Despite its shy and reclusive nature, and the inaccessibility of much of its habitat, new research technologies are revealing much about the imperial Amazon's ecology. It nests in cavities in tall trees, but observation of nests is difficult as the cavities are typically concealed in vines and plants (2). Breeding typically occurs during the dry season between February and June, when resources are most abundant (2) (9), but nesting may also occur during other months depending upon rainfall and food abundance (7). Pairs of imperial Amazons defend their territory from late December until their chicks have fledged (7). Field observations suggest they may breed every other year, with only one fledgling per nest having ever been observed (8) (9), and the young appear to associate with their parents for up to a year post-fledging (7). Although it had been previously speculated that one young is typically raised from a clutch of two eggs, a clutch of two has only recently been confirmed from the first clutch of captive-laid eggs at the Parrot Conservation and Research Centre in Roseau, Dominica, in April 2006 (7). This parrot feeds on a range of fruits, seeds, shoots, flowers, berries and nuts (9).

The imperial Amazon is a spectacular parrot and the national bird of Dominica (4). It is the largest member of the genus Amazona, and is one of the rarest parrots in the world (5). The two sexes are similar in appearance, with a dark maroon-purple head featuring some greenish-blue feathers; the ear-coverts are reddish-brown and the cheeks are maroon. The upperparts of this parrot are green; the wings have typical red wing spots, as with all Amazona, and long flight feathers that become purplish-blue at the tips (6) (7). The purple feathers of the underparts have blackish fringes, creating a scaled appearance. The reddish tail has a greenish-blue tip (2) (6). Juveniles are generally similar to adults, but typically have a duller-coloured plumage, and brown rather than red irises (6) (7). A loud trumpet-like call is produced in flight, and a range of squawks and whistles, particularly a high-pitched “weep-weep-weep”, are emitted at other times (2) (7).

Amazona imperialis is endemic to Dominica, where it occurs in the Morne Diablotin area (primarily on the north-east and south-east slopes³), the Northern and Central Forest Reserves, and has recently re-established a small population in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park^7,8,9. It is known to have declined significantly and numbered only 80-100 individuals in 1993. Conservation action increased the population to 150 birds by 2003⁶.

The Imperial Amazon (Imperial Parrot, Sisserou) is endemic to the island of Dominica in the Lesser Antilles. Formerly more widely distributed over the island, it is now confined to Mount Diablotin in northern Dominica, especially the upper Picard River Valley (Devil's Valley) on the northwest side of the mountain.

(Collar, et al 1992, Forshaw 1973)

NOTE: SELECTED TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE "COMMENTS" SECTION OF THIS NARRATIVE.

Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )

Historic Range:
West Indies_Dominica

Endemic to Dominica in the West Indies, this species is found in forests in and near the Morne Diablotin National Park, eastern Northern Forest Reserve, and Central Forest Reserve (7). Additionally, the southern population, decimated by Hurricane David (1979), has become re-established at the southern end of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park (particularly in the valleys near Morne John and Morne Watt, near Morne Prosper) (7) (8).

TYPICAL MEASUREMENTS

(in mm unless othewise noted)

Body: 45 cm.

Wing: male 286, female 284.

Tail: male 169, female 166.

Tarsus: male 31, female 32.

Exposed culmen: male 39, female 39.

Eggs: 46 x 39.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A stocky bird, typically parrot-like in appearance with a large head, large bill with hooked upper mandible, and a short, square tail. See below for plumage description.

ADULT PLUMAGE

Head feathers, except cheeks and ear coverts dark maroon-purple tipped with black; ear coverts reddish-brown; cheeks brownish-maroon edged with black; breast and abdomen feathers purple with black margins; flank and thigh feathers green with greenish-blue tips; undertail coverts olive-green with greenish-blue tips; mantle, back, rump and uppertail coverts green edged with black; wings green with red carpel edge, dark maroon speculum across bases of outer secondaries, primaries violet-blue with green bases and brown tips, secondaries green becoming violet-blue towards the tips, underwing coverts green with blue tips, undersides of flight feathers green; tail reddish-brown with greenish-blue tips, central feathers and bases of lateral feathers suffused with green; bill greyish-horn; iris yellow to orange-red; legs grey.

IMMATURE PLUMAGE

Occiput, nape and hindneck green; posterior of cheeks greenish; iris brown.

(Forshaw 1973)

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

The Imperial Amazon is a montane species living primarily at elevations from 600 to 1300 meters. Occasional sightings have been made as low as 150 to 300 meters. These parrots dwell in primary rainforest canopy, descending from the canopy only in response to shortages in their normal food supplies (see under "Behavior").

