Feral parrots California

Kind of an odd article. It states they are not originally native to this area, but then (relying on a parrot support group) implies they are an endangered species in need of protection. Why are we protecting a non-native species?
 
Amazona lilacina is listed as endangered in its home range of Ecuador - estimated less than 2500 in the wild. Even feral populations outside the natural range can have considerable importance in these sort of circumstances. This applies with other species as well incidentally - Java Sparrow Lonchura oryzivora is listed as Vulnerable in its native range and is probably worse, but has numerous introduced populations around the world as a result of the cage bird trade. Similarly, in the UK Mandarin Duck and Chinese Water Deer are of conservation significance, despite being introduced species
 
Arizona Docent said:
Kind of an odd article. It states they are not originally native to this area, but then (relying on a parrot support group) implies they are an endangered species in need of protection. Why are we protecting a non-native species?
Click to expand...

To build on what Zoovolunteer said, some of these endangered parrots are thriving more in California than in their native habitats. Assuming that they are not hybridizing, they could serve as an assurance population or potential pool for future reintroductions, hence the necessity of legal protection. Additionally, I don't believe that the parrots have any major negative effects on the environment, as they mostly feed on non-native plants and don't displace any native birds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top