David C. Oren

Observations on the golden parakeet Aratinga guarouba in Northern Brazil

The golden parakeet Aratinga guarouba is endemic to northern Brazil south of the Amazon River. Here we report on the distribution, ecology, diet, behaviour, and breeding of this threatened species, based on field work with ancillary observations in captivity. Man is today the most important predator of these spectacular birds, which are hunted for the pet trade, as agricultural pests, and for meat. Urgent steps to control the domestic Brazilian trade in live golden parakeets and a major reserve in the eastern part of the birds range are necessary to stem the rapid population decline of the species in the wild.