(Collar, et al 1992)

Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest ; mountains

The imperial Amazon generally occurs in sheltered valleys (8) across montane and sub-montane forest at altitudes of 600 - 1,300 m (2). The terrain in which this parrot is found is typically extremely rugged, with nest sites often located in trees on very steep slopes (4). When food resources are short it will descend to lower altitudes of around 300 to 500 m in order to forage (7).

Imperial Amazons feed on fuits, seeds, nuts, berries, blossoms and shoots. Especially favored are the fruits and seeds of bois cote (Tapura antillana), gommier (Dacryodes excelsa), kaklin (Clusia venosa), mangle (Symphonia globulifera) and mountain palms (Euterpe dominicana and E. globosa), including the young shoots of these last two. In addition, they feed on the fruits and seeds of balate (Pouteria palladia), bois bande (Richeria grandis), bois blanc (Simarouba amara), bois diable (Licania ternatensis), bois riviere (Chimarrhis cymosa) and carapite (Amanoa caribaea).

(Collar, et al 1992, Forshaw 1973)

Pairs of Imperial Amazons occupy and defend a nesting territory throughout the year, making their presence known with self-advertising display flights. Absences from the territory are more frequent from September through December. The breeding season is February through June, especially March through May. This coincides with the dry season and the season of greatest food abundance, which in turn supports feeding of nestlings and fledglings. Imperial Amazons have been observed nesting in cavities high in the trunks of the dominant forest trees of their habitat, chataignier (Sloanea berteriana) and gommier. In addition, there are unconfirmed reports of nest sites in the tops of dead mountain palm tree trunks.

The reproductive rate of this species is low. A pair may only nest every other year, normally fledging one young from a clutch of two eggs. Age of first breeding is unknown, nor is it known wether nest site availability is a limiting factor.

(Collar, et al 1992)

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Contributor/s

Justification

History

• 2004
  Endangered
• 2000
  Endangered
• 1996
  Vulnerable
• 1994
  Vulnerable

The Imperial Amazon is considered a relict species. Because of its endemism on Dominica and the destruction of its habitat, its range will always be small. This, in combination with its low reproductive rate, means that the Imperial Amazon will always be relatively rare. Due to the species' inherent shyness and very rugged home terrain, population estimates carry a fair degree of uncertainty. A 1990 estimate put the entire population at around eighty birds. The most recent field work (as of 1999) estimates a population of under 200 individuals. Threats to this species' survival are multiple.

HABITAT LOSS

Habitat protection is extremely important to the continued existence of the Imperial Amazon. Adequate habitat is needed to support and rebuild the population, as well as a buffer zone in between the parrots and human activity. Parrot habitat has been extensively logged for valuable timber, charcoal production and conversion to cropland. One estimate states that more forest has been lost on Dominica during the 1980's that in the previous 1000 years. Selective logging is little better than clearcutting, as the trees most needed for the parrots' survival are targeted. Also, logging operations do extensive damage to the remaining vegetation and open up the forests to further human disturbance. In some cases of converting forest to farming, aerial spraying of banana crops has reportedly led to poisoning and blindness in parrots. In some formerly forested areas of Dominica, replanting of dominant native rainforest trees is feasible, especially those areas not converted to agriculture. This would benefit the parrot populations but must be considered part of a long-term strategy, as these trees are slow-growing. As of January 2000 the creation of Morne Diablotin National Park on Dominica will be finalized. This park, first proposed in 1976, is a tremendous step forward in setting aside vital habitat for both of Dominica's endangered parrots.

HURRICANES

While wildlife in the Caribbean has had many millenia to adapt to hurricanes, the weakening of populations through human activity can magnify the effects of natural threats to the point where what would otherwise be a temporary setback can threaten to eliminate entire species. Hurricane David of August 1979 was exceptionally strong, striking directly across Dominica and destroying five million trees in the southern forests alone. Trees that were not felled were stripped of fruit. Even on the most sheltered part of the island, four out of five known Imperial Amazon nest sites were destroyed, with similar effects elsewhere. Parrot populations on the island were reduced by half as a result, and previously viable populations of Imperials on Mount Anglais and Mount Watt were reduced to unviable numbers. The less powerful hurricane Allen struck Dominica in 1980, again stripping fruit off trees. By all accounts, Imperial Amazons failed to breed for two straight years. By 1985 all populations of Imperial Amazons outside of Mount Diablotin had disappeared. At current population levels, another hurricane with the power and trajectory of David could cause the extinction of the Imperial Amazon in the wild.

PREDATION

Possible predators of Imperial Amazons are Boas (Boa constrictor), Broad-Winged Hawks (Buteo platypterus), Opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) and Rats (Rattus sp.). Only Opossums are thought to have any possibility of being a serious threat. They are beleived to have been introduced in the nineteenth century.

