Thick-billed parrots – Credit: OVIS / Ernesto Enkerlin Hoeflich
Today’s Good News comes from the Good News Network.
Endangered Thick-billed Parrot That Once Roamed the US Is on the Way to Recovery
A public-private partnership in Mexico just announced that the population of thick-billed parrots is approximately 2,500 individuals—at least 10% higher than that recorded 12 years ago.
The number was determined in a recent population survey in a protected area in the state of Chihuahua, where this charismatic species once roamed north into the United States.
The thick-billed parrot is an emblematic species of the temperate forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental, once found in Arizona and New Mexico.
Since 1995, this species, listed in danger of extinction by the Mexican government, has been the subject of numerous studies and actions for protection and management, while the mountain forests on which it depends have been the focus of extensive reforestation.
These efforts, led by the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) and the civil organization Organización Vida Silvestre (OVIS), along with the participation of local communities and other organizations in the US and Mexico, are yielding encouraging results as demonstrated by the increase in population, a statement from OVIS details.
“This emerging success story reflects the importance of collaboration between society and government and a vision of healthy ecosystems and sustainable communities, which is in line with the policies and practices that CONANP will strengthen in the following years,” said the head of CONANP, Pedro Álvarez-Icaza.
The census data suggests that the population of thick-billed parrots will continue to increase as the region’s communities consolidate sustainable forestry management practices.
Sergio Jiménez, OVIS’s executive director, thanked the various institutions’ support.
“This multi-institutional effort led by Ernesto Enkerlin Hoeflich, scientific director of OVIS, is bearing fruit after three decades, which gives us hope for other species at risk and points to the need for cooperation, persistence, and long-term planning to produce results and effective conservation.”
A significant effort was undertaken in the 1980s to restore populations of this parrot among the sky islands of Arizona. These dramatic, short, squat mountain chains amid the scorching lowlands were perceived as perfect havens for the reintroduction. Still, the problem was that predatory species like the American goshawk had already returned in large numbers to these hills, and their take of the parrots proved unsustainable.
In October 2020, it was announced that a higher elevation among the sky islands, including the Chiricahua mountains, would be sought to form the basis for a new reintroduction attempt.
If populations recover substantially enough in Mexico, the bird may recolonize its former haunts in the Southwestern US without the need for scientists’ intervention.
The good news in this story is that species on the verge of extinction can recover with concerted effort. Today’s JohnKu talks about efforts. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Recovery by John W. Howell © 2024
Even the hopeless,
Can benefit from our help. . .
The key is hard work.
Fiction Favorites 
Pretty. We have monk parakeets in one of our parks up here. No idea why. Can get we get some of these guys too?
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Never know. If they cross the border we might wind up deporting them.
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😁
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The parakeets here in Austin are as a result of pets getting away. There is a large colony of them in the downtown area.
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Rumor has it that these escaped a cargo ship container in the 60’s or 70’s.
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That is an excellent rumor
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I really enjoy hearing these success stories. At least someone is trying something.
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I agree. Maybe little actions will end up becoming big actions.
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It’s about time this world decided to save each species.
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Well said, GP. Thanks.
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Wonderful to see the good that can be accomplished when people work together!
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Working together is key.
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Yes!
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😊
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Your JohnKu says it all!
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Thank you, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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How beautiful!
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😁
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I hope they continue to thrive and grow in population so they can thrive here in the States again.
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I do too. They are so pretty
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That is wonderful news Indeed there is always HOPE when we work together to preserve Nature and our environment…
Thank you for sharing John xx
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I agree on the hope, Sue.
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Glad to read this.
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I was glad to find the story.
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Thanks for sharing this, John. It’s wonderful to see humans working to save species. Those birds are really beautiful.
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Yes they are, Tim. Thank you.
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Good news, indeed — I really like that photo of them in flight!
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I thought that was a great photo too. Thank you, Debbie.
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They’re stunning. I do hope this works. Thank you for sharing this news, John.
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I hope it works as well Esther.
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It is always good news when species gain in population. Thank you for the heartwarming news, John.
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My pleasure, Dale.
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💞
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😊
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This is such a cool story. I hope the population continues to grow. I would love to see these beautiful birds.
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I would to. Thanks, Noelle.
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The strengthening of a bird population is great news! Thank you for sharing, John. 🦜
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I agree. They are so beautiful too.
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Wonderful news, John. I hope they repopulate in Arizona, as I’d love to see them fly. Miracles abound, don’t they? With dedication and ingenuity, our world could be transformed. Thank you for sharing this great news — and your JohnKu. 😊
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We should hope for a renewal. Thanks, Gwen.
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Whenever I read a story that a species is on the path to recovery, my heart just swells with joy. This is good news that I hope continues to make forward progress. Thanks so much for sharing. We need stories like this to nourish our souls!
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We do need nourishment of our souls, Monika.
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I love that “if at first you don’t succeed…” attitude, John. It’s paying off. I hope the US continues to protect endangered species. 🙂 That photo of the flying parrots is beautiful!
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I agree, Diana. Gotta keep punching.
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That’s cool. These are such beautiful birds.
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They are
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Great to hear that more of these birds are flying about. And they’re beautifully colorful.
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I agree, Dave. They are beautiful and I would like to see them flying around my yard.
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That is a tremendously impressive turnaround. And yes, it speaks to all the good that can come of the collective efforts of community and government. Here’s to it.
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Yes. Cheers to those guys.
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You know it.
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A profound JohnKu…NOTHING COMES EASY. Well done, John!
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Thankyou, Steve.
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My dad was a wildlife biologist involved on the recovery team of two endangered animals (One was a bird and another was a mammal.) As you said, it does take a concerted effort.
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Great work, Pete. Thanks for sharing.
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It is sad that the thick-billed parrots are endangered but great that they are recovering thanks to the efforts of wonderful people and organizations.
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Well said, Thomas. 😁
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Hooray! What beautiful birds.
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Yes they are.
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