Understanding the Human/Parrot Conflict

Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrot eating mispel fruit (Photo: Sam Williams) BONAIRE — Outside of Venezuela, Bonaire is home to the only surviving native population of Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrots (Amazona barbadensis), locally known as the Lora. While global numbers of the parrot are declining, locally the parrot population is showing signs of recovery thanks to the combined efforts of conservation organisations and the local government. While conservationists enjoy seeing more parrots on the island, not everyone finds this as a good thing. Limited food supply in the wild causes increasing numbers of parrots to feed on fruit trees in gardens and ‘kunukus’ (little countryside farmlands). The resulting conflict has the potential to undermine conservation efforts. Bonaire’s situation is by no means unique; conflict between parrots and people is an issue throughout the Caribbean.

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Chicago: A home fit for wild parrots

Monk Parakeets in Chicago. Image by John W. Iwanski How our region’s day-glo neighbors arrived and why they stick around.

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No more kea deaths at mountain substation

Repellent succesfull in preventing Kea electrocutions. Image by jgraham There have been no more reported kea deaths at an Aoraki-Mt Cook substation since February.

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How One Man Is Saving Parrots Through Facebook

Blue Crowned Conure. Image by: Salvatore Angius

To say that Salvatore Angius has a passion for parrots is an understatement.

Angius, based out of Long Beach, Calif., is the creator of Californiaflocks, a preservation "dedicated to tracking, filming, photographing, and documenting the vast and diverse species of naturalized parrots throughout California."

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Resurgent kaka 'hammering' gardens' exotic trees

Kaka damage trees when looking for tasty sap. Iamge by Arthur ChapmanTrees to get the chop after parrot damage

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