FORAGING ECOLOGY OF PSITTACINES IN THE TAMBOPATA NATIONAL RESERVE

Between May 2004 and April 2005 we observed 15 species of psittacines foraging along transects and during fortuitous encounters in the Tambopata National Reserve. Psittacines fed on 84 plant species from 62 genera and 30 families. We report 51 plant species as new food sources for psittacines in Southeastern Peru. The greatest foraging activity took place from 6:00 h to 7:00 h. The most consumed plant part was the seed (41% of 469 foraging encounters), followed by pulp (15%), whole fruit (13%), flower (12%), aril (10%), leaves (1.5%), bark (0.6%), floral buds (0.4%) and fruit juice (0.4%). We found no preference between ripe and unripe seed consumption (48% and 47% respectively), but other fruit parts were eaten mostly ripe (more than 67%)

PREDATION ON SCARLET MACAW (ARA MACAO CYANOPTERA) CHICKS BY COLLARED FOREST FALCONS (MICRASTUR SEMITORQUATUS) IN THE MAYA BIOSPHERE RESERVE, GUATEMALA

Abstract ∙ Through efforts of the Wildlife Conservation Society, poaching in an important Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao cyanoptera) nesting area in the Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala had been reduced to zero by 2004. However, during long‐term monitoring of the nesting success of Scarlet Macaws in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, unexplained or unknown disappearance of chicks from nests was common despite the aforementioned reduction in poaching. To determine the cause of these disappearances, we installed five video camera surveillance systems in the nest cavities during the 2008 nesting season. Fatal attacks on chicks by Collared Forest Falcons (Micrastur semitorquatus) were recorded at three of these nests. This result highlights natural predation as a limiting factor for the recruitment of new individuals into the Scarlet Macaw population in the Maya Biosphere Reserve even when poaching is suppressed.Resumen ∙ Depredación de pichones de Guacamayas Rojas (Ara macao cyanoptera) por Halcones Selváticos de Collar (Micrastur semitorquatus) en la Reserva de la Biosfera Maya, Guatemala A través de los esfuerzos de la Wildlife Conservation Society, el robo de pichones de Guacamayas Rojas (Ara macao cyanoptera) en una importante zona de anidación de la Reserva de la Biosfera Maya en Guatemala ha sido reducido a cero desde el año 2004. Sin embargo, durante el monitoreo a largo plazo del éxito de anidación de las guacamayas rojas en la Reserva de la Biosfera Maya, la desaparición por razones desconocidas de pichones de los nidos fue común a pesar de la reducción de robos anteriormente mencionada. Para determinar la causa de estas desapariciones, instalamos cinco sistemas de vigilancia de cámaras de video en los nidos durante la temporada de anidación de 2008. En tres de estos cinco nidos se registraron ataques fatales contra pichones por parte del Halcón Selvático de Collar (Micrastur semitorquatus). Este resultado destaca la depredación natural como un factor limitante para el reclutamiento de nuevos individuos en la población de Guacamayas Rojas en la Reserva de la Biosfera Maya, incluso cuando se suprime el robo de pichones.

Parrot population trends in Nicaragua revealed by long-term monitoring

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The effects of tourist and boat traffic on parrot geophagy in lowland Peru

© 2017 The Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation. Ecotourism generates important revenue in many developing economies, but poorly regulated ecotourism can threaten the long-term viability of key biological resources. We determined the effects of tourism, boat traffic, and natural disturbances on parrot geophagy (soil consumption) across seven riverine claylicks in the lowlands of Madre de Dios, Peru. Claylick use significantly decreased when visitors did not follow good practice guidelines and tourist numbers exceeded the capacity of the observation blinds. Otherwise, tourist presence and natural disturbance did not have a significant effect. However, large macaws, particularly Red-and-green Macaws (Ara chloropterus), avoided visiting claylicks during periods of peak tourist numbers. Where parrots had multiple geophagy sites to choose from, they preferred sites further from tourist groups. The effect of boat disturbance was greatest on a narrow river with infrequent boat events. On a wider river with heavier traffic, boat disturbance had less of an effect and this effect was inversely proportional to the distance of boats from the claylick. Where visitors followed good-practice tourism guidelines, they had a low overall negative effect on parrot geophagy. We recommend that visitors respect the claylick observation guidelines to minimize anthropogenic disturbance on parrots and maintain these sites for the benefit of wildlife and humans alike

