Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-25wd4 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T12:17:28.187Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Parrot on the Way to Extinction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

Carl G. Jones
Affiliation:
ICBP/WWF Project, c/o Forestry Quarters, Black River, Mauritius.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

With numbers down to under ten birds and no evidence of successful breeding since 1975, the endemic echo parakeet in Mauritius seems doomed to extinction very soon. The main reasons are the destruction and degradation of the native forest on which these fruit-eating parrots depend and competition with introduced macaque monkeys and another parakeet, aided by cyclones that have defoliated and stripped trees of their fruit. All attempts at captive breeding have failed and numbers are now too low to consider translocation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1980

References

1. Forshaw, J.M. 1978. Parrots of the World 2nd ed. David and Charles, London.Google Scholar
2. Grant, P.R. 1966. Ecological compatibility of bird species on islands. Amer. Nat., 100:451462.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Mckelvey, D.S. 1976. Conservation project report. Unpublished report to the ICBP, Washington DC.Google Scholar
4. Newton, A., and E., Newton 1876. On the Psittaci of the Mascarene Islands. Ibis 3rd ser., 23: 281289.Google Scholar
5. Procter, J., and R., Salm 1975. Conservation in Mauritius, 1974. IUCN Morges, Switzerland. Unpublished.Google Scholar
6. Steele, F.N. 1978. Unpublished field notes.Google Scholar
7. Temple, S.A. 1974. Wildlife in Mauritius today. Oryx 12: 584590.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8. Temple, S.A. 1976. Conservation of endemic birds and other wildlife on Mauritius. Progress report and proposal for future activities. Unpublished report to the ICBP, Washington DC.Google Scholar
9 Temple, S.A., J.F.F., Staub and R., Antoine 1974. Some background information and recommendations on the preservation of the native flora and fauna of Mauritius, Appendix I in 5 above.Google Scholar
10. Temple, S.A. and B., Temple, in press. The Life Histories of the Native Land Birds of Mauritius. Ibis.Google Scholar
11. Vaughan, R.E., and P.O., Wiehe 1937. Studies on the vegetation of Mauritius. J. Ecol. 25: 289343.CrossRefGoogle Scholar