Critical Parameters for Psittacine Conservation: a Symposium Overview

ORNITOLOGIA NEOTROPICAL 23: 125–130, 2012 © The Neotropical Ornithological Society

CRITICAL PARAMETERS FOR PSITTACINE CONSERVATION: A SYMPOSIUM OVERVIEW

Donald J. Brightsmith1 & Thomas H. White, Jr.2

1Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M Uni- versity, TAMU 4467, College Station, TX 77843-4467 USA. E-mail: [email protected] 2U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program, Box 1600, Rio Grande, 00745 Puerto Rico. E-mail: [email protected]

Resumen. – Parámetros críticos para la conservación de psitácidos. – En la última década ha habido un incremento substancial en investigaciones sobre psitácidos Neotropicales. A pesar de esto ha sido difícil generar informacion sobre los parámetros críticos para conservación de psitácidos silvestres porque varias teorías y técnicas tradicionales no se aplican a este grupo de aves. Este simposio junta biólogos que estu- dian psitácidos que han desarrollado técnicas nuevas y exitosas para estudiar estas aves. Proveemos una síntesis de la última información disponible sobre algunos de las temas de conservación e investigación más relevantes en la conservación de psitácidos incluyendo los siguientes: uso de modelos de viabilidad poblacional (VORTEX) para identificar los parámetros más importantes para sobrevivencia y recuperación de poblaciones de psitácidos, métodos para estimar éxito reproductivo, métodos para estimar densidad poblacional, efectos de cambio climático sobre la dinámica de poblaciones, y como maximizar el éxito de proyectos de liberación y reintroducción de psitácidos. El incremento en nuestro nivel de conocimiento de ecología de psitácidos sumado a un mejor entendimiento de procesos climáticos, técnicas analíticas, y estrategias de conservación como reintroducción nos provee mejores oportunidades y retos para mejorar la conservación de esta familia que esta altamente amenazada. Abstract. – Over the past decade there has been a substantial increase in research conducted on Neotropi- cal psittacines, nevertheless, knowledge of the key parameters necessary for parrot conservation remains elusive as traditional ornithological theory and techniques do not always transfer to this family. This symposium brings together psittacine biologists who have developed novel and successful techniques for studying these birds. We provide a pragmatic synthesis of the latest available information on some of the most relevant research and conservation issues in psittacine conservation, including the use of population viability models to identify the key life history parameters for survival and recovery of wild psittacine populations, methods to estimate reproductive success and population density, effects of global climate change on population dynamics, and how to maximize the success of psittacine captive release and reintroduction projects. The growth in knowledge not only of psittacine ecology, but also climatic phenomenon, analytical techniques, and conservation strategies such as reintroductions, provides us with increasing opportunities – and challenges – for improving conservation efforts for this increasingly threatened family. Keywords: Psittacidae, population viability analysis, reintroduction, climate, abundance, reproduction.

INTRODUCTION ternational 2012), making this one of the most endangered bird families in the region. Over Birdlife International currently classifies 49 of the past decade there has been a substantial in- the 155 known species of Neotropical psitta- crease in research conducted on Neotropical cines as threatened with extinction (Birdlife In- psittacines, as evidenced by numerous recent

