Status and conservation of the seychelles black parrot

A study of the Seychelles black parrot Coracopsis nigra barklyi, restricted to Praslin Island in the central Seychelles, was carried out between July and September 1976. A synchronised watch on 23 August provided an estimate for the total population of 90 birds ± 20,65% of which were in the Vallée de Mai region. Regular movements out of the Vallée between 0800 h and 0900 h and returning between 1700 h and 1800 h were noted, and these were associated with foraging. Most important food items during the study were Verschaffeltia splendida, an endemic palm, and the introduced Averrhoabilimbi. Breeding is probably concentrated in the period October to February, and it is thought that the lack of many suitable nest sites (standing rotting trees of Pandanus, Lodoicea, and Albizia) may be the major factor regulating numbers. The provision of suitable nest boxes, a policy of leaving dead Albizia and Acacia trees standing as nest sites, and the planting of fruit trees such as Verschaffeltia, Averrhoa and Ficus are suggested to help the conservation of the species.