Communal dormitories of Blue-fronted Amazon on Santa Catarina Island, Brazil

The successful establishment of the Blue-fronted Amazon Amazona aestiva after release or escape of captivity contributed to the expansion of the species in several urban centers around the world. In the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, the first couple of Amazonas aestiva was documented in 1997 on the Island of Santa Catarina, and since then the status of its population is little known. This study aimed to identify the communal dormitories of the Blue-fronted Amazon on the Island of Santa Catarina, SC, and to perform the counting of individuals from each dormitory for an estimation of the current population size. The counts were made in February, March and April of 2017, in two dormitories, one located in the North and the other in the South of the Island. Both dormitories were in residential neighborhoods. The North dormitory is in an isolated tree of Eucalyptus sp, whereas the South dormitory is located in a homogenous plantation, also of Eucalyptus sp., contiguous to a plantation of Pinus sp. with approximately five hectares. The census method was used by counting the parrots that arrived in the dormitory before sunset. The maximum number of parrots observed in the South dormitory was 98 individuals, and in the North dormitory was 66 individuals. The results show a population increase, but studies are necessary to confirm the reproductive activity of the species. In addition, it is recommended the monitoring of the dormitories, besides studies about the feeding habits of the species in its new areas of life.