The good folks at the Blue-throated Macaw project have been very busy at WPT's Conservation Center in Bolivia. Local residents are visiting the facility and learning more about the Blue-throated Macaw, why it is threatened and what is being done to protect the species. Staff members from the project are also visiting local villages: 40 people attended a talk at Sachojere, where a festival was also held. Activities for one and all included draws, competitions, games and films. Upcoming efforts from the project will include maximizing reproductive output of wild nests by protecting nesting pairs, nest monitoring and increasing awareness and advocacy for the species within Bolivia and internationally, through the development and distribution of print and online materials, articles in popular press, and visits to the Conservation Center. Amazing efforts, well done all!

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Genus: Micropsitta
Species: geelvinkiana

World Population: Unknown
Range: M.g. geelvinkiana Numfor Island in Geelvink Bay. M.g. misoriensis: Biak Island in Geelvink Bay.
Ecology: Are found up to 300m (9840 ft) in lowland forest, secondary growth forest, open cultivated areas with isolated trees and gardens. Birds are usually seen in groups of 4-5. Will associate with other birds in low-lying shrubbery. Probably eats lichen, fungi, seeds, flowers, fruits and insects and their larvae.
Threat Summary: The habitat of this species is under threat from logging and subsistence farming.
IUCN/CITES Ratings: Near-threatened/ Appendix II

Did You Know? Pygmy parrots have extra-long toes to help them climb easily in the trees. They also have very strong, stiffened tailfeathers to help them brace against tree trunks.

More about Geelvink Pygmy Parrots »

Providing companion parrots with foraging items makes sense: it encourages an activity that birds are naturally inclined to do in the wild. It also promotes a behavior necessary for their survival. Flock Talk looks at foods and foraging ideas that will keep your parrot busy and entertained with a variety of activities.

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Recently, WPT supporter Blackpool Zoo in the UK unveiled its attractive and instructive new sign illustrating the World Parrot Trust and its efforts. Thanks to Blackpool Zoo, and great work all, it looks impressive!

Visit Blackpool Zoo on the web »

Dr. Sam Williams reports on how busy staff and volunteers are working to save the vulnerable Yellow-shouldered Amazon. To start, the dedicated crew has received new birds to rehabilitate as of late, but the entire Echo flock is doing well. New resident Camilla, a fledgling that arrived with a broken wing, is being hand fed and is beginning to sample new foods - a good sign for her recovery! Echo staff members are busy tracking wild birds to gather information about movements in their range, how well they are breeding, and other data crucial to understanding their lives and recovery. The project has also employed motion-sensing cameras to monitor their progress.

One issue Echo has encountered - the invasion of Africanized bees - has set the group pondering on how to best protect the birds and their nestlings AND turn the bees' presence into a plus. The bee is highly prolific in its breeding and can swiftly take over parrot nests, often leading to the death of the chicks. Echo workers are trying to manage the bees into a hive situation - with the idea that where there are bees there's honey, and possibly begin a cottage industry with local people as a result. All in all, many hands are making Yellow-shouldered Amazon survival possible.

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Pure Minutes Mobile Long Distance is supporting Blue-throated Macaws with their Parrot Love Campaign. What a wonderful way to say they love these macaws! To help continue WPT's work with the Blue-throated Macaw, Pure Minutes is donating $1 for every new user that makes a purchase with the promo code PARROTS, who will also receive a $1 bonus credit when they purchase with this code, as a way to say thank you! The benefits will go directly to the Blue-throated Macaw Project.

Additionally, to help raise awareness for the Blue-throated Macaw Project and the work of the WPT, Pure Minutes is asking that users take a selfie with a parrot (real, stuffed, cartoon, etc.) and upload it to social media with the following hashtags: #ParrotLoveCampaign #BlueThroats #Parrots.org #PureMinutes

Learn more about the Parrot Love Campaign »

Conservation has always been very important to longtime WPT supporter Bev Penny. She can't imagine a world without wild parrots and fears that if things continue the way they are they will disappear - so she resolved to not let that happen. Bev first heard about WPT Partner Echo Bonaire's work for the Yellow-shouldered Amazon from one of the admins of the Crazy Bird Ladies, a Facebook group Bev created in March 2012 to raise money to help parrots wherever the need arises. Over many years Bev has collected an abundance of parrot 'stuff', and decided it was time to use it to support parrot conservation. The idea of an auction to support Echo's work was born. Once she mentioned this to her dedicated Crazy Bird Ladies, the donations began to roll in.

A total of $2052 USD and $1150 CAD was raised to help the wild Amazons of Bonaire. The entire event to raise funds for Amazon parrots turned out to be a fitting tribute to Bev's 30-year old beloved Hispaniolan Amazon Dominic, who sadly passed away in October. In Bev's words: "The Crazy Bird Ladies are a very dedicated group of people from all over the world who just want to help parrots wherever the need may rise. The admins are the ones who help to make it all happen: Amy Kristt, Tracy Michiels, Lisa Moser, Suzanne Neamtan, Bev Penny, Cheryl Rutherford and Pam Skidmore." A tremendous effort by all to save the Yellow-shouldered Amazons of Bonaire!

Visit the Crazy Bird Ladies on Facebook »