16 thoughts on “Alexandrine Parakeet (Palaeornis eupatria)”
First of all I would like to ask who placed this common in NT category? Secondly, although it is fine to be in LC, it’s population is not increasing at all. How can the population of a forest-dwelling bird would increase when it’s habitat is decreasing?
We strongly should consider the taxonomic issues at population and subspecies level. Genetic studies show high diversification both within the former Psittacula clade and within Palaeorbis eupatria itself. Even if the nominate subspecies P. eupatria is not threatened, it is not the case for SE subspecies like siamensis. We know that there are more subspecies in the Psittacula s.l. clade which should be considered as full species. Please consider the whole species as NT or give a separate status for P. e. siamensis. Thank you.
I oppose the downlisting of this species. The “Rationale for proposed change” in the Table above states clearly the it is still a declining species in SE Asia. The local subspecies 𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 has declined to the point that there are only a handful of small populations remaining in the increasingly urbanized Thailand. It is therefore categorized as Endangered nationally by the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) & the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) (https://www.bcst.or.th/report-archives/).
These Thai populations rely mainly on cavities of old tree stands that have been dying out. Efforts by local conservation groups (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1831198997267902/) in providing artificial nest boxes have been successful, but there populations are still very small with hardly any colony consisting more than a dozen individuals. This species appears to breed no longer in many formerly known locations including Wat Thian Thawai, a temple grounds used to be famous for this species, where there is evident competition with the increasing, non-native Rose-ringed Parakeet.
In Pakistan, there are currently no established baselines to accurately assess the population trends of Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria). However, an analysis of trade patterns and habitat conditions suggests a potential decline in their population.
The ongoing trade of Alexandrine parakeets, both legal and illegal, contributes significantly to this trend. The demand for these birds as pets, combined with habitat loss due to urbanization and deforestation, further exacerbates the situation. Given the current situation, there is no evidence to suggest that the population of Alexandrine parakeets is increasing, making the downlisting justified.
Thank you everyone for your comments on this proposed change. We will work to incorporate your feedback into the assessment for the preliminary decisions.
In response to A. Choudhury: the species was originally listed as Near Threatened in response to rapid declines in South-East Asia from heavy trapping pressure. In India, the species occupies dry forest, desert regions, and farmlands, and recent trends from the State of India’s Birds represents an increasing population.
In response to Dr. Braun: Our assessments are made according to the current BirdLife International Checklist. We do not assess at the subspecies level. As the bulk of the population occurs in India, and the population is thought to be increasing in India, the species is assessed as Least Concern. However, additional information regarding the threatened status of the subspecies will be incorporated into the assessment.
In response to W. Limparungpatthanakij: This is an assessment of the global status of the species. As acknowledged in the assessment, this species is still threatened in South-East Asia which, however, contains only a small proportion of the species’ global population (and naturally therefore has only a limited effect on the species’ global population trend). As the majority of the population occurs in India, where it is thought to be increasing, the global risk of extinction is minimal, and the species’ global IUCN Red List status is proposed to be Least Concern to reflect this. However, we will incorporate your additional information regarding declines in Thailand into the assessment to ensure regional disparities are made clear.
Down-listing of Alexandrine Parakeet to Least Concern is one of the proposals that the State of India’s Birds partnership can directly relate to. The account has already taken note of the nation-wide rapid increase in population; of at least 80% increase (with 95% CI) since pre-2000 baseline. However, it might also be useful to include the available sub-national trends in the account.
The trend in the woodland habitats and protected areas probably point to the reason mentioned in the account, as to increased implementation of the legislation. However, what may also need qualifying would be the resilience of the species to bounce back when the hunting pressure is removed – both natural and naturalized populations (much of the population in southern India is believed to be naturalized) – and are occupying all habitats, not restricted to woodlands, but also cityscapes like Bengaluru. This is also a conservation opportunity in other parts of its range like SE Asia where the species is apparently is declining.
A proposal to downlist Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) to Least Concern on the IUCN Red List is currently under consideration, based on an apparent population increase. This proposal attributes the population growth, in part, to a reduction in illegal trade, citing strengthened wildlife legislation as a key factor. Notably, our work , (Kalra et al 2023; Poonia et al, 2022), particularly the analysis of CITES data, has been referenced in support of this claim.
While it is true that international trade in Alexandrine parakeets has diminished due to enhanced legal protections, I believe it is essential to offer a more nuanced perspective on the domestic situation within India. My research highlights that while the international trade has indeed been curtailed, illegal trade within India remains persistent and, in some regions, has even increased. Seizure reports and arrests related to the illegal domestic trade suggest that local demand continues to fuel the exploitation of these parrots. Therefore, while the reduction in international trade is a positive step, it may not fully reflect the ongoing threats faced by the species within India. The proposal to downlist should carefully consider these domestic challenges before concluding that the threat from trade has significantly diminished. Presently, I can not provide any scientific data on the population trends of the species. Thank you.
