Ministry of Environment, Seychelles
The Seychelles Parrot (Coracopsis barklyi) is threatened by introduced predators and persecution by people.
Scientists working with the Ministry of the Environment have participated in studies for the Seychelles Parrot, however, new research was necessary since up-to-date information was lacking. This and island development, which has disrupted the environment, plus avian disease, has left real concern for the survival of this species. In 2008, the World Parrot Trust supported field research into the ecology of the Seychelles Parrot. In addition to informal interviews with fruit farmers, biologists spoke to schools and community groups about the island’s ecology and the birds. Environmental education and awareness are highly valued in the Seychelles, ensuring that messaging is received.
Status: IUCN Vulnerable / CITES Appendix II
Population: 730-1170 mature individuals, stable.
Threats: Threats have included diseases such as Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, some predation from rats and cats, competition from introduced bird species, cutting of main nesting trees (coco de mer) and habitat destruction caused by fires, with potential threats including persecution, pesticides and yellow crazy ant invasions (now better controlled).
Range: Praslin Island, Seychelles.
Natural history: The Seychelles Black Parrot is seen in forest, savanna, wood-surrounded villages, primary forest and cultivated areas. It eats seeds, berries, fruits, nuts, insect galls and cultivated crops in small noisy flocks. Uniquely, they also are active on moonlit nights. On Seychelles, birds are generally seen in singles or pairs. This parrot is endemic to only two of the 155 islands in the Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
