Abstract
While not completely a cause for
celebration, a recently published population
census of Grand Cayman parrots
indicates that previous reports of their
imminent extinction have been exaggerated.
The 1985 wild population
estimate for A.l. caymanensis is 1,351;
for A.l. hesterna, 38 to 45. While the
former figure is welcome news, the
latter suggests stern measures are
necessary to maintain a wild population
of this endangered and seriously threatened
subspecies. The census also estimated
parrots kept in captivity, finding
at least 500 on Grand Cayman and at
least 200 on Cayman Brae. However,
nearly all of these birds are kept solely
as pets, effectively eliminating a
breeding role in propagating the
species. In addition to flock counts, a
number of other variables were studied
which significantly impact the
population.