Thor's Cape Parrot Site

Greetings, We’ve spoken before – I know this is short notice but we’re launching a Poicephalus category tomorrow on http:www.windycityparrot.com. Your blog will be part of the resources we’ll talk about. If you have any fresh content you’d like to post to our blog and/or add to the email it would be appreciated – here’s [...]

by Prof Colleen Downs

It was a privilege for Indwe Security to once again coordinate the annual Cape Parrot count in the Langeni / Matiwane region for the 7th consecutive year. A total count of 381 – 85 more birds than last year’s count – what a wonderful increase!!

This year at least 212 volunteers were posted at 66 observation points in the three provinces. This was fewer than in previous years. At least 1020 parrots were seen during the afternoon count while 1176 were seen the following morning, despite the weather being poor in many areas, making visibility difficult. As a consequence this should not be regarded as a total count as it is likely an underestimate. The maximum number of Cape Parrots seen in each of the areas covered suggests that there were at least 1187 in the wild on the CPBBD in 2011.

by Prof Colleen Downs

by: Craig Harris, There are 3 species of parrots in the Cape Parrot family. The birds are very similar in appearance and proper identification can be difficult. On this page I have provided photos of the 3 types of Cape Parrots and I will attempt to provide you with identifying features for each bird.

by: Prof Colleen Downs

by: Simon Espley Trustee of Wild Bird Trust, There are a number of issues raised in your report that require comment. The Cape Parrot Project is fully committed to keeping this special bird safe in the wild.

by: Colleen T. Downs & Meyrick Bowker, At least 1050 parrots were seen during the afternoon 3
count while 1263 were seen the following morning. Numbers were lower
than they were in 2009, but this is possibly a consequence of reduced coverage in
2010.

by: Prof Colleen Downs

by: Colleen T. Downs, At least 1585 parrots were seen during the afternoon
count while 1676 were seen the following morning (Table 1). Numbers were higher
than in previous years which is very positive.

by: Tiawanna (Tee) Taylor

industry summary The core production area of the South African nut industry is concentrated in the northern parts of the country. Pecan nuts and macadamias are produced predominantly in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga and groundnuts are farmed extensively in the Limpopo, Free State and North West provinces. impact on biodiversity The Cape Parrot is an [...]

by: Colleen T. Downs, The total count for the day was 61 parrots – an improvement of 16 on the last year’s count – 2007.

by: The Cape Parrot Working Group

by: Tiawanna (Tee) Taylor

by: Tiawanna (Tee) Taylor – It is hard to believe that this is the 6th Cape Parrot newsletter and that I have been putting them together for over a year now. I have had a busy last few months including attending a couple of wildlife crime meetings, hence the delay in this edition. Next month I am off to Cape Town for a few months, I have only passed through briefly before, and will hopefully get lots of research done as it has been piling up a bit recently. I am also looking forward to seeing some of the sites there.

by Tiawanna (Tee) Taylor – Here is the 5th Cape Parrot Newsletter, this issue includes items on the 10th Cape Parrot Big Birding Day and feedback from the CPWG AGM. A request for help from Bill Bainbridge, an update on the CP with the broken beak (header photo) and a report from the BirdLife Trogons. I would like to thank all those who have
contributed something to this issue. It is always a task finding things to include and it is really great to be able
to include some both current and interesting items in this issue.

by: Tiawanna (Tee) Taylor – I have had a very busy couple of months trying to complete a number of things off with my own work, write a few talks, write even more funding proposals and attending an interview relating to one of these. Last week I had the pleasure of a trip to Phalaborwa, in addition to seeing a couple of good friends, while there I also gave a talk on the Cape Parrot to the Phalaborwa Bird Club. I had a great time it was good to meet everyone at the bird club
and what a pleasure to speak under a Lapa just inside Kruger Park – what a great venue! Unfortunately I have not yet received details of this years CPBBD count, analysis of the data is still underway, but I am sure it will be ready for the next newsletter and you may see details in the press beforehand.

by: Prof. Colleen T. Downs, I think we can be proud that we have done this for 10 years and that many of you have loyally been involved over this time. I think the greatest value has been increased awareness of Cape Parrots and of their forest habitat. I am collating the data for the 10 year period to produce more detailed distribution maps, and to model the population dynamics.

