|
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 |
 |
|
 |
| Photo: Mike Parr |
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.
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. Put up nest boxes to increase number of nest sites available
to parrots.
2. Establish monitoring for the Thick-billed Parrot populations
and nest success.
3. Create a conservation plan for the Thick-billed Parrot.
Accomplishments:
1. Nest boxes have been placed and will be monitored in Summer
2008.
For more information about this project,
please contact
|
Mission and Vision 
Up to Parent Page
