Thick-Billed Parrots

By Andrew Kessler

ECOLOGY

The thick-billed parrot is an average sized parrot that has both green and red coloration.  Since this is a medium-sized parrot, it has been categorized in numerous bird groups such as macaw and conure.  The thick-billed parrot is under the genus Rhynchopsitta, which only contains two species, the other species being the maroon-fronted parrot.    A thick-billed parrot’s diet consists of mostly pine seeds and acorns, although they also consume some juniper berries, agave nectar, insect larvae and conifer buds.  These thick-billed parrots are known to be very social because they live in large groups and can handle cold climates.  Thick-billed parrots also tend to fly in V formations when flying long distances.  These parrots mate during the beginning of summer and their eggs are hatched between July and August.  Just like most birds, the parents must provide food and shelter for newborns after they are hatched. 

                                         Thick-billed parrot

                  http://bib.ge/img_animal/23429246tmehnqwervfdcx.jpg

GEOGRAPHY

 It is now only found in Mexico, although it once also occupied areas in the southwestern United States. The thick-billed parrot usually lives in temperate forests at high elevation.  The first records of thick-billed parrots in 1941 identified them to have populated northern Mexico.  They also lived in New Mexico and Arizona up until the 1990s, when they solely occupied northern Mexico.  

                                         Map of thick-billed parrot ranges

                   https://www.defenders.org/sites/default/files/thick-billed-parrot-range-map.jpg

POPULATION

The population of thick-billed parrots, which has always been somewhat small, is currently endangered and declining due to habitat destruction.  Their total population was estimated around 4,000 in the early 2000s, although recent surveys have showed the population to be around 2,800. 

LISTING

Thick-billed parrots were listed as endangered on June 2^nd, 1970 in the Southwestern United States, and they eventually became extinct in this area.  Even though they became extinct in the United States and have been declining in Mexico for many years, no official recovery plan was made until 2009.

THREATS

The major threat to thick-billed parrots is habitat destruction for logging.  Thick-billed parrots rely on conifer forests in the Sierra Madre Occidental.  Since the thick-billed parrot’s primary source of food is pine seeds, it needs the pine trees in these conifer forests.  The conifer forests in Mexico are decreasing fairly rapidly, which is causing a rapid loss of food for thick-billed parrots.  There are two minor threats that contribute to the population decline of thick-billed parrots.  The two threats are an abundance of wildfires that also destroy the conifer forests and the parrots being captured for the illegal pet trade.  Unless changes occur to the destruction of forests in Mexico, the thick-billed parrots could easily become extinct. 

                                         Deforestation in Mexico   

                  http://www.ecology.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/deforestation-mexico-524.jpg

RECOVERY PLAN

The recovery plan created to protect and restore the populations of thick-billed parrots has five important goals:

1.      Protect existing populations and their habitats

2.      Survey, monitor, and research the population and habitat

3.      Manage habitat for future thick-billed parrot population growth

4.      Reduce or eliminate threats, such as illegal pet trade, timber harvesting, and high intensity fire

5.      Build partnerships and educate the public

With an estimated total cost of recovery at around $6,000, this recovery plan seems very well organized and thought through   The ultimate goal of this recovery plan is to move thick-billed parrots from the endangered list to just the threatened list.  The most important step is probably the education of the public, because the public can provide so much additional benefits.  The public can help provide donations, get involved in the prevention of deforestation, and spread awareness of the recovery efforts for thick-billed parrots.         

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

 There are many ways for everyone to help out thick-billed parrots.  This website, http://www.defenders.org/thick-billed-parrot/what-you-can-do, shows the many steps one could take to support thick-billed parrots.  Some of the efforts could include donating, speaking to others about issues facing these parrots and sending messages to government leaders. 

Works Cited

Lamberski, Nadine, and Susan Healy. "The Thick-billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta Pachyrhyncha)."

Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 16.1 (2002): 50-52. Web.

N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=1584>.

N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.defenders.org/thick-billed-parrot/basic-facts>.

N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.fws.gov/endangered/species/recovery-plans.html>.