Thank you everyone for your continued support in reaching a decision on this listing.
In response to Rowan Martin: The SoIB data is accessed here (https://stateofindiasbirds.in/species/alepar2/). This data is an analysis based on eBird records and the full methods can be found on the website. The National trends and many of the regional trends suggest the population is stable in India, and the species has shown an affinity for non-woodland habitats, which forms the basis of this assessment. However, as has been highlighted by other comments, a more nuanced consideration of regional trends and local trade impacts is necessary, and this will be considered in reaching a preliminary decision for this species.
Alexandrine Parakeet is mostly woodland species being comparatively lesser with declining population in National Capital Region – Delhi (National Capital Territory of Delhi includes few surrounding districts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh) and even Northern India due to habitat loss for deforestation, urbanization and illegal trade of chicks, sub-adults catches from the wild nests. Exact breeding or population census of this species has not been done in the country to get the exact population. Its NT category may upgrade depends on overall Indian and South-east & south Asian present status.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 28 October 2024. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 28 October 2024, when discussions will re-open.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2025 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
This is an assessment of the species’ global status. Although the dire situation for the species in South-east Asia is recognised, the majority of the population now occurs in India and overall trends from State of India’s Birds and eBird Status and Trends are positive in India and Sri Lanka. As such, there is no basis for a global Near Threatened listing under any Criteria. The national status of the species (in, e.g., Thailand) will nonetheless be emphasised in the updated account.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 10 November 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Bangladesh does not have any Coco Island. The Alexandrine Parakeet is considered a rare resident species in Bangladesh. Its population trend is decreasing due to habitat loss. It is also occasionally found being traded illegally in local markets, suspected to be coming from India through the porous borders between the two countries. This species is protected by the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. In my opinion, it should remain listed as Near Threatened. Downlisting this species may escalate local trade and might change the CITES Appendix-II category?
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 18 November 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Alexandrine Parakeet is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2025.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
First of all I would like to ask who placed this common in NT category? Secondly, although it is fine to be in LC, it’s population is not increasing at all. How can the population of a forest-dwelling bird would increase when it’s habitat is decreasing?
We strongly should consider the taxonomic issues at population and subspecies level. Genetic studies show high diversification both within the former Psittacula clade and within Palaeorbis eupatria itself. Even if the nominate subspecies P. eupatria is not threatened, it is not the case for SE subspecies like siamensis. We know that there are more subspecies in the Psittacula s.l. clade which should be considered as full species. Please consider the whole species as NT or give a separate status for P. e. siamensis. Thank you.
I oppose the downlisting of this species. The “Rationale for proposed change” in the Table above states clearly the it is still a declining species in SE Asia. The local subspecies 𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴 has declined to the point that there are only a handful of small populations remaining in the increasingly urbanized Thailand. It is therefore categorized as Endangered nationally by the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) & the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) (https://www.bcst.or.th/report-archives/).
These Thai populations rely mainly on cavities of old tree stands that have been dying out. Efforts by local conservation groups (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1831198997267902/) in providing artificial nest boxes have been successful, but there populations are still very small with hardly any colony consisting more than a dozen individuals. This species appears to breed no longer in many formerly known locations including Wat Thian Thawai, a temple grounds used to be famous for this species, where there is evident competition with the increasing, non-native Rose-ringed Parakeet.
In Pakistan, there are currently no established baselines to accurately assess the population trends of Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria). However, an analysis of trade patterns and habitat conditions suggests a potential decline in their population.
The ongoing trade of Alexandrine parakeets, both legal and illegal, contributes significantly to this trend. The demand for these birds as pets, combined with habitat loss due to urbanization and deforestation, further exacerbates the situation. Given the current situation, there is no evidence to suggest that the population of Alexandrine parakeets is increasing, making the downlisting justified.
Thank you everyone for your comments on this proposed change. We will work to incorporate your feedback into the assessment for the preliminary decisions.
In response to A. Choudhury: the species was originally listed as Near Threatened in response to rapid declines in South-East Asia from heavy trapping pressure. In India, the species occupies dry forest, desert regions, and farmlands, and recent trends from the State of India’s Birds represents an increasing population.
In response to Dr. Braun: Our assessments are made according to the current BirdLife International Checklist. We do not assess at the subspecies level. As the bulk of the population occurs in India, and the population is thought to be increasing in India, the species is assessed as Least Concern. However, additional information regarding the threatened status of the subspecies will be incorporated into the assessment.
In response to W. Limparungpatthanakij: This is an assessment of the global status of the species. As acknowledged in the assessment, this species is still threatened in South-East Asia which, however, contains only a small proportion of the species’ global population (and naturally therefore has only a limited effect on the species’ global population trend). As the majority of the population occurs in India, where it is thought to be increasing, the global risk of extinction is minimal, and the species’ global IUCN Red List status is proposed to be Least Concern to reflect this. However, we will incorporate your additional information regarding declines in Thailand into the assessment to ensure regional disparities are made clear.
