Aratinga brevipes

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:

Aratinga brevipes

Species Authority:

(Lawrence, 1871)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Socorro Parakeet

Taxonomic Notes:

Aratinga holochlora (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) was previously split into A. holochlora, A. brevipes, A. rubritorquis and A. strenua following Stotz et al. (1996), contra AOU (1998). Following a review by the BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group (BTWG), A. brevipes and A. rubritorquis are retained as species contra AOU (1998), but A. strenua has been lumped with A. holochlora contra AOU (1998). The BTWG recognises A. rubritorquis and A. brevipes as species separate from A. holochlora for the reasons given in Howell and Webb (1995); (for brevipes see also Collar 1997 and Juniper and Parr 1998). For rubritorquis and holochlora, the assortative behaviour reported in a mixed roost, largely parapatric distributions, and the (albeit relatively minor) morphological differences are considered sufficient to warrant their separation, pending further study. For brevipes and holochlora, the BTWG acknowledges that the morphological differences are relatively minor but finds the report that their voices are "notably different" (Howell and Webb 1995) more persuasive, and separates them pending a rigorous vocal review and analysis. The taxon strenua is treated as a subspecies of A. holochlora following Forshaw (1989), who found that the two forms intergrade in all measurements and concluded that "strenua is nothing more than a poorly differentiated race", a view supported by Juniper and Parr (1998).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v);C2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Martínez-Gómez, J., Rodríguez-Estrella, R. & Tershy, B.

Justification:
This species is listed as Endangered because it has a very small, declining population, and range on one island. Declines are expected to continue as habitat degradation continues owing to heavy sheep-grazing and other factors. There are grounds for believing that the population of mature individuals may now be fewer than 250, and that Socorro Island should be regarded as one locality (J. E. Martínez-Gómez in litt. 2007, 2012). Should this be proven, the species would be eligible for uplisting to Critically Endangered.

History:

2008	–	Endangered
2006	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Endangered
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Aratinga brevipes is endemic to Socorro in the Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico. The population was estimated at 400-500 birds within c.35 km² of suitable habitat in 1991. Numbers were considered stable and did not decline subsequently in the early 1990s (Rodríguez-Estrella 1995, Rodríguez-Estrella et al. 1996). However, there may have been some contraction in range since c.1960. Surveys from 2006 and 2007 estimated a population of c.300 individuals, suggesting a population decline from previous population estimates (J. E. Martínez-Gómez in litt. 2007).
Countries:	Native: Mexico
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Following surveys in 2006 and 2007, the population has been estimated at c.300 individuals (J. E. Martínez-Gómez in litt. 2007).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It inhabits forests of Bumelia socorroensis, Psidium socorroensis, Guettarda insularis, Ilex socorroensis and Ficus cotinifolia at elevations of 350 m-850 m. It nests exclusively in natural cavities within B. socorroensis trees (Rodríguez-Estrella 1995), and the seeds and fruit pulp of this species comprise over 50% of the diet. The breeding season begins in November, and nests are attended by at least three individuals. After the breeding season, birds tend to form flocks of 7-40 individuals, with larger groups of 50-100 gathering in undisturbed forests on the northern slopes of the island.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It inhabits forests of Bumelia socorroensis, Psidium socorroensis, Guettarda insularis, Ilex socorroensis and Ficus cotinifolia at elevations of 350 m-850 m. It nests exclusively in natural cavities within B. socorroensis trees (Rodríguez-Estrella 1995), and the seeds and fruit pulp of this species comprise over 50% of the diet. The breeding season begins in November, and nests are attended by at least three individuals. After the breeding season, birds tend to form flocks of 7-40 individuals, with larger groups of 50-100 gathering in undisturbed forests on the northern slopes of the island.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The spread of erosion and, in places, the lack of forest regeneration caused by heavy sheep-grazing has presumably had a deleterious effect on the extent of suitable habitat. There may be some predation by feral cats, but the species is relatively tame and its remains have not been found in cat scats. Outbreaks of a permanent locust Schistocerca piceifrons swarm have occurred twice a year since 1994, resulting in damage to the leaves, flowers and fruit of indigenous forests, with at least 30 ha lost to defoliation so far (J. E. Martínez-Gómez in litt. 2007). Outbreaks may be favoured by the habitat degradation caused by introduced species (Song et al. 2006). The presence of an active naval base on the island and the lack of prevention measures means that the risk of rat introduction is high (B. Tershy in litt. 2007).

