Meyer’s Parrot Project update

by Steve Boyes

Well, I must apologize for the long delay before this 2nd posting, but to excuse myself I have been completely engrossed in my PhD Zoology write-up on the Meyer's Parrot in the Okavango Delta, travel and work on the wild bird trade. This has kept me moving and, if not moving, writing madly. I am currently busy with their feeding ecology, processing 36 months of data from two sites in the Okavango Delta on their feeding behaviour, habitat preferences, food item preference systems, etc., etc.

It has been an amazing journey getting to this point, and even though I was dreading write-up, it turns out I am really enjoying it! The strong results and hours and hours of pouring over spreadsheets, photos, samples, documents and .pdf's have awakened surprising and exciting insight into the ecology of the Meyer's Parrot in the wild. It really is quite something when you commit yourself to getting to know one species over a long period of time. A familiarity begins to grow in you that blossoms into the passion you so often see in field researchers. A passion that often has them travelling the world as ambassadors for their respective species. It is like making a new best friend, one that you know and trust. Now, having been in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, for seven months writing-up I can't wait to go back to the bush and share some time with an olf friend in the wilderness. So many days together at the nest and walking on Elephant trails in the delta.

We have 4 pairs of Meyer's Parrots here at the university, but I don't visit them as much as I should, as when I do, I see the same basic character as the parrots in the wild, but with these pairs seem to be constantly on edge or panicked. No matter how long I spend with them, they just never seem to settle enough to behave naturally. The problem with these parrots is not simply that they are in captivity, but rather that they do not get enough attention and stimulation, and two of the pairs come from the wild. Once parrots have learnt the complexities of a life in the wild, they will never be able to settle into captivity, as we could never stimulate their established behavioural patterns with toys, food or even attention. However, captive-bred parrots, if treated properly, are generally intelligent, balanced and stimulating companions. Companions that live for a long time and can provide companionship in times of need. The continued trade in wild-caught birds is now beyond justification. These realizations motivate me to continue my work, with the World Parrot Trust, on getting the wild-caught bird trade in South Africa banned. The global avicultural industry is now ready to take over the responsibility of supply the pet bird trade.

"We need to support policies that help birds and mankind live together, both in the wild and in at home"

Again, I apologise and will from now on endeavour to write bi-weekly on developments in my write-up, the wild bird trade in South Africa and the future of the Meyer's Parrot Project.