Satellite telemetry of Blue-throated Macaws in Barba Azul Nature Reserve (Beni, Bolivia) reveals likely breeding areas

The Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis) is a Critically Endangered species endemic to the Llanos de Moxos ecosystem of Beni, Bolivia. To aid conservation of the northwestern population that utilizes the Barba Azul Nature Reserve during the non-breeding season, we set out to learn the sites where these birds breed using satellite telemetry. We describe preliminary tests conducted on captive birds (at Loro Parque Foundation, Tenerife, Spain) that resulted in choosing Geotrak Parrot Collars, a metal, battery-operated unit that provides data through the Argos satellite system. In September 2019, we tagged three birds in Barba Azul with Geotrak collars, and received migration data for two birds, until battery depletion in November and December 2019. Our two migrant birds were tracked leaving Barba Azul on the same date (27 September), but departed in divergent directions (approximately 90 degrees in separation). They settled in two sites approximately 50-100 km from Barba Azul. Some details of the work are restricted out of conservation concern as the species still faces poaching pressures. Knowing their likely breeding grounds, reserve managers conducted site visits to where the birds were tracked, resulting in the discovery of breeding birds, although no birds still carrying a transmitter were seen then. A single individual still carrying its collar was spotted 13 August 2021 at Barba Azul. The work suggests that the Blue-throated Macaws of Barba Azul use breeding sites that are scattered across the Llanos de Moxos region, although within the recognized boundaries of the northwestern subpopulation. We conclude that the use of satellite collars is a feasible option for research with the species and could provide further conservation insights

COMPOSICIÓN FLORÍSTICA Y DIVERSIDAD EN CUATRO TIPOS DE HÁBITATS DEL BOSQUE HÚMEDO AMAZÓNICO DE TAMBOPATA, MADRE DE DIOS, PERÚ

El bosque húmedo amazónico es uno de los ecosistemas más biodiversos y al mismo tiempo más amenazado de la biosfera. Sus distintos tipos de hábitats proporcionan un patrón florístico único. Por tal motivo, el objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la composición florística del estrato arbóreo en un área de bosque húmedo amazónico y determinar los patrones locales de diversidad en sus distintos tipos de hábitats. Este estudio fue conducido en los alrededores del Centro de Investigaciones de Tambopata, Madre de Dios, Perú. Para alcanzar los objetivos se establecieron 20 parcelas de 50 × 30 m distribuidas equitativamente en cuatro tipos de hábitats, siendo estos: Bosque de Aguajal, Bosque de Bajío, Bosque Sucesional y Bosque de Tierra Firme. En cada parcela se colectó todos los individuos con diámetro a la altura del pecho (DAP) ≥ a 10 cm. Posteriormente, los individuos fueron identificados y clasificados mediante análisis de agrupamiento y diversidad. Se encontraron 57 familias, 173 géneros, 300 especies y 1958 individuos. Fabaceae fue la familia con mayor número de géneros (19) y especies (36), mientras Arecaceae fue la familia con mayor número de individuos (603). El análisis de agrupamiento mostró una alta correlación cofenética entre hábitats (0,94). El análisis de biodiversidad mostró que el Bosque de Bajío y el Bosque de Tierra Firme son los hábitats con mayor representatividad florística. Este estudio evidencia la riqueza de los bosques húmedos amazónicos, al mismo tiempo que observa los patrones locales de cada tipo de hábitat.The Amazon rainforest is one of the most biodiverse and at the same time most threatened ecosystems in the biosphere. Its different habitats provide a unique floristic pattern. Therefore, we aimed to identify the floristic arboreal composition in an area of the Amazon rainforest and determine the local patterns of diversity in its different habitats. This study was conducted around the Tambopata Research Center, Madre de Dios, Peru. To achieve our goals, we established 20 (50 × 30 m) plots distributed equally in four habitats, these being: Mauritia Palm Swamp, Floodplain Forest, Successional Floodplain Forest, and Tierra Firme Forest. In each plot, we collected all individuals with a diameter at a breast height ≥ of 10 cm. Subsequently, the individuals were identified and classified by cluster and diversity analysis. We found 57 families, 173 genera, 300 species, and 1958 individuals. Fabaceae was the family with the highest number of genera (19) and species (36), while Arecaceae was the family with the highest number of individuals (603). Clustering analysis showed a high cophenetic correlation for habitats (0.94). The biodiversity analysis showed that the Floodplain Forest and the Tierra Firme Forest are the habitats with the highest floristic representation. This study evidences the richness of the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, at the same time that it observes the local patterns of each habitat

