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The population of the South African endemic Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus satisfies the criterion for regionally Endangered under C1 (less than 2 500 mature individuals, projected to decline by at least 20% over the next two generations).
The Cape Parrot is endemic to South Africa, inhabiting isolated patches of Scarp and Southern Mistbelt Forest (Mucina and Rutherford 2006) from Fort Beaufort, Eastern Cape, to Karkloof, KwaZulu-Natal (Downs 2005), with a small, relict population in northern Afrotemperate Forest in the Woodbush/Wolkberg area of Limpopo (Downs and Bowker 2010). Although associated primarily with forest, the species is not confined to it, commuting to other habitats in search of food, including coastal forest and orchards. Important forests in Eastern Cape are the Amatole Forest complex, Port St Johns to Mkambati Nature Reserve, and forests around Umtata and Mt Frere, while in KwaZulu-Natal, forests near Kokstad and Riverside, Creighton, Bulwer, Dargle and Karkloof are important (Downs 2000, Downs 2005, Downs and Bowker 2010, Downs 2011).
Annual censuses over the past 15 years indicate a population size of between 1 100 and 1 500 mature individuals (Downs 2000, Downs 2005, Downs and Bowker 2010, Downs 2011). The proportion of these that are adults, as well as the ratio of males to females, is unknown. Observations of large feeding flocks (up to 180 parrots) in Alice, Eastern Cape, indicate that up to 15% of the population is comprised of sub-adults (SR Boyes unpubl. data). The sub-population in Limpopo (60-80 birds) is isolated from all other Cape Parrot populations further south in KwaZulu-Natal (Downs 2000, Downs 2005, Downs and Bowker 2010, Downs 2011) by a distance of c. 600 km, and gene flow is unlikely to occur between them. The Amatole forests have 500-600 parrots, while the former Transkei and southern KwaZulu-Natal forests each have about 400-500 parrots (Downs 2011). Numbers could decrease rapidly with disease or human exploitation in each of these sub-populations (CT Downs unpubl. data). A regional population of c. 1 250 mature individuals is estimated. The confidence in this population estimate is high.
The Cape Parrot population has been stable for the past fifteen years (Downs 2011). Cape Parrots are habitat and food specialists with their preferred habitat being Southern Mistbelt Forests. Continued human impact on indigenous forests, most of which have little visible protection, will have a negative effect, particularly affecting nest site and food availability. Accelerated climate change scenarios of increased droughts are likely to impact negatively on recruitment and fruiting of indigenous forests. Reduced forest fruit availability may stress the birds, causing diseases, such as Beak-and-feather disease. Illegal trade is also a concern, particularly the removal of adult birds which take up to five years to mature. These negative factors may vary in intensity across the distribution range and affect the persistence of sub-populations to varying degrees. Consequently, a conservative estimate of a 20% population reduction is predicted for the next three generations. The confidence in population trend is medium.
Factors affecting the decline of Cape Parrots are complex and include forest degradation, food and nest site shortages resulting in poor breeding success, removal of birds from the wild for the avicultural trade, an increasing prevalence of Beak-and-feather-disease, the causative agent of the virulent psittacine beak-and-feather disease in all sub-populations, and predation (Wirminghaus et al. 1999, Downs 2005, Downs and Bowker 2010). Some of these threats will increase in intensity under different climate change scenarios (Downs and Bowker 2010). Certain species-specific factors, such as slow breeding rates, the need for specific breeding sites, and specialised feeding, combine to make it hard for Cape Parrots to survive habitat loss and degradation, disease, and predation (including human removal of adults or chicks from the wild).
Forest degradation has resulted largely from the long history of logging by settlers, recent selective logging and current illegal logging (Wirminghaus et al. 1999). Removal of snags with the resulting loss of nests or potential nest sites (Downs and Symes 2004), changes in quality and availability of forest-food, and pressure on forest fragments in rural areas of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal (for firewood, grazing, building material and traditional medicine collection; CT Downs pers. obs.) has further exacerbated the degradation of natural forests. Harvesting records from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for the past five years detail the continued removal of up to 600m3 of Afrocarpus timber per year (SR Boyes unpubl. data).
The occurrence of psittacine beak-and-feather disease among captive parrot populations in South Africa is well documented, but the incidence of the disease in free-living parrot populations in southern African regions remains largely unknown (Heath et al. 2004) and whether the birds are developing an immunity is unclear. However, in 2004 the first confirmed case of the disease in wild parrots in South Africa was reported with the isolation and genetic characterisation of a Beak-and-feather-disease strain from a free-living Cape Parrot (Heath et al. 2004). During 2010-11, there were high infection rates of psittacine beak-and-feather disease at five capture sites in the Amatole region (SR Boyes unpubl. data) and reports of positive birds in KwaZulu-Natal (CT Downs unpubl. data). Previous research on the threat posed by psittacine beak-and-feather disease was dependent on picking up dead birds and was unable to quantify the extent of the problem (Heath et al. 2004, Downs and Bowker 2010, Downs 2011). Cape Parrots, especially juveniles, appear to show symptoms of the disease particularly during periods of food scarcity or extreme cold.
Long-term population monitoring by the annual Cape Parrot Birding Big Day encourages public involvement and conservation of this species (Downs 2011). In addition, a database of Cape Parrot sightings and distribution has been kept (CT Downs unpubl. data). Current research includes conservation of forest habitat, monitoring of food availability, provision of nest boxes, monitoring of the bird trade, monitoring of disease, captive breeding, genetics, and planting of food trees. Educational outreach includes public talks, interactions with schoolchildren, provision of educational posters, DVDs and postcards, electronic websites and newsletters. The Cape Parrot Working Group liaises with researchers, local conservation authorities, aviculturalists and the public, both locally and internationally.
In 2009, the Cape Parrot Project was launched in the Amatole region to mitigate all current threats to Cape Parrots. The Cape Parrot Project is involved in growing indigenous trees, the erection of artificial nest boxes, establishment of micro-nurseries in local villages, and education initiatives through social media, school programs, and community outreach projects, such as the Forest Custodians Programme. The Cape Parrot Project rescues Cape Parrots with advanced psittacine beak-and-feather disease infection, rehabilitates them, and releases them back into the wild. The Cape Parrot is listed under Schedule 2: Specially Protected Wild Animal under the Limpopo Environmental Management Act No 7 of 2003.
Conservation action for Cape Parrots must include conservation of forest habitat, provision of nest boxes, effective policing of the bird trade, enforcement of TOPS regulations, monitoring of disease and the establishment of protocols for rehabilitation and release of psittacine beak-and-feather disease-positive Cape Parrots. A captive-breeding programme is needed to supply the aviculturalist demand and prevent further removal of birds from the wild. Population monitoring undertaken through the Cape Parrot Birding Big Day should continue. Some Afromontane forests where Cape Parrots occur are only partially protected and are privately owned; their conservation status should be elevated. Those in KwaZulu-Natal that have Cape Parrots resident or visiting regularly have been listed as part of the KwaZulu-Natal Mistbelt Forests (IBA SA071). Important forests around Mthatha and Port St Johns in the former Transkei were, however, omitted from the IBA network and their eligibility should be reviewed.
The following aspects of Cape Parrot biology and ecology require attention:
* Investigation of snag and nest site availability, as well as a review of nesting habits within preferred habitat.
* Examination of fluctuations in forest fruit availability and how it influences Cape Parrot densities.
* Determination of seasonal home range and habitat use, as well as overlap between sub-populations.