There are estimated to be less than 1000 birds remaining, making the species critically endangered.
Yellowwood trees found in the eastern afromontane mistbelt forests are the main resource for food and nesting for these parrots. The trees produce high quality hardwood much in demand in the furniture industry. This has led to the forest patches having had most of the yellowwoods removed.
Add to this a Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) outbreak in the Eastern Cape parrot population, which has caused some deaths.
If this isn't enough, there is also illegal trapping for bird trading as there has been a massive rise in the market value of these parrots given their rarity.
Worldwide, parrots have the most threatened species of any bird family. More than 90 of the world's 332 parrot species are threatened with global extinction.
No sooner had I posted this article about the demise of the Cape Parrot, and the part trapping and trading is contributing towards the issue, when I came across a whole lot of parrots for sale whilst strolling through the local Souq (market place) in Doha City.