Status and conservation challenges of the endangered Vinaceous-breasted Amazon (Amazona vinacea) in Paraguay

The Vinaceous-breasted Amazon is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern Brazil, northeastern Argentina and eastern Paraguay. Formerly common, the species is now considered Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to fragmented and small population size, while global population size is estimated at 600-1700 mature individuals. There is a continuing rapid decline owed to extensive habitat loss and fragmentation, compounded by illegal trade. In the early 1980s, Paraguay was considered to be the global stronghold for the species, but surveys during the late 1990s and early 2000s suggested a minimum remaining population of 220 birds found primarily at a cluster of sites in northeastern Paraguay. Recent national efforts aiming at understanding the status of the species showed a continuing decline and estimated the current population size at no more than 200 individuals. Fieldwork resulted in information on the species being captured for trade (and in doing so the destruction of nest sites), impacting the already small population. Furthermore, the Atlantic forest in Paraguay, on which the species depends, has been reduced to approximately 10% of its former range, leaving small habitat for the species to forage or nest in. The main challenge identified in recovering the species in Paraguay is the lack of habitat; to tackle this, conservation strategies such as the establishment of natural corridors connecting forest remnants and the use of nest boxes to increase nest site availability has been identified. The future of the species in Paraguay is fragile but there are good chances for recovery.