125 Brightsmith1 & White, Jr. publications (e.g., Myers & Vaughan 2004, climate change on population dynamics, and Renton 2004, Brightsmith et al. 2005, White how to maximize the success of psittacine et al. 2005, Rodríguez-Castillo & Eberhard captive release and reintroduction projects. 2006, Sanz & Rodríguez-Ferraro 2006, White et al. 2006, Koenig et al. 2007, Nunes & Galetti RESULTS 2007, Matuzak et al. 2008, Monterubio-Rico et al. 2009, De Labra et al. 2010, Vigo et al. 2011, T he symposium took place 11 November 2011 Carneiro et al. 2012, and many others) as well at the Centro de Convenciones in Cusco, Peru, as presentations at the recent International Or- and consisted of the following 5 presentations nithological Congress in Brazil. and associated speakers/institutions, including Nevertheless, specific knowledge of the a brief summary of each: key parameters necessary to promote success- 1. ¿Cuáles son las variables que real- ful parrot conservation remains elusive. As a mente importan?: lecciones del mod- group, psittacines are generally non-territorial, elaje de Ara macao y Ara ambiguus flocking, canopy dwelling species that present con Vortex.—Juan Cornejo/Texas unique challenges to researchers and manag- A&M University, USA ers. Consequently, traditional ornithological theory and techniques do not always transfer Summary: Vortex es un programa de simu- or readily apply to members of this avian tax- lación estocástico para el análisis de viabilidad on. Therefore, we organized a symposium to de poblaciones, con el que se modelan las in- bring together psittacine biologists who have teracciones entre parámetros poblacionales developed novel and successful techniques y biológicos de la especie elegida. El modelo for studying these birds. The information permite probar los efectos de diferentes esce- presented should also be useful for biologists narios en la tasa de crecimiento o en el riesgo de working on a wide array of ornithological taxa. extinción de una población en un determinado Because of the inherent difficulties and as- periodo de tiempo, y de esta manera comparar sociated expense of psittacine research, such y determinar las mejores opciones de manejo. information should help improve both the fo- Mediante un análisis de sensibilidad podemos cus and efficacy of current and future work, explorar el efecto relativo de los diferentes pará- thereby facilitating the efficient acquisition metros en el comportamiento del modelo, iden- of reliable knowledge. This point is particu- tificando los más críticos, y así poder determinar larly relevant in times of economic difficul- las prioridades de investigación de aquellos en ties and uncertainties, as presently faced by los que existan incertidumbres. Los análisis real- many – if not most – Neotropical ornithologi- izados de la viabilidad de la población de la gua- cal researchers. Accordingly, this symposium camaya roja (Ara macao cyanoptera) en Guatemala, consisted of presentations that provided a y de la guacamaya verde (Ara ambiguus) en Costa pragmatic synthesis of the latest available in- Rica, identificaron que los factores biológicos formation on some of the most relevant re- con mayor impacto sobre su sobrevivencia son search and conservation issues in psittacine la tasa de mortalidad de adultos (en especial de conservation, such as the use of population las hembras), y el porcentaje de hembras que re- viability models to identify the key life his- producen exitosamente cada año. Como otros tory parameters for survival and recovery of psitácidos con ciclos de vida caracterizados por wild psittacine populations, the most effec- la baja fecundidad, la alta sobrevivencia anual tive methods to estimate reproductive success de adultos y la alta longevidad, estas especies se and population density, the effects of global verán beneficiados por acciones de manejo en-

126 CRITICAL PARAMETERS FOR PSITTACINE CONSERVATION: A SYMPOSIUM OVERVIEW focadas a que haya suficientes nidos y estén pro- nesting success, percent of females nesting, and tegidos, así como a evitar la cacería de adultos percent of young in the local population, and y controlar las especies invasoras. El modelaje for rapidly detecting cases of complete or near- de poblaciones de psitácidos mediante Vortex complete nesting failures. ofrece la posibilidad de entender mejor la rel- 3. The importance of inter-annual vari- ación entre los diferentes parámetros intrínse- ability due to climatic factors on cos y extrínsecos que las gobiernan, así como breeding success: the case of the determinar las acciones más adecuadas para su Burrowing Parrots of Patagonia and recuperación y sobrevivencia. the El Niño Southern Oscillation.— 2. Estimating reproductive success in Juan Masello/Max Planck Institute large parrots: advantages and dis- of Ornithology, Germany advantages of direct versus indirect Summary: The El Niño Southern Oscilla- methods.—Donald Brightsmith/ tion is an irregular and recurrent climatic and Texas A&M University, USA meteorological phenomenon that has diverse Summary: Reproductive success is a funda- and profound effects on both global and local mental parameter for any animal population, weather patterns. In this study, the effects of this especially those with inherently low reproduc- phenomenon on breeding success of Burrowing tive rates, such as “large” parrots (e.g., Ara spp.). Parrots (Cyanoliseus patagonus) in the Argentin- Changes in reproductive success may portend ean Patagonia were examined. El Niño events significant changes in population trajectory and resulted in substantial increases in precipitation species ecology, yet are notoriously difficult to and primary productivity during the parrot nest- accurately assess for large parrots. Direct meth- ing season (Oct–Feb), with concomitant and ods such as active nest-checks are commonly significant shifts in mean hatching dates, brood employed, and have advantages of providing size, and fledglings produced. Overall, Burrow- insights into causes of nest failures, and chick ing Parrots nested earlier and produced more and health and growth rates, and reducing poaching healthier young during El Niño versus “La Niña” by active protection. However, such methods (i.e., drier) years. The parrots appeared sensitive to also are labor intensive (i.e., expensive), and subtle changes in local weather patterns. Accord- time-consuming, require specialized equipment, ingly, slight changes in global climate patterns and may alter nest success due to disturbance. have the potential to profoundly impact psitta- We examined the use of indirect methods, such cine ecology. Because few studies have examined as group size counts, for assessing reproduc- the role of climate in psittacine population dy- tive success in Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) in namics, additional research is recommended with southeastern Peru. We found that these meth- other species to understand more completely the ods have the advantages of lower costs, are not effects of climatic fluctuations on the processes biased by nest type, do not disturb active nesting that govern breeding success in psittacines. efforts, and provide reasonable estimates of the 4. Psittacine reintroductions: common proportion of the population that is breeding. denominators of success. – Thomas Notwithstanding, such methods may not work White/United States Fish & Wildlife for all species, and have an inherent bias because Service, Puerto Rico the numbers of non-family groups are difficult to ascertain. Nevertheless, in situations where Summary: With 28% of the 350 species of parrots congregate regularly in flocks, indirect parrots considered threatened, numerous con- methods can be a valuable tool for estimating servation efforts have been initiated for these

