Ouvea Parakeet (Eunymphicus uvaeensis)

Description:

Of 32cm.. length and 117 g. of weight.

The Ouvea Parakeet (Eunymphicus uvaeensis) is similar to the Horned Parakeet (Eunymphicus cornutus) but with the face and nape green, no yellow, and crest upturned six pens greenish black: the Red of the crown It is limited to the center forecrown.

The Ouvea Parakeet generally bright mid-green. Head green, lighter on ear-coverts with some light shaft-streaks; centre of forecrown red with six wispy blackish-green uperwing feathers forming a small crest; rear-crown darker green; ears and cheeks dark green lower.

The upperparts light green, paler on rump. Wing coverts green; outerweb of primaries greenish-blue with innerwebs black. Underwing-coverts green. Underparts light yellowish-green. Uppertail green with a slight blue suffusion distally and blue edges to lateral feathers; undertail gray.

Bill blue-gray at base, blackish toward tip; irises orange; legs grey.

Both sexes similar.

Taxonomic status:

This taxon is considered a subspecies of Eunymphicus [cornutus or uvaeensis] (sensu lato) by some authors

Sound Uvea Parakeet.

Note:

some species, as in the case of Ouvea Parakeet, They are subject to extreme stress due to traps or harassment. The open availability of high-quality recordings of these species may further worsen problems. For this reason, transmission and download of these recordings is off. Recorders are free to share in xeno-edge, but they will have to approve access to these recordings.

We do not take this action lightly, and we wish it were not necessary, but we are convinced that the negative impacts of offering easy access to these recordings outweigh the benefits. To access these recordings, You can contact directly with the recorder.

Habitat:

It is restricted to areas of old growth forest with holes for nesting, but higher numbers are given about papaya plantation areas.

The Ouvea Parakeet They are active in early morning and late afternoon, and generally they rest on the trees during the hot day.

Reproduction:

An average of 2.9 Eggs are laid in one or two broods per year, of which 1.7 chicks hatch, but only 0.75 chicks survive to 30 days (Robinet et al. 1995, Robinet et al. 1996, Robinet and Salas 1999).

Food:

It feeds in the forests and crops of cultivated land adjacent. The Ouvea Parakeet It depends mainly on mature native forests with pines kauri Agathis australis.

Fruits of Ficus spp., there Canaria, scrub and passion fruit. Also forage for seeds. The cultivated papaya (Carica papaya) It is a favorite.

Distribution and status:

Population expansion (breeding / resident): 640 km2

Los Pericos Uvea are confined to 110 km2 in Ouvea island, Loyalty Islands. Introduced unsuccessfully in the nearby Lifou.

The species is found in isolated patches of forest now restricted to the coast, mainly in the district St Joseph between Cape Rossel and Cape Steep. Alone 15-25 km2 of suitable habitat was considered that remained on the island 1993, with about 70-90 birds present, although a more thorough study has suggested a total population of 617 individuals. More recent studies is estimated at 1.780 mature individuals in total (Theuerkauf s suffering. 2016)
In the past, the reduction of individuals to extensive conversion of forests for agriculture due, hunting and trade. The delicate political situation in Uvea, while Kanak Liberation Front struggle for independence France, It has hampered the work of conservation of the species.

It is relying on a captive breeding program based on Forest Park, about Noumea, in New Caledonia. Transfers from island to island also be considered feasible.

Conservation:

• Current red list category of the UICN: Vulnerable.

• Population trend: Growing.

• Population size : 600-1800 individuals.

Justification of the red list category

This species is classified as Vulnerable because it is in one very small island and can be threatened by invasive species, in particular the Black rat, which could lead to the species category Critically Endangered or Extinct in no time.

Justification of the population

The population is estimated at 1.780 mature individuals in total (Theuerkauf s suffering. 2016), round here 1.800 mature individuals.

Justification trend

Barré et al (2010) reported that the population has increased in a 29% (of 10 birds / km2 34 birds / km2) between 1993 and 2009, which equates to an increase in population 34% in three generations.

