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 7^th 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.