Satellite Technology Boosts Parrot Conservation in Mexico

Scientists from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) and Organización Vida Silvestre (OVIS) have equipped thick-billed parrots with satellite backpacks, enabling the collection of over 70,000 data points in four years and the identification of critical migratory corridors for their conservation.

"It opened up a whole new world of good decisions for us," says Ernesto Enkerlin-Hoeflich, Scientific Director, OVIS, highlighting how the data obtained has informed the creation of protected areas for this species.

Thick-billed parrots (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) are endemic to Mexico and are at risk of extinction due to habitat degradation caused by illegal logging. Their natural distribution is limited to the Sierra Madre Occidental. While SDZWA and OVIS have been collaborating on conservation projects for over three decades, a lack of accurate information on migratory patterns limited protection strategies.

In 2019, the SDZWA team began exploring the use of satellite backpacks with lightweight, rugged transmitters designed to collect data without affecting bird behavior. This innovation overcame the complexity of monitoring a species that inhabits remote and difficult to access areas.

The satellite backpacks, powered by solar energy and weighing about 9g, collect data using the Argos and GPS/GSM systems. As Mongo Bay reports, since their deployment on 57 thick-billed parrots, researchers have identified key migratory routes and stopover areas that were previously unprotected. The data also revealed that the birds follow synchronized movement patterns and use less than 20% of their range within formal protected areas.

In January 2024, the data obtained supported the creation of 43 new protected areas in Mexico, including a 418-hectare sanctuary dedicated to parrot breeding and nesting habitat. In addition, a population study conducted by OVIS reported a 10% increase in the population of these birds.

The information gathered not only facilitates parrot conservation, but also benefits other species that share their habitat, such as pumas and bobcats. The models developed from the data, according to Mongo Bay, make it possible to visualize migratory corridors, assess population levels, and design more effective intervention strategies.