The Red-tailed Amazon Conservation Project is one of SPVS’s longest-running and most emblematic species conservation initiatives. Implemented in 1998 on the northern coast of Paraná, Brazil, and expanded in 2013 to the southern coast of São Paulo, the project works to safeguard the red-tailed amazon parrot (Amazona brasiliensis) in its natural habitat: the Atlantic Forest.
The red-tailed amazon is an endemic species of the Atlantic Forest, occurring only in this biome, mainly along the coastal region from southern São Paulo to Paraná. It is strongly associated with forests, coastal plains, islands, mangroves and estuarine landscapes within the Atlantic Forest Great Reserve, the largest well-preserved continuous remnant of the Atlantic Forest. Because of its restricted distribution and dependence on healthy habitats, the species is highly vulnerable to environmental degradation.
For many years, the red-tailed amazon was included in Brazil’s National List of Threatened Species as Vulnerable, mainly due to habitat destruction and the illegal capture of chicks for the wildlife trade. The continuous work carried out by SPVS and its partners has helped improve the species’ survival conditions and reduce its level of threat. However, the species still requires permanent conservation measures to remain stable in the wild and avoid returning to a more critical conservation status.
Today, the project estimates a population of around 9,000 red-tailed amazons, restricted to the Atlantic Forest Great Reserve region. This population is the result of decades of fieldwork combining biological research, population and reproductive monitoring, nest management, environmental education, local community engagement and institutional cooperation with public agencies, protected area managers, research institutions and conservation organizations.
One of the central components of the project is nest monitoring. Red-tailed amazons naturally depend on cavities in old trees for reproduction, but these nesting sites can be affected by storms, wind, rain, illegal logging and habitat degradation. To address the shortage and instability of natural nests, SPVS began installing artificial nests made of wood and PVC in Paraná in 2003, and later also in São Paulo. The species adapted very well to this management strategy, and today many of the artificial nests installed in key breeding areas are occupied annually by parrots.
During the breeding season, from October to March, SPVS’s technical team monitors reproductive sites from the first eggs until the last chicks leave the nests. This work includes checking nest conditions, recording biological data, measuring and assessing chicks, monitoring parental care, identifying new natural nests and increasing protection against illegal chick capture. Since the beginning of the project, more than 1,800 chicks have been recorded, and more than 1,000 have successfully fledged and left their nests.
The project also carries out population censuses, which are essential for understanding the minimum population size, distribution, movement patterns and main roosting areas used by the species. The last census across the full distribution area, carried out in 2018, recorded 9,112 individuals. Of these, approximately 80% were found on the northern coast of Paraná, with 7,366 birds, while 1,746 individuals were recorded in the five municipalities where the species occurs on the southern coast of São Paulo. In 2019, a census focused on Paraná recorded 7,493 birds, indicating that the population in the state has remained stable and has shown increases over time.
Monitoring has also identified some of the most important areas used by red-tailed amazons for roosting and feeding. Major concentrations occur in the roosts of Superagui National Park and on islands such as Ilha Rasa, Ilha do Mel and Ilha Rasa da Cotinga. The surrounding areas are used for foraging during the day, with particular importance given to the coastal plains of Pontal do Paraná, where more than half of the population may occur during certain periods of the year. These data are essential for guiding conservation actions, land-use planning, protected area management and strategies to reduce threats.
Although the population has shown stability, the species remains exposed to significant risks. The loss and fragmentation of Atlantic Forest habitats, illegal capture of chicks, infrastructure development and land-use changes in coastal plains are among the main threats. Because the red-tailed amazon depends on a narrow geographic range, any major impact on its feeding, nesting or roosting areas may affect a large portion of the population.
Community participation is a key part of the project’s success. Local residents support field activities, help identify nesting and roosting areas, contribute to monitoring efforts and strengthen protection against wildlife trafficking. The project also promotes training for students, educators, public servants and local partners, helping to build a broader conservation culture in the region. This combination of scientific knowledge and local engagement has been essential for long-term results.
The project also creates opportunities for sustainable territorial development. The red-tailed amazon is an emblematic species with strong potential to inspire nature-based tourism, especially birdwatching. With careful planning and low-impact practices, the observation of parrot flights and roosting behavior can generate economic opportunities for local communities, guides, protected areas and municipalities, while also strengthening public awareness about the importance of Atlantic Forest conservation.
In addition to its work with the red-tailed amazon, SPVS has expanded its experience to support the conservation of the vinaceous-breasted amazon (Amazona vinacea), another threatened parrot species affected by illegal capture and habitat loss. Activities include the active search for nesting sites, nest monitoring with the support of local residents, environmental education and the strengthening of partnerships with protected areas, enforcement agencies and other conservation initiatives.
The Red-tailed Amazon Conservation Project demonstrates how long-term species conservation can generate results for biodiversity, science, communities and the broader landscape. By protecting an emblematic species, SPVS also contributes to the conservation of forests, islands, mangroves, coastal plains and protected areas that are essential for the ecological integrity of the Atlantic Forest Great Reserve. The project is a practical example of how research, management, education, partnerships and local engagement can keep wildlife in the wild and transform a threatened species into a symbol of hope and regional identity.