The abundance of Red-bellied Macaws (Orthopsittaca manilata) and Orange-winged Parrots (Amazona amazonica) in relation to fruiting Moriche Palms (Mauritia flexuosa) at the Aripo Savannas, Trinidad

Abstract

The largest remaining savanna ecosystem on the island of Trinidad is the Aripo Savannas Environmentally Sensitive Area (ASESA) which has been historically fragmented due to a number of anthropogenic factors. This study focused on the densities of the Red-bellied Macaw (Orthopsittaca manilata) and Orange-winged Parrot (Amazona amazonica), which are known to rely on palms for roosting, nesting and feeding at the ASESA, in relation to the distribution of the fruiting Moriche Palms (Mauritia flexuosa) at the ASESA. There was a significant correlation between the total number of birds and number of fruiting Moriche Palms on transects for macaws (r= 0.708, p=0.022) but not for parrots (r= 0.421, p=0.225). Average group size increased significantly from the late rainy to the early dry season in macaws, but not in parrots. Point count surveys estimated higher densities than line transects for both macaws 129 vs 87/km² and parrots 193 vs 103/ km². The use of peripheral areas showed that fragmentation had no effect on the foraging behaviour on macaws or parrots. Nevertheless if the savannas become increasingly modified, human-parrot conflicts may increase and so food resources should be integrated into management plans for this protected area.