PARROT LIST TIME LINE

The parrot list today has been developed over a number of years as part of the overall bird list of species that have been seen at REGUA.

Parrot List 2009

When the bird list was originally developed prior to 2004 it included several other Parrots. However this list was discredited by some well known Brazilian ornithologists because it was deemed that some of the birds listed (not necessarily the parrots) were very unlikely to be at REGUA. For this reason the bird list was started again in 2005/2006 largely with the support and advice of Fabio Olmos who spent many weeks wandering the forests of REGUA. Fabio Olmos is one of the leading bird experts in Brazil and was working for Birdlife at the time. Since then most of the original list has been re-instated but at least 30 birds did not make it back onto this list which included 4 parrot species – Golden-tailed Parrotlet, Golden-capped Parakeet, Blue-throated Parakeet and Vinaceous Parrot.

Original Parrot List pre-2004

Listed as a possible escapee was

Because of these discrepancies I decided I must do a Parrot survey to find out if these other Parrot species were in fact at REGUA. With the aid of the previous list and referring to several parrot books (see Reference Page) I came up with 3 lists

1)      Parrot species list         – Parrots on the REGUA bird list

2)      Possible inclusions list   – Parrots reported in this area but not confirmed

3)      Outside possibilities list – Parrots not reported in this area but shown on general maps in reference books

 Parrot List 2007

Possible Inclusions List

Outside Possibilities List

*The Golden-tailed Parrotlet was re-instated to the bird list in July 2006 as a group of 9 were seen past the waterfall.

**The Blue-fronted Parrot Amazona aestiva was added to the bird list in 2008. Although listed as a possible escapee a pair of these parrots has been seen. Rather than escapees these parrots could have been released by IBAMA after a confiscation of caged birds but there is no evidence to suggest either way or in fact that they could even be there under their own initiative.

Blue-fronted Parrots were also noted in the visitor’s book in November 2005 by Hein Masseling from Holland who was at REGUA at the same time as myself. Unfortunately I was not involved in the parrot survey at that time and therefore regrettably I did not pursue the sighting.

***The Peach-fronted Parakeet Aratinga aurea was added to the list in May 2009 with a pair being seen and photographed in the wetland area of REGUA  by Adelei on the 27th May 2009.

After the survey in November 2007 a book was left in the lodge at REGUA for visitors to note their Parrot sightings so hopefully when I go back there may be more details to update here.

Reasons for including Parrots on ‘Possible Inclusions List’

Golden-capped Parakeet, Blue-throated Parakeet, Blue fronted Parrot and Vinaceous Parrot were all included in this list purely for the fact that they were on the original bird list and upon reading through details in most parrot books they would support this reasoning and in fact as previously stated the Blue-fronted Parrot has indeed now been added to the list officially.

Some people may think it very optimistic of me to include the Red-browed Parrot in this list including myself sometimes, however Helmut Sick gave the range of this parrot to include Rio de Janeiro state although this may be historical (Pocas das Antes 1968 and Silva Jardim - an area not far from REGUA). Although these areas are now protected for the Golden-lion Tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) I do not know of any recent sightings and they are isolated forest areas therefore the species may have died out or simply been poached in this area.

I am ever the optimist and even though they may not be here now then there may be an opportunity to develop REGUA as another area for the re-introduction of this species.

Reasons for including Parrots on ‘Outside Possibilities List’

These Parrots were all added as possibilities purely due to the range maps within several parrot books and although these maps tend to be very small therefore very vague in perameters I felt it necessary to include these within our survey so that we did not get blinkered on the few other parrots that may occur within REGUA.

I realise now that the large macaws both Red and Green and Blue and Yellow are highly unlikely to occur here as the habitat has been so depleted however the Red and Green Macaw would appear to have an historical link with the Littoral part of the Atlantic Rainforest (from Bahia down to Rio de Janeiro). There are no skins of these 2 species of Macaws, labeled as taken from this region, in the Natural History Museum in Tring, UK.

The Red-shouldered Macaw, Peach-fronted Parakeet, Maroon-faced Parakeet and Blue-headed Parrot are all listed as being in Rio de Janeiro state by Helmut Sick whereas the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet is listed as a visitor in January, April and October.

The Peach-fronted Parakeet has, as written above, been seen at REGUA therefore it justifies my reasons for having an ‘Outside Possibilities List’.

The Mealy Parrot is listed as occurring in the far east of Minais Gerais state which is on the Rio de Janeiro border.

AN EXTRAORDINARY RECORD

One species I have never considered to be in this area at all has been the Yellow-faced Parrot Alipiopsitta xanthops (formerly Amazona xanthops) however it is listed as visiting Serra dos Tucanos lodge grounds as well as some of the trails within a short distance from this lodge usually in July each year. It is listed in the Serra dos Tucanos bird book and I have had extensive talks with Andy Foster the owner of the lodge who is a very capable bird guide therefore I have no reason to doubt these sightings. I always like to have hard evidence in the form of photographs and as of yet nobody has been able to do this for me. (note:- most of the sightings are very quick glimpses and usually identified by call sounds).

Serra dos Tucanos falls within the boundaries of the Tres Picos Park as does REGUA so if it is at one it could theoretically occur at REGUA.

Although this Parrot species is described as a nomadic parrot there are no other sightings recorded within Rio de Janeiro state (Serra dos Tucanos is well inside the boundaries of the Rio de Janeiro state) either historical or recent that I can find.

Whilst this is good to see a new parrot species in this area it makes me wonder what is happening to its existing range if it is traveling so far and further investigation may be necessary although as previously stated its nomadic traits make this a very difficult parrot to observe.

I will follow this up as I can and Andy Foster is trying to help me here.