Only an estimated 1,000 birds still live in the wild in the Philippines. Today, the IUCN Red List categorizes them as critically endangered. Only 30 years ago, the birds inhabited virtually the entire Philippines. The decision by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development ignores the submitted environmental studies and the will of the municipal government, and of the residents of Barangay Panacan.Ībout 260 Philippine cockatoos live on Rasa Island, making it the largest population in the wild. Yet approving a coal power plant in such a highly sensitive area and putting the survival of an entire species at risk is a crass contradiction of those efforts,” explains Peter Widmann, vice president of the Katala Foundation. Screeching raucously, a flight of endangered Philippine cockatoos crosses the narrow strait that separates the tiny coral island Rasa from Palawan, a much larger island and the birds’ feeding ground, for Rasa is too small to support the population. This vital route could soon be blocked by a coal-fired power plant that DMCI Power Corporation intends to build on the coast of Palawan.Įnvironmentalists are speaking out against the plan: “Policymakers are trying to give Palawan a green image and promote the island as the last ecological frontier of the Philippines. Please urge the Philippine authorities to stop the plans. This location – of all places – has been chosen for a coal power plant. Only around 1,000 of these magnificent birds remain, and the largest population can be found on Rasa, a tiny island just off Palawan in the Philippines. Philippines: power plant threatens rare cockatoos The Philippine cockatoo is facing extinction. The Palm cockatoo’s beak is so strong that it can crack Brazil nuts with it. They have been known to live over 100 years in the zoo. Cockatoos can live for 40 to 60 years and sometimes longer. In fact, some Indonesian cockatoos are now thought to be extinct in the wild. In the 1970s, many cockatoos were trapped for the pet trade and their numbers in the wild have decreased dramatically. Although parrots are often colorful, most cockatoos are actually black and white because they lack a certain texture in their feathers that reflects light. Like all parrots, cockatoos are zygodactyl, which means they can use their feet to grasp objects, making them excellent climbers. Most cockatoos even stay in the same flock they were raised in and often mate in long-lasting pairs. These birds form flocks, with sometimes up to three different types of cockatoos, to feed together on berries, nuts and seeds. Cockatoos are found in Australia and some surrounding islands, mainly in forested areas. Their loudness comes from a history of having to communicate long distances with one another in dark, thick forests. The cockatoo (of the family Cacatuidae) is one of the most well-known birds in the parrot family because it’s quite noisy in fact, it’s the loudest of all the parrots. Status in Wild: Declining due primarily to loss of habitat. Rain Forest Facts: This bird possesses a beautiful crest that is curved to the rear, a highly intelligent and friendly bird, the Moluccan is often the favorite keepers who get to know these wonderful animals. Like many of the large parrot family members the Moluccan cockatoo is monomorphic. Size: 2nd largest of all cockatoo species the Moluccan is a very large bird with showy peach colored feathers. Diet at Rain Forest: Seed, fruits, & fresh greens
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