World Parrot Day: As the world observes World Parrot Day every year on May 31, it reflects the perfect opportunity to shed light and clear some misconceptions about this group of birds. It is also equally important to highlight the threats these gorgeous and colourful birds face in India, and the steps being taken by organisations such as Wildlife SOS to tackle them.
The terms ‘parakeets’ and ‘parrots’ are often used loosely and interchangeably, but that is inaccurate. A proper way to clear the confusion is to understand that parrots are the larger group, consisting of nearly 400 bird species. Lovebirds, cockatoos, macaws, lorikeets, conures and parakeets are all collectively referred to as parrots.
A total of 11 native parakeet species are found flying across the skies of India. Of these, the Alexandrine parakeets, Rose-ringed parakeets and Plum-headed parakeets are the three most common species entangled in the net of illegal wildlife trade in the country.
“Chicks, 3-4 weeks old, are taken away from their natural habitats and confined in cages. The trafficking of these animals is flourishing due to their demand as pets,” explained Wasim Akram, Deputy Director- Special Projects, Wildlife SOS.
Wildlife SOS works extensively with enforcement authorities to curb the trafficking of these precious birds. The organisation actively conducts wildlife raids in cities like Delhi and Vadodara. Wildlife SOS was involved in one of the biggest raids in recent history against illegal bird trade. Over 1,700 native birds were found crammed in suffocating cages in Kabutar (Pigeon) Market near Jama Masjid, Delhi. Of the Alexandrine, Rose-ringed and Plum-headed parakeets that were seized, nearly 500 of them were chicks.
In one of its recent wildlife raids, the Wildlife SOS-GSPCA team in Gujarat assisted the state Forest Department to seize 14 Rose-ringed parakeets from Nagarwada in Vadodara.
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO, Wildlife SOS informed, “In such cases, depending on the requirement, our team provides adequate hydration, food and shelter to the birds. In time, once their health recovers, they are handed over to the respective forest departments for release in the wild.”
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