Abstract
The critically endangered Yellow-eared Parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis) disappeared from Ecuador in the mid- 1990's, and in 1999 only 81 could be found in Colombia. Since then, the Loro Parque Fundaci6n has supported Colombian NGO Fundaci6n ProAves to bring this species back from the brink of extinction. The project has had great success, reinforced in 2007 with 60 nests producing 132 suecessfully fledged juveniles, the most ever. This excellent production has raised the global population to a minimum of 724 birds, and ProAves believes it may exceed 850. Although still confined to the central Andes of Colombia, the ProAves team registered two new areas visited by the species, as well as a new roost site, all indicative of an expanding population. The increase is partly due to an increased number of cavities in dead Wax Palms, the tree essential in the ecology of the parrot, but also due....