PUERTO RICAN PARROT Amazona vittata (Boddaert) 



Order: PSITTACIFORMES Family: PSITTACIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A bright green parrot, about a foot in length, with red 

 forehead, blue primary wing feathers, and flesh colored bill and feet. 



Present distribution : Confined to Sierra de Luquillo and chiefly to the 3,000 acres within 

 the 28,000-acre Luquillo Experimental Forest administered by the U.S. Forest Service in 

 eastern Puerto Rico. Tropical and subtropical moist and wet forest between 1,600- and 

 2,700-foot altitudes. Nests only in Palo Colorado tree which grows between 2,000 and 

 2,500 feet elevation. 



Former distribution : Much wider range in Puerto Rico, including both lowland and up- 

 land forest. Became restricted to Sierra de Luquillo by 1930. 



Status : Close to extinction because of very small and decreasing numbers . Decrease of 

 80 to 90 percent in last 16 years, 12 to 20 percent between 1968 and 1970. In 1972 only 

 16 to 18 birds in the wild. 



Estimated numbers : Probably 15 to 20 birds . 



Breeding rate in the wild : 2 to 3 eggs . No successful nesting known in 1969 and 

 possibly 2 in 1970. 



Reasons for decline : Destruction of habitat for agriculture . Nest predation by rats , 

 pearly-eyed thrashers, and possibly screech owls. Possibly competition with the pearly- 

 eyed thrasher for suitable cavities for nesting sites . Possibly severe storms contribute 

 to decline . 



Protective measures already taken : Effort made to transplant these parrots from Luquillo 

 Forest to Toro Negro Unit of the National Forest before 1942, unsuccessful. After an 

 initial survey of the species in 1946 by Ventura Barnes, Jr . , of the Fishery and Wildlife 

 Section, Department of Agriculture and Commerce, it was decided that the central part 

 of the Espiritu Santo Valley and the eastern section of the Rio Hicaco be reserved for the 

 protection of this parrot . Studies of nesting and food habits have been conducted on the 

 species through a Federal Aid project W-7-R by Jose Rodriguez-Vidal . Entire Luquillo 

 Experimental Forest, including thousands of acres surrounding the area frequented by 

 the parrots , is a State game refuge , where no hunting is allowed . The Forest Service 

 conducts patrols to detect illegal hunting . Military maneuvers formerly common in the 

 forest have been stopped in all areas frequented by parrots. A cooperative rat control 

 program is being developed to halt predation. Nesting boxes are being installed. Research 

 is being conducted on its population ecology . Aviary for captive propagation being con- 

 structed in Luquillo Forest . 



Measures proposed : Further studies of entire ecology, including particularly habitat, 

 food requirements, predation, and competition. Test effectiveness of pearly-eyed thrasher 

 and rat control and nesting boxes . Develop captive populations for liberation in other 

 areas . 



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