Data Zone
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 has not been quantified, but it is not believed to 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 global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as uncommon, but locally frequent and numerous (Stotz et al. 1996, Collar et al. 2020).
Trend justification
The species is restricted to primary forest, and is therefore threatened by the loss and degradation of its habitat. Forests within the range are currently largely intact (Collar et al. 2020). Tree cover loss within the range was 3% over the past three generations (12.8 years), but has been increasing to a rate equivalent to 5% over three generations since 2016 (Global Forest Watch 2021, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein). Trapping pressure is considered minimal (Collar et al. 2020); therefore, population declines are unlikely to exceed 10% over three generations. The rate of decline may however increase in the future, should the rate of tree cover loss continue to accelerate.
Pyrilia barrabandi is found in northern South America. The nominate subspecies barrabandi ranges from south-west Colombia and south Venezuela into Brazil, as far as the Amazon to the south and Rio Negro to the east. Subspecies aurantiigena occurs in east Ecuador, east Peru, where it is present in Manu National Park, north Bolivia, and Brazil to the Amazon in the north, and Rio Madeira in the east (del Hoyo et al. 1997).
This species is restricted to primary lowland forest up to 500 m, mainly 'terra firme' forest (with no flooding), but also occasionally 'várzea' (seasonally flooded forest) and sandy-belt woodland (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Collar et al. 2020). It feeds on seeds, fruits and possibly insects (Collar et al. 2020, WikiAves 2021). Breeding likely takes place in September and October, but the species's ecology is overall not well known (Collar et al. 2020).
The primary threat to this species is accelerating deforestation in the Amazon basin, as land is cleared for cattle ranching and soy production; it is strongly susceptible to degradation and fragmentation due to its reliance on primary forest (Soares-Filho et al. 2006, Bird et al. 2011, A. Lees in litt. 2011).
The species may also be at risk of trapping (A. Lees in litt. 2011); however, trade is minimal (Collar et al. 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Quantify the population size. Research the species's ecology and behaviour. Investigate the subpopulation structure. Quantify the extent of hunting and trapping, and assess their impacts on the population size. Monitor the population trend. Protect suitable habitat within the range. Raise awareness for the species and its habitat.
25 cm. Small, green parrot. Black head, with characteristic orange-yellow malar patch and white eye-ring. Orange-yellow shoulder. Blue on wing feathers and tail tip. Yellow thighs.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Khwaja, N., Lees, A. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Orange-cheeked Parrot Pyrilia barrabandi. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/orange-cheeked-parrot-pyrilia-barrabandi on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.