Figure 1. These are two of a small group of four "caras-sujas" (dirty-faces) that I saw in Guaramiranga. Thanks to Ciro Albano for helping me to find the birds! I had a few minutes to record their voices and make some photos, before they flew away again. It was already late afternoon, with diminished daylight, not ideal for photography, but better than nothing. Lively and beautiful birds!

Only between 50 and 249 individuals of these griseipectus parakeets are now left in the wild, according to BirdLife International. The site with the largest population is maybe Guaramiranga in Serra de Baturité.

The main cause of extinction of these conures is the systematic removal of the youngs from the nest, for the cage-bird trade. Here is the answer I got from a shop-owner when I inquired about the parakeets: "Difficult to find here. None left, they were all caught. But I know some guys who could still find these birds. They could sell one to you." The man obviously misunderstood my intentions, but I hear replies like this quite often. The locals naturally assume that I came for trapping or buying birds, because that is the main association they have with the species I inquire about (blackbirds, parrots and parakeets, etc.).

Can griseipectus be saved? It is very possible that the removal of the youngs from the nest will continue until the total extinction of the "dirty-face" parakeet in the wild. On the other hand, many local people are actually aware that the "dirty-faces" are threatened by extinction, and especially landowners in Serra de Baturité often support preservation efforts. The griseipectus parakeets would have a better chance for survival if they nested in areas where the owner protects them and their youngs. In two properties, I saw nest-boxes prepared for them, but I do not know whether these were accepted by the birds.