Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very small population which is undergoing a decline. The likely causes of the decline are ongoing habitat loss and degradation and potentially illegal trapping for the pet trade, as well as range contractions caused by climate change. The species therefore qualifies as Endangered. A recent estimate of the population size is urgently needed.
Population justification
In 2004, the population was thought to number 3,000-6,000 individuals, although more recent systematic counts gave a potential global population of 2,097 individuals (Cruz-Nieto et al. 2012). According to Ortiz-Maciel and Cruz-Nieto (2004), an estimate of up to 140 nests in the Bisaloachic-Cebadillas region represented c.10% of the total known breeding population then, which equates to 2,800 mature individuals. However, these figures may represent an over-estimate, as not all of the nest cavities surveyed are used every year (M. A. Cruz-Nieto et al. in litt. 2007). Surveys in 2011 found 177 breeding pairs, estimated to be potentially 42% of the breeding population (Cruz-Nieto et al. 2011), which equates to roughly 840 mature individuals. Systematic counts in 2012 gave a potential global population of 2,097 individuals (Cruz-Nieto et al. 2012). The total population is here therefore placed in the band 840-2,800 mature individuals. A more recent estimate of the population size is however required.
Due to its migratory behaviour, the species is assumed to function as one subpopulation.
Trend justification
The species is undergoing a large, significant decline (Partners in Flight 2019). Anecdotal evidence suggest a continued general decline in flock sizes and the frequency of sightings throughout its range, including local extinctions at formerly occupied sites (Ortiz-Maciel and Cruz-Nieto 2004; Snyder et al. 2020). The main drivers of the decline are thought to be the clearance and degradation of its habitat, in particular the loss of breeding sites, as well as illegal capture for the bird trade (Snyder et al. 2020).
In 1995, the population was estimated at between 1,000-4,000 mature individuals (Lammertink et al. 1996). In 2004, the population was thought to number 3,000-6,000 individuals, including c.2,800 mature individuals (Ortiz-Maciel and Cruz-Nieto 2004). This may however have been an overestimation (M. A. Cruz-Nieto et al. in litt. 2007), and survey data from 2011 suggest a population of roughly 840 mature individuals (Cruz-Nieto et al. 2011). Assuming that declines are exponential, the species has declined by >30% over the past three generations (31.5 years). To account for the uncertainty around the population estimates, the rate of past decline is here tentatively placed in the band 30-49% over the last three generations.
Climate change may additionally impact on habitat availability for this species, particularly during the breeding season: depending on the climate change scenario, the climatically suitable area for the species may shrink to only 25-70% of the current extent by 2090 (Monterrubio-Rico et al. 2015). Under the assumption that population declines are roughly equivalent to habitat loss, this would equate to a decline of 13-44% over three generations, starting from 2015. Declines may however be exacerbated by the impacts of trapping, and it is therefore inferred that the population declines at 30-49% over the next three generations.
Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha is largely restricted to the Sierra Madre Occidental, Mexico, in north-east Sonora, west Chihuahua, south and west Durango and Michoacán (two collected in April 1987 and 200 birds in April-May 1990 [J. Salgado in litt. 1998; specimens in UMSNH per A. T. Peterson in litt. 1999] are the first records since 1941). Smaller, occasional or extirpated populations have occurred in Sinaloa and Jalisco. At least part of the population undertakes seasonal migrations to the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima and Michoacán during the non-breeding season (Ortiz-Maciel and Cruz-Nieto 2004). Pre-1960 records of Rhynchopsitta parrots from Coahuila, México and Veracruz may pertain to wanderers. It formerly occurred in U.S.A., in Arizona and New Mexico, but had disappeared by the early 1990s (Ortiz-Maciel and Cruz-Nieto 2004). Attempts to establish a reintroduced population in Arizona have not proved successful (Snyder et al. 1999).
It inhabits temperate conifer, mature pine-oak, pine and fir forests at 1,200-3,600 m, but breeds from 2,000 to 2,700 m (Monterrubio-Rico et al. 2006). It nests in tree-cavities (especially in pine snags and Pseudotsuga menziesii [M. A. Cruz-Nieto in litt. 1998; Monterrubio-Rico and Enkerlin-Hoeflich 2004]), often originally excavated by woodpeckers. The selection of tree species in which pairs nest appears to shift in reaction to changes in local availability (Monterrubio-Rico and Enkerlin-Hoeflich 2004). Breeding coincides with the peak in production of pine-seeds, which are the species's primary food resource (Ortiz Maciel and Cruz Nieto 2004). The egg-laying period is mid-June to late July (Monterrubio-Rico and Enkerlin-Hoeflich 2004). Flocks roost on cliffs, but reintroduced birds have used trees. Outside the breeding season, it is nomadic in response to variations in cone abundance.
