The Cape Parrot is not represented by a metapopulation as the birds are able to visit various forests and the subpopulations do not seem isolated with the exception of those in the Limpopo Province (Meffe & Carroll 1997).
Figure 1. The areas covered on the Cape Parrot Big Birding Day excluding the Limpopo Province
Movements
Fly as pairs or larger groups with the group breaking up into sub-groups of 1-5 birds, which move in different directions and then regroup. Sometimes fly as singletons (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a). Nomadic species, moving between forest patches depending on food availability. Sometimes make long distance (100km) feeding forays to coastal forests (Skead 1964; Skead 1971; Wirminghaus et al., in press a.; Wirminghaus et al., in press d.).
Protection status
The global Cape Parrot population is classified as Least Concern, under IUCN/BirdLife International threat criteria.
The Cape Parrot is listed on CITES Appendix II. Although South Africa submitted a proposal to the 12th Conference of the Parties (CoP), Santiago, Chile (November 2002) to transfer the South African population of the Cape Parrot to Appendix I, they withdrew the proposal before presenting it to the CoP. This decision was based on the lack of taxonomic clarification and the difficulties it would create for enforcement, especially with neighbouring States.
National status
The Cape Parrot is recognised as Endangered in the South African Red Data Book (Barnes 2000). It is protected by general wildlife legislation in the provinces
Relationship with other SAP’s and biodiversity strategies
Most Afromontane forests where Cape Parrots occur are only partially protected; many are privately owned. 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) (Johnson et al. 1998). Most of the important forests in the Eastern Cape have been identified as Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) including the Amatole Forest complex (IBA SA092) and Mkambati Nature Reserve (IBA SA087) (Barnes 1998). Important forests around Umtata and Port St Johns in the former Transkei were however, omitted from the IBA network.
Birds in captivity
Currently 124 Cape Parrots are recorded in the species studbook and are held by 21 aviculturists. The studbook currently includes only a few birds held in the Eastern Cape where there are likely to be more given that the region is home to the largest wild population.
The only legal trade in Cape Parrots relates to wild-caught birds collected before current legislation was implemented, since when collecting permits have been withheld, or their progeny. No permits have been issued for several years and currently there is no known overseas trade in the species.
Trade will be severely detrimental to the viability of wild populations of the Cape Parrot in the short to mid term. In the long term, trade in F2 captive raised birds could prevent poaching from the wild.
Only 5 Cape Parrots are on record overseas, in a collection in France, their contribution to captive breeding for the species is minimal numerically, although might be important genetically. It is believed by many conservationists that once Cape Parrots appear on the international markets, extinction of the wild population will follow rapidly, because of the financial value generated by the bird’s rarity, and foreign exchange rates.
Habitat requirements of the species
Primarily associated with Afromontane forest, but not confined to it, occasionally flying to other habitats in search of food (Skead 1964; Rowan 1983; Wirminghaus et al. in press a; Wirminghaus et al., in press e). Afromontane forests are dominated by Podocarpus species and occur at 1000-1500m altitude, on steep, south-facing slopes on dolerite ridges that receive frequent mist in the summer and mean annual rainfall of >1000mm. Yellowwood trees, particularly Podocarpus falcatus (a forest canopy tree), are important for breeding, feeding and social interactions (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a).
Biology and Ecology
See ‘fact file’ for details on distribution, status, habitat, nests, eggs, diet and movements.
Population and demography: Flock size is rarely greater than 10. Larger flocks usually concentrate at roost sites, water points or fruiting trees, and represent an aggregation of several groups (Wirminghaus et al., in press c). Density estimates show that numbers are exceedingly low; about 500 (old dtata: for updated figures click here) Cape Parrots remaining in the wild (Downs & Symes 1998; Downs 2000). Breeding success is low and populations are considered to be declining (Wirminghaus et al. 1999; Wirminghaus et al. 2000b). In captive birds the ovaries are mature at +al with activity concentrated in the first and last few hours of daylight when most feeding takes place (Wirminghaus 1997; Wirminghaus et al. 2000a.). Between periods of activity the birds mostly remain perched; but also call, preen, allopreen, rest and occasionally feed (Skead 1964; Wirminghaus et al. 2000a). Pairing and gregarious flocking behaviour are common (Skead 1964; Wirminghaus et al. 2000a). Preening includes scratching and stretching behaviours (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a). When preening, birds vocalise with small chirps, rattle their feathers, then stretch their shoulders back, before scratching the head, especially below and behind the eye. The sequence of behaviours sometimes includes forward leaning with a bill-cleaning action, fluffing of the feathers, and turning the tail to the sun. Backward extension of the shoulders and wings, referred to as the archangel display, is also used in sexual and aggressive contexts. A high-pitched screech is associated with the display (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a). Stretching behaviour is accompanied by wing-clips and tail-wags which are also included courtship displays (see Breeding). Cape Parrots are strong fliers, with an erratic (zig-zag) flight pattern (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a). Birds fly high above the forest canopy, wheeling and swerving about; or with fast and direct movement when moving between forests; or with a slow and fluttering movement before settling to feed or socialise. They circle (singly or in flocks), dive (after horizontal flight) and swoop. Circling is the most common flight pattern, with birds flying out from snags or trees, to circle before returning to perch. If disturbed, birds take flight, sometimes darting through trees, squawking or screeching loudly (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a).
