Bird of the Year 2023 - Cape Parrot Working Group

BirdLife South Africa announced the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) as Bird of the Year for 2023. They partnered with BirdLife Species Guardians, the Cape Parrot Working Group and the Wild Bird Trust’s Cape Parrot Project to raise awareness about the species through the Bird of the Year 2023 campaign.

Several conservation organisations and individuals working together to protect the Endangered Cape Parrot population were involved with this initiative. The work of these Species Guardians includes initiatives, such as population monitoring, habitat restoration, the provision of nest boxes, species rehabilitation, education of the public, and community outreach, among others.

Cape Parrots were described as the jewels of the forest throughout the initiative and are recognised as ambassadors for the conservation of mistbelt forests. Throughout 2023, they created awareness about the Cape Parrot through the production of educational materials, such as posters, infographics, and learning resources for schools that were free to download from the bird of the year 2023 website; articles in African Birdlife magazine; social media posts; and presentations to interested groups. Cape Parrot merchandise, such as t-shirts, pin badges, and fluffy toys, were on sale through BirdLife South Africa’s Shop for the Birds! from January 2023.

The Bird of the Year sponsor was the Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust. The funds they generously donated went towards BirdLife South Africa and the conservation of birds and biodiversity.