Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is restricted to a small range. Habitat is lost and degraded slowly and the species is further threatened by trapping, which are causing slow population declines. The species is therefore listed as Vulnerable.
Population justification
The population size has not been estimated directly. The population in Ecuador is thought to number less than 10,000 mature individuals (Freile et al. 2019); the population in Peru has not been quantified, but is likely very small (SERFOR 2018). The overall population is therefore tentatively placed in the band 2,500-9,999 mature individuals.
The subpopulation structure has not been assessed, but the species may form several subpopulations (see eBird 2021), with the largest numbering more than 1,000 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The species is undergoing a slow decline, on the basis of continued habitat destruction and the impacts of trade, which is thought to exist locally (Collar and Boesman 2020). Over the past three generations (12 years; Bird et al. 2020), 2% of tree cover within the range has been lost (Global Forest Watch 2021). The species prefers primary forest and may thus be additionally impacted by habitat degradation. Local trade is considered to be only minor (Snyder et al. 2000; Collar and Boesman 2020), and therefore the rate of population decline is unlikely to exceed 10% over three generations.
Pyrrhura albipectus is confined to south-east Ecuador and northern Peru. In Ecuador it is known from Podocarpus National Park, Cordillera de Cutucú and Cordillera del Cóndor. Although its numbers appear relatively low, with a total population possibly of only a few thousand individuals, it is apparently common in Podocarpus National Park. It is also found in the adjacent parts of the Cordillera del Cóndor, Peru.
This parrot inhabits upper tropical forest at 900-2,000 m. It usually occurs in flocks of 4-20 individuals, foraging in fruiting trees within primary forest or clearings. It also occurs in partially and severely degraded habitat around Podocarpus National Park (Snyder et al. 2000). Diet includes fruit, seeds and flowers, mainly taken in the canopy (Juniper and Parr 1998). Breeding is taking place between May and July (Collar and Boesman 2020).
Habitat destruction is the principal concern, as upper tropical zone forests east of the Andes are being cleared at an alarming rate. However, subtropical forests in Podocarpus National Park and Cordillera del Cóndor are largely intact (Schulenberg and Awbrey 1997; Snyder et al. 2000). Logging has been extensive at lower elevations within its range (to c.1,000-1,200 m), and is gradually encroaching on core altitudes. In the Cordillera de Cutucú, some forest has been cleared for agriculture and to secure indigenous people legal ownership of their land. Illegal gold mining and human settlement occur, even within Podocarpus National Park, particularly at its southern boundary (Snyder et al. 2000). In the Peruvian part of its range, there is little or no threat of deforestation; however, there is a mining concession in the area (F. Angulo in litt. 2012; SERFOR 2018). It is trapped in small numbers for the domestic cage-bird trade (Snyder et al. 2000; Collar and Boesman 2020).
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Podocarpus National Park is an important site for the species's conservation. A revised management plan for the area has been devised, and a public awareness campaign highlights the importance of the park (Snyder et al. 2000). The parakeet also occurs in the Fundación Jocotoco's 3,500 ha Tapichalaca Reserve where artificial nest boxes are being used successfully (Waugh 2009). It is also found in the Ichigkat Muja - Cordillera del Cóndor National Park (F. Angulo in litt. 2012).
24 cm. Brightly coloured, boldly marked parakeet. Dusky crown with pale grey fringes on hind part, thin reddish frontal band, yellow-and-green scaled cheeks and orange ear-coverts, full white collar and yellow breast, green belly and rest of upperparts. Green wings with red primary coverts and carpal area, and bluish primaries, green tail, dull red on underside. Immature lacks frontal band and has paler ear-coverts. Voice Rapid screet screet calls in flight, chirping calls while feeding, increasing before flock takes flight.
Text account compilers
Hermes, C.
Contributors
Angulo Pratolongo, F., Benstead, P., Isherwood, I., Sharpe, C.J. & Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: White-necked Parakeet Pyrrhura albipectus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/white-necked-parakeet-pyrrhura-albipectus 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.