By Admin. Updated 5:55 a.m., Sunday, June 5, 2022, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Former Miss SVG and Miss Heritage International contestant Ms. Anna La Borde had the time of her life on June 2 when one of the world’s rarest birds landed on her and played with her hair.
During a shoot for a project at the Botanical Gardens aviary, La Borde said she came into contact with the Amazona Guildingii – a bird endemic to Saint. Vincent and the Grenadines and one of the world’s most endangered species.
“I was nervous but excited at the same time,” La Borde told One News SVG in an interview.
“He didn’t want to leave my hair,” she added.
The photos were captured by Stormy Windz Productions and came weeks after the birds were photographed as they were being fed by Prince Edward and his wife Countess Sophie on their Royal visit in April to commemorate the Queens Platinum Jubilee.
“That moment will be nostalgic for me,” Ms. La borde said.
Apart from the parrots kept at the aviary at the Botanical Gardens and else where, most of the birds are in the wild, mainly heavily forested areas. Some have also been kept abroad in Germany for safe keeping.
Bird watchers usually have to hike mountains in Cumberland or Vermont at dawn to see the birds.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, the 2010 Census of the Saint Vincent Parrot recorded an estimated 800 parrots.
Another National Census of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Parrot, the Amazona Guildingii, was carried out by the Forestry Service in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, wrapped up on Friday 17th September, 2021, but those results have not been released yet.
The birds remain endangered and Director of Forestry – Mr. Fitzgerald Providence said that Forestry Officers will continue to monitor the population of the birds in their natural habitats, the agriculture ministry says.
Mr. Providence said that the information gathered will be used to devise ways to further protect the Parrot.
One News St.Vincent 