When people think about parrots, usually bright, loud and relatively big birds spring to mind. Cayman Parrots do not disappoint. Adorned with iridescent green feathers, red cheeks, and brilliant blue wing feathers, their personalities are as vibrant as they are loud. Mating for life in permanent bonds, our parrots’ language and social lives are complex and fascinating.
With more than half of all parrot species having gone extinct in the Caribbean, it is hard to dismiss how fortunate Cayman is that despite a vast array of rising threats, almost against all odds, we still have a chance to save our National Bird from extinction. A race which so many Caribbean nations have lost to date.
UNIQUE TO CAYMAN
In the Cayman Islands we have two distinct subspecies of the Cuban Amazon Parrot (Amazona leucocephala), also known as the Amazona clade. Both the Grand Cayman Parrot (A. l. caymanensis) and the Cayman Brac Parrot (A. l. hesterna) are found nowhere else on the planet, which makes them endemic and unique to our small islands.
A Grand Cayman parrot peeks from it’s nest in a hollowed palm tree.
While the Cayman Brac Parrot was once found throughout Little Cayman, the Hurricane(s) in 1944 rendered Little Cayman unsuitable for nesting. However, one or two Brac Parrots continue to commute between the Sister Islands, potentially checking out if it is time to expand back into their previous domain.
Though a protected species (along with all birds) under the National Conservation Act (2013) and a national symbol of our islands’ natural heritage, Cayman Parrot populations on both Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac remain critically low, particularly in the wake of Hurricanes Ivan in 2004 and Paloma in 2008. The Brac Parrot population measured around 1,065 birds in 2024, while the Grand Cayman population in 2023 measured 3,184 birds. The Grand Cayman population has declined by more than half over the last decade.
A MULTITUDE OF THREATS
Cayman Parrots face a multitude of threats with increasing storm activity, habitat loss from rapid rates of development, and the risk of hybridisation when non-native pet parrots are released or escape into the wild. Coupled with the ongoing threats of hunting and poaching, the solutions to the long-term survival of our Cayman Parrots are indeed complex – and vital.
The Cayman Parrot’s conservation storyline can tell a realistic tale of a bright future – if we want it to. To this end the Department of Environment (DoE) has worked together with the community to take several prominent steps in parrot conservation.
In response to the ongoing illegal pet trade, DoE initiated a six-month Amnesty Programme back in 2019, during which residents could register their captive Cayman Parrots. Each registration included a veterinary health check, the fitting of a standard identification leg band and a microchip, a consultation with owners and, in some cases, aid with supplies for more optimal keeping of the birds.
This effort reached 326 captive birds, hundreds of households, and residents who shared their experiences and stories, painting a remarkable picture of Cayman Parrots as deeply intelligent and complex birds. The goal of the Amnesty Programme was to be able to easily distinguish between wild and captive parrots and as such to enable DoE Enforcement to act against the illegal poaching of wild nests and the custom of robbing fledglings from their parents.
Recognizing this as an illegal act, several members of the public immediately contacted the DoE to report the advert. An undercover operation conducted by DoE Conservation Officers led to the rescue of Charlie from deplorable conditions and poor health, as well as the arrest and conviction of the suspect. Thankfully, Charlie made a full recovery and was released in late 2024.
Since the Amnesty was completed, multiple illegal Cayman Parrots have been confiscated and in two cases arrests have been made. The community has been extremely supportive in calling in unregistered Parrots, with a general attitude that deems poaching and profiting from a precious and protected natural resource unacceptable.
CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Alongside the Amnesty Programme, the Cayman Parrot Sanctuary has been instrumental in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing Cayman Parrots, with assistance from Island Veterinary Services, exotic vets on island and the DoE. To date, 46 birds have been released back into the wild thanks to this partnership, leaving another 20+ birds in professional care as they are unsuitable for release due to the severity of their injuries. These captive birds serve as ambassadors at the Sanctuary, reminding us of their wild families who still need our support.
Found across the islands, Cayman Parrots prefer dry forests as well as mangrove and buttonwood habitat. Old and fat trees are crucial for nesting as the parrots are cavity nesters and rely on wooden hollows in which to lay their eggs, often in clutches of 1–4 per season. Unfortunately, the clearing of land for construction poses a severe and significant threat as available nesting sites and food sources rapidly decline. Breeding pairs aggressively compete for space in the remaining habitat pushing them into residential areas where they are vulnerable to predation from roaming pets, poaching and collisions with cars.
Maximising the resilience of the Cayman Parrot populations is needed for them to withstand the devastating effects that hurricanes have historically had on both Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. Recovery from such events can take years, and with increasing frequency of severe storms, the resilience of these populations is continually tested.
To give our remaining parrots a chance to bounce back, expanses of dry forest and mangrove habitats need formal and legal protection. The Brac Parrot Reserve is a 282-acre ancient dry forest reserve established and managed by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. While it protects critical habitat for the Cayman Brac Parrot, a single reserve is not enough. A mosaic of designated Protected Areas is desperately needed on both islands to offer the undisturbed habitat Cayman Parrots need to nest and feed naturally, while also providing sustainable access for humans to experience these precious ecosystems.
HOLISTIC APPROACH
In addition to Protected Areas, a holistic approach to conservation means promoting the sustainable coexistence between people and our National Bird. The DoE is working with farmers to minimise crop-loss caused by parrots and nest trials with artificial nest boxes are ongoing in safe locations. Residents are encouraged to sustain parrot habitat by preserving native food source trees like birch and almond, retaining old palms and hollowed trees for as long as possible for nesting, and to be on the lookout for parrot nests when removing vegetation and preparing for storms.
As a Protected Species at all times community stewardship is the cornerstone of saving our precious parrot populations. Nesting season runs from March through July.
Reports of parrot nesting activity or any disturbances related to parrots or their nests should be made directly to the Department of Environment at doe@gov.ky or on 949-8469.
Together, we can support our native wild parrots so they may thrive for future generations to enjoy.
Learn more at doe.ky/parrots