Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
There have been no confirmed records of this newly-split Colombian parakeet since 1949 despite extensive searches, and any remaining population is likely to be extremely small and declining. It has therefore been classified as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).
Population justification
This species has not been recorded since 1949, and may be extinct. A recent comprehensive search for the species in suitable habitat in the historical range failed to find the species (American Bird Conservancy 2021). If it does persist, the small and fragmented nature of the remaining habitat, coupled with a lack of sightings despite dedicated searches indicate that any remnant population must be tiny, and the population is therefore placed in the band 1-49 mature individuals.
Trend justification
A large proportion of the historic range of this species has been lost to deforestation, and two of the four sites with specimen records have apparently lost all suitable habitat. It has been estimated that the species in total has lost 92-98% of its original habitat (Botero-Delgadillo and Páez 2011; Botero-Delgadillo et al. 2012). It is suspected that any remaining population is in decline, but the lack of recent records does not allow to quantify the rate of decline.
Pyrrhura subandina is known with certainty only from the Sinú Valley in northern Colombia, where recent searches have failed to find the species and it may be extinct (P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 2011; Botero-Delgadillo et al. 2012). 18 specimens are known from four locations; Jaraquiel (08°42’N, 75°57’W), Quimarí (08°07'N, 76°23'W) and Murucucú (07°59'N, 76°00'W) in Bolivar, and 12 miles NW of Tierra Alta (08°11'N, 76°04'W) in Nazaret (Joseph and Stockwell 2002; Botero-Delgadillo and Páez 2011). The locations in Nazaret and at Jaraquiel have apparently been deforested, but small areas of apparently suitable habitat occur at Quimarí and in the Murucucú hills but searches of these sites failed to find any evidence for the continued presence of this distinctive conure (Botero-Delgadillo and Páez 2011; P. G.W. Salaman in litt. 2011; American Bird Conservancy 2021).
The species inhabits dry forest and gallery forest in elevations of 100-1,500 m (Joseph and Stockwell 2002; Botero-Delgadillo and Páez 2011). Its ecology and life-history is not well known. It is thought to be frugivorous and nesting in tree cavitires; the breeding period probably lasts from March to July (Botero-Delgadillo and Páez 2011).
Loss of habitat within the historic range has dramatically reduced and fragmented the area available to this species (Joseph and Stockwell 2002; Botero-Delgadillo and Páez 2011; ProAves in litt. 2011). Original habitat has mainly been converted for agriculture and cattle pastures (Botero-Delgadillo and Páez 2011). Further potential threats include trapping for the cage-bird trade, hunting for food as well as pollution with agrochemicals (Botero-Delgadillo and Páez 2011).
Conservation and research actions underway
CITES Appendix II. The taxon’s known range was searched without success in 2004–2008 at more than 10 potential localities (P. G. W. Salaman in litt. 2011; Botero-Delgadillo and Páez 2011; Botero-Delgadillo et al. 2012), and surveys elsewhere have also not found it (Stiles et al. 1999). A small part of its presumed remaining habitat is protected within Paramillo National Park (Botero-Delgadillo et al. 2012; del Hoyo et al. 2015).
Conservation and research actions proposed
Carry out further searches within its potential historic range, and follow up any reports of the species. If an extant population is found, immediately protect habitat.
21 cm. A medium-sized green parakeet with a bright maroon-red face, dull blue and red forehead and scalloped buff and grey breast. Shares a long deep red tail, blue primaries and dark red belly patch with several other Pyrrhura species. The carpal area is green, unlike the red in Pyrrhura caeruleiceps which is the geographically closest Pyrrhura.
Text account compilers
Martin, R., Hermes, C.
Contributors
Botero-Delgadillo, E., Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Khwaja, N., Salaman, P.G.W., Sharpe, C.J., Symes, A. & Taylor, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sinu Parakeet Pyrrhura subandina. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sinu-parakeet-pyrrhura-subandina on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.