Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small population. It is undergoing extremely rapid declines, mainly due to the impacts of habitat loss and trapping pressure. It is consequently listed as Critically Endangered.
Population justification
The roost near Bahia de Caraquez contains roughly 60-116 individuals, equating to 40-80 mature individuals (Biddle et al. 2020). Counts for the roost in Santa Elena fluctuate, with high counts of 2,340 and 2,578 individuals in 2019 and 2020 (H. M. Schaefer in litt. 2020). This roughly equates to up to 1,500-1,700 mature individuals. El Salado Mangrove Reserve holds 32-57 individuals, equating to 20-40 mature individuals. Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve contains 628-729 individuals, equating to 400-490 mature individuals (Biddle et al. 2020). Individuals from Santa Elena, El Salado Mangrove Reserve and Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve are thought to form one subpopulation with around 1,920-2,230 mature individuals, which is disconnected from the subpopulation near Bahia de Caraquez (Biddle et al. 2020). Furthermore, a third very small subpopulation has been identified in El Oro province (Biddle et al. 2020, H. M. Schaefer in litt. 2020). To account for uncertainties due to fluctuating roost attendance, the population size is placed in the band 1,000-2,499 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The species is undergoing a decline due to high hunting pressure and the loss of suitable habitat within its range. Population declines of 60% between 2000 and 2019 were observed for the roost in El Salado Mangrove Reserve (Biddle et al. 2020). Assuming that declines are exponential, this equates to a rate of 89% decline over three generations (46.2 years). Moreover, observations of the roost in Santa Elena province suggest a decline of 59% between 2014 and 2019 (G. Blanco, F. Hiraldo and J. L. Tella per Biddle et al. 2020), which equates to a decline of c. 99% over three generations. The roosts in El Oro province and near Bahia de Caraquez similarly declined at a rate of up to 99% over three generations (H. M. Schaefer in litt. 2020, see also eBird 2020). There is no information on the rate of population change for the roost in Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve. However, it is assumed that this population is undergoing similar trends; poaching pressure seems to be similarly high throughout the range, leading to rapid declines even in the population occurring in the protected El Salado Mangrove Reserve. Assuming that all known roosts are experiencing declines of similar rates (89-99% over three generations), overall the global population would be declining at c. 96-98% over three generations. Even assuming that the roost in Manglares Churute was stable, overall rates of decline would still exceed 80% over three generations. Despite the fact that fluctuations in roost attendance may complicate a quantification of the population trend, observed population declines are consistent across the range (H. M. Schaefer in litt. 2020).
Amazona lilacina is endemic to Ecuador, where it occurs along the Pacific coast from El Oro in the south to Manabí in the north. In a detailed field survey, several roosts could be identified (Biddle et al. 2020 and references therein). One roost is located on a mangrove island near Bahia de Caraquez. Further roosts were found in the mangroves of El Salado Mangrove Reserve and Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve and in an algarrobo (Prosopis julifora) forest in Santa Elena province. Another very small roost is located in El Oro province.
Recent surveys along the coast of Ecuador have located this species in areas with a presence of both mangrove and dry tropical forest, or algarrobo Prosopis julifora (M. Pilgrim and B. Biddle in litt. 2013, Biddle et al. 2020, H. M. Schaefer in litt. 2020). The species persists in disturbed forest fragments and probably frequents a variety of forest habitats, including dry scrub and modified areas such as plantations (del Hoyo et al. 1997). It roosts communally every night, preferably on mangrove islands (Berg and Angel 2006). Breeding has been noted in January-March (del Hoyo et al. 1997, del Hoyo et al. 2016).
Most of Ecuador's forests and mangroves have been cleared since the mid-20th century, with aquaculture pond development for shrimp farming being the main driver of mangrove loss (B. Biddle in litt. 2014). The clearance and unsustainable use of mangroves may have slowed because of protection measures, but loud bird-scaring devices used at existing shrimp farms are likely to cause disturbance to the species (B. Biddle in litt. 2014). Overall, habitat loss and degradation driven by agricultural expansion, cutting of firewood and development are regarded as on-going threats to this species. Trapping pressure is another on-going threat; it is thought that a large proportion of the communities within the range keep the species as pets (Biddle et al. 2020). The population near Bahia de Caraquez has been severely reduced to the trapping (H. M. Schaefer in litt. 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
The species occurs within El Salado Mangrove Reserve and Manglares Churute Ecological Reserve. Fundación Jocotoco has established the communal Las Balsas Reserve to protect roosting and nesting sites. Awareness campaigns and the establishment of a nestbox programme are underway (H. M. Schaefer in litt. 2020). The population status has been surveyed recently (Biddle et al. 2020).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Monitor the population trend. Use remote sensing techniques to monitor land-use change on the Pacific slope of Ecuador. Conduct awareness-raising activities. Reduce pressure from trapping and trade. Increase the area of suitable habitat that receives effective protection.
Text account compilers
Wheatley, H., Hermes, C.
Contributors
Biddle, B., Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Pilgrim, M., Schaefer, H.M., Sharpe, C.J., Stattersfield, A., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Lilacine Amazon Amazona lilacina. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/lilacine-amazon-amazona-lilacina on 12/12/2024.
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 12/12/2024.