Psittacara Leucophthalmus Research Articles

Morphology of the syrinx of three species of birds from Brazilian cerrado (Psittacara leucophthalmus, Rhynchotus rufescens and Cariama cristata): Gross anatomy and light microscopy study.

The aim of this study was to describe the morphology of the trachea and syrinx at macroscopic and light microscopy levels of three species of birds from different orders that inhabit the Brazilian cerrado. For that, five adult specimens (three males and two females of each species) of white-eyed parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus), red-winged tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens) and red-legged seriema (Cariama cristata) were used. The trachea and syrinx of the birds were collected and destined for anatomical and histological studies. The trachea of the studied birds presented an elongated path and originated in the larynx and extended caudally to the syrinx. No sexual dimorphism was observed in the syrinx of the studied species, probably because it is associated with their song, which is very similar between males and females of these species. The findings of this study allowed us to classify the syrinx as tracheal in the white-eyed parakeet and tracheobronchial in the red-winged tinamou and red-legged seriema. In general, the morphological features of the trachea and syrinx were similar to those described for other species of birds, such as the presence of intrinsic and extrinsic syringeal muscles, and the lateral and medial tympaniform membranes, which would represent important anatomical structures in sound production through vibration during expiration and eventual inspiration. The morphological structure of the syrinx in the three avian species of the Brazilian cerrado is consistent with the ability of these avian species to perform a potential vocalization, especially the red-legged seriema that emits characteristic sounds very loud and can carry several kilometres.

Records of ectoparasites on humans and wildlife in southeastern Brazil

We report ectoparasites found on humans and wildlife from different locations in southeastern Brazil. Ectoparasites were stored in 70% alcohol and visually identified under a stereo microscope with the help of identification keys. Genomic DNA of ticks was extracted and used in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of tick-borne pathogens. Sixteen species of ectoparasites (six ticks, one lice, four fleas, four flies, and one bedbug) were identified on ten host species, including humans, other mammals, and birds. We report the first record of the parasitism of Amblyomma longirostre on Didelphis aurita, Microlynchia pussila on Turdus leucomelas, Ornithoica vicina and Ornithocoris pallidus on Psittacara leucophthalmus and O. pallidus on Homo sapiens. In addition, we also report the first record of O. vicina in the state of Minas Gerais and the infection by Rickettsia sp. in Amblyomma varium.

A 10-year collection of roadkilled avifauna in a stretch of the BR-040 highway in southeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT In Brazil, the number of animals killed by vehicle collision surpasses 475 millions/year, but the actual number may be even higher since roadkill data in the country is scarce and punctual. Using a standard protocol, the project Caminhos da Fauna monitored since 2006 the avifauna roadkill in the BR-040 (RJ/MG) highway, southeastern Brazil. Here, we present a checklist of the avifauna registered during the 10-year monitoring program, including the list of roadkills, indicating threatening status at regional, national, and global levels, and the number of records/species. We registered 1,317 individuals belonging to 180 species, 21 orders, and 48 families. Another 247 individuals could not be identified. For seven families roadkills were higher than 50 individuals: Thraupidae, Cuculidae, Strigidae, Tyrannidae, Psittacidae, Columbidae, and Turdidae. The most collected species were Crotophaga ani (n = 106; Cuculidae), followed by Psittacara leucophthalmus (n = 61; Psittacidae), Piaya cayana (n = 56; Cuculidae), and Asio clamator (n = 44; Strigidae). Five species were under threat: Penelope obscura, Primolius maracana, Pteroglossus bailloni, Ramphastos vitellinus, and Sicalis flaveola. Most species were geographically widespread, while other 13 (7.2%) were endemic. Given the considerable amount of data obtained, further efforts of the same motivation in other Brazilian roads and express transportation systems should be encouraged.

A food interaction network between psittacines and plants in an urban area in the city of São Carlos - SP, southeastern Brazil.

