“Guys, let’s not with the extinction, please.”(
Cacatua sulphurea, Lesser Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo, Critically Endangered. Photo Source)
I’m about to talk about something that is a bit of a bummer. Okay, it’s a really huge bummer, but I think it’s really important to talk about this stuff, otherwise we lose things before we even know they are gone.
If you are a bird lover (HIGH FIVE, MY DUDES), you probably know by now that there are some endangered parrots. I won’t shut up about Kakapos, but another one that is somewhat famous is the Spix’s macaw, thanks to the kinda-recent Rio movies. These are really important species that are getting much needed attention.
What might surprise you (or, not, if you have been keeping an ear to the ground on this stuff) are some of the other species that are endangered.
Like, African Grey Parrots. Sun Conures (yes). Lesser Sulfur-Crested Cockatoos (critically endangered). Many Amazon parrot species (yellow headed, double-yellow headed, red-crowned, etc etc. Some declining more than 90%). Several Macaws (Blue-Throated, critically endangered,probably fewer than 300 left) . Red-And-Blue Lorys. Lovebirds (yeah…). Just to name a few. (If you did a double take at Sun Conures or Lovebirds, you’re not alone. They are among the most commonly sold pet parrots here in the USA).
There are many more species on the endangered list, and a great number more that are listed as vulnerable/decreasing at an unsustainable rate (essentially, these species are usually destined for the endangered list unless population trends change for the better). Here’s a chart if you are interested. A few seem a bit out of date; as African Greys have been re-listed as endangered recently. http://rainforests.mongabay.com/endangered/charts/birds-parrots.html
It’s easy to see animals commonly kept in captivity as pets and not realize the really serious threat that hangs over the heads of their wild cousins. While imports into the US are less of a concern than the used to be (
The Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA)
was enacted in 1992 to protect exotic bird species from
international trade. The Act maintains that wild-caught birds may only
be imported into the United States if they are produced in accordance
with service-approved management plans for sustainable use of the
species. Essentially, it’s illegal for hobbyists to import birds for the pet trade any longer. They are still smuggled, however.), it’s still a really huge problem in some parts of the world. Habitat loss/destruction are also an enormous factor in the decline of many of these species. If you are interested in a parrot, please research not only care (and the incredible requirements of time and money), but source. Though much decreased, illegal trade still happens. Educate yourself about how to avoid accidentally buying a smuggled bird.
Though this is depressing, knowing that they are in trouble is the first step to helping. I know not everyone can donate, but even just spreading the word and creating awareness is a huge step in the right direction (how many of you were surprised to see Sun Conures, or African Greys, or Cockatoos on the list?). There is a lot of good information over on https://www.parrots.org/ both about keeping captive parrots, as well as conserving wild ones. If you can’t donate, you can always put something from their shop in your wish list! https://www.parrots.org/shop You can make some art of an endangered parrot to spread the word, too. It’s good #decembird2016 fodder, hey? If birds aren’t your thing (I.. forgive you, I guess), spread the word about other endangered animals commonly kept as pets (oh my gosh, poor Axolotls).
I could write about this stuff for days, but this is already a long post. Please use this as the launching point: stay interested, stay curious, say upset… because without people that give a flying flip, these birds will go extinct.