127 Brightsmith1 & White, Jr. species. The restoration or establishment of parrot genera. Moreover, data availability dif- new populations has increasingly relied on re- fered across continents – Asia had a high pro- introductions as a conservation strategy, often portion of species with density estimates (22 of with mixed or inconclusive results. This study 58 spp) and Africa a relatively low proportion (2 (see White et al. 2012) examined the results and of 22). Comparisons of abundance shifts across methodologies of 47 distinct releases and re- forest habitats were available for one in five spe- introductions of psittacines in nine different cies. Comparisons between primary forest and countries worldwide over the past 25 years to selectively logged forest dominated, with very identify common denominators of success- few comparisons between different anthropo- ful efforts. To do so, researchers established genic habitats. Threatened species were just as a uniform and objective definition of rein- likely to have a density estimate, and less likely troduction success (first-year survival > 0.50 to have a comparison of abundance across hab- and released birds breeding with conspecifics, itats, as non-threatened species. Variability in either captive-reared or wild), and applied gen- abundance was relatively low in the “parakeets” eralized linear models and information-the- – commonness in genera like Pyrrhura appears oretic model selection to identify significant predictable. For some genera (e.g. Ara ), there predictor variables. Several likely predictors was a general upper bound to density (<5 in- of successful psittacine reintroductions were dividuals/km2) but much variation – extreme identified. Among these, predation and preda- rarity cannot be predicted. In yet other genera tion mitigation had the greatest influence on (e.g., Cacatua, Pionus, Amazona), most species are reintroduction success, with habitat quality at rare but there is a “tail of commonness” in a the release site and post-release food supple- few species (e.g., little-traded species or island mentation exhibiting lesser, but nevertheless forms). We apparently can, to a certain extent, significant, effects on success. The study also predict likely abundance – but not responses to introduced SWOT analysis, a novel and em- environmental changes. Although we now have pirical form of environmental assessment, for a suite of methods, especially distance sampling, objectively evaluating suitability of potential that produce results reasonably effectively, new- reintroduction sites. er methods such as presence-only models may have an important role to play in “bypassing” 5. Abundance and abundance shifts in the need for extensive bird surveys. the world’s parrots. – Stuart Mars- den/Manchester Metropolitan Uni- CONCLUSIONS versity, United Kingdom Summary: Among the 350 species of parrots T he presentations that comprised this sym- worldwide, most have no reliable or current es- posium represent several currently emerging timate of abundance or population trends. This concepts and issues in the ecology and manage- study reviewed 77 papers, theses and technical ment of Neotropical psittacines. The growth reports for data on parrot population densities in knowledge not only of psittacine ecology, across habitats in order to 1) identify important but also climatic phenomenon, analytical tech- gaps in knowledge, 2) examine patterns of par- niques, and conservation strategies such as rot abundance, and 3) look for commonalities in reintroductions, provides us with increasing responses to land use changes (i.e., abundance opportunities – and challenges – for improv- shifts). Results indicated that only about 25% of ing conservation efforts for this increasingly parrot species had a density estimate, with no threatened avian family. The growing numbers estimates for any species in half of the world’s of Neotropical parrot biologists also constitute