The Psittacidae presents a great diversity of species in the Neotropical region performing fundamental ecological functions for ecosystems. These frugivorous birds can occupy different positions in the antagonistic-mutualistic gradient of food interactions, acting as predators and/or as seed dispersers. Little is known about bird-plant ecological interaction networks focusing on psittacines in urban environments, which may compromise the management of natural areas in anthropic landscapes and hinder the planning of conservation strategies. In this context, the present study aimed to analyze the network of feeding interactions between psittacines and plants that occur in green areas in urban and periurban areas of the municipality of São Carlos, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil. Starting with an active searching added to the application of the focal animal sampling at 36 systematized sampling points during the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, the plant species consumed by parrots in the study area were observed. Four species of birds of the Psittacidae family were recorded consuming food resources from 46 plant species. The order of relevance of the birds in structuring the ecological network was: Brotogeris chiriri (Vieillot, 1851), Psittacara leucophthalmus (Statius Muller, 1872), Forpus xanthopterygius (Spix, 1843) and Eupsittula aurea (Gmelin, 1788). The most consumed plants were Syagrus romanzoffiana, Salix babylonica, Caesalpinea pluviosa, Mangifera indica and Handroanthus heptaphyllus. The pattern of consumption by birds was significantly different among species, and overall, they had a broad diet and medium niche overlap. Network nesting was low, as was connectance, i.e., the number of interactions or connections observed between pairs of species was considerably less than the total number possible. Network asymmetry was considerably high, with the psittacine group performing interactions with a large number of plant species, while each plant received on average few psittacine species. The results point to a high plasticity in the use of food resources in anthropic landscapes, indicating that the occupation of the urban environment by psittacines has been occurring successfully and may benefit the populations of the species recorded here.

Genoprotolichus tilae sp. nov. (Acariformes: Pterolichidae), a new feather mite species from Psittacara leucophthalmus (Müller PLS) (Psittacidae) in Brazil

A new feather mite species Genoprotolichus tilae sp. nov. is described from the white-eyed parakeet, Psittacara leucophthalmus (Müller PLS, 1776) (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae), from Brazil. A list of pterolichid mite genera associated with parrots (Prittaciformes) is presented, and data on Genoprotolichus species recorded from the New World are summarized. Some diagnostic features (scapular setae) of all previously described species of the genus Genoprotolichus are presented.

Comparison of three analytical approaches to assess temperament dimensions in nonhuman animals

A critical aspect in the research about behavioral individual differences is the researchers’ decision of which statistical methods to use to reduce the dimensionality of observed behavioral data. Our aim was to compare the main behavioral dimensions obtained from three different data reduction techniques: the Feaver’s Method, Factor Analysis, and Principal Component Analysis. Three behavioral tests were carried out with 13 individuals of Amazona vinacea and 12 of Psittacara leucophthalmus species: reaction to an unknown person test, the reaction to potential predator test and the novel object test. We extracted the main behavioral dimensions using the three methods. Then we applied the Pearson’s correlation to test the relationships between the main dimensions found. The first Principal Component, the Factor 1, and the dimension 1 of Feaver’s Method were composed of behavioral variables reflecting ‘vigilance’. Variables in second Principal Component, Factor 2 and dimension 2 of Feaver’s Method reflected ‘fearfulness’. A strong correlation was found between the first Principal Component and dimension 1 of Feaver’s Method (r = 0.90), but not with Factor 1 (P > 0.05). Moderate correlations were found between second dimension with three methods. We conclude that PCA and Feaver’s Method generate similar results for the first principal dimension, but not for the second dimension, and Feaver’s Method seems to be a better predictor of this aspect of parrots’ behavioral individual differences for small samples sizes.

Influence of environmental enrichment on the rehabilitation of white-eyed parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus)

The use of sensory, physical, cognitive, and alimentary stimuli are varieties of environmental enrichment used to minimize stress caused by the monotonous captive environment. The objective of this study was to verify the impact of environmental enrichment in escape-related behavioral stereotypies. Thirty birds of the species Psittacara leucophthalmus were observed from March to September 2016, received at the Wild Animal Recovery and Screening Center of the São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of the Veterinary Medicine campus Araçatuba. The methodology used for the behavioral observations was the focal animal with observation through filming were made by 18 hours per bird for three consecutive days, while physical, cognitive, food, and sensory enrichment methods were applied, and the assessment was carried out before, during, and after the application of environmental enrichment. The data were analyzed by the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality and by the Friedman test, which showed no significant difference (p >0.05) before, during, and after environmental enrichment. Despite the statistical analyses, the perception of the bird’s welfare improving was visually clear.

Is individual temperament related to behaviors in a social context for a Neotropical parakeet species?

