Good news about Lilacine Amazon!

Since July 2018, Fundación Jocotoco has been monitoring the roosting sites of the endangered Lilacine Amazon (Amazona lilacina) in detail. The research was carried out at a known congregation site of this species in Las Balsas reserve, Santa Elena province. Most of the observational counts varied between 369-1126 individuals with an average of 704 birds. This has been the highest count record since the start of our monitoring project, funded by Loro Parque Fundación, ZGAP, Auckland Zoo and Parrot Wildlife Foundation.

In 2019, our park rangers, Patricio and Ronny found a total of 24 potential nest sites of Lilacine Amazons. Nests were identified based on the size and type of cavity, tree species and the presence of Lilacine Amazons. In 2020, during the breeding season, Patricio identified an additional 62 potential nesting sites, summing up a total of 86. Las Balsas reserve was created to protect the roosting habitat of this rare and little-known parrot. The Carob trees in the reserve seem to be of crucial importance to the survival of this species.