Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
The species is listed as Near Threatened as its population has likely reduced at a rate approaching 30% over three generations based on estimated levels of exploitation and a reduction in area of occupancy and extent of occurrence. If declines are found to exceed 30%, the species would qualify for uplisting to Vulnerable. If there is evidence to suggest that the global population of this species is <10,000 mature individuals, and it is suffering a continuing decline of >10% in three generations, it would also qualify for uplisting to Vulnerable.
Population justification
Partners in Flight (2019) estimated the population to number fewer than 50,000 mature individuals, thus it is placed in the band 20,000-49,999 mature individuals here.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be declining moderately rapidly owing to heavy pressure from capture for illegal trade (Cantú et al. 2007; Marín-Togo et al. 2012). The population on Tres Marías Island has reportedly declined (Collar and Boesman 2014).
This species is restricted to Western Mexico from south-east Sonora to Colima and on Tres Marías Island (Collar and Boesman 2014). A recent study by Marín-Togo et al. (2012) found that the current distribution of the species along the Pacific coast of Mexico was 61.4% smaller than its estimated original distribution. The species was absent from many areas in the southern area of its range. However, 80% of areas where the species is now absent contained primary habitat, indicating that factors other than habitat loss may be responsible for the observed reduction in current distribution.
The species inhabits tropical semi-deciduous to deciduous forest, riparian woodland, plantations, and secondary forest from sea level to 1,400 m (Collar and Boesman 2014). It feeds on fruits including small Ficus, berries and grass seeds. It breeds between June and July on Tres Marías Island and perhaps earlier on the mainland.
Capture for the wild-bird trade represents a serious threat with an estimated 8,000 individuals captured illegally per year (Cantú et al. 2007). The species's range falls within one of the main routes for illegal parrot trade in Mexico and heavy exploitation of the species is thought to be an important factor in its apparent absence from areas of suitable habitat (Marín-Togo et al. 2012).
Conservation and Research Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II.
Conservation and Research Actions Proposed
Research population trends. Enforce legislation to prevent illegal trade. Raise awareness of the species.
Text account compilers
Everest, J.
Contributors
Ashpole, J, Butchart, S. & Ekstrom, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Mexican Parrotlet Forpus cyanopygius. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/mexican-parrotlet-forpus-cyanopygius on 19/12/2024.
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 19/12/2024.