The relations of temperament dimensions obtained in tests traditionally used to assess interindividual differences with long-term behaviors and social rank of animals are poorly understood. Here, our aims were: (a) to investigate the relationships between temperament dimensions obtained through behavioral tests and the social rank of white-eyed parakeets (Psittacara leucophthalmus), and (b) to evaluate the relationships between temperament dimensions with social and non-social behaviors in group-housing captivity. Three temperament tests were applied for each parakeet singly: reaction to an unknown person, novel object, and reaction to potential predator tests. Bird’s behaviors during the tests were recorded, generating 13 behavioral variables to which a factor analysis was applied to extract the main dimensions of parakeets’ temperament. Social rank was obtained through the observation of aggressive social interactions for animals kept in groups of four individuals, recording the winner and loser of each event. To extract the dominance hierarchy, we used the Elo-rating and David’s index of dominance (as higher values are more dominant). Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to investigate the relationships between temperament dimensions with social rank and parakeets’ behaviors in group-housing captivity obtained with the two methods. Individual differences in parakeets in three main temperament dimensions were described (‘vigilance’, ‘boldness’, and ‘responsiveness to humans’). David’s score was significantly correlated with ‘boldness’ (r = 0.63), and a trend was found for Elo-rating (r = 0.54). For the ‘vigilance’ dimension, dominant parakeets based on David’s score (r = 0.53) and Elo-rating (r = 0.55) tended to be more vigilant. Temperament was also related to the behavioral categories in group-housing captivity. Bold parakeets spent more time in preening (r = 0.56), had a higher frequency of negative social interactions (r = 0.64), and tended to spend less time interacting with the environment (r = −0.51). Vigilant parakeets had a lower frequency of positive social interactions (r = −0.55) and spent a lower percentage of time in locomotion (r = −0.55). In conclusion, the temperament dimensions obtained for parakeets through behavioral tests were related to their social rank and the behaviors in group-housing captivity. For captive social psittacids, such as those in rescue centers, temperament could prove useful in decisions about choosing individuals to be housed together, because temperament allows inferences about the dominance of the individuals, avoiding unnecessary disputes and injuries inside the aviaries.

Cytometric blood phenotyping in free-living white-eyed parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus)

ABSTRACT: This study aimed at performing cytometric phenotyping of the blood samples from free-living, young white-eyed parakeets (Psittacara leucophthalmus), stained with 3,3-dihexyloxacarbocyanine [DiOC6(3)]. DiOC6(3)-stained whole blood samples from 19 free-living, young white-eyed parakeets were analyzed by flow cytometry and cell types were distinguished by their typical fluorescence in blue laser channel (FL-1) and SSC (side scatter). It was possible to differentiate erythrocytes (58.3±13.6) from leukocytes (32.4±13.1) and some of the leucocyte subpopulations: lymphocytes/thrombocytes (29.7±7.7), monocytes (30.6±8.5), and granulocytes (5.9-26). However, lymphocytes and thrombocytes could not be sorted in the plots. Our study determined that the predominant population in white-eyed parakeet (P. leucophthalmus) was lymphocytes, thrombocytes, and monocytes in the leucocytes gates in comparison to the granulocyte population. The cytometry method and use of DiOC6(3) stain was available for parakeets blood samples and can be studied and applied to other species of parrots.

Faecal Virome Analysis of Wild Animals from Brazil.

The Brazilian Cerrado fauna shows very wide diversity and can be a potential viral reservoir. Therefore, the animal’s susceptibility to some virus can serve as early warning signs of potential human virus diseases. Moreover, the wild animal virome of this biome is unknown. Based on this scenario, high-throughput sequencing contributes a robust tool for the identification of known and unknown virus species in this environment. In the present study, faeces samples from cerrado birds (Psittacara leucophthalmus, Amazona aestiva, and Sicalis flaveola) and mammals (Didelphis albiventris, Sapajus libidinosus, and Galictis cuja) were collected at the Veterinary Hospital, University of Brasília. Viral nucleic acid was extracted, submitted to random amplification, and sequenced by Illumina HiSeq platform. The reads were de novo assembled, and the identities of the contigs were evaluated by Blastn and tblastx searches. Most viral contigs analyzed were closely related to bacteriophages. Novel archaeal viruses of the Smacoviridae family were detected. Moreover, sequences of members of Adenoviridae, Anelloviridae, Circoviridae, Caliciviridae, and Parvoviridae families were identified. Complete and nearly complete genomes of known anelloviruses, circoviruses, and parvoviruses were obtained, as well as putative novel species. We demonstrate that the metagenomics approach applied in this work was effective for identification of known and putative new viruses in faeces samples from Brazilian Cerrado fauna.

