Abstract
The Maroon-fronted Parrot (Rhynchopsitta terrisi) is a threatened species endemic to pine-oak (Pinus spp.-Quercus spp.) forests in “sky islands” of the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico. We measured parrot (n = 10) home ranges during the breeding season (1999–2001) using radiotelemetry. Home ranges varied among years: 1999 = 12,379.05 ha, 2000 = 8,633.82 ha, and 2001 = 4,736.75 ha. Differences in home range size may reflect variation in distribution, abundance, and patchiness of food. Daily movements in 1999 were estimated as 23.6 km versus 13.7 km in 2000 and 26.8 km in 2001. Habitat preferences within the Pinus forest varied among nesting seasons. Preference in 1999 was for Pinus-Abies-Pseudotsuga forest and in 2000 and 2001 it was for Pinus forest and chaparral. This variation may be influenced by nesting behavior. Rapid landscape changes may necessitate planting and conserving pine forest to regenerate areas for long term conservation of Maroon-fronted Parrots.