Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened because it is thought to be undergoing a moderately rapid population decline owing to trapping pressure, persecution and land-use change.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as very common in Peru, but rare and local in Ecuador (Collar et al. 2020).
Trend justification
The population trend has not been quantified, but high trapping pressure, persecution and habitat loss are assumed to be driving a moderately rapid decline.
Psittacara frontatus is found from south-western Ecuador to extreme southern Peru (Juniper and Parr 1998; Schulenberg et al. 2007).
The species occurs in semi-arid cloudforest, scrub, cactus and cultivation, to 3,000 m in Peru (Juniper and Parr 1998; Schulenberg et al. 2007; Collar et al. 2020). It requires cliffs for breeding and roosting (Collar et al. 2020).
The species has been heavily traded and wild-caught individuals have been recorded in international trade before it was listed on CITES Appendix II (UNEP-WCMC CITES Trade Database). In Peru, over 16,000 individuals were exported in 1982 (Collar et al. 2020). International trade decreased substantially afterwards, but rose again in the early 1990s (Collar et al. 2020). The species is locally sold in bird markets, but is apparently not among the most commonly occurring parrot species in local trade (Gastañaga et al. 2011; Biddle et al. 2021). It is also persecuted because of its status as a crop pest (del Hoyo et al. 1997). Although the species is tolerant of modified habitats, it is assumed that land-use change is contributing to the negative population trend.
Conservation Actions Underway
The species is listed under CITES Appendix II.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to assess the total population size. Monitor the population trend. Quantify levels of trapping and persecution and their likely impacts on the population. Monitor trade levels. Conduct awareness-raising activities to reduce trapping, persecution and trade. Increase the area of suitable natural habitat that receives effective protection. Enforce existing trade bans and regulations.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Stattersfield, A., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Cordilleran Parakeet Psittacara frontatus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/cordilleran-parakeet-psittacara-frontatus on 28/11/2024.
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 28/11/2024.