Parrots Eat Nutritious Foods despite Toxins

Generalist herbivores are challenged not only by the low nitrogen and high indigestibility of their plant foods, but also by physical and chemical defenses of plants. This study investigated the foods of wild parrots in the Peruvian Amazon and asked whether these foods contain dietary components that are limiting for generalist herbivores (protein, lipids, minerals) and in what quantity; whether parrots chose foods based on nutrient content; and whether parrots avoid plants that are chemically defended.We made 224 field observations of free-ranging parrots of 17 species in 8 genera foraging on 102 species of trees in an undisturbed tropical rainforest, in two dry seasons (July-August 1992-1993) and one wet season (January-February1994). We performed laboratory analyses of parts of plants eaten and not eaten by parrots and brine shrimp assays of toxicity as a proxy for vertebrates. Parrots ate seeds, fruits, flowers, leaves, bark, and insect larvae, but up to 70% of their diet comprised seeds of many species of tropical trees, in various stages of ripeness. Plant parts eaten by parrots were rich in protein, lipid, and essential minerals, as well as potentially toxic chemicals. Seeds were higher than other plant materials in protein and lipid and lower in fiber. Large macaws of three species ate foods higher in protein and lipids and lower in fiber compared to plant parts available but not eaten. Macaws ate foods that were lower in phenolic compounds than foods they avoided. Nevertheless, foods eaten by macaws contained measurable levels of toxicity. Macaws did not appear to make dietary selections based on mineral content.Parrots represent a remarkable example of a generalist herbivore that consumes seeds destructively despite plant chemical defenses. With the ability to eat toxic foods, rainforest-dwelling parrots exploited a diversity of nutritious foods, even in the dry season when food was scarce for other frugivores and granivores

How useful are volunteers for visual biodiversity surveys? An evaluation of skill level and group size during a conservation expedition

The ability of volunteers to undertake different tasks and accurately collect data is critical for the success of many conservation projects. In this study, a simulated herpetofauna visual encounter survey was used to compare the detection and distance estimation accuracy of volunteers and more experienced observers. Experience had a positive effect on individual detection accuracy. However, lower detection performance of less experienced volunteers was not found in the group data, with larger groups being more successful overall, suggesting that working in groups facilitates detection accuracy of those with less experience. This study supports the idea that by optimizing survey protocols according to the available resources (time and volunteer numbers), the sampling efficiency of monitoring programs can be improved and that non-expert volunteers can provide valuable contributions to visual encounter-based biodiversity surveys. Recommendations are made for the improvement of survey methodology involving non-expert volunteers

Being Attractive Brings Advantages: The Case of Parrot Species in Captivity

Background: Parrots are one of the most frequently kept and bred bird orders in captivity. This increases poaching and thus the potential importance of captive populations for rescue programmes managed by zoos and related institutions. Both captive breeding and poaching are selective and may be influenced by the attractiveness of particular species to humans. In this paper, we tested the hypothesis that the size of zoo populations is not only determined by conservation needs, but also by the perceived beauty of individual parrot species assessed by human observers. Methodology/Principal Findings: For the purpose of data collection, we defined four sets of species (40 parrots, 367 parrots, 34 amazons, 17 macaws). Then, we asked 776 human respondents to evaluate parrot pictures of the selected species according to perceived beauty and we analyzed its association with color and morphological characters. Irrespective of the species set, we found a good agreement among the respondents. The preferred species tended to be large, colorful, and long-tailed. Conclusions/Significance: We repeatedly confirmed significant, positive association between the perceived beauty and the size of worldwide zoo population. Moreover, the range size and body size appeared to be significant predictors of zoo population size. In contrast, the effects of other explanatory variables, including the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) listing, appeared insignificant. Our results may suggest that zoos preferentially keep beautifu