Blue-fronted Amazon Project

Category: Nestlings, Pantanal | Date: Nov 20 2007 | By: admin

Since 2005 the Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot Project is also monitoring other Psittacine species at South of Pantanal – Brazil. Our studies are generating data about their diary activity, grouping pattern and habitat use for reproduction, feeding and rest.
Among the species that we are studying, we can highlight: peach-fronted conure (Aratinga aurea), black-hooded parakeet (Nandayus nenday), blue crown conures (Aratinga acuticaudata), white-eyed parakeet (Aratinga leucophthalma), golden-collared macaw (Primolius auricollis), blaze-winged parakeet (Pyrrhura devillei), monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), yellow-chevroned parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri), yellow-faced parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops), orange-winged amazons (Amazona amazonica) and maximillian pionus (Pionus maximiliani).

Veronica holds 3 nestlings of peach-fronted conure (Aratinga aurea).

Nestlings of black-hooded parakeet (Nandayus nenday).

Nestlings of yellow-faced parrot (Alipiopsitta xanthops).

Glaucia and nestlings of maximillian pionus (Pionus maximiliani).

Six nestlings of yellow-chevroned parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri).

With the end of the reproductive season of the blue fronted parrot, our research focuses on these species. Several of those start their reproductive season in November and for the next three months we are going to localize nests and start monitoring eggs and nestlings.

Little is known about the ecologic aspects of these Psittacine species at Pantanal and we are willing to contribute for their conservation. ?

2 responses so far

Category: Field Work, Nestlings, Pantanal | Date: Nov 20 2007 | By: admin

The end of the reproductive season of the Blue Fronted Parrot is approaching at Pantanal, MS – Brazil. Many nestlings have already done their first flight, while others are still in the nests and should be flying on the next couple of weeks. We (Glaucia, Vandir and the extern Jackson) are still in Pantanal. We have started filming the behavior of the nestlings, besides doing the biometry to verify their development.

Vandir and a nestling almost ready to do its first flight.

Glaucia is filming the behavior of the nestlings.

Glaucia doing biometry in a nestling.

These three guys are getting ready for their first flight.

We have also installed a radio transmitter in some nestlings to accompany their dislodgement and survival after the flight.

Glaucia and a parrot with radio transmitter.

Nestling with radio transmitter.

This one had already done its first flight and has a radio transmitter.

Glaucia doing census of parrot population. Soon it will be completely flood!

This is also the month when start raining, and Pantanal begins to flood. It is also the period when our field work starts to get harder, because we can only travel with a 4×4 car. But it is also a wonderful period for Pantanal and the animals that live here, because the drought of the last months also brought the wildfires.
This way, we keep doing our work, hoping that the date that we are creating could contribute for the Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot and Pantanal’s conservation.

3 responses so far

Category: Pantanal | Date: Nov 09 2007 | By: admin

The Pantanal Matogrossense is one of the biggest continuous wetland of the world and is localized at the center of South America, at the Alto Paraguay hydrographic basin. Its area is 138.183 km2 (53,352 miles2) with 65% of its territory at Mato Grosso do Sul State and 30% at Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The area is an alluvial flat land influenced by rivers which drain the Alto Paraguay basin, where a rare fauna and flora abundance can be found on four big biomes: Amazon, Cerrado, Chaco and Atlantic Forest. Due its characteristics and importance, and being one of the most exuberant and diverse natural reserve of the Earth, UNESCO recognized this area as a Biosphere Reserve, in 2000.

Aerial view of Pantanal.

Several species of animals that are endangered at other areas in Brazil still have vigorous population at Pantanal, as the marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus), capibara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), jabiru (Mycteria americana), and the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus).

Jabiru (Mycteria americana) - the bird symbol of Pantanal.

Marsh Deer (Blastocerus dichotomus).

Spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) .

Armadillo.

The footprint of a jaguar.

Anaconda.

The person who was born and lives at Pantanal is known as “pantaneiro” for their unique characteristics and skills. We can say that the “pantaneiro man” is by essence a conservationist and is hard to imagine the history of this region, with such a complicated and complex ecosystem, without their concern. They occupied the flat land, seduced by the huge area that allow the cattle production and believe that this is a commercial activity balanced with nature.

Simple and hard worker men, the pantaneiros spend the day working with the cattle, with some breaks for the “tereré” (tipical cold drink made with mate). Well knower of fauna and flora, they are always helping the Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot team on its field activities to find new parrot’s nests or identifying trees.

Cattle raised at Pantanal.

The ‘cowboys’.

A tipical family in Pantanal.

A cold terere is the best drink during such hot days.

Tereré and stories of jaguar are always present during our monthly stay with the pantaneiros. Since the beginning of our work, they are fundamental characters for our success. Their simplicity and hospitality cheer our long days of work, which end with a wonderful sunset at Pantanal.

For our pantaneiros and pantaneiras friends, my sincere thanks! ☺

One response so far