In the tropics of Guatemala, UC Davis researchers are looking at ways to preserve dwindling populations of the colorful yellow-naped Amazon parrot. Young parrots are plucked from their nests by poachers, then smuggled into the United States where they are sold as pets for as much as $1,000 each. "Because the adult parrots live to be 70 to 80 years old, many Guatemalans don't realize young birds are no longer joining the wild population," said Ann Brice, coordinator of the UC Davis Psittacine (sounds like "sit-a-seen") Research Project. The group of researchers have proposed an educational program combined with economic incentives to curb the loss of the wild parrots. Would-be poachers -- who receive about $10 for each chick snatched -- could be paid to monitor the nests and protect the young birds. Eachyear, one chick from each nest could be sold, leaving the remaining two or three chicks to mature in the wild. "Statistics show that the smallest chick in the nest usually doesn't survive, anyway," Brice said. "It might actually help to remove one bird, leaving more food among the remaining chicks." In field work on a large cattle ranch in southern Guatemala, the researchers are studying parrot nesting behavior, parasites and reproduction. In addition, Brice is doing nutritional studies in order to develop an appropriate feed for use by people in developing countries who are raising the parrots in captivity.