Is the yellow-head really endangered?
Actually, we believe population numbers are now at critically endangered levels.
According to data collated by BirdLife International on which IUCN Red List base their species assessments, the yellowhead has been classified as endangered since 1994 based on a survey which identified a 90% population decrease over the previous 2 decades from 70,000 birds to just 7000 individuals (in 1994).
No reliable survey has been carried out since 1994, but Birdlife estimate the decline to be between only 30-49% despite the historic decline of 50-79% in the previous decade.
So why is the yellowhead at so much risk?
Crop pest: the yellow-heads are very fond of the citrus groves. However much you tell a poor farmer not to shoot the birds as he watches them rip his livelihood to pieces, he is simply not going to listen.
Local pet trade:oratrix makes a very attractive pet. Its very name "oratrix" means "talks" (female). If you've ever heard one singing or trilling 'good morning' you will know exactly why. So, as well as being pretty, and intelligent, it's a great mimic and highly sought after. Although export is banned under CITES, the Belizean people still love to keep parrots.
Poaching damage: They choose terrible nest sites: humans can see them a mile off and know exactly how to get into them with a machete, destroying a nest site and probably a couple of chicks in the process. At upwards of $800 per chick (5 or 6 weeks full wages for one man) it's very attractive to collect and sell the babies.
Low fecundity: Oratrix isn't the best breeder. Their chick survival rate (without the help of farmers or poachers) is not good, and only 0.5 of the 2-4 eggs actually get to fledgling stage.
Habitat Destruction: Along with targeted destruction of nests to reach chicks, oratrix faces the systematic encroachment of humans for logging, housing, highways, agriculture and tourism.
