Abstract

GONZALEZ-HERRERA, Linda Rosana; CHABLE-SANTOS, Juan; AGUILAR-CORDERO, Wilian  and  MANRIQUE-SAIDE, Pablo. The wild bird trade in the city of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. Ecosistemas y recur. agropecuarios [online]. 2018, vol.5, n.14, pp.271-281. ISSN 2007-901X.  https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a5nl4.1242.

The trade in wild birds is an activity that has been practiced since pre-Hispanic times and that still persists today. It has been suggested that this activity has resulted in a decrease in local populations of some species. The aim of this work was to identify the species of wild birds that are commercialized and assess their importance within local commerce in the city's markets. Direct observations were made in six markets, interviews were conducted with five bird merchants and 125 questionnaires were applied to people who came to the markets to purchase birds. Thirty-two bird species belonging to 13 families and six taxonomic orders were recorded. Seven species are in some risk category according to the Mexican Standard. The most abundant species are Spinus psaltria, Sporophila torqueola and Tiaris olivaceus. The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) had the highest IVU with 0.032 and the second highest UST value with 57.6%. This species is appreciated and demanded for its song, color and as company, as well as to capture more birds. The trade in wild birds is a permanent activity and the taste for acquiring wild birds as pets has a long tradition.

Keywords : Birds; trade; Mexico; traditional use; use value.

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