Mauritius Parakeet
(Psittacula eques echo)

Its scientific name change from Psittacula echo had recently found widespread approval. A wealth of circumstantial evidence nowadays suggests that the hypothesized Réunion Parakeet (described earlier as Psittacula eques, based on a painting and hearsay reports) did indeed exist. The Réunion birds were the closest relatives, and presumably conspecific, with the Mauritius ones.

Mauritius Parakeet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Identification 36 cm. Long-tailed, green parakeet. Male has bright red bill. Female has dark bill and is generally darker overall. Similar spp. Easily confused with smaller, paler Rose-ringed Parakeet P. krameri and best distinguished by vocalisations. Voice Loud kaaark kaaark in flight and sharp, short kik kik, unlike the high-pitched shrieks and shrills of P. krameri.

Mauritius Parakeet (Psittacula eques) - BirdLife species factsheet

Reasons for the decline of the Echo are not entirely clear. It was reasonably common in the 19th century, but in the latter part of this century the population declined to about 40 birds by the time rescue work began in the early 1970s, and even further to an estimated 8 to 12 individuals with only 3 females by 1986. Certainly, as with all Mauritian species, habitat loss both from destruction and degradation has been severe. Although there are still reasonable areas of native forest remaining on the higher ground (much of the rest being given over to sugar plantations), much of this is heavily invaded by introduced plants like guava. Consequently production of native fruits and regeneration of potential nest trees is very poor, and the birds suffer from a shortage of food and nest sites.

Echo or Mauritius Parakeets

BLACK RIVER GORGES PARK, Mauritius (Reuters) - In the 1980s, there were only about 10 left alive. But, in a rare success story, a two-decade conservation program in a wooded corner of Mauritius has brought the Echo Parakeet back from the brink of extinction.

Mauritius parakeet avoids fate of the dodo | Science | Reuters
Fantastic Photos of this little wonder!

Echo Parakeet - Gro cato ver - Perruche à collier - Psittacula eques echo
Nesting: Breeding season from August to January; copulation mostly observed September and October; pairs have fixed territories; nonetheless little squabbling or disputes between pairs when they meet; courtship display similar to Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri); nests in tall, dominating trees; prefers Calophyllum, Canarium, Mimusops and Sideroxylon; nest located mostly in horizontal branches; entrance hole 10 to 15 cm and sheltered from rain water; chamber usually 20 cm wide and 50 cm deep; clutch 2 to 3 eggs; incubation 22 to 24 days; young initially fed by cock; hen also forages for food for young from third week; young fledge by end of February at latest; remain two or three months with parents; assistance from unpartnered cock also possible.

Psittacula echo

At last, a success story! This Mauritian species was reduced to about 12 individuals, but Carl Jones and his team have used their exceptional skills to bring numbers back to well over 100 and climbing. WPT has funded this work since 1990, providing over US$150,000.

The Captive Breeding Program of the Mauritius Echo Parakeet
The Echo Parakeet population has increased from the 8-12 birds estimated in 1986 to between 309 and 335 birds in April 2006. A record 54 chicks fledged in the 2005/2006 season. The increases in recent years are the result of higher numbers of chicks surviving to fledging due to the intensive management strategies used by the programme and the consequent increase in the number of breeding age birds. The Echo Parakeet Programme is one of the world’s most successful parrot recovery programmes.

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