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.
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 Name | First Name | Country | Volunteer Region | Organization |
---|---|---|---|---|
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.
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!
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.
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
Donate
Your donation will support
- Purchase of binoculars, field notebooks, and GPS devices for network participants who lack access to these basic tools
- Workshops to train participants
- Conservation of threatened populations identified through the census.
Will you help these parrots? Donate today!
For More…
To find out more about the status of yellow-naped amazons.