Parrots are extremely popular pets and rank right up there with cats, dogs, and fish. There are more than 350 species of parrot to choose from, so you are sure to find something to your liking. However, some of these species are facing declining numbers and need our help to avoid extinction. If you are a bird lover that would like to do something to help birds in need, keep reading while we list several of the rarest parrots in the world, so you’ll have a good place to start.
The 7 Rarest Parrots in the World
1. Puerto Rican Amazon
| Population: | 600 |
| Conservation Status: | Critically Endangered |
Most of the remaining population of the Puerto Rican Amazon are in the Rio Abajo State Forest and the El Yunque National Forest. However, there are many conservation efforts underway, and several captive-bred chicks are being born. These birds usually have green feathers covering the body with blue highlights on the wings. It will have a white ring around its eyes, and there may be some red around the beak.
2. Blue-Throated Macaw
| Population: | 350 – 450 |
| Conservation Status: | Critically Endangered |
The Blue-Throated Macaw prefers the wet savannahs of Bolivia. Scientists already thought it was extinct before they found it again in 1992, hiding in the palm trees. The pet trade is largely responsible for the declining numbers, but due to laws in place and captive breeding efforts, their numbers are starting to come back.
3. Sulu Racquet-Tail
| Population: | 50 – 249 |
| Conservation Status: | Critically Endangered |
The primary threat to the Sulu Racquet-Tail is ongoing deforestation. Before the 1970s, it had a much larger range that covered several islands around the Philippines. Regulations prevent conservation efforts from taking place, but even with captive breeding, these birds will have nowhere to return to with the forest cleared. These birds are usually green, with an orange spot on the top of their head.
4. Orange-Bellied Parrot
| Population: | 30 – 350 |
| Conservation Status: | Critically Endangered |
The Orange-Bellied Parrot is one of only three migratory parrot species. A decreasing breeding range threatens this small bird’s numbers, and some experts say that fewer than 30 remain. The cold weather during winter also kills many offspring, so it isn’t easy to sustain the population. There are many conservation efforts in place hoping to bring this colorful bird back from the edge of extinction.
5. Indigo-Winged Parrot
| Population: | 250 |
| Conservation Status: | Critically Endangered |
The Indigo-Winged Parrot is another parrot suffering from very low numbers that could face extinction over the next few years, with only about 250 birds remaining. These parrots live in extremely high elevations, and it’s not easy to find them. After a scientist discovered them in 1911, no one mentioned them again until 2002. This bird is beautifully colored and features yellow, red, blue, green, white, and black shades.
6. Kakapo
| Population: | 210 |
| Conservation Status: | Critically Endangered |
The Kakapo is another interesting-looking bird and is a close relative to the New Zealand Kiwi parrot. It has an owl-like face and a deep booming call. These are flightless birds that prefer to live in thick forests. Scientists can account for all 210 birds, and it’s unlikely that there are any others. Conservation efforts are underway to help increase the numbers.
7. Spix’s Macaw
| Population: | 37 – 200 |
| Conservation Status: | Critically Endangered |
Many scientists consider the Spix’s Macaw already extinct because there are only captive animals left. These birds are part of a conservation plan that hopes to reintroduce these birds into the wild. Scientists found the last of these mostly blue parrots in 1990. At that time, only 37 others remained, all captive owned. Since then, breeders were able to captive breed these birds with the hope of releasing them.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, several parrots are in danger of becoming extinct. If you would like to help out, you can contact any of the organizations that we’ve linked to here, and they would likely welcome a donation. You might even be able to get involved in other ways.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over this list, and it has helped answer your questions. If we have mentioned some birds you have never heard of before, please share this guide to the seven rarest parrots in the world on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit by Gisha Bruev, Shutterstock
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
