Parrots

Parrots, formally called Psittacines fall in the Psittaciformes family.  In all, approximately 300 species of parrots can be found around the world.  However, the majority of parrot breeds live in both semi-tropical and tropical regions to include South America.  Parrots are called by a number of names to include parakeets, cockatoos, macaws, conures, lorikeets, amazons, and rosellas.  This type of bird is identified by the same characteristic – the downward curving beak and beautiful coloring.  Because of this, we now see parrots sold around the globe, being kept as pets. 

Today, approximately 94 species of parrots are at risk for extinction, primarily due to habitat loss with rainforests being cut down and the birds being caught and sold or traded.  In addition, another 25 species are now listed on the endangered species list for the United States, which includes birds such as the Latin American Glaucous Macaw, the Puerto Rican Parrot, and the Australian Orange-Bellied Parakeet. 

Although we see many parrots now being traded, the good news is that the majority of species from around the globe are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, more commonly known as CITES.  This international treaty now has more than 160 member nations, protecting 40 species from commercial international trade.  This system works through a special permit system, which benefits the parrots’ exhibit. 

In addition to international trade, many of the parrot species listed and protected by the treaty cannot be imported, exported, or used for interstate commerce.  Only countries with approved management and conservation programs can import wild birds for trade.  This treaty also involves mandated 30-day quarantine for all exotic birds so they can be checked for any problems with health such as parrot fever, which is not only dangerous to other birds and poultry but also potentially fatal to humans. 

Today, the parrot trade has skyrocketed.  To give you an idea, in just two years, from 1998 to 2000, more than one million birds were traded.  Because of this, more and stricter laws have been established.  Currently, approximately 17,000 parrots make their way into the United States alone annually.  Of those, some 3,500 are those captured from the wild.  As you can imagine, wild-caught parrots continues to be a major concern for conservationists. 

Sadly, of the wild parrots exported to the United States, about ten years ago, the mortality was anywhere from 10% to 60% prior to the exportation process.  This means a greater number of birds were being captured from rainforests that never made it to their new destination.  Another concern is that the larger parrots to include cockatoos and macaws only produce a small number of offspring.  Therefore, the wild populations left behind cannot possibly rebuild, which is what has left to many of the birds being added to the endangered list.  However, new laws in recent years have gone into effect, whereby the majority of parrots being exported into the United States are actually captive-bred.