• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category

This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification

The species is overall uncommon and rather rare in most parts of its range (Stotz et al. 1996, Collar et al. 2020). It is described as uncommon and local in Venezuela and Brazil and scarce in Suriname, but locally frequent and common in Guyana and French Guiana (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Hilty 2003, Restall et al. 2006, Collar et al. 2020).
In French Guiana, the population density was estimated at 0.5 pairs/km² (Thiollay 1994). Under the assumption that only 25% of forests in the range are occupied by the species to account for its rarity in other range states, i.e. 25% of c.1,000,000 km² (per Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein), the global population may number 125,000 pairs. This equates to 250,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
Throughout much of the range forest is still intact and not at risk (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein); in parts of the range, e.g. Suriname, the population is probably stable (O. Ottema in litt. 2020). However locally, the species is feared to be in decline due to the impacts of habitat loss and trapping. Tree cover loss is overall low, amounting to 3% over three generations (12.3 years; Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). The impact of trapping on the population size has not been quantified, but based on available evidence it is unlikely that the population decline exceeds 10% over three generations.

Pyrilia caica is widespread in northern South America, although not really numerous in any parts of its range (Restall et al. 2006). It occurs from east Venezuela through Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana to northern Brazil, where it extends south as far as the Amazon (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Hilty 2003, Restall et al. 2006).

This species is restricted to tall, primary 'terra firme' forest (with no flooding), mature secondary growth and occasionally 'várzea' (flooded) forest, woodland and edge habitat (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Collar et al. 2020, O. Ottema in litt. 2020). It occurs at elevations up to 1,100 m (del Hoyo et al. 1997).

The primary threat to this species is accelerating deforestation in its range, as land is cleared for cattle ranching and soy production, facilitated by expansion of the road network (Soares-Filho et al. 2006, Bird et al. 2011). Particularly in Venezuela, the species is heavily threatened as illegal gold mines are spreading into areas where the species was once reported (D. Ascanio and A. García Rawlins in litt. 2020). In Suriname, large tracts of forest remain pristine, but logging and mining activities are increasing rapidly (O. Ottema in litt. 2020). Currently, the impacts on the species are probably not severe yet, as logged areas are still small and surrounded by mature and old secondary forests, where the species is able to persist (O. Ottema in litt. 2020). The species is also susceptible to hunting and trapping (A. Lees in litt. 2011, D. Ascanio and A. García Rawlins in litt. 2020). International trade appears to have decreased with the introduction of trade regulations, but illegal trade is likely still ongoing (O. Ottema in litt. 2020).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. The species occurs in several protected areas throughout its range (O. Claessens and V. Pelletier in litt. 2020, O. Ottema in litt. 2020).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Research the species's biology, ecology and behaviour. Assess the extent of trade in this species. Quantify the impact of hunting and trapping on the population size. Monitor the population trend. Expand the protected area network to effectively protect key sites. Raise awareness for the species. Enforce laws to stop illegal mining in the range, particularly in Venezuela. Enforce the trade ban.

23 cm. Small, green parrot. Has a brownish black head with a fulvous collar. The rest of the body is green.

Text account compilers
Hermes, C.

Contributors
Ascanio, D., Butchart, S., Claessens, O., Ekstrom, J., García Rawlins, A., Khwaja, N., Lees, A., Ottema, O., Pelletier, V. & Symes, A.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Caica Parrot Pyrilia caica. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/caica-parrot-pyrilia-caica on 23/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/11/2024.