Mealy Amazon Project

Wildlife trade and hunting hurt Mealy Amazon populations

Even though it is listed as least concern by IUCN, the Mealy Amazon (Amazona farinosa) has been heavily trapped for the wild bird trade; there is evidence of a decline in population. Since 1981, 49,600 individuals have been traded on the international market. This species is also increasingly shot for food in French Guiana.

The World Parrot Trust is helping to fund a joint project involving New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the University of British Columbia – Okanagan (UBC-O) genetics labs, to determine if Central American subspecies virenticeps and guatemalae, which are closely related, and South American subspecies farinosa and inornata, which are also closely related, but not to the Central American subspecies, should be designated separate species. This will have ramifications in the species’ protection, as a race afforded full species status will also achieve increased protection from IUCN if deemed necessary.

Why we need your help?

Your support is crucial to our efforts to save this species. With your help we have already made an impact in the conservation of the Mealy Amazon. Please help us to continue this important work - donate today!

Visit the WPT website to learn more about our efforts to protect this species.