Priorities for Future Research

Searches for additional populations of Golden Parakeet in the western portion of its distribution, in southwestern Pará and southeastern Amazonas, are necessary (Laranjeiras and Cohn-Haft 2009, BirdLife International 2011). Niche modeling indicated suitable habitat in this region, where local inhabitants suggest that Golden Parakeets are present, but previous inventories have not recorded the species (Laranjeiras and Cohn-Haft 2009). Searching for new populations in this region would be a useful step to better understand its geographic distribution and its status in the wild.

Population estimates throughout its range are also necessary. The species has been found in several localities, but there is no information about its abundance and population size in these sites. Also, the species shows a patchy occurrence and extrapolation of densities from any place to the occurrence area is not acceptable.

To determine how long the species can survive in altered areas also would be useful to better understand the vulnerability of Golden Parakeets. The species frequently is found  in newly deforested sites, and they also feed in secondary forest, but in completely deforested areas the species is absent. Newly deforested areas, with several tall and standing dead trees, may attract Golden Parakeet flocks, but these sites also are more subject to human disturbance.

Genetic analyses of kin relationship within flocks are required to better understand the breeding biology of Golden Parakeets. Also, other breeding parameters, especially in wild birds, are scarce and should be better investigated.

Last, but not least, studies with radio telemetry to better understand possible nomadism and seasonal dispersal in relation to foraging would be very useful.