Reproductive ecology and conservation of Alder Amazon (Amazona tucumana)

Luis Rivera

Basic biological information for many neotropical parrot species is lacking; this information is a prerequisite to identify threats, effectively monitor population trends, and evaluate the conservation and management actions required. Specifically, there is a lack of this essential information for Alder Amazon (Amazona tucumana) for which population status, ecology, and reproductive biology are poorly known. Furthermore, population numbers have declined dramatically in the 20th century due to habitat loss and pet trade, driving this species to be considered rare and endangered, and assigned with high conservation and research priority. The goal of this project was to study the ecology and breeding biology of Alder Amazon in Argentine Yungas and determine how forest practices affect the species´ reproductive success to develop a forest management strategy that will assure the conservation of the species.