INPA (Instituto de Pesquisa da Amazonia), BioBrasil, Tennessee Valley Exotic Bird Club, Grant Hacking, Lymington Foundation
The Golden Conure (Guaruba guarouba) has suffered population declines due to trapping, forest loss and habitat fragmentation.
The World Parrot Trust supported active conservation and research for the Golden Conure beginning in 1999. Work included conducting surveys, mapping nesting trees, observing individual and flock behaviour, and determining food preferences.
Field research undertaken in 2007 in the Western state of Para, Brazil, identified new food types used by the species, uncovered unique flock dynamics, and located new roosting and nesting trees. Deforestation and trapping of nestlings were observed in the Amazonia National Park region.
Status: IUCN Vulnerable / CITES Appendix I
Population: 10,000-20,000
Range: Confined to NE Brazil, south of the Amazon River, from west of the Tapajos River, western Para, east to NW Maranhao.
Natural history: This species is found in lowland rainforest, recently seen more upland, and near Brazil-nut plantations up to 500 m (1640 ft). Birds forage in tall forests for nuts, fruits, flowers and buds but will take some cultivated plants. Golden Conures are somewhat nomadic; birds will venture into different areas after the breeding season. They are gregarious at all times of year, roosting and flocking in groups of 3-30 birds.
