U.S. Moves to Protect Jamaican Parrot

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the yellow-billed parrot, found only in Jamaica, is now protected as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on March 11 announced the yellow-billed parrot is now protected as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. This bird species is found only in Jamaica and is one of only two Amazona species endemic to the country. Ongoing deforestation and fragmentation, including loss of suitable nesting trees, has led to a decline in the yellow-billed parrot’s range and population, the FWS said.

The Endangered Species Act requires the FWS to list species as endangered or threatened regardless of whether the species is found in the United States or abroad. Benefits to the species include prohibitions on certain activities including import, export, take, commercial activity, interstate commerce and foreign commerce. By regulating activities, the United States hopes to ensure that people under the jurisdiction of the United States do not contribute to the further decline of listed species.

For people outside U.S. jurisdiction, the Endangered Species Act can generate conservation benefits such as increased awareness of listed species, research efforts on conservation needs, and funding for conservation of the species in its range countries. The Act provides for U.S. financial assistance to develop and manage programs to conserve species in foreign countries.