Down-listing of Alexandrine Parakeet to Least Concern is one of the proposals that the State of India’s Birds partnership can directly relate to. The account has already taken note of the nation-wide rapid increase in population; of at least 80% increase (with 95% CI) since pre-2000 baseline. However, it might also be useful to include the available sub-national trends in the account.
Protected Areas: A long-term increase in protected areas with a stable current trend.
https://stateofindiasbirds.in/species/pas-alepar2/
Woodland Habitats: Trend inconclusive due to the large CI band but directionally increasing (see graph)
https://stateofindiasbirds.in/species/wdl-alepar2/
West Bengal: Stable currently
https://stateofindiasbirds.in/species/wb-alepar2/
Maharashtra: Current trend inconclusive due to large CI band but directionally increasing (see graph)
https://stateofindiasbirds.in/species/mh-alepar2/
Haryana: Trend inconclusive but trend available
https://stateofindiasbirds.in/species/hr-alepar2/
Assam: Trend inconclusive but trend available
https://stateofindiasbirds.in/species/as-alepar2/
The trend in the woodland habitats and protected areas probably point to the reason mentioned in the account, as to increased implementation of the legislation. However, what may also need qualifying would be the resilience of the species to bounce back when the hunting pressure is removed – both natural and naturalized populations (much of the population in southern India is believed to be naturalized) – and are occupying all habitats, not restricted to woodlands, but also cityscapes like Bengaluru. This is also a conservation opportunity in other parts of its range like SE Asia where the species is apparently is declining.
Would it be possible to share a link to the full SoiB analysis on which this population assessment is based? Thank you
A proposal to downlist Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria) to Least Concern on the IUCN Red List is currently under consideration, based on an apparent population increase. This proposal attributes the population growth, in part, to a reduction in illegal trade, citing strengthened wildlife legislation as a key factor. Notably, our work , (Kalra et al 2023; Poonia et al, 2022), particularly the analysis of CITES data, has been referenced in support of this claim.
While it is true that international trade in Alexandrine parakeets has diminished due to enhanced legal protections, I believe it is essential to offer a more nuanced perspective on the domestic situation within India. My research highlights that while the international trade has indeed been curtailed, illegal trade within India remains persistent and, in some regions, has even increased. Seizure reports and arrests related to the illegal domestic trade suggest that local demand continues to fuel the exploitation of these parrots. Therefore, while the reduction in international trade is a positive step, it may not fully reflect the ongoing threats faced by the species within India. The proposal to downlist should carefully consider these domestic challenges before concluding that the threat from trade has significantly diminished. Presently, I can not provide any scientific data on the population trends of the species. Thank you.
Thank you everyone for your continued support in reaching a decision on this listing.
In response to Rowan Martin: The SoIB data is accessed here (https://stateofindiasbirds.in/species/alepar2/). This data is an analysis based on eBird records and the full methods can be found on the website. The National trends and many of the regional trends suggest the population is stable in India, and the species has shown an affinity for non-woodland habitats, which forms the basis of this assessment. However, as has been highlighted by other comments, a more nuanced consideration of regional trends and local trade impacts is necessary, and this will be considered in reaching a preliminary decision for this species.
Alexandrine Parakeet is mostly woodland species being comparatively lesser with declining population in National Capital Region – Delhi (National Capital Territory of Delhi includes few surrounding districts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh) and even Northern India due to habitat loss for deforestation, urbanization and illegal trade of chicks, sub-adults catches from the wild nests. Exact breeding or population census of this species has not been done in the country to get the exact population. Its NT category may upgrade depends on overall Indian and South-east & south Asian present status.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 28 October 2024. We will now analyse and interpret the information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 28 October 2024, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2025 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
This is an assessment of the species’ global status. Although the dire situation for the species in South-east Asia is recognised, the majority of the population now occurs in India and overall trends from State of India’s Birds and eBird Status and Trends are positive in India and Sri Lanka. As such, there is no basis for a global Near Threatened listing under any Criteria. The national status of the species (in, e.g., Thailand) will nonetheless be emphasised in the updated account.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 10 November 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Bangladesh does not have any Coco Island. The Alexandrine Parakeet is considered a rare resident species in Bangladesh. Its population trend is decreasing due to habitat loss. It is also occasionally found being traded illegally in local markets, suspected to be coming from India through the porous borders between the two countries. This species is protected by the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. In my opinion, it should remain listed as Near Threatened. Downlisting this species may escalate local trade and might change the CITES Appendix-II category?
No more comment on my already given comments
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the information, and a final decision on this species’ Red List category will be posted on this page on 18 November 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Alexandrine Parakeet is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2025.1 GTB Forum process. The final Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in 2025, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.