How Might Dialects Developed In Captivity Affect Reintroduction Success For Parrots?

Captive-bred parrots may develop a different dialect from their wild relatives and this could prevent them from being able to communicate effectively with their wild peers after they’re released

by GrrlScientist for Forbes | Twitter | Newsletter

NOTE: This piece was a Forbes Editors’ Pick. Originally published under the title: Can Parrots That Speak Different Dialects Understand Each Other?

A captive-bred Puerto Rican parrot, or Iguaca (Amazona vittata), is released into the wild after it has been radio-tagged. (Credit: jpzool@yahoo.com, image courtesy of Tanya Martinez)

Puerto Rico’s endangered parrots may be facing a new challenge to their long-term survival: dialects. Conservation efforts have apparently allowed these iconic parrots to develop different dialects from their wild relatives. This may prevent them from being able to communicate effectively with their wild peers after they’re released into their native habitat, which could prevent them from finding mates, thereby threatening their survival.

Captive-breeding is an important conservation tool

Captive-breeding is a conservation strategy that is commonly used when endangered animal populations have plunged to a mere handful of individuals. On one hand, it can help wild populations recover their numbers after they’ve experienced dramatic declines, but on the other hand, it can create a…