SIF reports a dozen black parrots have fledged |09 June 2025
SIF reports a dozen black parrots have fledged
As the 16th SIF-monitored black parrot breeding season nears its close, SIF is celebrating a significant milestone. By the end of March 2025, twelve (12) Seychelles black parrot chicks from 15 nests monitored across Vallée de Mai, Fond Ferdinand, and the Praslin National Park – had fledged.
Five of the nests unfortunately failed but the nest success rate this season was much higher than the long-term average. This is a strong outcome for the breeding season and reflects the hard work and dedication of the black parrot research team.
Fledging is a critical step in a bird’s journey. During this stage, young birds leave the nest for the first time and begin to learn essential survival skills, such as flying, foraging, recognising predators and social skills. It's a vulnerable period, as fledglings are not yet fully skilled in flying or feeding themselves, making them more vulnerable to threats like predators and harsh weather conditions, diminishing their chances of survival.
Fortunately, the team did not experience the frustrations of nest predation or failures for any of the nests still being monitored in March, even though a number of predators such as cats were seen around the areas monitored. There is one chick still remaining in a nest in Vallée de Mai, so fingers crossed that this final chick safely makes its way to freedom!
The team's dedication is key to this success. The black parrot team spends hours at active nests, observing parrot behaviour and interactions. The team also tracked down fledglings and followed them to get insights into their wellbeing and interactions with other adult parrots. This approach provides valuable insights into their interactions with other adult parrots from the same social group.
With 12 young parrots now newly exploring the palm forests of Praslin, the research team continues to monitor them and keep an eye on their wellbeing.
You too can help SIF know where these young and adventurous parrots are, by reporting and submitting images of any ringed parrots you see. Capturing photos of ringed black parrot sightings and sending these to SIF helps us gain valuable knowledge on the Seychelles’ national bird and devise conservation measures to ensure their population does not dwindle.
Remember, there is power in citizen science, and there is no science without citizen science. Every observation is unique and counts!
Text and photos: Seychelles Islands Foundation