 |
| |
Three Pyrrhura parakeets are endemic to tiny ranges within Colombia and all are threatened with extinction from habitat loss. The Santa Marta parakeet P. viridicata is endemic to the northern montane slopes of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and considered Endangered; the Flame-winged parakeet P. calliptera is restricted to humid timberline ecotone of the Cordillera Oriental and considered Vulnerable; and the Sinú parakeet P. subandina is known from 17 specimens in the lowland Rio Sinú valley of NW Colombia and considered Critically Endangered.
The Colombian national NGO, Fundación ProAves initiated pilot efforts on each species in 2004 (between 2-8 months) to assess logistics and identify key study sites.Worryingly, it has not been possible to locate P. subandina, although nesting sites of the other two species were successfully located.
With LPF support the project will now initiate a concerted effort to ascertain the current status of two of the species, P. subandina and P.calliptera through field searches and standardised monitoring protocols. The aim is to rediscover P. subandina after over 80 years and provide artificial nest-boxes for calliptera to assess the value of this conservation tool. Results of Project Pyrrhura in 2005 will be the basis for elaborating a detailed a conservation action plan with the aim of securing the future survival of all three species.
The LPF is providing funds to this project from 2005.
Financial support:€15,630