Grand Cayman Parrot

The sight of a pair of Cayman parrots is a familiar one to many Caymanians. You are more likely to hear the raucous squawking of the National Bird of the Cayman Islands before actually seeing one, especially in the early morning and late afternoon when they are most vocal. When feeding quietly in the tops of trees, they are so well camouflaged you may never realize they are there.

The Cayman Islands' parrots are, in fact, two subspecies of the Cuban Parrot (Amazona leucocephala). Both subspecies are endemic to the Cayman Islands - which means they are found nowhere else in the world. In fact, there are only three other subspecies of this parrot in the world - two in Cuba and one in the Bahamas.

Cayman's parrots have iridescent green feathers with darker edges over the body, a white eye ring, red cheeks, black ear patches and brilliant blue wing feathers which are only obvious when the bird is in flight. The tail has blue outer edges, with some red and yellowish green underneath.

The Grand Cayman Parrot (Amazona leucocephala caymanensis) in particular has a pink flush to its whitish forehead. The male is slightly larger and more brightly coloured than the female. Juvenile birds have yellowish foreheads, gradually becoming more washed with pink as they mature.

Cayman Brac Parrot

The Cayman Brac Parrot (Amazona leucocephala hesterna) is slightly smaller, with more black trim on its green feathers. The crown is pure white, and there is a large maroon area on the abdomen. It is now found only on Cayman Brac: although it used to inhabit Little Cayman it was apparently wiped out from there in the great storm of 1932. The Cayman Brac Parrot has the smallest range of any Amazon parrot and so is one of the rarest.

The Cayman Islands' parrots feed on Sea Grapes, Red Birch berries and the flowers, seeds and berries of many other native plants. They are usually seen in pairs or small family groups, and are most active in the early morning or just before sunset. They have a wide range of different calls, some only used in particular contexts, such as while in flight, when alarmed, or advertising their position to other parrots. Larger flocks will sometimes gather, especially just before the breeding season. The Cayman Brac Parrot is quieter, has different calls and is very secretive. It is rarely seen in winter, and has earned the nickname the "Stealth Parrot".

Cayman's parrots mate for life, and use the same nesting sites over and over again. They nest in rural areas, either mangrove or dry forest, in hollow trees, laying between one and five eggs every spring. The eggs hatch after about 24 days, and the young remain in the nest for about eight weeks and are able to fly by mid-summer.

Those who often see flocks of parrots in the wild may wonder why the Cayman Islands' parrots are protected. It must be remembered that they are only found in the Cayman Islands, and so healthy local populations must be maintained if these unique birds are to survive.

Parrots face many hazards in the wild. Development is destroying many ancient trees, which provide nesting sites and food. Nest robbers see a market in young parrots and still sometimes chop down nesting trees to reach the young birds, many of which die within days of capture. Over the years, this destruction of nesting sites leaves the parrots with fewer and fewer suitable places to breed. It is now illegal to take a parrot from the wild and keep it as a pet. In practice, those that were taken before this law was introduced are allowed to remain in captivity, and owners are advised to consult with local experts to ensure that their bird is kept in the best conditions.

Many farmers consider the parrot a pest, feeding from their valuable fruit trees. It is very frustrating for them to see their crop attacked, although some farmers have realized that the reduction in mature crop yield is often smaller than it appears. For example, many of the immature mangoes whose kernels are devoured by parrots, would be shed by the tree before maturity in any case. One farmer, Mr. Otto Watler, has said that he is happy to "give that little bit back to nature, so that my children and grandchildren will have the parrot in their skies".

The National Trust for the Cayman Islands' Salina Reserve and Mastic Reserve on Grand Cayman, and the Brac Parrot Reserve on Cayman Brac, all provide some protected habitat for parrots. The Central Mangrove Wetland's fringe of Black Mangrove woodland is the single most important breeding habitat for the Grand Cayman Parrot.

Hawks and owls are natural predators, but now the parrot has additional ones to contend with - the rats and cats that have been introduced here by man. An additional peril is the storms that destroy their food and nesting sites. The Trust has been conducting triennial censuses of the parrots on both Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, with the help of the Cayman Islands Bird Club. Both populations appear to be stable for the time being, but vigilance and protective measures will be required if the parrots are to survive the increasing pressures on our natural environment. As Mr. Otto Watler has said: "The parrot is just as Caymanian as the Caymanian himself, and as long as time exists, should be allowed to grace our skies".

Two of the best places to see the Grand Cayman Parrot in the wild are at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and on the Mastic Trail. For a glimpse of the Cayman Brac Parrot in its native environment, visit the Brac Parrot Reserve on Cayman Brac.

Last Updated: 27 Jun 2012