Yellow Headed Amazon
(Amazona oratrix belizensis)
Belize, Central America
Introduction
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Threats The Yellow-headed Parrot has bright, beautiful plumage, and an incredible abilitie to mimic human speech. Unfortunately these traits are also the leading causes of species decline, as many parrots are illegally stolen from nests for use as pets.
This decline has been critical since the mid 1970s, when poachers began aggressively pursuing them for the illegal pet trade. Paired with habitat loss of the pine savannas has left less than an estimated 7,000 yellow-headed parrots in the wild. |
Take Action!
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Rehabilitate and release
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In 2016, a team of conservationists, The Belize Bird Rescue, and Programme for Belize joined forces to protect endangered Yellow Headed parrots where they are being threatened by staggering numbers of poaching and habitat loss.
Working together, field researchers managed to pull 14 nestling parrots in dire threat of being poached, where they were raised in safety until they could be released in perfect health later that year. |
thinking of owning a parrot? ... think twice.
Parrots are awfully cute animals for certain, but is it really best for the birds?
86% of all owned Parrots end up in rescue centers, where caretakers are vastly overrun trying to accommodate birds who are often left dejected and psychologically scarred in some way. Parrots are wild animals, far from domesticated like dogs or cats.
All parrots are highly sociable, intelligent and curious creatures, spending all day interacting with their mate and flock. Although their behavior is very cute, parrots often outlive their owners and find it difficult to bond with others - requiring an incredible amount of social stimulation to be kept happy. In many places around the world, these parrots are poached from wild populations, doing damage to the bird and the entire wild species.
Many people do own parrots, and manage them happily - however such is unfortunately not the case with most. If you are considering owning a parrot, please consider these facts, rescue a parrot from a shelter, and most certainly do not purchase wild caught birds. Find a local shelter, and volunteer with the birds there! They could use your love and attention!
86% of all owned Parrots end up in rescue centers, where caretakers are vastly overrun trying to accommodate birds who are often left dejected and psychologically scarred in some way. Parrots are wild animals, far from domesticated like dogs or cats.
All parrots are highly sociable, intelligent and curious creatures, spending all day interacting with their mate and flock. Although their behavior is very cute, parrots often outlive their owners and find it difficult to bond with others - requiring an incredible amount of social stimulation to be kept happy. In many places around the world, these parrots are poached from wild populations, doing damage to the bird and the entire wild species.
Many people do own parrots, and manage them happily - however such is unfortunately not the case with most. If you are considering owning a parrot, please consider these facts, rescue a parrot from a shelter, and most certainly do not purchase wild caught birds. Find a local shelter, and volunteer with the birds there! They could use your love and attention!
Collaborating Organizations
Belize Audubon Society
Belize Bird Rescue
Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic
Belize Bird ConservancyEnvironmental Research Institute
Belize Forest Department
Hagen Avicultural Research Institute
Loro Parque Fundación
Programme for Belize
The Belize Zoo
Toledo Institute for Development and Environment
Ya'axché Conservation Trust
Scarlet Studios
Belize Bird Rescue
Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic
Belize Bird ConservancyEnvironmental Research Institute
Belize Forest Department
Hagen Avicultural Research Institute
Loro Parque Fundación
Programme for Belize
The Belize Zoo
Toledo Institute for Development and Environment
Ya'axché Conservation Trust
Scarlet Studios