HUNTING AGREEMENTS AS A STRATEGY FOR THE CONSERVATION OF SPECIES: THE CASE OF THE CAZUMBÁ-IRACEMA EXTRACTIVE RESERVE, STATE OF ACRE, BRAZIL

One of the greatest challenges for the conservation of hunting species is not to prevent exploitation in a definitive way, but to avoid that overhunting leads to depletion of the species. As a wildlife management tool for hunting, we can highlight the Hunting Agreement, which consists of prohibiting or restricting the hunting of certain species most vulnerable. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine if the adoption of the Hunting Agreement caused a change in the habits of hunters at the Cazumbá-Iracema Extractive Reserve, located in the State of Acre, North Brazil. The Hunting Agreement imposes a ban on the slaughter of species and the use of certain hunting strategies. This study used the methodology of interview to verify the hunting preference and hunting calendar for quantification. We recorded the slaughter of 15 banned individuals namely Ara spp., Amazona spp, Psittacara leucophthalmus and Tapirus terrestris . The comparison of the absolute abundance of species with a prohibition of hunting or not presented a significant difference, showing that there is a greater slaughter of species without prohibition on hunting. The comparison of prohibited and non-prohibited hunting strategies had a significant difference, demonstrating the greater predominance of the use of permitted strategies. There is a greater slaughter of species without prohibition on hunting. Prohibited hunting strategies represent a punctual behavior within the community. The implementation of the Hunting Agreement pervades not only the population awareness of the population lag of the target species, but mainly cultural, behavioral, economic and legislative changes.

Wildlife and damage to agriculture: an ethnobiological approach with rural producers in southeastern Brazil

Some wild animal species quickly adapt to anthropogenic environments, producing unusually large populations, causing human-wildlife conflicts. The objective of this study is to understand the way the farmers perceive the fauna and the information they possess regarding the damages those animais inflict on their crops in southeastern Brazil. We collected data by presenting 200 questionnaires and conducting 22 semi-structured interviews with the rural producers in a region characterized by an agrarian matrix intermixed with small forest patches. Nearly every rural producer (99%) who answered the questionnaire (n = 107) had suffered wild animal-triggered economic losses, especially by the White-eyed Parakeet Psittacara leucophthalmus (51%), which attacked maize and fruit crops. A substantial portion of these farmers (38%) has employed some control method, including acoustic techniques (42.5%), like fireworks, and visual techniques (41%), like scarecrows. The farmers concurred that effective control methods are necessary for the White-eyed Parakeet, as current techniques proved inadequate. The understanding that the rural producers possess about the problem will facilitate designing new control strategies to manage this pest species. However, to ensure its success, a suitable management plan must be formulated to guarantee that the local rural occupations are maintained, incorporating human dimensions into wildlife management.

Eimeria psittacarae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeiriidae) from white-eyedparakeets Psittacara leucophthalmus (Müller, 1776) (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) kept for rehabilitation and reintroduction in the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, Southeastern Brazil.

A new species of coccidia (Protozoa: Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) found parasitizing the white-eyed parakeet Psittacara leucophthalmus (Müller, 1776) in Brazil is described. Eimeria psittacarae n. sp. has oocysts that are ellipsoidal, 34.8 × 24.3 μm, with smooth, bilayered wall, ~1.7 μm thick. Micropyle present. Oocyst residuum absent, but one or two polar granules are present. Sporocysts are elongate ellipsoidal, 19.2 × 9.7 μm. Stieda body knob-like and sub-Stieda body rounded. Sporocyst residuum is composed of granules that appear to be membrane-bounded. Sporozoites are vermiform with one refractile body and a nucleus. This is the sixth description of an eimeriid coccidium parasitizing a New World psittacine.

