Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend is suspected to be declining but only slowly (although subject to trapping pressure, the species is evidently commonest at remote high altitudes where there is minimal exploitation), it thus does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified but is not believed to meet thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The population size has not been quantified, however Praveen et al. (2015) suggested that the species may be considered a regular inhabitant given the number of records within Meshai, Anjaw, Arunachal Pradesh. Similarly, Grimmet et al. (1998) note the species' common in Arunachal Pradesh. MacKinnon and Phillips (2000) further describe the species as abundant in hill and montane forests across Tibet, south-west Sichuan, and west and north-west Yunnan up to 4,000 m.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be undergoing a slow decline due to trapping for the pet trade for both national and international markets. MacKinnon and Phillipps (2000) claim the species is often captured at nests for the pet trade, contributing to its local endangerment.This is evidenced by the presence of P. derbiana in both national bird markets, e.g. Guiyang, South-West China (Dai and Zhang 2017), as well as international markets e.g. in Algeria for $2044 per individual (Idir et al. 2023), in the West Bank, Palestine (Handal et al. 2023), in Singapore (Eaton et al. 2017) and Taiwan (J. Eaton in litt. 2024). Whilst it is not entirely clear if these are wild caught or captive bred individuals, the implication that the species is considered highly valuable and sold both nationally and internationally persists. Despite this, the rate of decline is not thought to be rapid. In most cases only one to two individuals are being sold at a market. Additionally, the species is evidently commonest at remote high altitudes where there is minimal exploitation. Despite that some areas seem to have an abundance of the species, local extinctions and declines in the past (J. Eaton in litt. 2010, He Fen-Qi in litt. 2010, J. Hornskov in litt. 2010, Zeidler and Francis 2011) suggest that the species is in decline overall.
Psittacula derbiana is primarily a resident species in Tibet, China (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Praveen et al. 2015) and has been described as a common local resident in Arunachal Pradesh, India (Grimmet et al. 1998), likely based on observations by Singh (1995). Kazmierczak (2000) also classified the species as resident in the region. However, Praveen et al. (2015) noted it as a breeding visitor to parts of Arunachal Pradesh, with presence between May and September. Maheswaran et al. (2022) observed daily movements between Arunachal Pradesh and China in May 2021 and March 2022, reporting that the species is common and regular in the area and suggesting that breeding is highly likely.
It also occurred from Assam, India, to southern China, including south-eastern Tibet, western Szechwan and western Yunnan (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Juniper and Parr 1998). However, more recently, the species' range has appeared to have contracted to the Tibetan border in some areas, although a single population persists in Yunnan to the south (J. Eaton in litt. 2024). There is also a non-native population in Lhasa (J. Eaton in litt. 2024).
The species inhabits coniferous and mixed pine-oak forests, Rhododendron alpine thickets and cultivated valleys, ranging from 1,250 to 4,000 m (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Juniper and Parr 1998). It feeds on the seeds of Pinus tabulaeformis, poplar catkins, barley and orchard fruit. It is an agricultural pest, often destroying ripening crops, including maize (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Juniper and Parr 1998). It probably also feeds on invertebrates, leaf-buds and berries (Juniper and Parr 1998). It has been observed to breed in June in south-eastern Tibet (del Hoyo et al. 1997) and females lay a clutch of 2-4 eggs (Juniper and Parr 1998, Zeidler and Francis 2011). The species nests in tree-holes, favouring Populus ciliata (del Hoyo et al. 1997). Away from north-eastern India, it undertakes some altitudinal movements but may persist at up to 3,300 m in mid-winter (Juniper and Parr 1998).
The species was formerly threatened by logging campaigns that resulted in the loss of much breeding habitat; however, this threat ended in the 1990s (Zeidler and Francis 2011). Today, old-growth trees, some of which provide nest-holes, are still felled for house construction and firewood, even in protected forests (Zeidler and Francis 2011). The species is subject to trapping pressure and egg-collecting for the pet trade (MacKinnon and Phillipps 2000, J. Eaton in litt. 2010, Zeidler and Francis 2011, Praveen J. et al. 2015). Egg-collecting and the subsequent incubation, rearing of birds and onward selling is very organised and may take place through a network of people in some areas (Zeidler and Francis 2011). The species is openly sold and widely kept as a pet in its natural range (J. Eaton in litt. 2010, J. Hornskov in litt. 2010, Zeidler and Francis 2011). It is present in both national bird markets, e.g. Guiyang, South-West China (Dai and Zhang 2017), as well as international markets e.g. in Algeria for $2044 per individual (Idir et al. 2023), in the West Bank, Palestine (Handal et al. 2023), in Singapore (Eaton et al. 2017) and Taiwan (J. Eaton in litt. 2024). Whilst it is not entirely clear if these are wild caught or captive bred individuals, the implication that the species is considered highly valuable and sold both nationally and internationally persists. Despite this, the rate of decline is not thought to be rapid. In most cases only one to two individuals are being sold at a market. Additionally, the species is evidently commonest at remote high altitudes where there is minimal exploitation.
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 in India and collecting for the pet trade is illegal in China (Zeidler and Francis 2011). In some areas, such as Shachong valley (Szechwan), monks provide protection for wildlife, including anti-trapping activities (Zeidler and Francis 2011).
46-50 cm. Bill red above, tipped yellow, with black lower mandible. A narrow black frontal band stretching back to eye is set in light turquoise on the forehead and around the eyes, shading to purple on the rest of the head except for a broad black bar extending from the lower mandible below the ear-coverts. Its nape and upperparts are green with a yellowish wash on the median wing-coverts. The underparts are purple except for green thighs and vent. The tail is bluish centrally and green laterally and yellowish below. Females lack the turquoise on the head and have an all-black bill. Immatures are duller with green head.
Text account compilers
Butchart, S., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Ekstrom, J., Chad, E., Westrip, J.R.S.
Contributors
Eaton, J., He, F., Hornskov, J. & Praveen, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Lord Derby's Parakeet Psittacula derbiana. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/lord-derbys-parakeet-psittacula-derbiana on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.