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:

Invitations...

to participate in future training workshops.

Authorship...

on any resulting publications upon the completion of 12 months of data collection.

Opportunity...

to participate in a collective, collaborative effort to save a dynamic species where ideas and questions can be exchanged.

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.

Chicks that were confiscated from poachers in 2017 in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Copyright/Credit: D. Felipe Chavarria, of the Área de Conservación Guanacaste
Typical dry forest cattle ranching habitat in North-West Costa Rica depicting characteristic yellow-naped amazon habitat. Copyright/Credit: Christine Dahlin
Yellow-naped Amazon on tree trunk - Copyright/Credit: Christine Dahlin
Yellow-naped Amazon parrot crouched -- Copyright/Credit: Molly Dupin
Yellow-naped Amazon parrot calling -- Copyright/Credit: Molly Dupin
Workshop with Dr. Timothy Wright demonstrating aspects of roost counting.
Back row: Tim Wright, Sophie Nazeri, Tom Lewis, Sam Williams, Front row: Chris Dahlin, Molly Dupin and Alyssa Trimeloni

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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