Less than 0.06% remains of the original old-growth forest cover in the Sierra Madre Occidental ecoregion (Ortiz-Maciel and Cruz-Nieto 2004). Historically, there has been an extensive modification of old-growth pine forests for timber and woodpulp. In the Sierra Madre Occidental, 80-85% of forest cover remains, but only 0.6% is old-growth (Lammertink et al. 1996). In 1994, there was extensive penetration and degradation of habitat in south Chihuahua by drug-growers, loggers and huge numbers of cattle. In the same year, forest stands at Mesa de Guacamayas were heavily burned (Monterrubio-Rico and Enkerlin-Hoeflich 2004). Logging has been intensive in the Sierra Madre Occidental, with no large fragments of old growth forest remaining in northern areas (Monterrubio-Rico and Enkerlin-Hoeflich 2004). Commercial logging in the area involves the removal of larger trees and standing dead wood, and appears to reduce nest-site availability by leaving few snags and pine trees large enough for the species to nest in. Such large-scale logging operations across the species's historic range may be responsible for its decline (Monterrubio-Rico and Enkerlin-Hoeflich 2004). As a result of habitat loss, the breeding strongholds are now concentrated in two areas; Cebadillas de Yahuirachi and Madera (Monterrubio-Rico et al. 2006). Fire remains a serious threat to the species (M. A. Cruz-Nieto et al. in litt. 2007).
Illegal trade in the species has fluctuated with peaks in the early 1970s and mid-1980s. Unofficial records confirm that the species is taken for illegal trade, but the extent of trapping is not known (M. A. Cruz-Nieto et al. in litt. 2007).
Climate change may have an impact on habitat availability for this species, particularly during the breeding season: depending on the climate change scenario, the climatically suitable area for the species may shrink to only 25-70% of the current extent by 2090 (Monterrubio-Rico et al. 2015).
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I and II and protected in the USA. The species is managed as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquaria's Parrot Taxon Advisory Group (Parrot TAG) and has been the subject of field studies since 1994. A permanent research team, located in the Sierra Madre Occidental ecoregion, monitors nesting sites and studies its breeding biology (Ortiz-Maciel and Cruz-Nieto 2004) with the goal of developing sustainable forest management practices that incorporate the species's needs (Ortiz-Maciel and Cruz-Nieto 2004). Breeding or foraging sites at Tancítaro, El Carricito, Monte Oscuro, Mexiquillo, Las Bufas and Cebadillas have varying degrees of protection (Lammertink et al. 1996; J. M. Lammertink in litt. 1998; J. Salgado in litt. 1998; E. C. Enkerlin-Hoeflich in litt. 2000; Monterrubio-Rico and Enkerlin-Hoeflich 2004). In 2003-2004, the Madera nesting area (the second most important breeding area) was in the process of being declared a National Forest Reserve, and efforts were underway for the protection of Mesa de Guacamayas (Monterrubio-Rico and Enkerlin-Hoeflich 2004). In 2002, a moratorium on timber extraction was signed by the Tutuaca Ejido at Bisaloachia (Cebadillas), which will protect 10% of the breeding population for 15 years (Enkerlin-Hoeflich 2000; Lurie and Snyder 2001; Ortiz-Maciel and Cruz-Nieto 2004). The agreement involves reimbursement of half of the value of the uncut timber to the ejido by NGOs, whilst the same organisations will also assist the community in recouping the other half of the value through alternative income sources (Ortiz-Maciel and Cruz-Nieto 2004). Such agreements are being promoted in the Madera region and to the Conoachi Ejido (Ortiz-Maciel and Cruz-Nieto 2004). Pseudotsuga menziesii is protected in Mexico (M. A. Cruz-Nieto in litt. 1998). Two captive-breeding facilities in USA have raised 127 chicks to fledging (S. Healy in litt. 1999) but reintroduction attempts have failed owing to disease, the inability to develop flocking behaviour, and predation by raptors.
38 cm. Macaw-like, heavy-billed, green parrot. Red forecrown, eye-stripe, shoulder and thighs. Yellow underwing-coverts conspicuous in flight. Flight feathers and graduated tail appear blackish from below. Large dark bill. Similar spp. Military Macaw Ara militaris is larger with proportionally longer tail and blue flight feathers and rump. Lilac-crowned Amazon Amazona finschi has shorter tail, lacks yellow underwing and calls differently. Maroon-fronted Parrot R. terrisi is a similar green in colour, but is larger, has maroon head markings and lacks yellow underwing. Voice Like high-pitched macaw. Variety of screeches, squawks, screams and shrieks. Harsh, rolling cra-ak, graa-ah and laughing calls.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Capper, D., Cruz-Nieto, J., Cruz-Nieto, M.Á., Enkerlin-Hoeflich, E.C., Healy, S., Isherwood, I., Juarez, E., Lammertink, M., Monterrubio-Rico, T., Ortiz-Maciel, S., Peterson, A.T., Salgado, J., Sharpe, C.J., Taylor, J., Torres-Gonzales, L.F., Torres-Gonzalez, A., Valdés-Peña, R. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Thick-billed Parrot Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/thick-billed-parrot-rhynchopsitta-pachyrhyncha 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.