a moratorium on timber extraction was signed by the Tutuaca Ejido at Bisaloachia (Cebadillas), which will protect 10% of the breeding population for 15 years^9,10,12. The agreement involves reimbursement of half of the value of the uncut timber to the ejido by NGOs, whilst the same organisations will also assist the community in recouping the other half of the value through alternative income sources¹². Such agreements are being promoted in the Madera region and to the Conoachi Ejido¹². Pseudotsuga menziesii is protected in Mexico¹. Two captive-breeding facilities in USA have raised 127 chicks to fledging³ but reintroduction attempts have failed owing to disease, the inability to develop flocking behaviour, and predation by raptors. Conservation Actions Proposed Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Protect all current and historic breeding sites^11,13, including those at Mesa Las Guacamayas and Cebadilla/Yahuirachic and Cocono/Cienaga de la Vaca from the exploitation of snags⁴. Adopt forestry policies that have longer rotation cycles and retain snags (e.g. a minimum of five large snags per ha¹¹). Restore degraded areas to a more mature condition¹¹. Implement forestry management practices that recognise the needs of the species¹¹, and incorporate tree species required for nesting and feeding¹³. Supplement natural nest cavities with nest boxes (to accomodate for the suitable maturation of trees, which may take 40 years)¹³. Study movements using satellite-tracking.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I and II and protected in the USA. The species has been the subject of field studies since 1994, and a permanent research team, located in the Sierra Madre Occidental ecoregion, monitors nesting sites and studies its breeding biology¹². The goal of the research project is to develop sustainable forest management practices that incorporate the species's needs¹². Breeding or foraging sites at Tancítaro, El Carricito, Monte Oscuro, Mexiquillo, Las Bufas and Cebadillas have varying degrees of protection^{2,4,5,6,7,8,11}. In 2003-2004, the Madera nesting area (the second most important breeding area) was in the process of being declared a National Forest Reserve, and efforts were underway for the protection of Mesa de Guacamayas¹¹. In 2002, a moratorium on timber extraction was signed by the Tutuaca Ejido at Bisaloachia (Cebadillas), which will protect 10% of the breeding population for 15 years^9,10,12. The agreement involves reimbursement of half of the value of the uncut timber to the ejido by NGOs, whilst the same organisations will also assist the community in recouping the other half of the value through alternative income sources¹². Such agreements are being promoted in the Madera region and to the Conoachi Ejido¹². Pseudotsuga menziesii is protected in Mexico¹. Two captive-breeding facilities in USA have raised 127 chicks to fledging³ but reintroduction attempts have failed owing to disease, the inability to develop flocking behaviour, and predation by raptors.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor population trends through regular surveys. Protect all current and historic breeding sites^11,13, including those at Mesa Las Guacamayas and Cebadilla/Yahuirachic and Cocono/Cienaga de la Vaca from the exploitation of snags⁴. Adopt forestry policies that have longer rotation cycles and retain snags (e.g. a minimum of five large snags per ha¹¹). Restore degraded areas to a more mature condition¹¹. Implement forestry management practices that recognise the needs of the species¹¹, and incorporate tree species required for nesting and feeding¹³. Supplement natural nest cavities with nest boxes (to accomodate for the suitable maturation of trees, which may take 40 years)¹³. Study movements using satellite-tracking.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 21 May 2012.
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