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Individual Identification, Population Structure, and Viability of Puerto Rican Parrots
Completed
The Puerto Rican parrot is considered one of the most endangered birds in the world. During Columbus’ time, the parrot population may have exceeded one million but dropped to a low of 13 by 1975. For over 30 years, scientists and managers have studied and nurtured the few remaining wild and captive parrots. USGS scientists at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center and North Carolina Cooperative Research Unit have spent more than a decade working with federal agencies and the Puerto Rican government to establish family trees for the captive and wild populations. Molecular markers have been used to identify individuals and verify their lineage to model potential strategies for moving birds to and from captive and wild populations and to set up pairings for breeding programs to maximize genetic diversity. Recovery of the parrot is far from realized, but some birds are being released into the wild.
Haig, Susan M. - Supervisory Research Wildlife Biologist
Phone: 541-750-7482
Email: susan_haig@usgs.gov
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