Experiences Nature Experiences The Cape Parrot
| The Cape Parrot |
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The Poicephalus robustus, or more commonly known as the Cape Parrot, is endemic to Southern Africa and can be found in the Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal and Limpopo. Their preferred habitat is misty mountainous forests and they prefer to nest high up in the hollows of upright dead yellowwood trees. Although restricted to forests, the Cape Parrot is a food nomadic and moves between forest patches. It is active for several hours after dawn and before sunset, usually circling over the forest and calling loudly. The flock size varies from singletons to groups of 5-6 birds. The Cape Parrot lives and finds peace and security in the forests of Stutterheim The Cape Parrot is a monogamous; the bird finds and breeds with one partner for the rest of its life. It’s mating season is between August and February and the hen lays between 2 to 5 eggs. The eggs are incubated for approximately 29 days and the hatchling stays in the nest for another 60 to 70 days while being cared for by their parents. The Cape Parrot’s preferred food is the yellowwood fruit but will also eat pecan nuts, the pips of deciduous fruits and the seeds of plants like acacias and eucalyptus. It has a very powerful beak to cope with such a diet. Their beaks are in fact so strong that, when ringed, researchers have to use stainless steel rings for the Cape Parrot as they could easily crush the normal aluminum ones. The Cape Parrot’s official status is “critically endangered”. There are several reasons why the numbers of Cape Parrots are so low. The most significant threat would be habitat destruction. Yellowwood has become a sought after commodity in the furniture industry. The Cape Parrot relies on yellowwood trees for nesting and food therefore the destruction of natural yellowwood forests has a devastating effect. Another threat to the Cape Parrot numbers is illegal trade. Being gentle natured and very intelligent birds, they are often illegally caught and sold on the black market as pets. They are also poached for use in the ever increasing muti trade. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease is referred to as a type of avian aids. It was initially discovered in captive bread birds but seems to have spread to some wild populations. To date there is no cure or vaccine for it and it appears to be affecting the Cape Parrot very negatively. The Cape Parrot’s breeding patterns are also a cause for declining wild numbers. They only start breeding in the wild after 4-6 years and have a low breeding success. Captively breed parrots don’t integrate well into the wild after captivity as they become imprinted and never seem to loose their love of humans. Initiatives have been undertaken by the Cape Parrot Working Group to halt the decline of Cape Parrot numbers in the wild. Nesting boxes have been erected where there is a shortage. Members lobby for greater laws protecting the Cape Parrot and have set up a captive breeding programme. They also run intensive annual national surveys to establish numbers in the wild. The Cape Parrot Working Group runs the Darwin Initiative Programme which uses genetic markers to assist in combating illegal trade and answers conservation questions. Please go to the Cape Parrot Working Group for more information on initiatives in place to help the Cape Parrot. |