BIRD OF THE YEAR

By: Melissa Mc Alpine

The Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) has been chosen by BirdLife SA as Bird of the Year for 2023. This ‘jewel of the forest’ as it’s also called is the only parrot endemic to South Africa. With fewer than 2,000 birds left in the wild, it’s on the critically endangered list.

A stunning bird with a green body, and a golden head and neck, the Cape Parrot is medium in size. Juveniles have a red-orange band across the crown in their first plumage, which the male loses when it’s just short of a year old. Females can be identified by their reddish orange colour around its head. Its strong beak is used to crack open nuts and fruit from the yellowwood tree – a favourite food source.

Cape Parrots are social birds and are most often found in large groups at roosts, water points and in fruit trees. Family groups of up to 10 birds can be seen during the day, but they sleep in large groups of 20 to 70 birds in eucalyptus and yellowwood trees. They are most often seen flying, or at roosting and feeding sites, especially at dawn or dusk. An intelligent, stubborn and inquisitive bird, the Cape Parrot is quite vocal with a number of distinct calls and sounds.

Sadly, the Cape Parrot is on the brink of extinction; their numbers are deteriorating due to poor and insufficient food sources, as well as the long distances they need to fly to reach these food sources. Further to this is the illegal trade in parrots, including the Cape Parrot, which remains a worldwide problem and concern. While there are various organisations that are working tirelessly to protect and grow the Cape Parrot’s population, time is of the essence.

Did you know? The Cape Parrot is also known as Levaillant’s parrot.