Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very 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 is unknown given recent taxonomic splits.
Trend justification
The population is undergoing a decline (Partners in Flight 2019). Trapping pressure and land-use changes are thought to be affecting the species, but are currently not regarded as substantial threats (C. J. Sharpe in litt. 2014).
Pyrrhura emma occurs in forested areas of the coastal cordillera of northern Venezuela, from Yacacuy and Carabobo to Miranda, and disjunctly from Anzoátegui to Sucre and northern Monagas (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Juniper and Parr 1998, Hilty 2003, Forshaw 2006). Primarily it is found at 250-1,700 m, but occurs to sea-level in eastern Sucre (Hilty 2003), where it is fairly common (Hilty 2003, P. Boesman in litt. 2006). Its distribution within this range is complex and disjunct, mostly found in hilly terrain at low elevations (Hilty 2003).
The species occurs in foothill forest of the coastal cordillera in Venezuela, in humid and wet forest and edge as well as adjacent clearings with scattered trees and groves (del Hoyo et al. 1997). It typically travels in tight, fast-flying flocks of up to 25 individuals before landing in the canopy. The species has been observed eating Ochroma flowers and nectar (Hilty 2003).
Trapping for trade and land-use changes may be driving a decline in the population, although neither of these threats are regarded as serious for this species at present (C. J. Sharpe in litt. 2014).
Conservation Actions Underway
It occurs in several national parks (P. Boesman in litt. 2006), with a ‘substantial’ population in Guatopo National Park, Miranda (Juniper and Parr 1998, Hilty 2003).
23 cm. Overall a medium-sized green parakeet (conure) with blue in the wing, a red-brown rump, tail, belly and shoulder. The chest and breast has pale scale-like bars on a grey-olive background. The face is plum-red while the pileum is grey-brown with a blue crown. Similar spp. Subtly different from P. griseipectus and P. pfrimeri, in coloration of the pileum and having a creamy-buff auricular patch. Very similar to P. leucotis but P. emma shows marginally more blue in the hindcrown and broader buff scaling on the breast. P. picta has strongly scalloped underparts on a darker background. Voice. Loud, harsh 'kik-kik-kik-kik' with a hard edge.
Text account compilers
Bird, J., Symes, A., Butchart, S., Hermes, C., Taylor, J., Martin, R.
Contributors
Boesman, P. & Sharpe, C J
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Venezuelan Parakeet Pyrrhura emma. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/venezuelan-parakeet-pyrrhura-emma on 28/11/2024.
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 28/11/2024.