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The Venezuelan Red Siskin: Case History of an Endangered Species

1985; Issue: 36 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/40168329

1941-2282

Sadie Coats, William H. Phelps,

Bird parasitology and diseases

Excessive trapping for the cagebird trade during the early 20th century placed the Red Siskin, Carduelis cucullata, a Neotropical cardueline finch, in grave danger of extinction. 1981 estimates indicated only 600 to 800 individuals in scattered small populations in the western and central regions of the northern cordilleras of Venezuela, and trapping of these populations still continues. Capture, sale, and export of Red Siskins has been illegal in Venezuela since the 1940's, but protection has not succeeded because trapping occurs in remote regions difficult to police, and the birds are smuggled out of Venezuela to nearby Curacao. Red Siskins are protected under CITES, but the Netherlands is not a signatory party, hence CITES regulations do not apply in Curacao or Holland. Red Siskins are semi-nomadic, use many types of habitat including scrub woodland and evergreen forest, and feed on a variety of seeds and fruits. The main breeding season is May-July, with a secondary peak in November-December. Management recommendations include further field studies, establishment of national parks or reserves where Red Siskin populations are numerically strongest, and cooperation by the Netherlands and Curacao governments in stopping the smuggling of endangered animals into Curacao. RESUMEN. La excesiva captura para el comercio de aves de jaula a comienzos del siglo XX puso al cardenalito, Carduelis cucullata, un pinz6n neotropical, en grave peligro de extincidn. Las estimaciones de 1981 indican que hay solo entre 600 y 800 individuos dispersos en pequenas poblaciones en las regiones del oeste y central de las cordilleras del norte de Venezuela y las capturas aun continuan en esas poblaciones. La captura, venta y exportaci6n de C. cucullata en Venezuela es ilegal desde la decada de 1940, pero la protecci6n no ha tenido exito debido a que las capturas continuan en regiones remotas dificiles de controlar para la policia y las aves son sacadas de contrabando de Venezuela hacia la cercana isla de Curacao. C. cucullata esta protegida por CITES (Convenci6n para el Trafico International de Especies de Flora y Fauna en Peligro de Extinci6n) pero Holanda no es signataria de la convenci6n, por lo que las regulaciones de CITES no se aplican a Curacao u Holanda. C. cucullata es semin6made, usa muchos tipos de habitats incluyendo bosques arbustivos y perennes y se alimenta de una variedad de semillas y frutas. La principal temporada de reproducci6n es mayo-julio, con un pico secundario en noviembre-diciembre. Las recomendaciones de manejo incluyen mas estudios de campo, establetimiento de parques nationals y reservas donde las poblaciones de C. cucullata son numericamente mas grandes, y cooperacidn de los gobiernos de Curacao y Holanda, para detener el contrabando hacia Curacao, de esta ave en peligro de extinci6n. Public awareness of the vulnerability of the natural environment has resulted from cases of extinction or near-extinction of wild species due to human activities. In presenting this case study of the Red Siskin {Carduelis cucullata), an endangered Neotropical cardueline finch, we hope to contribute to that awareness and to point out some persisting problems in the regulation of international trade in wildlife. We summarize what little is known about this species, briefly trace the history of its exploitation for the cagebird trade, describe the measures that have been taken to preserve it, and conclude with some recommendations for further