Posts tagged Bird Conservation
The Cape Parrot – Africa’s Rarest Psittacine Threatened by Disease
Dec 30th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The problems afflicting the African Gray Parrot have been very much in the news recently (please see video below), and some important conservation efforts have been initiated. Less well-known, however, is the desperate situation facing the Cape Parrot, Poicephalus robustus. With a wild population hovering at approximately 800 individuals, this relative of the Senegal and Meyer’s Parrot is Africa’s rarest Psittacine, and the most threatened bird in South Africa.
650 Years of Habitat Destruction
The Cape Parrot is limited in range to mountainous forests in South Africa (please see photo), a habitat that has been heavily logged for over 650 years. In addition to actual habitat loss, deforestation also limits the availability of the tree hollows. Rare even in intact forests, hollows are essential to Cape Parrot nesting success…the bird cannot adapt and utilize alternative nest sites. Cape Parrots have also been hunted as crop pests and illegally collected for the pet trade.
Disease Complicates Conservation Efforts
But it is disease that may finally finish-off this beautiful, little-studied bird. Just as an unprecedented fungal epidemic is now causing amphibian extinctions worldwide, Cape Parrots are being decimated by a disease that seems not to have been a major threat in the past.
Over the past 5 years, increasing numbers of Cape Parrots have been succumbing to Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD). Long known in both wild and captive populations of many species, PBFD has never affected so many individuals, and to such a degree, as now. In one study along the southern edge of their range, 100% of the Cape Parrots sampled tested positive. Ornithologists fear that some environmental factor is worsening the disease’s effects or increasing its ability to spread.
Food May Hold Survival Key
Aided by funding from the National Geographic Society, The Percy Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology has launched the Cape Parrot Project. The effort is distinguished by its broad scope and, I believe, should be used as a template for others.
Researchers noticed that birds undergoing treatment for PBFD quickly began to put on weight and recover when they were fed Yellowwood Tree fruit. Subsequent lab tests confirmed that Yellowwood Tree fruit contains compounds that kill a variety of microbes. Yellowwood Trees are now scarce in the Cape Parrot’s range; a lack of this formerly common food may, to some degree, account for the species’ new susceptibility to PBFD. DNA sequencing of the PBFD virus was also commenced, in order to determine if a recent mutation might be involved.
Other work is in progress. Twenty-five thousand native trees have been planted in Cape Parrot habitat, and 600 nest boxes have been erected. Local communities are paid to care for and monitor the new trees. Potentially toxic plants, introduced from the USA, Japan, Mexico and India, are being studied, and supplementary food sources have been planted. The rehabilitation of PBFD-infected parrots continues. It is hoped that a new population of disease-free Cape Parrots can be established in an area from which they disappeared over 150 years ago.
Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook. Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable. I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.
Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.
Further Reading
The Cape Parrot Project on Facebook
Understanding Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
Video: African Gray Parrot Conservation (Nat Geo)
Rare Finches of the Impenetrable Forest
Keeping Senegal and other Poicephalus Parrots
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Loading ...The WorldBirds Data Base – an Exciting Conservation Tool Open to all Birders
Dec 23rd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Established in 2003 by Birdlife International, the WorldBirds Birdwatcher’s Data Base now has 16,000 regular users and over 3 million recorded observations. Unlike many professionally-organized efforts, WorldBirds is open to ornithologists and casual and serious birders alike. It is an excellent, enjoyable way to contribute to worldwide conservation projects and communicate with others who share your passion.
Your Observations Count
Research fund availability and the sheer scope of what needs to be done places severe limits on conservationists…paid professionals can not handle everything. Even when I worked for the Bronx Zoo and other well-funded organizations, I relied heavily upon volunteers. Much of the data that later found its way into professional publications was generated by them, not I. More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Privately-Owned Reserves in Australia Benefit Parrots and Other Wildlife
Nov 4th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.In times of economic distress, government-funded wildlife conservation often takes a back seat to competing concerns. InAustralia, private (non-governmental) groups are taking up some of the slack…and doing a fine job. Over 6,000,000 acres of land are now being privately managed for the benefit of native animals and plants.
Wildlife in Peril
Parrot conservation often takes center stage when talk turns to Australian wildlife, but a wide variety of other animals are also in trouble. A recent report (please see below) states that 27 species of Australian birds are now extinct, 20 are critically endangered, 68 are vulnerable and 63 are classified as near-threatened. Australia leads the world mammal extinctions, and severe declines have also been noted among reptiles, amphibians and fishes. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Status and Conservation of Australia’s Parrots, Finches and other Birds
Oct 7th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The recently published Action Plan for Australian Birds, 2010 covering all Australian birds on the IUCN Red Data List, has its share of depressing conservation news, but also offers some hope. As most bird enthusiasts know, a few species of Australian cockatoos are expanding their ranges, but far more are declining or barely holding their own. Less well-known is the fact that several finches are also in serious trouble in the wild, despite being well-established in the pet trade.
Past and Present Statistics
Since European settlers arrived onAustraliain 1788, 2.2% of the continent’s birds have become extinct and 11.8% are threatened with extinction. As so many of Australia’s birds are found nowhere else on earth and have no close relatives, the situation is especially critical. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Parrot Conservation – USA Protects 3 Cockatoos under the Endangered Species Act
Aug 17th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has taken action on a proposal originally filed by Friends of Animals in 2008. Three of the affected species are popular in the pet trade – the Umbrella or White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba), the Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo (C. sulphurea) and the Red-Vented or Philippine Cockatoo (C. haematuropygia). The Crimson Shining Parrot (Prosopeia splendens) was denied Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection.
ESA Protection Denied for 8 Parrot Species
The original application filed by Friends of Animals sought ESA protection for 8 additional species, including the Military, Scarlet, Blue-Headed, Great Green and Hyacinth Macaws, the Yellow-Billed and Red-Crowned Parrots and the Grey-Cheeked Parakeet. Of these, only the 3 cockatoos listed above and the Crimson Shining Parrot were selected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as warranting further consideration. More >
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