Posts tagged parrot conservation
Parrot Conservation – Rare Cockatoo Accepts Artificial Nest in Urban Environment
Sep 30th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. A pair of highly endangered Forest Red-Tailed Black Cockatoos, Calyptorhynchus banksii naso, has hatched a chick in an artificial nest box located in Perth, Australia. The box was erected as part of a conservation effort launched by the Western Australian Museum and Murdoch University. The nesting is significant because it represents both the first time this species has accepted an artificial nest and the first known breeding in an urban setting.
Unique Threats and Considerations
The Forest Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo faces “typical” problems such as habitat loss, but is also plagued by several unique threats and an unusual breeding biology…all of which complicated the formation of a recovery plan.
Black Cockatoos have very specific nest-site requirements, and once a suitable nesting hollow is located a pair generally uses it for many years. Over the past several decades, Black Cockatoos in natural habitats have come under pressure from burgeoning populations of feral honeybees and of other cockatoo species, including Galahs and Corellas. These aggressive insects and birds take over Black Cockatoo nests and severely impact the species’ ability to reproduce. More >
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Loading ...Blue and Gold Macaw Natural History – the Wild Side of a Popular Pet
Jul 12th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The huge, stunningly-colored Blue and Gold (or Blue and Yellow) Macaw, Ara ararauna, is one of the most recognizable of all birds…size, color, intelligence (and voice!) make it impossible to ignore. While it has long been bred in captivity, the natural history of this spectacular parrot is less-well known. Please read on to learn about its life in the wild and the threats to its continued existence.
Range
The Blue and Gold has the largest natural range of any macaw. It is found from Eastern Panama east across most of Northern South America and south through Bolivia to Paraguay and Eastern Brazil. Despite this, it is declining or extinct in some areas…Trinidad’s macaws disappeared in the 1960’s, but a new population has been re-introduced. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Presely the Spix’s Macaw – the Real Story Behind the Movie Rio
May 19th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The animated movie Rio tells the story of the last 2 “Blue Macaws” on earth, and their adventurous efforts to save their species from extinction. The touching yet realistic conservation story has captivated adults and children alike, and the movie posted ticket sales of $40,000,000 on its first weekend…a record for this year. Many fans may not realize that a real endangered species – the Spix’s Macaw, Cyanopsitta spixii, and a real individual bird – Presely, inspired director Carlos Saldanba to create the movie. More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Parrot Conservation – Mexico’s Ban on Wild-Caught Parrots is Working
Apr 14th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Finally, conservationists and bird enthusiasts have some promising news regarding the fate of wild parrots. Mexico’s recently imposed ban on collecting and exporting wild parrots (please see article below) appears to be having its intended effect. Confiscations are at an all-time low, the public is cooperating, and birds in neighboring Guatemala may be benefitting as well.
A Bad Year for Smugglers
Despite increased attention to parrot smuggling, last year (2010) saw only 568 parrots confiscated in Mexico…less than any time in the past decade, and down 1/3 from 2009. As Mexico has long been an outlet for birds illegally trapped in neighboring Guatemala, it is believed that the ban is having a positive effect there as well. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Conservation Update – African Gray Parrot Deaths Spur Change in South Africa
Apr 7th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’ve been writing quite a bit about the trade in wild-caught African Gray Parrots in recent weeks. In stark contrast to most countries inhabited by parrots, several African nations still allow the capture and sale of wild birds. In others, lax enforcement renders existing laws useless. There has, however, been a recent spate of confiscations in Africa, but not all have turned out well….in one instance, government officials of the Democratic Republic of Congo actually returned hundreds of illegally collected parrots to poachers (please see article below)! Today I’ll highlight some good that may have come from a particularly sad situation. More >
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