BIRD OF THE YEAR 2023

Several conservation organisations and individuals are working together to protect South Africa’s Endangered Cape Parrot population. BirdLife South Africa is pleased to partner with our BirdLife Species Guardians, the Cape Parrot Working Group and the Wild Bird Trust’s Cape Parrot Project to raise awareness about this species through our Bird of the Year 2023 campaign.

Dr Melissa Whitecross, who is the Landscape Conservation Programme Manager at BirdLife South Africa, and a Committee Member of the Cape Parrot Action Plan Coordinating Committee (CPAPCC), said “As South Africa’s only endemic parrot, the Cape Parrot is a flagship species for Mistbelt forests, which span much of eastern South Africa’s escarpment. As Bird of the Year 2023, the Cape Parrot will bring much-needed awareness to the importance of this ecosystem in providing ecological services to communities and supporting a host of other unique forest biodiversity. Working together with the Cape Parrot Project and Cape Parrot Working Group, we look forward to a year of raising awareness about this incredible bird species.”

The work of these Species Guardians includes initiatives, such as population monitoring, habitat restoration, the provision of nest boxes, species rehabilitation, education of the public, and community outreach, among others.

“We had such a great celebration when we found out that Cape Parrot had been chosen as Bird of the Year for 2023. We live and breathe Cape Parrots every day, and feel that everyone should know more about this special species that is only found in South Africa. Through a focus on this flagship species, we are conserving their threatened forest habitat to leave a lasting legacy for them and all forest species”, said Dr Kirsten Wimberger, Cape Parrot Project Director; Wild Bird Trust Trustee; and Co-chair of the CPAPCC.

Professor Colleen Downs, who is fellow CPAPCC Co-chair, Cape Parrot Working Group Chair, and SARChI Research Chair in Ecosystem health and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, was equally excited: “We are extremely grateful. Many people don’t know that

South Africa has an endemic parrot species. Their preferred habitat, Mistbelt forests, are poorly protected. These forests are important, not only for other fauna and flora, but also for water catchment protection and carbon capture and storage.”

David Letsoalo, a BirdLife South Africa-trained Community Bird Guide who is based in the Magoebaskloof area and who has been involved in the conservation of the species for two decades, shared his thoughts upon hearing the news: “I first encountered the Cape Parrot when I was given an opportunity to join a Cape Parrot census back in the early 2000s. After I saw and experienced them, I started guiding people to see this special bird. I was given another opportunity to monitor them at their feeding and roosting sites, which furthered my interest in them. Now, when I hear them calling and see them flying, it heals me, and I feel proud to have played a part in conserving the Cape Parrot. I am so happy to see the Cape Parrot selected as Bird of the Year 2023!”