Bird species, like the African gray parrot, are facing extinction. Here’s what you need to know and how to help.
This NATIONAL THREATENED SPECIES DAY, we are looking to the skies to learn more about at risk species.
According to scientists, there are between 50 billion and 430 billion wild birds on Earth. And while this number may seem staggering, many bird species have populations low enough to be classified as endangered — from the kakapo (116) to the giant ibis (194), the California condor (93) to the Slender-billed Vulture (730), and many more.
One critically endangered bird species is the African gray parrot — the largest parrot species in Africa, donning a silvery plumage and red-tipped tail. While their population numbers may still appear large (approximately 630,000-13 million), this species has succumbed to a near 90% decline, as 21% of the wild population is poached illegally every year.
African grays are some of the smartest birds in the world, with cognitive skills close to that of a five-year-old child. They are able to imitate human speech, recognize shapes, colors and number sequences, and have been known to ask questions without being prompted. Not only that, they also have a high level of emotional intelligence, with an ability to display affection and act altruistically. It’s this intelligence, accompanied by their long lifespan (some live to 80 years), that have made the African gray parrot the most desirable “exotic pet” in the world.
Thus, they desperately need your help. Donate now to save threatened bird species and the many others that make up our planet’s remarkable BIODIVERSITY.
