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Conservation of the Thick-billed Parrot, Mexico
Region: |
North
of the City of Madera in the Sierra Madre Occidental,
Chihuahua, Mexico |
Partner: |
Pronatura
Noreste |
Initiation: |
April 2007 |
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| Thick-billed Parrot. Photo: Javier
Cruz |
Introduction: The
Endangered Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha),
which once occurred in the United States in Arizona, is now
found inhabiting the old-growth forests of the Sierra Madre
Occidental in north central Mexico. These forests are also home
to over 270 species of birds, including some of the most endangered,
such as the parrot, the Mexican subspecies of the Spotted
Owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), and the Band-tailed
Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata).
Short-rotation logging of forests
in the Sierra Madre Occidental and fires have eliminated all
but 0.06% percent of old growth forests. The remaining forests
face continued threat from timber harvest and clearing. The
Thick-billed Parrots are often found in old quaking aspens
(Populus tremuloides), a species which occurs at
only a few sites in the Sierra Madre Occidental, probably
because the aspens have large enough cavities, which the surrounding
trees do not. As with many secondary cavity nesting species,
nest sites may be a limiting factor for the parrots, possibly
resulting from the extinction of the Imperial Woodpecker,
a species which produced many of the cavities where the parrots
preferred to nest.
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| Photo: Mike Parr |
Objective:
To improve reproductive success of the Thick-billed Parrot
by protecting key nesting colonies and increasing the number
of nest sites through placement of nest boxes.
Actions:
1. Acquire and protect at least 1000 hectares (2470 acres)
of nesting habitat.
2. Put up nest boxes to increase number of nest sites available
to parrots.
3. Establish monitoring for the Thick-billed Parrot populations
and nest success.
4. Create and implement a management plan for newly-acquired
lands.
Accomplishments:
1. During summer of 2008 Thick-billed Parrots nested in three
of twenty nest boxes placed at the nesting area near Madera,
Chihuahua, and four chicks hatched and fledged
2. A parcel of about 247 hectares (611 acres) was acquired
as part of a larger purchase totaling 1000 hectares (2470
acres) at Mesa de las Guacamayas, Chihuahua. The site is the
most important northern breeding area for the parrots.
For more information about this project,
please contact
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