It occurs in montane (above 500 m) humid forest enclaves in the otherwise semi-arid north-east Brazil. These wet 'sky islands' are known locally as 'brejos'. Humid forests grade into semi-deciduous forest and eventually dry, xeric caatingas in lower areas. The forests are restricted to upland granite or sandstone areas which receive up to four times the annual rainfall of lower altitudes. The humid forests atop the Baturité massif form a continuous canopy c.20 m tall, with some emergents. Birds feed on fruit and seeds in the canopy of humid and semi-deciduous forest.

Red List Category

Red List Criteria

Version

2010

BirdLife International

Calvert, R., Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Albano, C., Campos, A., Girao, W., Olmos, F., Pinto, T.

Recent surveys indicate that this species has an extremely small population which continues to decline following dramatic historic declines. It occupies a very small known range. For these reasons it qualifies as Criticially Endangered.

Despite recent surveys in its historic range the species is now known from a single area largely denuded of suitable habitat. The total number of recent sightings (resulting from 6 years of non-systematic observations) comprise four encounters from three localities. Therefore, the species is thought to have an extremely small population.

Decreasing

Habitat destruction has played a role in the species's decline with original forest cover now reduced to just 13%. Coffee plantations (especially where sun coffee is grown instead of shade coffee) are impacting upon the species's habitat. The principal threat, however, is believed to come from ongoing trapping for illegal local and national trade^2,5. The species also occurs in the international cage bird trade.

Conservation Actions Underway
The species is listed as Critically Endangered on the Brazilian official Red List². It occurs within the Baturité Mountains Environmental Protection Area, but this area is designated for sustainable use and has not traditionally been managed for conservation. Land management by a private landowner in the area has led to an increase in one small known population². Since 2007, the Brazilian NGO AQUASIS has been conducting two research projects: one sponsored by the Brazilian "Fundação O Boticário de Proteção à Natureza", surveying the Baturité Mountains to monitor its status and research its biology; and another sponsored by the Loro Parque Fundacion, searching for additional populations³. Surveys in historical sites and areas of potential habitat in 2007-2008 failed to locate the species, although there were strong indications from locals that it still occurs or occurred until recently in the degraded Serra do Estevão, Quixada municipality, Ceará state^3,4, and at Serra Negra Biological Reserve, Pernambuco state, however a combination of marijuana cultivations and hostile local culture makes survey work in the latter area difficult³. At least 11 private reserves (RPPN) are in the process of being created in the Serra de Baturité³. A Loro Parque-sponsored nest box scheme is taking place, and so far 19 have been installed on sites with sympathetic landownders, with a view to eventually install 60⁵. A large scale education and awareness campaign took place in the Serra de Baturité in 2008³, and a principal objective of AQUASIS is to promote it as a flagship species, work which is being supported by local NGO AGUA and ecotourism business Parque das Trilhas⁵. AQUASIS also aims to build capacity for bird-watching and in the process develop awareness and create alternative livelihoods⁵. It breeds well in captivity and populations are held both in Brazil and abroad. Provided these are well managed and coordinated they could be used for reintroductions.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out further surveys in similar areas to the Baturité Mountains in north-eastern Brazil, such as the serras de Aratanha, Maranguape and Machado, for the presence of addtional extant populations. Continue monitoring the known population in the Serra do Baturité. Improve conservation management practised in the Guaramiranga Ecological Park. Provide incentives for landowners to increase the network of private reserves in the Baturité Mountains. Monitor and control trade at local, national and international levels. Investigate the feasibility of using artificial nests to increase reproductive success. Continue to conduct awareness campaigns to promote the Grey-breasted Parakeet as a symbol for the conservation of the moist forests and associated biodiversity in the Baturité Mountains. Investigate ex situ conservation measures.