by: Tiawanna (Tee) Taylor – I have published this newsletter a bit early in order to provide a reminder for those of you who are interested in getting involved in the 10th Cape Parrot Big Birding Day on the 5th & 6th May and have not yet have made contact and plans. I am hoping that I get a few reports and photos from people involved in the Cape Parrot count about how it went for the next newsletter. Photos of both parrots and your groups would be good – I know some people are camping out so there may be some stories there as well I’m sure we would all be interested. If you make a fool of yourself – feel free to tell me we don’t mind laughing at your mistakes!

I have had a busy time recently, in Pretoria for a week long Wildlife DNA Forensics workshop, although I did
manage to see a couple of friends at the same time. Then down to uShaka for the KZN Wildlife Crime Working
Group Open day where I was speaking on the role that DNA can play in wildlife crime. These are a really great
bunch of people covering a wide range of interests: wildlife investigators, SAPS, prosecutors etc. all eager to
protect wildlife. I think that creating such networks such as this is the way forward in tackling wildlife crime.
When cases arise a wide range of expert advice and expertise is available. The rest of my time has been in the
office writing reports and funding proposals.

by: Tiawanna (Tee) Taylor – This month I have included a variety of topics some related directly to the Cape Parrot, others are more distantly related in varying degrees. Any contributions to the next newsletter would be very welcome – especially current items relating to Cape Parrots. Wishing you all the best for 2007.

by: Tiawanna (Tee) Taylor – Well here it is, my first Cape Parrot Newsletter! It has been really great to hear from people both in South Africa, and internationally, who are interested in the Cape Parrot. I hope that this newsletter will over time manage to cover a wide range of issues that may interest to you. Thanks to all the people who have submitted something for this newsletter. My intention is to keep the newsletter open to all potential articles and try to cover all interests relating to the Cape Parrot. Be that projects undertaken by groups to projects run by individuals or organisations who’s impacts on the CP, to observations or comments about wild Capes in the field (or pinching your Pecan nuts) to captive breeding issues etc. As I tend to be stuck in an office all day I’m relying on you guys to supply the information, articles and some photos to brighten the pages!

Good news is that significantly more birds were counted this year. There are now well over 1000 South African Cape Parrots in the wild. This report documents their status in 2006. by Colleen T. Downs

The story of a pet Cape Parrot. by Kathleen Vasudevan

South Africa’s only endemic parrot is regarded as rare and endangered with less than 1000 birds left in the wild their status is improving. This report documents their status in 2005. by Colleen T. Downs

by Colleen T. Downs

by Craig Symes, Mark Brown, Louise Warburton, Michael Perrin and Colleen Downs

A pet Cape Parrot. by June B.

Are Capes Good Talkers? Find out here! By Dana Parrott

South Africa’s only endemic parrot is regarded as rare and endangered with less than 500 birds left in the wild. This report documents their status in 2002. by Colleen T. Downs & Louise Warburton

by J. O. Wirminghaus, C. T. Downs, M. R. Perrin and C. T. Symes

South Africa’s only endemic parrot is regarded as rare and endangered with less than 500 birds left in the wild. This report documents their status in 2001. by Colleen T. Downs

This is a rough draft of Mr. Horsfields paper on captive breeding Capes. We will post the final version when it is completed. by William Horsfield, Amazona Parrot Breeding facility, KwaZulu-Natal

This is a report on the Cape Parrot workshop held in South Africa on December 6, 2000. By William Horsfield

by J.O. Wirminghaus, Colleen T. Downs, M.R. Perrin and C.T. Symes

Find out why the Thunder Bird is called Thor. By Dana Parrott

A typical little Thor story told with pictures. By Craig Harris

South African Cape expert speaks in the United Kindom. By Dana Parrott & Craig Harris

A collection of comments on Cape Parrots I have collected from many people. By Craig Harris

Numbers of Cape Parrots counted on the Cape Parrot Big Birding Day. By Colleen T. Downs

The First Three Months with Baby Cape Thor. By Dana Parrott

What it really costs to bring a new parrot home. By Craig Harris