Save a Parrot Nest!

The yellow-naped Amazon is critically endangered, yet, against all odds, you are helping us protect them in overlooked geographies like those in the dry forests of Nicaragua and El Salvador. As a result, we are gradually seeing increases in the populations we work to protect.

One challenge we currently face is that we have no single funder to support the parrot conservation program, but individual donors like you who make it possible for us to protect nests. We also face admisitrative hurdles presented by the government in Nicaragua, that has driven nearly all other conservation NGOs out of that country. We persist thanks to your support. 

Thanks to you, during the past several months we made reward payments to farmers who protected five parrots nests, helping eight parrots fly into the wild. An anonymous donor affiliated with the SoCal Parrots also contributed so that we could make these payment. We are so grateful to you all. Two additional parrots were protected last season at the Morgans Rock Hotel and nature reserve in Nicaragua. In all, you helped us protect seven nests, helping fourteen parrotlets to flege.  

During the past three months, our team has been patrolling the forest and carried out informal birding and also birding as part of October Big Day. Through these observations, we casually recorded 50 birds, which includes 35 birds roosting in a single tree! It is impressive when you consider that in 2009, our research resulted an estimated number of 80 birds in the entire Paso del Istmo Wildlife Corridor in Nicaragua. With each passing year, the parrots are more readily observed, and that, is great news!

Now, we await new nesting activity by the parrots. When we recently visited the farmers to make the payments, we also climbed up to check on the nest and remove debris, insect pests (non-native bees), and make sure the nest was in good condition for the next see. 

Thank you for helping us to protect the parrots and support the communities. 

Dear Friend,

Thanks to you, a new generation of yellow-naped Amazon parrots has taken flight across Central America. Despite significant challenges, including funding cuts and difficult field conditions, your support continues to make a lasting impact.

In El Salvador, even after budget reductions by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, our team remained committed to this important work. We successfully monitored 15 nests in the eastern portion of the country. From these efforts, we verified the fledging of 19 parrot chicks, with an additional 12 chicks likely having fledged based on observed activity at those nest sites.

Meanwhile, in Nicaragua, we sustained our work with trusted parrot protectors who monitored at least six active nests and ensured the safe development of their chicks. These long-standing partners, many of whom are local farmers and former poachers, once again proved that conservation incentive payments work, and that with the right support, communities can become the most effective guardians of nature.

Your generosity is helping us give farmers an alternative to the illegal wildlife trade, while protecting a species vital to the health of Central America's tropical dry forests. Each protected nest is a victory not only for the yellow-naped Amazon parrot, but also for forest regeneration and rural livelihoods.

Thank you for continuing to stand with us and for making it possible for more baby parrots to be released safely into the wild.

With deep gratitude,

The Paso Pacifico Team