Distribution, population size and conservation of the Hispaniolan Amazon, Hispaniolan Parakeet and co-occurring endemic birds in the Dominican Republic

Contrasting patterns emerged: the amazon was widespread and expanded its range in the dry season, whereas the parakeet was site-restricted and contracted its range. These differences likely reflect seasonal resource use. Eighteen species showed seasonal effects, and 20—including the parakeet—require further population assessments.</p><p dir="ltr">Population size estimates are critical for evaluating endangerment.

Using distance sampling data from 329 transects, I assessed density and abundance for both parrots and three other endemic birds: Hispaniolan Trogon Priotelus roseigaster, White-necked Crow Corvus leucognaphalus, and Palm Crow Corvus palmarum. Limited encounters for the parakeet and palmcrow prevented density estimation, leading to concerns over their status. For the amazon, trogon, and whiteneck, mean densities were <6 individuals/km².

I derived a first national amazon population estimate of 66,160 individuals—three times larger than the current Red List figure. However, given documented harvesting and deforestation in strongholds such as Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, urgent evaluation of threats is needed.</p><p dir="ltr">Illegal wildlife trade remains a major driver of parrot decline globally. To assess ownership and trade in the DR, I conducted nationwide telephone surveys of 1,002 ii households, supplemented with face-to-face urban (n=1,025) and rural (n=392) surveys, and eleven poacher interviews.

Telephone results showed 3.1% of households kept parrots at the time of the survey, with higher levels (22.7%) in rural communities near parrot habitat. I estimated that there were approximately 106,758 households with captive amazons (95% Wilson CI: 74,620–152,565) and 7,019 households with parakeets (95% Wilson CI: 1,847–26,597) in 2023. At least 13,593 juvenile amazons entered captivity annually, providing essential inputs for demographic modelling.</p><p dir="ltr">To evaluate harvesting impacts, I developed the first stage-classified, female-only Population Viability Analysis (PVA) for amazons, projecting trends over 30 years and incorporating hurricane stochasticity.

Even the most conservative offtake scenario predicted a 66% decline in adult numbers. Nationwide quasi-extinction risk increased from 1.4% to 20.9% across harvest scenarios, representing simulations that fell below the quasiextinction threshold of 1,250 adult females. These results require careful interpretation but call for urgent intervention.

Together, these findings underscore the parakeet’s restricted distribution and show that, despite higher-than-expected numbers, amazon populations are likely declining under sustained offtake pressure. I conclude that strengthening forest protection and reducing parrot trade, alongside island-wide monitoring and research, are essential to secure the conservation of both species.</p>