COMPETITION

The Pearly-Eyed Thrasher (Margarops fuscatus) is a possible nest-site competitor, but it is apparently too uncommon in the Imperials' range to pose a serious threat. There is no evidence that Imperial and Red-Necked Amazons compete with each other in spite of overlapping ranges. Exotic parrot species kept as pets on Dominica could pose a threat if escapees establish populations. Stricter controls on the importation of exotic parrots may be needed.

HUNTING

Until the early 1980's hunting was the most significant population limiting factor for Imperial Amazons. They were commonly shot for food both by Dominicans and hunters from neighboring Guadelupe, especially in the rainy season when they were fat and excellent eating. Dominican laws restricting parrot hunting were first enacted at least as early as the nineteenth century. By 1914 the hunting of parrots was completely banned. In the wake of Hurricane David a total ban on hunting all wildlife was enacted. Conservation Officers were hired to enforce the ban, which has brought the hunting problem mostly under control. Since about 1981 there has been little evidence of hunting pressure.

TRADE

In the past, live parrots had been collected for the pet trade on Dominica through a practice called "wing shooting." Because of high prices offered for live birds (mostly by residents of the island) and the inaccessibility of nests for collecting young, many locals attempted to wing-shoot the birds, which resulted in the deaths of many parrots. Collecting parrots in any manner for the pet trade is now illegal on Dominica. A compulsory registration program of all captive birds (with amnesty) has closed the market for Imperial Amazons on the island. Smuggling parrots off of the island for the international pet trade does not appear to be a significant threat at this time. However, unscrupulous foreign bird collectors continue attempts to acquire both Amazona species from Dominica.

OTHER ACTIONS BEING TAKEN

Education and awareness initiatives were begun in earnest around 1980 on Dominica. The Dominica Forestry Division conducts school visits, public lectures, radio broadcasts, poster and tee-shirt distribution, circulates a conservation education newsletter and produces a play called "Parrot Poachers."

(Collar, et al 1992, Forshaw 1973, Reillo, pers.comm. 1999)

CITES: appendix i

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: endangered

Current Listing Status Summary

Status: Endangered
Date Listed: 06/02/1970
Lead Region: Foreign (Region 10) 
Where Listed:


Population detail:

Population location: entire
Listing status: E

For most current information and documents related to the conservation status and management of Amazona imperialis , see its USFWS Species Profile

Classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List 2006 (1). Listed under Appendices I of CITES (3).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

The precipitous decline of this species, known to number just 80-100 individuals in 1993, was the result of a combination of factors including habitat loss caused by conversion of forests to plantations and hurricane damage, as well as hunting for food and trapping for the pet trade (2). Subsistence hunting was prevalent throughout the mid to late 1940s, and the species continued to be hunted for the pet trade into the 1980s (8). Thankfully, strict law enforcement, a comprehensive education and awareness campaign, and national pride have all but eliminated threats from poaching since the early 1990's (2) (7). Despite an increase in numbers the population remains low, with estimates of between 150 and 250 adults remaining (4) (8), and the species is therefore still classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (1). Habitat loss still poses a serious threat, however, and as lowland forests are increasingly cleared, the imperial Amazon may face competition for nest sites with the related species Amazonia arausiaca (2).

Conservation Actions

The imperial Amazon has benefited from Dominica's long history of forest conservation and, more recently, from intensive governmental and non-governmental efforts to protect its habitat and make local citizens aware of its needs (8). Indeed, it is as a result of a dedicated conservation programme targeted at the imperial Amazon, spearheaded by the partnership between Dominica's Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division and the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF) (8), that numbers of this species have slowly increased. To date, this partnership has significantly aided this endangered parrot through integrating extensive protected-area and law enforcement legislation with staff training, education and public awareness, and research on both captive and wild populations (8) (6). A major result of this programme of conservation has been the creation of the Morne Diablotin National Park in the known nesting area for the species (5), first initiated in 1997 (8). An in situ captive programme has long been in place to research and rehabilitate the birds, and a pair of imperial Amazons that has resided at the Parrot Conservation and Research Centre (Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Headquarters, in Roseau) since 2000 laid their first clutch of infertile eggs in April 2006, revealing important information about their reproductive biology (7). A very successful education programme in Dominica has substantially reduced trade and raised local awareness of the plight of Dominica's national symbol (2). International trade in this parrot is also tightly restricted by its listing under Appendices I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and the bird is protected by law on Dominica (2). The imperial Amazon's comeback from a small remnant population on the slopes of Morne Diablotin following Hurricane David to near pre-hurricane levels is a testament to the effectiveness of Dominica's long-term conservation efforts (8).