128 CRITICAL PARAMETERS FOR PSITTACINE CONSERVATION: A SYMPOSIUM OVERVIEW an invaluable resource as sources of new ideas the Slender-billed Parakeet (Enicognathus for promising research and conservation appli- leptorhynchus) in a fragmented agricultural cations. Moreover, in light of current and most landscape of southern Chile. Condor 114: likely future economic limitations in the region, 166–172. creative efforts are increasingly needed to de- De Labra, M. A., P. Escalante, T. C. Monterubio-Rico, velop novel, practical and inexpensive means to & R. Coates-Estrada. 2010. Hábitat, abundancia acquire needed ecological information and ap- y perspectivas de conservación de psittacidos en ply effective conservation measures in the field. La Reserva de Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, México. While some aspects are, to at least some degree, Ornitol. Neotrop. 21: 599–610. within our control (e.g., improvements in ana- Koenig, S.E., J.M. Wunderle, Jr., & E.C. Enkerlin- lytical techniques), others such as factors associ- Hoeflich. 2007. Vines and canopy contact: a ated with climate changes are certain to create route for snake predation on parrot nests. Bird new and unpredictable conservation scenarios Conserv. Internat. 17: 1–15. and attendant challenges. We believe the topics Matuzak, G. D., M. B. Bezy, & D. J. Brightsmith. covered by these 5 presentations provide useful 2008. Foraging ecology of parrots in a modified and valuable guides for both future investiga- landscape: seasonal trends and introduced tions and the practical application of existing species. Wilson J. Ornithol. 120: 353–365. knowledge to meet current and future challeng- Monterubio-Rico, T. C., J. M. Ortega-Rodríguez, es to psittacine conservation. M. C. Marín-Togo, A. Salinas-Melgoza, & K. Renton. 2009. Nesting habitat of the Lilac- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS crowned Parrot in a modified landscape in Mexico. Biotrópica 41: 361–368. We are grateful to the Schubot Exotic Bird Myers, M. C., & C. Vaughan. 2004. Movement Health Center – Department of Veterinary and behavior of Scarlet Macaws (Ara Pathobiology of Texas A&M University, and macao) during the post-fledging dependence the United States Fish and Wildlife Service – period: implications for in situ versus ex-situ Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program for management. Biol. Conserv. 118: 411–420. support provided to D. Brightsmith and T. Nunes, F. C., & M. Galetti. 2007. Use of forest White, respectively. We also thank the sympo- fragments by Blue-winged Macaws (Primolius sium speakers for their participation and valu- maracana) within a fragmented landscape. able contributions to this effort. Biodivers. Conserv. 16: 953–967. Renton, K. 2004. Agonistic interactions of nesting REFERENCES and nonbreeding macaws. Condor 106: 354– 362. Birdlife International. 2012. Birdlife Data Zone– Rodríguez-Castillo, A. M., & J. R. Eberhard. 2006. Family Psittacidae. [online]. http://www. Reproductive behavior of the Yellow-crowned birdlife.org/datazone/speciessearchresults.php Parrot (Amazona ochrocephala) in western Brightsmith, D. J., J. Hilburn, A. del Campo, J. Boyd, Panama. Wilson J. Ornithol. 118: 225–236. M. Frisius, R. Frisius, D. Janik & F. Guillén. Sanz, V., & A. Rodríguez-Ferraro. 2006. 2005. The use of hand-raised psittacines for Reproductive parameters and productivity of reintroduction: a case study of scarlet macaws the Yellow-shouldered Parrot on Margarita (Ara macao) in Peru and Costa Rica. Biol. Island, Venezuela: a long-term study. Condor Conserv. 121: 465–472. 108: 178–192. Carneiro, A. P. B., J. E. Jiménez, & T. H. White, Vigo, G., M. Williams, & D. J. Brightsmith. 2011. Jr. 2012. Post-fledging habitat selection by Growth of Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) chicks

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