We are dedicated Parrot People working for conservation of all wild parrots wherever they occur in the world. We are a diverse group of experts from across the globe, with a broad range of experience and backgrounds, united by our dedication to the conservation of wild parrots around the world.

History: Like many parrots, we hatched in June 2024 --following a long incubation with intense parental care.

Goals: The IUCN SSC Wild Parrot Specialist Group will tackle the most pressing problems facing  parrots in the wild, with the goal of preventing the extinction and deterioration of conservation status of parrots around the world. 

United under the umbrella of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC), the parrot conservation community is uniquely situated to detect, monitor and manage, advise and inform decision-makers, funders, scientific communities and interested members of the public, communities and other stakeholders about the perils impacting this taxonomic group world-wide. Using “Wild” within the title of the Wild Parrot SG reflects the ultimate focus of the group on the conservation of wild parrot populations. Acknowledging the conservation potential of formal breeding programmes and the benefits of including the One-Plan-Approach in conservation strategies the ultimate aim is equally to ensure long-term viability of wild populations.

By assessing conservation risks for wild species and populations, prioritizing planning needs, initiating, enabling and facilitating appropriate and inclusive conservation planning considering all available conservation tools to encourage and support conservation action in the Assess-Plan-Act cycle at all levels of participation, the Wild Parrot Specialist Group will provide cohesive structure to address the many needs of parrots in peril. The need for a global, diverse and broad taxon-based specialist group is urgently needed for evaluation and informing future policy and conservation measures for all members and all levels of threat.

General Structure of the IUCN SSC Wild Parrot Specialist Group

2 Co-Chairs: Dr. Patricia J. Latas and Jose Antonio Díaz Luque (interim).

4 Regional Vice-chairs

Red List Authority

4 Geographical Subgroups: 

Africa - Tiwonge Gawa

Asia - Jess Lee 

Australasia/Oceania - Terry Greene

Neotropical - José Antonio Díaz 

6 Thematic Subgroups: 

Trade - Rowan Martin 

Health and Welfare - Pat Latas 

Research Pat Latas liaison with PRG

Government, Legislation, Policy

Education, Community Engagement

Ex situ Conservation Liaison - Simon Bruslund 

Emergency Response Teams (as needed)