About Us

Yellow-naped amazons are an iconic species of Mesoamerica that ranges from Mexico North to Costa Rica. These colorful parrots used to be easily found at night roosts throughout their range in dry forest and mangrove habitat. These parrots are now facing serious threats. Poaching for the pet trade is resulting in nearly complete reproductive failure at sites where the parrots have been studied. Habitat loss due to agricultural conversion, development, and climate change is encroaching on their habitat. These combined threats have resulted in a status change to endangered by the IUCN.

We urgently need population data to make informed management decisions about yellow-naped amazons. Thus we have developed a census network to engage volunteers from the parrots home countries to assist in counting the parrots at their roosts.

Network volunteers do not have to be professional ornithologists; advanced students, avid birdwatchers, and local conservationists may all participate in the network. Thus, you could help make a difference in the survival of this species. Our data will help us understand the range-wide status of yellow-naped amazons. That will lead to more informed management and conservation efforts with agencies and countries.

Field Staff

A Nicaraguan field research team featuring (from left) Martin Lezama-López, Dominique Hellmich, Tim Wright and Grace Smith-Vidaurre.

How do I participate?

Anyone with some biology or conservation training may be eligible to participate in the network. All that is required is that you commit to our training procedures and a regular schedule of roost counts using our standard protocol. The benefits of participation include:

Email a letter of interest, a resume/CV and two references to mesoparrots@gmail.com. If selected to participate you will be provided with roost count training information and invited to share data via a shared Google spreadsheet.

The Network Participants

Our network participants are volunteers committed to parrot conservation. They volunteer their time to monitor yellow-naped amazons in the wild or otherwise help with their conservation. Many participants work in their home countries within Mesoamerica, but some travel from abroad.

Last NameFirst NameCountryVolunteer RegionOrganization
Last Name:
Artavia Duran
First Name:
Eduardo
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
Irigaray & Cañas Dulce
Organization:
Area de Conservacion Guanacaste
Last Name:
Bakkers
First Name:
Sandra
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
Costa Rica
Organization:
AsaProLapa
Last Name:
Brightsmith
First Name:
Donald
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
Costa Rica
Organization:
Texas A&M University
Last Name:
Dahlin
First Name:
Christine
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
Guanacaste
Organization:
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Last Name:
Gutierrez Vargas
First Name:
Ignacio
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
San Jose & Central Valley
Organization:
Universidad de Costa Rica
Last Name:
Haines
First Name:
Jack
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
Tempisque Conservation Area
Organization:
Macaw Recovery Network
Last Name:
Kiacz
First Name:
Simon
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
Costa Rica
Organization:
Texas A&M University
Last Name:
Marta Chavarría
First Name:
María
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
Cuajiniquil
Organization:
Area de Conservacion Guanacaste
Last Name:
Sánchez
First Name:
César
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
Costa Rica
Organization:
Independent
Last Name:
Sandoval
First Name:
Luis
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
San Jose & Central Valley
Organization:
Universidad de Costa Rica
Last Name:
Solano Benes
First Name:
Evelyn
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
Irigaray & Cañas Dulce
Organization:
Area de Conservacion Guanacaste
Last Name:
Vigo Trauco
First Name:
Gabriela
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
Costa Rica
Organization:
Texas A&M University
Last Name:
Wright
First Name:
Timothy
Country:
Costa Rica
Volunteer Region:
Guanacaste
Organization:
New Mexico State University
Last Name:
Joyner
First Name:
LoraKim
Country:
Guatemala
Volunteer Region:
Guatemala
Organization:
One Earth Conservation
Last Name:
Pasch
First Name:
Grete
Country:
Guatemala
Volunteer Region:
South East
Organization:
The Lost Tinamou
Last Name:
Contreras
First Name:
Cristina
Country:
Mexico
Volunteer Region:
Chiapas
Organization:
Pro natura-sur, a.c.
Last Name:
Jiménez Díaz
First Name:
Edith Belén
Country:
Mexico
Volunteer Region:
Chiapas
Organization:
Pro natura-sur, a.c.
Last Name:
Macias Caballero
First Name:
Claudia
Country:
Mexico
Volunteer Region:
Chiapas
Organization:
Pro natura-sur, a.c.
Last Name:
Lezama-López
First Name:
Martin
Country:
Nacaragua
Volunteer Region:
Nicaragua
Organization:
Biodiversidad Red RSP
Last Name:
Dupin
First Name:
Molly
Country:
Various
Volunteer Region:
Mesoamerica
Organization:
New Mexico State University

Our Partners and Sponsors

Conservation of yellow-naped amazons would not be possible without the incredible support of our partners and sponsors. If you are interested in become a supporter and helping to save yellow-naped amazons, then contact us now at mesoparrots@gmail.com.

Range Map

Mesoamerica is a historical region and cultural area in North America. The range extends from approximately central Mexico and continues through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica.

Sites Surveyed

Past census data in Costa Rica dating back more than 10 years has revealed a greater than 50% decline in the population. The MPCN has now extended our survey throughout the other countries in Mesoamerica where the yellow-naped amazon was historically found.

Click a marker on the map to see details about each site.

Second Big Week for the Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot

Once common, Yellow-naped Amazons lost more than 90% of their population across their range due to poaching for the pet trade and habitat loss.  In 2022, biologists from many different organizations held the very first BIG WEEK for the parrots across Costa Rica. During that week, parrot populations were counted across the country at their historic roosting sites. Last year’s count helped us:

  • Track the parrot population over time at historic roosting sites. We have been tracking some roosts for over 20 years!
  • Discover new roosting sites
  • Raise awareness about this critically endangered parrot

2023 is the year of the second BIG WEEK, leading to more discoveries and greater understanding of a stunning species!

Everyone can participate!

  • Biologists & birdwatchers; you can help count!
  • Contact mesoparrots@gmail.com
  • Everyone else: you can join the fun! Record your yellow-nape sightings!
  • Use our online survey:
  • OR just click the links below!
  • Your photo might be featured!
Parrot Sightings by Survey

Our Workshop

Our first workshop was held at the Horizontes Experimental Forestry Station, Area de Conservacion Guanacaste in Costa Rica from March 20th-22nd. This workshop featured training sessions on our standard roost-counting procedures, tree climbing, vocal recording and nest-box building. In addition network participants presented their own research.

Latest News

To follow the adventures of our volunteers in the field or share your own stories about wild yellow-naped amazons see our facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/parrotcensus@parrotcensus

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