EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Sinú Parakeet (Pyrrhura subandina) is a Critically Endangered (CR) bird species endemic to Colombia, historically restricted to an area of less than 5,000 km² within the lower Sinú River basin. The species is considered possibly extinct, with no confirmed records for over 70 years, placing it among the most threatened and least-known Neotropical parrots.
Over the last five years (2019–2024), the Fundación Andina, in partnership with the Zenú Indigenous community of El Sabanal, has conducted continuous informal monitoring, participatory observations and landscape analysis across approximately 1,200 hectares of rural and indigenous land. These efforts have included over 60 community interviews, seasonal bird observation walks, and mapping of more than 25 forest fragments ranging from 0.5 to 35 hectares.
This long-term collaboration has generated baseline ecological and social knowledge, established community trust, and identified priority areas where less than 8–10% of original tropical dry forest cover remains, consistent with regional deforestation estimates for the Caribbean lowlands of Colombia. The present project formalizes and expands this groundwork into a structured conservation plan integrating research, habitat protection, community governance and institutional support.
Keywords: Sinú Parakeet (Pyrrhura subandina), Critically Endangered species, tropical dry forest, lower Sinú River basin, community-based conservation, Zenú Indigenous community, habitat assessment, preventive conservation, forest fragmentation, biodiversity monitoring, Colombia.