In a significant discovery for ornithology, biologist and ornithologist Vinicius Costa has successfully documented the presence of the rare blue-cheeked Amazon parrot (Amazona dufresniana) in the Brazilian state of Pará. The sightings, made in the municipalities of Oriximiná and Terra Santa within the Rio Trombetas region, represent a crucial expansion of the known range for this elusive bird within the country.
The observations were not isolated incidents. Costa, who conducts environmental consultancy work across Brazil, recorded the birds on multiple occasions during avifauna monitoring expeditions. These encounters occurred both in the current year and in 2025, providing a more robust dataset on the species' distribution. The biologist noted that the parrots were frequently observed in mixed flocks with other psittacine species, specifically the mealy amazon (Amazona farinosa) and the orange-winged amazon (Amazona amazonica).
"The records occurred on various opportunities during avifauna monitoring routes, where it was possible to observe and record pairs at certain moments, which were generally accompanying other psittacine species," Costa explained. He further detailed that one individual was also spotted alone. The sightings were predominantly made in the early morning hours, with the birds consistently found in the upper canopy of trees.
This discovery carries substantial weight for the conservation status of the blue-cheeked Amazon. Internationally, the species is classified as "Near Threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, within Brazil, its status is listed as "Data Deficient" by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) under the Ministry of Environment. This discrepancy underscores a critical lack of biological information.
The "Data Deficient" classification is not a reflection of low risk, but rather a significant gap in knowledge. As the source material states, "It is still not known how the different threats may affect the population in Brazil throughout its distribution." This means that without targeted research and field observations like those conducted by Costa, effective conservation strategies cannot be developed or implemented.
The context of the location is vital to understanding the find. The sightings occurred within the Guiana Shield Endemism Center, a vast and biologically rich area in the northern Amazon. Fellow biologist and ornithologist Ricardo Ribeiro, who has worked on avifaunal surveys in the region for four years, provided perspective on the challenges and potential of the area.
"In the Amazon region, especially in the Guiana Shield, it fortunately still possesses extensive areas of virgin forests, however they have more difficult and restricted access for the cataloging of many species," Ribeiro explained. This inaccessibility is a primary reason why species like the blue-cheeked Amazon can remain poorly documented.
Ribeiro expressed optimism that future surveys will yield more records. He believes new sightings of the parrot are likely to occur in other states within the Guiana Shield Endemism Center, specifically mentioning Amapá, Pará, and Roraima. This prediction is based on the bird's known habitat preferences for terra firme forests and its tendency to form mixed flocks.
The behavioral observations made by Costa align with existing knowledge of the genus. The preference for the highest parts of the canopy and early morning activity are typical for many Amazon parrot species. The association with mealy and orange-winged amazons suggests shared foraging resources or safety in numbers, a common strategy among parrots.
For the scientific community and conservationists, each new record of a data-deficient species is a vital piece of a larger puzzle. These sightings in Pará do not merely add a dot on a map; they provide concrete evidence of habitat use, social behavior, and population presence that can inform future research priorities and potential protective measures for the blue-cheeked Amazon.
The work of field biologists like Costa and Ribeiro is fundamental in bridging the knowledge gaps that hinder conservation. Their continued monitoring efforts in remote regions are essential for assessing the true status of rare species and ensuring that classifications like "Data Deficient" can eventually be replaced with more accurate, evidence-based assessments.
Based on reporting from g1.