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.
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. ?
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.
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.
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! ☺
Since 1997 the Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot Project has the fundamental support of the owners’ farm, at South Pantanal – Brazil, for all the field actions, scientific research and environmental education. The first farm to give us support was Refúgio Ecológico Caiman (www.caiman.com.br), and 10 years have past of continuous research in this area, with several data available. We can always count with the special attention and support of Dr. Roberto Klabin e his team.
Vandir, Jackson and Salgadinho at Refúgio Ecológico Caiman’s entrance. Here Glaucia is presenting the Project for Dr. Klabin and his guests. On 2002, we began activities at Refúgio da Ilha Ecologia (www.refugiodailha.com.br) and at Fazenda San Francisco Agroecoturismo (www.fazendasanfrancisco.tur.br). Mr. Jairo e Mrs. Ivone (Refugio da Ilha Ecologia) and Mr. Roberto e Mrs. Beth (Fazenda San Francisco Agroecoturismo) have always been prompt to help us.
Mrs. Ivone, Mr. Jairo and Glaucia, at Refugio da Ilha Ecologia.
Glaucia, Luca and Beth Coelho at Fazenda San Francisco Agroecoturismo. On 2004 we began activities at the Farms Novo Horizonte and Santo Antonio with the special help of Mr. Luciano Cury (Farm Novo Horizonte) and Mr. João Maria’s family (Farm Santo Antonio).
Glaucia at Santo Antonio Farm. Regardless how long each farm has been supporting us, is important to highlight that their owners are aware of the importance to generate scientific knowledge that can contribute for Pantanal’s flora and fauna conservation. Thank you all!
Until October 19th, Glaucia, Vandir and the externs Veronica and Andrea, will be monitoring the growth of Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot nestlings using biometry and checking the development stage. All the eggs have already hatched out and the litters vary from 1 to 3 baby parrots. Most of them have started the feathering. The adults’ behavior taking care of the nestlings is monitored by camera trap installed by Vandir at the nest entrance. Besides that, the nestlings are marked with a ring and samples for research are collected.
This is Vandir installing the camera trap.
Two nestlings
Two nestlings from the same nest.
Here Glaucia and Vandir are collecting samples for a research.
Monitoring a nest.
Glaucia and Veronica are doing the biometry in the nestling.
The nestling receives an identification ring.
Take a look at the feathering baby!
This one has 3 baby parrots!
This is a couple checking its nest. The researches that are going on are: genetic study - Dr. Renato Caparroz/UCB; entomofauna study - Dr. Gustavo Graciolli/UFMS; Chlamydophila research - Dr. Tania Raso/USP; herpesvirus research of - Mariangela da Costa Allgayer/ULBRA; Escherichia coli research - Master student Andre B. S. Saindenberg/USP; and the intestinal microbiota research - Master student Luciana Allegretti.
Glaucia and Vandir are in the south of Pantanal, investigating a little more about the reproductive biology of the Blue Fronted Parrot. The reproductive season initiates in July, when the couples begin to look for cavities that work as nests; the posture and egg incubation starts in August; the hatching occurs in September, and the nestlings leave their nests in November. We will come back soon from this field trip with more new and pictures!!
Nest of Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot.
These are cute baby parrots!
This is the extern Veronica, monitoring a nest with a video camera.
Here Glaucia is doing biometry in one nestling.
Glaucia and Vandir monitoring a nest.
Glaucia is monitoring a nest where and adult Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot was predated.
An adult Parrot checking if this cavity would be a good nest!
This couple have found a cavity to initiate their posture.
These are some of the 186 nestlings arrested by the environmental inspection, in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. They were caught from their nests just after hatching by illegal animal dealers, without any criteria. After that, they would be illegally sold for other countries. Here in Brazil, is crime to capture a wild animal from its natural environment. Now these nestlings are at the Wild Animals Rehabilitation Center (CRAS – Centro de Reabilitacao de Animais Silvestres), linked with the State Government. Captured nestlings with less than a week old.
Here the captured nestlings are 2 weeks old. They receive all the necessary care from specialists, until they became fully feathered and eat by themselves. Their final destination depends on which condition they will reach the adulthood, and will be defined by the CRAS staff. Usually they do not come back to the nature after being hand-raising and hand-feeding, and we almost never discover from where they were caught. The nestlings receive an identification ring.