Major Threat(s):

The spread of erosion and, in places, the lack of forest regeneration caused by heavy sheep-grazing has presumably had a deleterious effect on the extent of suitable habitat. There may be some predation by feral cats, but the species is relatively tame and its remains have not been found in cat scats. Outbreaks of a permanent locust Schistocerca piceifrons swarm have occurred twice a year since 1994, resulting in damage to the leaves, flowers and fruit of indigenous forests, with at least 30 ha lost to defoliation so far (J. E. Martínez-Gómez in litt. 2007). Outbreaks may be favoured by the habitat degradation caused by introduced species (Song et al. 2006). The presence of an active naval base on the island and the lack of prevention measures means that the risk of rat introduction is high (B. Tershy in litt. 2007).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix II. The Revillagigedo Islands were declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1994 (Stattersfield et al. 1998). A captive-breeding programme has been instigated for potential reintroduction (R. Rodríguez-Estrella in litt. 1999). The Mexican Navy has reduced the sheep population to c.300 (J. E. Martínez-Gómez in litt. 2007). Sheep eradication is planned for 2008-2009 (B. Tershy in litt. 2007). Some control of feral cats has been undertaken (B. Tershy in litt. 1998, 1999), and there are plans to eradicate cats in 2009, at the earliest (B. Tershy in litt. 2007). Reports that rats have recently colonised Socorro have proved to be unfounded (J. E. Martínez-Gómez in litt. 1999, 2000). A pilot programme of nest-box provision is to be initiated (J. E. Martínez-Gómez in litt. 2007). Conservation Actions Proposed Monitor the population through regular surveys. Eradicate sheep and cats from Socorro (B. Tershy in litt. 2007). Eradicate rabbits from adjacent Clarion Island to prevent their transportation and introduction to Socorro (B. Tershy in litt. 2007). Implement and maintain an effective invasive animal and plant introduction prevention programme with a focus on preventing rat introduction (B. Tershy in litt. 2007). Control, but do not eliminate, the locust swarm (Song et al. 2006).

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. The Revillagigedo Islands were declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1994 (Stattersfield et al. 1998). A captive-breeding programme has been instigated for potential reintroduction (R. Rodríguez-Estrella in litt. 1999). The Mexican Navy has reduced the sheep population to c.300 (J. E. Martínez-Gómez in litt. 2007). Sheep eradication is planned for 2008-2009 (B. Tershy in litt. 2007). Some control of feral cats has been undertaken (B. Tershy in litt. 1998, 1999), and there are plans to eradicate cats in 2009, at the earliest (B. Tershy in litt. 2007). Reports that rats have recently colonised Socorro have proved to be unfounded (J. E. Martínez-Gómez in litt. 1999, 2000). A pilot programme of nest-box provision is to be initiated (J. E. Martínez-Gómez in litt. 2007).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor the population through regular surveys. Eradicate sheep and cats from Socorro (B. Tershy in litt. 2007). Eradicate rabbits from adjacent Clarion Island to prevent their transportation and introduction to Socorro (B. Tershy in litt. 2007). Implement and maintain an effective invasive animal and plant introduction prevention programme with a focus on preventing rat introduction (B. Tershy in litt. 2007). Control, but do not eliminate, the locust swarm (Song et al. 2006).

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Aratinga brevipes. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2013.
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