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The air is warm and humid. In the forest canopy a medium-sized, black-brown parrot quietly ambles about in search of food. This bird, the Seychelles Black Parrot (Coracopsis nigra), is less flashy and colourful than its other parrot cousins. It makes up for this with its unique calls - some flute-like whistles, some discordant and loud. This parrot does, however, share one main concern with many of the world's parrots. No one knows exactly how many there are in the wild. It may be in serious trouble.
Few breeding pairs may remain.
It is estimated that fewer than 100 pairs of the Seychelles Black Parrot remain on Praslin Island, a 38 square kilometre wedge of paradise in the Seychelles Island chain, off the east coast of Africa. There are others on the island of Curieuse as well. The reasons for its decline include habitat loss, extreme isolation and introduced mammals preying on its chicks and eggs. Because it found only on these two islands its loss would be a strong jolt to the area's ecosystem, which depends on the parrots for seed dispersal of local plants.
WPT to fund critical population and habitat studies...
Luckily for this parrot help is on the way. The World Parrot Trust has begun supporting a study by UK researcher Ellen Walford, who, along with the Seychelles Island Foundation, will conduct critical work determining accurate population counts and learning about the availability of food and nest sites for this species. These studies will take place on Praslin and Curieuse Islands with the Vallee de Mai National Park on Praslin the stronghold of this parrot.
...to help develop and implement solutions for their survival.
By understanding the ecology of these endangered wild parrots the Trust is better prepared to develop and implement solutions for their survival. Your support of the World Parrot Trust enables the continuation of these critical population and habitat studies.
Your aid enables the Trust to take immediate action when the need arises. And now the Seychelles Black Parrot needs your help.
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