Exploração de recursos alimentares por psitacídeos (Aves: Psittaciformes) em uma área urbana no Brasil

Psitacídeos que vivem em cidades podem utilizar as praças urbanas como áreas para reprodução, refúgio ou alimentação. No entanto, existe pouco conhecimento sobre a dieta dessas aves nestes ambientes. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivos identificar os recursos alimentares explorados por psitacídeos em praças urbanas e verificar as estratégias de forrageamento utilizadas. Foram visitados 10 praças urbanas da cidade de Uberlândia, MG, Brasil, no período de maio a dezembro de 2011. As aves foram investigadas pelos métodos animal-focal e ad libitum. As observações foram realizadas pela manhã e no final da tarde, totalizando 480 h de esforço amostral. Foram registrados 278 eventos de alimentação de quatro espécies de psitacídeos: Eupsittula aurea, Psittacara leucophthalmus, Brotogeris chiriri e Diopsittaca nobilis. As aves observadas consumiram recursos alimentares de 33 espécies vegetais, incluindo frutos (somente polpa, polpa junto com semente ou somente semente), flores, néctar e folhas. As famílias de plantas mais exploradas foram Fabaceae, Bignoniaceae e Arecaceae. A dieta dos psitacídeos foi bastante diversificada, com a exploração de uma ampla gama de espécies vegetais, principalmente as exóticas. Isso evidencia a importância das praças urbanas na alimentação, permanência e conservação de algumas espécies de psitacídeos nos centros urbanos.

EFFECTS OF TRAMADOL ON THE MINIMUM ANESTHETIC CONCENTRATION OF ISOFLURANE IN WHITE-EYED PARAKEETS (PSITTACARA LEUCOPHTHALMUS).

The aim of this study was to determine the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) of isoflurane, and to investigate if tramadol changes the isoflurane MAC in white-eyed parakeets (Psittacara leucophthalmus). Ten adult birds weighing 157 ± 9 g were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen under mechanical ventilation. Isoflurane concentration for the first bird was adjusted to 2.2%, and after 15 min an electrical stimulus was applied in the thigh area to observe the response (movement or nonmovement). Isoflurane concentration for the subsequent bird was increased by 10% if the previous bird moved, or decreased by 10% if the previous bird did not move. This procedure was performed serially until at least four sequential crossover events were detected. A crossover event was defined as a sequence of two birds with different responses (positive or negative) to the electrical stimulus. Isoflurane MAC was calculated as the mean isoflurane concentration value at the crossover events. After 1 wk, the same birds were reanesthetized with isoflurane and MAC was determined at 15 and 30 min after intramuscular administration of 10 mg/kg of tramadol using the same method. A paired t-test (P < 0.05%) was used to detect significant differences for MAC between treatments. Isoflurane MAC in this population of white-eyed parakeets was 2.47 ± 0.09%. Isoflurane MAC values 15 and 30 min after tramadol administration were indistinguishable from each other (pooled value was 2.50 ± 0.18%); they were also indistinguishable from isoflurane MAC without tramadol. The isoflurane MAC value in white-eyed parakeets is higher than reported for other bird species. Tramadol (10 mg/kg, i.m.) does not change isoflurane MAC in these birds.

Two new feather mites of the genus Protonyssus Trouessart, 1916 (Acariformes: Xolalgidae) from Brazilian parakeets (Psittacidae), with a key to species

ABSTRACTThe feather mite genus Protonyssus Trouessart (Xolalgidae: Ingrassiinae) has included four species associated with Neotropical and Old World parrots. In this article, two new species are described from Brazilian parakeets: Protonyssus mironovi sp. nov. from Psittacara leucophthalmus (Statius Müller, 1776), and P. athoracicus sp. nov. from Brotogeris chiriri (Vieillot, 1818) (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae). A key to species of the genus Protonyssus is presented.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CE255F6D-014E-40BF-87DA-226C919F08CB

Complete mitochondrial genome of white-eyed parakeet (Psittacara leucophthalmus): the basal species to other Psittacara

Recently resurrected Psittacara genus is one of the 19 recognized in parrot tribe Arini. The status of taxa within Psittacara remains controversial because some forms are treated as species or subspecies depending on authorities. Evolutionary history of Psittacara is also unclear because related phylogenetic clades contain taxa from distant and non-overlapping regions. However, the basal placement of Psittacara leucophthalmus with wide South American distribution suggests that other taxa with restricted range could emerge by a local split of larger population. We sequenced P. leucophthalmus mitogenome to increase the set of sequences required to determine taxonomic level and phylogeny of Psittacara taxa.