Conservation Actions Underway

1 – Appendix I and II of CITES.

2 – The Association for the Protection of Perico Ouvea (ASPO) It was created in 1993 with members mostly local.

3 – ASPO started a long-term study of biology and ecology of the species as a basis for two recovery plans (1997-2002 and 2003-2008).

4 – Forest loss is being addressed through awareness programs and community trials to mitigate habitat degradation and improve the quality of forests, particularly in regard to nesting sites.

5 – ten guidelines are used, whom, among other tasks, nests located.

6 – Illegal trade is being addressed successfully through increased awareness and enforcement.

7 – It discussed a program of captive breeding, but still not started, and the species is found only in small quantities in captivity for a very limited reproductive success (Tap 1996).

8 – In 1998 translocation program began to repopulate southern Ouvea, and the number of birds in the south was 395 individuals in 2011 (Theuerkauf s suffering. 2016).

9 – Black rats were trapped on the island (Theuerkauf s suffering. 2016) and predator control is important.

10 – In 2003 a recovery plan was drawn updated, in which it recommended, among other things, the translocation program was canceled, since the population is considered viable and grow naturally; This recovery plan has been accepted by local indigenous authorities (N. Barré a slightly. 2003, Anon 2004).

11 – Ouvea has been classified as IBA, but still it has not established a management plan and protection program involving communities (Spaggiari et al. 2007).

12 – SCO obtained funding from the British Bird Watching Fair to build and test artificial nests PCV after the failure of trails wooden nest.

13 – ASPO personnel destroyed or removed 187 bee colonies between 2002 and 2008 (L. Verfaille a slightly. 2007, Barré et al. 2010).

14 – It is believed that the continued presence of local guides effectively prevents poaching of nests (Barré et al. 2010).

Conservation Actions Proposed

1 – Continue population monitoring (Primotel 2000).

2 – Research interactions with Trichoglossus haematodus.

3 – Investigate the non-use of artificial nests.

4 – Review and strengthen measures to control predators.

5 – Assess progress and update plans for translocations.

6 – Review and update all aspects of the Action Plan.

7 – Maintaining the momentum of awareness and participation of the community and the island (Robinet and Salas 1997).

8 – Establish a project IBAs in Ouvea and fund a protection program (N. Barré a slightly. 2003).

9 – Start a captive breeding program to support future reintroductions.

10 – Carry out surveillance screening BFDV to guide future efforts biosecurity and conservation, and better understand the risk posed by BFDV (Jackson et al. 2014).

Uvea parakeet in captivity:

The Ouvea Parakeet they are still captured using a rope inside a fruit Upload papaya, and because the island is a plain, exports through an easily accessible atoll are difficult to control. Birds bought from trappers by 50 dollars can be sold by traders up 1.000 Australian dollars.

There is a captive breeding program, but still not started, and the species is found only in small quantities in captivity for a very limited reproductive success (Tap 1996).

Alternative names:

– Horned Parakeet (Ouvea), Ouvea Parakeet, Short-horned Parrot, Uvea Parakeet (English).
– Nymphique d’Ouvéa, Perruche cornue (Ouvéa), Perruche d’Ouvéa, Perruche d’Ouvéa (French).
– Ouvéahornsittich, Uveasittich (German).
– Periquito-de-uvea (Portuguese).
– Perico de Uvea (Spanish).

Scientific classification:

– Order: Psittaciformes
– Family: Psittaculidae
– Genus: Eunymphicus
– Scientific name: Eunymphicus uvaeensis
– Citation: (Layard, THE & Layard, ELC, 1882)
– Protonimo: Nymphicus uvaeensis

Images:

Sources:

• Avibase
• Parrots of the World – Forshaw Joseph M
• Parrots A Guide to the Parrots of the World – Tony Juniper & Mike Parr
• Birdlife

Photos:

(1) – This Uvea Parakeet was photographed feeding on a papaya at the edge of forest by Tunpin.ong [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons

Sounds: Patrik Aberg, XC40145. accessible www.xeno-canto.org/40145

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