The nestlings receiving the ring.
The keeper Genivaldo is responsible for preparing food for the nestlings. The Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot Project is very worried, because this illegal capture occurs every single year. In our region more then 4500 nestlings have been captured from their natural environment, and we know that the real number is twice to three times higher. Many nestlings do not resist and die and others are not arrested. We estimate that for each 10 parrots caught from the wild, only one arrives to its final buyer. This capture without criteria can bring the specie to risk of extinction. For this reason the Project intends to intensify the environmental education activities for the next year, and try to aware people of the environmental damage due the illegal capture of the parrots. Here Glaucia is giving a lecture about the Project.
Long-term projects like the Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot Project are only possible with the participation of several people, professionals on the area or not. Since 1997, tens of professionals and students have collaborated with the Project. Some were working on the Project for several years, like the biologist Alessandra Firmino (5 years) and other for a few months. Some were extern students that collaborated directly on the field activities, and other collaborators have done their research based on the Project. Some became “godmother of the Project”, like the biologist Neiva Guedes, coordinator of the Hyacinth Macaw Project; and the veterinarian Anna Croukamp from “Parque das Aves Foz Tropicana” who do not measure efforts to help the Project, with incentive and different features. Other came for a brief visit and became “friends of the Project”, like the writer Susan McGrath and the veterinarian Taiana Costa, who helped with work in their areas.
Vandir and the veterinarian Anna Croukamp, from Parque das Aves Foz Tropicana, “godmother” of the Project. Anna incentivates and helps the Project since its very beginning, on 1997.
Vandir and Ragusa, from UFMS - Glaucia’s PhD Advisor
Vandir and the architect Joao - collaborate with geoprocessing for 3 years Veterinarian Tania Raso - collaborate with the sanitary issues of the Project for 5 years
Glaucia and the boat driver Marcio - 3 years with the project
Glaucia and the journalist Susan McGrath, collaborated with equiment and journalistic services
Biologist Alessandra Firmino - 5 years with the Project
Biologist Carol - 1 year with the Project
Biologist Marja - 1 year with the Project
Biologist Enazia - 6 months with the Project
Vandir and the extern veterinary medicine student Andrea - 2 months with the Project
Extern biology student Andre - 3 months with the Project
Vandir and the extern biology student Veronica - 5 months
Glaucia and Jackson - 1 month with the Project
Extern zootechny student - 5 months with the Project
Vandir and the extern biology student Lelis - 3 months with the Project No matter how long they were in the field or how do they collaborate, the most important is that all of them have something in common: they are in love with nature conservation, parrots and Pantanal – Brazil. THANK YOU ALL!
This is Vandir Fernandes, 52 years old, the field technician of the Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot Project. He has been working with the Project since it started, in 1997; and has participated on every single field trip. He has several qualities and is a good friend of everybody. He is well known in all the farms, as “Seu Vandir”. He does the entire “hard job”, like to carry the stairs, and also the “risky job”, as go up to the parrot’s nests to monitor the eggs, or stay on a branch of a tree in a river’ margin. To have access to the parrot’s nests in the trees is several times necessary to use of rappel technique or stairs (used when the tree is dead).
He also helps on the training of extern college students, who have a lot to learn with his experience. He is always present when we try to aware children and “Pantaneiros” (people who live in Pantanal).
Glaucia Seixas began her career at a Wild Animal Rehabilitation Center, which every year receives, rehabilitees and find a destiny for hundreds of nestlings of Blue-fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva). These birds are captured from their nests at Pantanal, Brazil for supply the national and international illegal animal trade. Concerned with the parrots, Glaucia Seixas begun your work for the species’ conservation on 1997, called “BLUE-FRONTED PARROT PROJECT”. Since then, Since 2004 she has dedicated herself exclusively for the BLUE-FRONTED PARROT PROJECT, trough a non-governmental organization, the Fundacao Neotropica do Brasil.
Gláucia conducts research and conservation to raise awareness and to protect the Blue-fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva) which is threatened by the illegal capture of this parrot from their natural habitat.
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