English

The white-eyed parakeet ( Aratinga leucophthalma ), also known in Brazil as “periquitao-maracana,” “aratinga-de-bando,” “araguai” and “maritaca,” belongs to the family Psittacidae . The fungal genus Malassezia , which lives on the surface of the skin and mucosae of some mammals and birds, is a commensal organism that may sometimes act as a pathogen. This paper describes the presence of Malassezia spp at the edge of the eye of a white-eyed parakeet seized by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources­) and examined at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU) Veterinary Hospital. The examination of the bird revealed the presence of a small white rounded structure at the edge of its right eye. The bird was sedated and a fragment of the structure was removed and sent to the university’s Laboratory of Infectious Diseases. This material was seeded in blood and MacConkey agars and a slide was prepared and stained by the Gram-staining technique; no biochemical assays were performed. Reading was performed in an optical microscope under 100X magnification, revealing flattened oval colonies resembling purplish footprints, indicative of Malassezia spp. The bird was not treated because the structure gradually diminished in size until it disappeared completely after the animal was isolated in a clean well ventilated place and supplied with water and good quality food suitable for the species. It is believed that the development of the atypical and uncommon foreign body in the bird’s eye may have been caused by immunodepression resulting from the period of stress it underwent during wildlife trafficking.

Genotyping of Cryptosporidium spp. from free-living wild birds from Brazil

In wild and domestic birds, cryptosporidiosis is often associated with infections by Cryptosporidium galli, Cryptosporidium baileyi and Cryptosporidium meleagridis. In addition to these species, a number of avian Cryptosporidium species yet to be fully characterized are commonly found among exotic and wild avian isolates. The present study aimed to detect and identify samples of Cryptosporidium spp. from free-living wild birds, in order to contribute to the knowledge of the variability of this parasite in the free-living population of Brazil. Stool samples were collected from 242 birds, with the following proportions of individuals: 50 Emberizidae (20.7%), 112 Psittacidae (46.3%), 44 Cardinalidae (18.2%), 12 Turdidae (5.0%), eight Ramphastidae (3.3%), seven Icteridae (2.9%), three Estrilididae (1.2%), two Contigidae (0.8%), two Thraupidae (0.8%) and two Fringilidae (0.8%). Among the 242 fecal samples from wild birds, 16 (6.6%) were positive for the presence of oocysts of Cryptosporidium. Molecular characterization of the 16 samples of Cryptosporidium, were performed with phylogenetic reconstructions employing 292 positions of 18S rDNA. None of the samples of birds was characterized as C. meleagridis. C. galli was identified in one rufous-bellied thrush (Turdus rufiventris), five green-winged saltators (Saltator similis), one slate-coloured seedeater (Sporophila schistacea), one goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) and three saffron finches (Sicalis flaveola). One goldfinch isolate, one buffy-fronted seedeater (Sporophila frontalis), one red-cowled cardinal (Paroaria dominicana) and one other saffron finch (S. flaveola) were identified as C. baileyi. Avian genotype II was found in an isolate from a white-eyed parakeet (Aratinga leucophthalma). Clinical symptoms of cryptosporidiosis in birds have already been described and the number of wild birds which were shedding parasites was high. Therefore, further epidemiological research and disease surveillance of birds in the wild is warranted.

ABUNDANCE, HABITAT USE, AND MOVEMENTS OF BLUE-WINGED MACAWS (PRIMOLIUS MARACANA) AND OTHER PARROTS IN AND AROUND AN ATLANTIC FOREST RESERVE

The Blue-winged Macaw (Primolius maracana) has disappeared from most of southern Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay; its remaining southern stronghold is the 2,179-ha Caetetus Reserve, São Paulo state, Brazil. We estimated the macaw's population inside the reserve (88 individuals) and examined how it and other parrots use the extra-reserve landscape, which is dominated by coffee plantations and pasturelands. Flight activity of the macaw and Scaly-headed Parrot (Pionus maximiliani) declined with distance from Caetetus, although many macaws flew to the vicinity of the reserve to roost. Two other species, Canary-winged Parakeet (Brotogeris versicolurus) and White-eyed Parakeet (Aratinga leucophthalmus), used the landscape independent of the reserve itself. We recorded parrots in 90% of our 1-km2 study plots outside (<12 km) the reserve, but no species was recorded using pasture, coffee or rubber/orange plantations, or scrub habitats, which composed 80% of the landscape around the reserve. Only four habitat types were used by any species. Primary and secondary forests were the habitats most preferred; Eucalyptus plantation habitat was the only totally anthropogenic habitat used. Clearly, protection, and preferably augmentation, of forest cover around Caetetus may be crucial for the macaw's survival at this important site.