Since 2004, SAVE Brasil (BirdLife in Brazil)
has been working to conserve the last remaining forests in the Sierra do Urubu in
the municipality of Lagoa dos Gatos, Pernambuco state, northeastern Brazil. It is
IBA BR074 and is home to a rich and unique biodiversity, including two of the
world’s most threatened birds - Alagoas Foliage-gleaner – Philydor noyaesi and Alagoas Antwren Myrmotherula snowi.
Conservation work began with the purchase of a 362 hectare property, today
known as the Pedro D’Anta Natural Heritage Private Reserve, which is adjacent
to the Frei Caneca Natural Heritage Private Reserve. Combined, the two areas
protect 1000 hectares of Atlantic
Forest.
In 2008, SAVE Brasil undertook
education activities focused on the conservation of the Endangered In 2008,
SAVE Brasil undertook education activities focused on the conservation of the
Endangered Orange-bellied Antwren – Terenura
sicki. These activities established a communication channel with the
community of Lagoa dos Gatos, and as a result, in 2009, the Centre for
Conservation Education Serra do Urubu was established. The Centre’s mission is
to raise awareness of the importance of the Serra do Urubu and its rich and
unique biodiversity, and to engage the local community in conservation in the
region.
According to SAVE Brasil’s
environmental education team “We can see the interest of the local community in
being part of environmental causes in the municipality. As an example, all the
schools in Lagoa dos Gatos presented topics related to the environment during
the September 7th celebration of Brazilian Independence.” The
presentations covered issues such as deforestation, actions needed for the
conservation of the Atlantic Forest (including SAVE Brasil as a lead
organization in the region), recycling of materials to protect the environment,
the importance of sustainable water use, and poorly planned development as the
primary cause for contamination and damage to the environment.
The Orange-winged Amazon - Amazona
amazonica - also known locally as Orange-winged
Parrot and Loro Guaro, is a large resident breeding bird in tropical
South America. Its habitat is forest and
semi-open country.
Description
The Orange-winged Amazon is a
mainly green parrot. It has blue and yellow feathers on its head which varies
in extent between individuals. Adults forehead, crown and fore-cheeks are
yellow with the lores and band between eyes violet/blue, the throat
yellow/green tinged with blue. The upper mandible is partly horn colored and
partly dark-grey. It has orange feathers in the wings and tail, which can be
seen when in flight. The male and female are identical in external appearance.
Call
Wide variety of sounds. Harsh
screeches, screams, squawks, trills, bubbles and whistles.
Food
It eats fruit and seeds.
Breeding
The Orange-winged Amazon nests in
tree cavities. The eggs are white and there are usually three to four in a
clutch. The female incubates the eggs for about 26 days and the chicks leave
the nest about 60 days after hatching.
Conservation
Status – Least Concern
It is persecuted as an
agricultural pest and by capture for the pet trade and is also hunted as a food
source.
Birdwatching
It roosts communally in palm and
other trees, and large numbers can be seen at the roost sites at dawn and dusk.