African grey parrot  (Psittacus erithacus)

Habitat loss (particularly the loss of large nesting trees) is likely to be having a significant impact on African grey parrot populations. However, the main threat is the capture of large numbers of wild individuals for the international pet trade (2) (10). Estimates suggest that up to a fifth of the global population may be harvested annually to be sold as pets, though actual numbers captured are likely to be higher than those officially recorded, due to the number of birds that die during capture or transport, and due to illegal trade (2) (10). Worryingly, there also appears to be an increasing market for parrot heads and tail feathers, which are being harvested for purported medicinal purposes, and which are more easily stored and transported than live birds (15).

The African grey parrot is still numerous and found over a wide range, and occurs in a number of protected areas such as Salonga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a World Heritage Site and the largest tropical rainforest reserve in Africa, although political instability here makes protection difficult (16). However, despite trade being monitored to some extent under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (4), current levels are considered unsustainable and the African grey parrot is now in decline (2) (10).

Conservation measures proposed include reducing quotas and banning exports from some countries, as well as attempting tighter control of trade and increased monitoring and research (2) (10). BirdLife International have recommended that the subspecies be treated separately in terms of their status and conservation, particularly considering the greater scarcity of P. e. timneh (10), while others also suggest that the population on Príncipe, which is heavily harvested, should also be treated separately (11). Conservation of this isolated, and perhaps unique, population should be aided by the fact that it is the symbol of the island (11). The import of wild-caught African grey parrots is now banned in the USA under the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992, and in Europe under the EU Birds Directive of 2007 (9), and this may further help to decrease the level of trade in this highly intelligent bird. However, more research may now be needed into the trade in parrot heads and feathers if this emerging threat is to be effectively countered (15).