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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The Blue Parrot Returns!

The original blue Lora. Just like Batman, after ten years, Bonaire’s elusive blue parrot has returned! Saturday provided the first sighting of this rare blue lora, as parrots are called in Papiamentu.

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New reserve for treasure island parrots

Yellow-shouldered Parrot is actually threatened by the pet trade, despite the seeming innocence of scenes like this in its native Venezuela. Photo: John John Bäckstrand (commons.wikimedia.org).The World Land Trust has successfully raised £10,000 in just six months to protect the endangered Yellow-shouldered Parrot on a Caribbean island.

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Protected parrots set free in nature

A year ago, 112 baby parrots and parakeets were confiscated and brought to Echo for care.KRALENDIJK — Over 100 rare parrot chicks and native parakeets that were confiscated on Bonaire last year were successfully set free in the open air, according to the website from the World Nature Fund Netherlands last Monday.After an anonymous tip STINAPA (Foundation National Parks Bonaire) and the police discovered these young birds in July 2011 at an illegal dealer. It regards rare Geelschouder Amazon Parrots, locally known as the Lora, and West-Indian parakeets, named ‘Prikichi’.

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Parrots of the Caribbean

Rowan Martin gets ready to measure a yellow-shouldered parrot chick as part of an effort to protect the imperiled species. Photo: Kim HubbardIf you have heard of Bonaire at all, you may think of it as a haven for scuba divers or, maybe, loggerhead turtles. But this tiny island might also offer the best chance of survival for the yellow-shouldered Amazon parrot.

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