Latin name: Guarouba guarouba

 

Protected and listed in Annex I of the Washington Convention since 1975.

 

Belongs to the group of 12 species of parrots threatened with extinction.

 

Height: 33 to 36 cm

Weight: 150 - 200 g

Colour: Bright golden-yellow body.

The primary wing feathers are dark green.

 

Horn-coloured, very imposing beak.

No sexual dimorphism.

This species goes by several names: golden conure, Queen of Bavaria's conure, and its indigenous name ararajuba. Since its identification in 1788, the golden parakeet has always been highly sought after. In addition to its stunningly bright plumage, it demands immediate attention with its massive pointed beak, larger than those of small macaws.

Farmers hunt the golden parakeet, as they consider it a pest.

The actual numbers in the wild are not known and no breeding programme in captivity exists.

This species lays up to 9 eggs (4, on average) but its reproduction and hand-rearing are mastered only by experienced professionals. Furthermore, the population currently held in captivity is descended from only a few specimens (approximately 20 birds from the beginning) and therefore offers no hope for the future of the species.

Local education and protection programmes are urgently needed to avoid extinction of the ararajuba.

The Conure Guarouba lives in couples and/or in groups in the driest tropical forests.

Although exact numbers in the wild are unknown, we do know that approximately 150 individual birds live in the Nordeste (Northeast part of Brazil covering 9 states), its natural habitat.

Unfortunately, it lives in the most densely populated Brazilian region, where the construction of roads and farm land has led to major deforestation.

The map below is currently available only in French. An English version will soon be made available.