Intra-specific behaviours include chasing, diving, tussling with beaks, regurgitating and feeding one another, perching and playing, and moving and vocalising. Groups are often “family” groups of birds (an adult pair with 2-4 juveniles or non-breeding birds) (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a). Few interspecific interactions have been recorded with other avian frugivores, namely Rameron Pigeons Columba arquatrix and Knysna Louries Tauraco corythaix when mixed groups forage in fruiting trees. African Goshawks Accipter tachiro, Black Sparrowhawks A. melanoleucus and Lanner Falcons Falco biarmicus occasionally chase Cape Parrots (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a; D Forbes, pers. comm.). Will occasionally mob predators e.g. Gymonogene Polyboroides typus (D Forbes, pers. comm.). Roost sites are usually emergent snags or trees in the forest but sites adjacent to forest are also used (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a); usually tall Eucalyptus species.
Voice: Loud, often continuous, calling makes it conspicuous. Distinct vocal repertoire; calls heard most frequently include five distinct calls described as 'tzu-weee, zu-wee, zeu-wee, zz-keek' and a nasal 'zeek' (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a). In flight, very vocal: calling before taking off, and calling continuously while flying; characteristic high-pitched call during flight. A raucous alarm call is given by disturbed Cape Parrots. It is rapid with a rasping tone, with up to 12 identifiable harmonics. When disturbed, they dart through canopy trees or fly out squawking or screeching loudly. Adult and juvenile birds threatened in Breeding pairs at the nest are usually quiet but infrequently chirp (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a).
Breeding: Mating system – appear to be no helpers, appears to be solitary, non-territorial nester. Degree of mate fidelity – unknown but appears high although will take a new partner if mate dies in captivity. During courtship, a typical male sequence is a quick wing-raise on arrival at a snag, then stretching of the wing (right then left) over a tail-extension, followed by stretching of the leg, rattling of the feathers, then looking around before half wing-raising with a tail-wag. Alternatively males give a tail-wag with the wings back, then do a wing extension followed by a head bob and a mandible rattle. The female responds with a wing stretch followed by a right wing or tail stretch. The male responds with a wing clip, a tail wag, and then a right wing extension (Wirminghaus et al. 2000a).
Laying dates: Breeding usually occurs from August to February, but occurs in other months, particularly in captive birds (Wirminghaus et al., in press b). In the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, breeding in the Cape Parrot has occurred at varied times during the year (Mackworth-Praed & Grant 1962; Clancey 1964; Dean 1971).
Incubation: By the female and lasts 28-30days.
Development and care of young: At first nestlings have a pink appearance, covered with a sparse white down which gets thicker as the nestlings grow older. Bills have a distinct egg tooth. At 15 days old, pin feathers begin appearing on the forehead. At about 35 days of age, green tail feathers begin to break free of the quills. When chicks emerge from the nest, each resembles an adult female in colouring, with coral pink foreheads (Wirminghaus et al., in press b). First moult begins after 5-7 months. Time taken to moult into mature plumage is variable in both sexes. Both parents attend the nest and regurgitate food to the young. The female spends more time in the nest than the male. Chicks solicit food by chirping continually until fed. Nestlings fledge asynchronously. After fledging (55-79 days), chicks remain in groups with their parents and continue to be fed by regurgitation by both parents. Food given to chicks includes the kernels of P. falcatus and seeds of Acacia mearnsii (Wirminghaus et al., in press b). There is much vocal contact between fledglings and ads. When leaving the nest, both parents appear cautious, before flying off. As chicks grow, they appear at the hole entrance and give ‘zeek-zeek’ calls (Wirminghaus et al., in press b).
Breeding success: Dueting pairs did not appear to defend nest sites, but occasionally chased other avian frugivores away. There was no destruction of any observed clutches or broods by predators. Nesting requirements suggest that nest-sites are limiting (Wirminghaus et al., in press b) as few nests have been found and consequently there is little recruitment (Wirminghaus et al., in press b).
Moult: No data.
Geographical variation: No recognised races, but appear to be some variation in vocalisations (C.T. Downs, pers. obs.).
Measurements: wing (24m) 210-230 (218.3), (14f) 205-219 (210.5); tail (25m) 90-98.9 (94.8), (16f) 79.6-97.2 (89.3); tarsus (25m) 18.2-23.5 (21.7), (16f) 19.9-22.4 (21.5); culmen (from edge of cere along curve to bill tip) (19m) 37-48 (40.8), (14f) 36-43 (38.3); mass (4 m) 295-329 (306), (3f) 260-328 (294) (Wirminghaus et al., in press a).