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This project is implemented in Colombia by the national NGO Fundación ProAves, the LPF having established principal funding in 2003, following initial collaboration in 2002. The principal objective of the project is to ensure the recovery of four threatened parrot species restricted to the Cordillera Central of Colombia, and to protect their associated habitats through an extensive network of private nature reserves across key areas. The parrot species involved are Fuertes’s parrot Hapalopsittaca fuertesi (CR), Rusty-faced parrot H. amazonina (EN), Golden-plumed parrot Leptosittaca branickii (VU), and Rufous-fronted parrot Bolborhynchus ferrugineifrons (EN).

To achieve the objective, the following activities are in operation:

1. Monitoring of threatened species populations

Monitoring threatened parrot species across the Cordillera to determine population densities and trends.
Habitat characterization; surveys and phenological studies
Detailed GIS analysis; with vegetation maps produced, actual and potential distribution maps for each species elaborated, conservation gaps, potential threats, and priority areas for parrot conservation identified.
Identify and check potential areas to encounter species; extrapolated using GIS data

2. Identification of priority areas for conserving concentrations of threatened parrots.

3. Protection ofviable populations of threatened species with Nature Reserve networks in priority areas.

Conservation action

Establish a network of private nature reserves at priority areas for threatened parrots in the Central Cordillera; focusing on Genova (Quindío), Toche (Tolima), Planadas (Tolima) and Rio Blanco (Risaralda).
Design management plans and prioritise zones within each priority area.

4. Extensive artificial nest box study: Provision of 150 nesting sites for Hapalopsittaca spp. and other species, and intensive monitoring.

5. Reforestation: seedling nurseries and reforestation of regenerating areas.

6. Promotion of local environmental awareness, focusing on parrots as flagship species for their habitats.

Local and regional Environmental Awareness and Education

Local monitoring: Eco-groups established at key localities in the Cordillera Central.
Local workshops for teachers and reserve owners to provide technical capacity & awareness
Encourage community events on key environmental dates - with assistance for resources and material
Local radio broadcasts.

In 2003, the project team completed detailed surveys of parrots at 5 sites across the Central Cordillera of Colombia, especially in search of the Critically Endangered Fuertes’s Parrot . By late-2003, after almost a year of searches, key sites were located for threatened parrots across the region, including the population stronghold identified for H. fuertesi.

In August 2003, the first project phase of searches terminated, and the second phase of conservation action commenced in earnest. After working with key stakeholders and governmental bodies, many successes were achieved, including the following results:

1,500 ha of montane forest in Alto Quindío – “El Mirador Nature Reserve” managed by ProAves specifically for Fuertes’s Parrot and Golden-plumed Parrot.
a 4,000 ha buffer zone to Las Hermosas National Park declared by the Colombian Government to protect montane forest and páramo, also managed by ProAves.
Over 200 nest boxes installed for Fuertes’s Parrot, and by mid-2004 15 nest-boxes occupied by this species, with 15 chicks fledged, representing 25% of the estimated total population.
Two nest-boxes occupied by Golden-plumed Parakeets, and one active natural nest discovered.

The new protected area has been nominated as an Important Bird Area (BirdLife International classification). In late 2003 the process started of strengthening the protected area secured and also beginning environmental awareness activities with local communities and schools, as well as providing incentives for the creation of more protected areas. Further results were:

15,000 large glossy posters distributed which illustrate threatened parrots in Colombia.

Four short videos on five endangered parrots and their threatened habitats produced.
55 Colombian students trained in bird research and conservation.

Financial support:€62,900

Conservation of threatened parrots of the Cordillera Central, Colombia

1. Monitoring of threatened species populations