Press release: National bird of the Seychelles endangered

Nr. 144/2013 - 20.08.2013

Göttingen scientists systematically compile data on the Seychelles black parrot population for the first time

(pug) Parrots are very charismatic and play an important role in nature conservation. Yet 30 percent of the approximately 330 parrot species in existence are threatened with extinction. Since 1600, twelve species have become extinct, most of them on islands. The small island of Praslin, one of the Seychelles, is home to a unique population of Coracopsis (nigra) barklyi, also called the Seychelles black parrot. Scientists from the University of Göttingen and the Seychelles Foundation have shown that only between 500 and 900 of these birds still exist in the wild. The results were published in Oryx, The International Journal of Conservation.

Although the plumage of the Seychelles black parrot is very unspectacular compared to other plumes of that species, their melodic songs are very popular among residents and visitors of the Seychelles alike. They hence serve as a flagship species for biodiversity protection in the endemic Vallée de Mai palm forest and the surrounding national park. The scientists conducted the first systematic data compilation on the population of the entire island. They found that the bird inhabits the entire island of Praslin, but mainly the endemic palm forest in the island's centre. "Although our numbers proved higher than expected, there is nevertheless a reason for concern because of the limited distribution area," says Anna Reuleaux from the Department of Conservation Biology at Göttingen University.

The form of the bird occurring on Praslin is currently considered a subspecies of the Seychelles black parrot occurring on Madagascar and the Comoros; however, genetic studies in collaboration with scientists in England have suggested that the birds occurring on Praslin should have their own species status. "If the species status of the Seychelles black parrot is indeed confirmed, it should also be possible to obtain international support for the preservation of its unique population," says Nancy Bunbury, program coordinator of the Seychelles Foundation. "Our population numbers show that the bird should be classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, on the basis of its small population size and restriction to a single island alone."

"Exact population figures are essential for conservation planning; the design of appropriate monitoring programs should be an important part of the academic training of graduates in the fields of nature conservation, biodiversity and ecology," says Dr. Matthias Waltert, who teaches wild animal surveying at Göttingen University.

The Seychelles Foundation is currently continuing its studies by logging data on the breeding and feeding biology of the avian species and testing the possibility of resettlement to other Seychelles islands. In addition to providing nesting sites, they also plan to plant food trees and promote public relations to improve the chances of the parrot population's survival.

Original publication: Anna Reuleaux et al. (2013): Status, distribution and recommendations for monitoring of the Seychelles black parrot Coracopsis (nigra) barklyi (Oryx). Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0030605312000300.

Contact address:
Dr. Matthias Waltert
Georg August University of Göttingen
Faculty of Biology and Psychology
Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Institute for Zoology and Anthropology
Department of Conservation Biology
Bürgerstr. 50, 37073 Göttingen
Phone: +49 551 39-22313
Email: mwalter@gwdg.de
Website: www.uni-goettingen.de/en/117392.html