Dear Reader,

Best wishes for the season to all.

December is the time that everyone steps back and has a look at the past year -- a sort of accounting, if you will.

In this issue of Flock Talk, we'll be having a look at the World Parrot Trust's activities in 2007 and what made it an important year for us, and the parrots of the world. We'll talk about the momentous EU Trade Ban, the launch of our brand-spanking new website, and some of our conservation projects for parrot species most at risk. We'll finish the list by looking forward to the future, with some very important projects that are just beginning to take shape.

Here's to a successful and productive 2008... hope to see you there, and thank you for your continued support.

Desi Milpacher, Flock Talk editor

In This Issue

> Species Profile: Patagonian Conure
> Welcome to Parrots.org
> WPT Action Grants 2007
> EU Wild Bird Trade Ban
> Blue-throated Macaws and Echo Parakeets
> Looking Forward -- 2008
> See what's new at www.parrots.org
> Test Your Parrot IQ

Species Profile: Patagonian Conure

Genus: Cyanoliseus Species: patagonus Where found: S and C Argentina, S Uruguay, NW Argentina; formerly C Chile Status: Least Concern Wild Population: race bloxami: less than 3000; other populations not recorded. Declining overall. WPT Project: Patagonian Conure Project » More information »

Welcome to Parrots.org

The Launch of Our New Website

At the end of 2005 the World Parrot Trust decided it was time to update its presence on the internet. Sixteen months or so later it was done, through thousands of volunteer hours, some sweat and a small amount of hair-pulling (ah, such is technology.) The new site (a few months young now) includes as much information about wild parrot ecology and pet parrot care as we could find, from the best minds in the world. And the site is never static.

There is always something new at parrots.org »
 

WPT Action Grants 2007

Helping Parrots Worldwide

This year's grantees worked with Yellow-naped Amazons, Patagonian Conures, Cape Parrots, Kuhl's Lorikeets and Yellow-shouldered Amazon. Their activities included population studies, habitat conservation and translocation of birds, among others. With these and our other projects the Trust has, to date, helped to save over 40 species of parrots. That's quite a feather in our cap.

EU Wild Bird Trade Ban

A Significant Milestone in Conservation

In 2007 many years of hard work, determination and collaboration culminated in the signing of ground-breaking legislation effectively ending, in Europe, the import of wild-caught birds. This action would not have been possible without the collective exertions of the World Parrot Trust, scientists, veterinarians, volunteers, legislators, governments and non-governmental organizations. As a result of this achievement the lives of millions of parrots and other birds have been spared. An amazing feat indeed, and a marvelous example of cooperation between people from all walks of life for the sake of the natural world. Read our Director's summary on the EU Trade Ban »

Blue-throated Macaws and Echo Parakeets

Updates on the Most Critically Endangered Parrots

Two of the most critically endangered parrots in the world have gotten much-needed aid from the World Parrot Trust's WPT 12 projects -- funds are specifically earmarked for these species in trouble.

The Blue-throated Macaw and the Echo Parakeet each have seen their numbers drop into the hundreds; double digits in the case of Echo Parakeets.

Happily the Echos, with some heroic help and determination, have recovered enough to be downlisted on the IUCN's Red List of of Threatened Species from critically endangered to endangered, which is a good thing, indeed.

The Blue-throated Macaw, while not so lucky in terms of its numbers, has received a great deal of attention through long-term studies that will likely help ensure its survival.

Blue-throated Macaw Project »
Echo Parakeet Project »
 

Looking Forward -- 2008

Projects in Asia, Mexico and Africa, to name a few

In the world of conservation, there never seems to be a lack of things to do -- the nature of the work dictates that there will always be things to do. The World Parrot Trust's efforts are no exception; the list of parrots to save is long.

With the finalization of the Trade Ban in Europe comes a new goal; extending this legislation, via local governments, to Asia, Mexico and Africa, all of which have some of the highest rates of traffic in wildlife on earth. Initial steps are being taken, with the Trust assessing each region in terms of its human needs, local issues and parrots at risk. Watch for further announcements on how you can help.

The Trust is also committed to aid current studies being undertaken for species such as the Blue-throated Macaw, Patagonian Conures, Thick-billed Parrots and Yellow-naped Amazons, to name a few. The WPT is also looking to support new research on the Sun Conure, now believed by many to be seriously at risk. And watch in 2008 for our new parrot educational podcasts; Internet-based informational files available for playback on personal computers.

It promises to be a busy year -- one in which we can accomplish a lot with your help. Again, thanks for your support.