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Status in the Wild

World Population:
As of 2008 the population is over 1000 individuals.

Range: Found in the Andean highlands in NW Ecuador, north from Pichincha and W Cotopaxi, and W Colombia, north to Antioquia and NW Norte de Santander. Recently found only from degraded localities in Cordillera Central, Colombia, and W Cotopaxi, Ecuador.

Habitat:
Found in areas with Ceroxylon wax palm trees in upland humid mountain forest. Will tolerate partially cleared areas.

Threat Summary:
Habitat loss and degradation (90-93% in Colombia), wax palm mortality, this tree being important to their survival; hunting and trapping for bird trade.

IUCN Rating:
Critically endangered

Wild Diet:
Reported to feed on Ceroxylon quindiuense and C. alpinum and possibly fruit from other species in this genus; other fruits of Sanurania and Sapium spp.

CITES Rating:
Appendix I

Ecology:
Generally seen in small flocks or, in the breeding season, pairs. Larger numbers found at roosting sites. Active at dawn feeding, then returning to roost in midafternoon. Somewhat tame.

Clutch and Egg Size:
4 eggs

Breeding Season:
Northern Tolima: May, Huila: March, Ecuador: July-October.

Project Status (WPT):
Proyecto Ognorhynchus works with the WPT and other groups to help protect this species.
See: http://www.parrots.org/index.php/ourwork/pp_yellowearedparrot/

Links to Other Project(s):
http://www.conure.org/yec_home.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/04/0407_040407_endangeredanimals.html

http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2006/04/yellow-eared_parrot.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4365393.stm

http://www.nature.org/success/art15924.html

More Info Sites:
http://www.conservation.org/xp/frontlines/species/06030505.xml

http://www.tierramerica.net/2003/0818/iacentos.shtml

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/apr2004/2004-04-07-01.asp