Parrots most threatened group of birds...

                                                                                                 Photo by BarrytheBirder

Science Daily reports a new study by the University of Copenhagen and the University of Porto, in Portugal, shows that trade in wild birds has dropped 90% since the European Union banned bird imports in 2005.   The study shows how it decreased the number of traded birds annually from 1.3 million to 130,000.  Birds are the most traded animals in the world, with Europe being the main importer, with 70% of exported birds coming from West Africa.   Before 2005, almost all bird exports were passerines (80%) and parrots (18%).   Today, popular passerine birds make up less than 20% of imports, while parrots are up almost 80% of all traded birds.   Latin America has taken over as the main exporter of wild birds and is responsible for more than 50% of global exports.   Important new buyers of wild birds include Mexico and the USA, with annual numbers increasing from 23,000 to 82,000.   Several  south-east Asian nations are major importers of wild birds and these regions are now exposed to a higher risk of bird invasion.   A global wildlife trade ban would reduce the number of traded birds, and minimize the risk of exotic birds spreading.

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BarrytheBirder