In early 2021, the conservation NGO Macaw Recovery Network (MRN) officially brought the Endangered Yellow-naped Parrot (Amazona auropalliata; YNP) under its protection. Much like its larger Macaw cousins, YNPs are at risk due to deforestation and capture for the illegal pet trade. When MRN assumed guardianship of this species, they set out to accomplish two main objectives for the year: partner with Equipo Tora Carey (ETC) to monitor the breeding pairs in the El Jobo community and to conduct a baseline census of the Parrot throughout its range in Costa Rica.
Monitoring the species during the breeding season proved to be an intense learning curve for both MRN and ETC. The terrain of El Jobo’s islands and the nesting choices of the YNPs are very different from the terrain and nests of the larger Macaws the team is accustomed to. Additionally, poaching habits in the community were difficult to intercept and change, but ETC has had great success within the community regarding education for the protection of sea turtle eggs, and they are optimistic behavior change towards the Parrots is within reach as well.
When the breeding season ended in May, there were fewer confirmed fledges than what the teams had hoped for. What it revealed is the need for more intense monitoring of the species in addition to increased education to boost the number of YNPs flying free. Regardless, they are confident they’ve established a good baseline for continued protection of the parrots in El Jobo and are already making plans for increased monitoring next season.
Following the completion of the 2021 breeding season, MRN quickly refocused and made plans for the census. The last time a baseline count of the YNP had been conducted was in 2016, meaning it was time to gather more recent data. In true MRN fashion, the count needed to be fun as well as informative. Due to the pandemic and joining the team when work was primarily virtual, many of the team members who gathered for the count had never met in person. Their coming together was a celebration for both the Parrots and the team, providing space for everyone to laugh and work together while uniting in their enthusiasm to protect the Parrots of Costa Rica.
The census took place in June and was coordinated by MRN’s new Bird Programs Manager, César Sánchez. It included 20 count locations, more than 15 team members from four conservation organizations (MRN, ETC, Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center and rangers from the Area de Conservación Tempisque), a fleet of vehicles, and took place over the course of three days. An undertaking such as this is only possible when those with a heart for parrot conservation support groups like MRN.
The best method for counting is at each sunrise and sunset, which are the times during which you can expect the parrots to be leaving or returning to their roost. A roost is a location where a group of birds sleep and, during the non-breeding season, most of the YNPs in an area will all sleep in the same roost. This makes getting an accurate count more likely, but you must keep those eyes and ears sharp.
By the end of the three-day count, a total of 1195 individual YNPs were recorded. Some locations that were visited during the 2016 count were unavailable for access during this most recent count, but there were also new locations visited this year that the 2016 count omitted. This indicates some discrepancies, albeit minor ones, between the two counts. Ultimately, the numbers revealed two main things: more frequent counts need to be conducted and there is a limited number of YNP strongholds in Costa Rica – being proactive is the only way to protect them.
This census provided MRN with an important baseline population estimate that can be used for further investigation. The variation (monthly, seasonally, yearly) is worth further investigation and getting to the sites regularly will also allow MRN to build relationships within those communities. Being present and having the support of parrot lovers across the world will allow them to continue their mission of protecting the Parrots of Costa Rica.
Brittany Decker
Communications Manager
