The countdown is officially on for the Caribbean’s biggest gathering of bird conservationists, and we have an exciting milestone to celebrate. For the first time ever, the BirdsCaribbean International Conference will feature a Caribbean Parrot Conservation Summit dedicated entirely to the conservation of our remarkable endemic parrots. Read on to learn more about this must-attend event—and how you can reserve your spot!
From July 23–27, 2026, bird conservationists, researchers, educators, students, ecotourism professionals, and bird enthusiasts will gather in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, for BirdsCaribbean’s 25th International Conference. The program features inspiring keynote speakers, skills-building workshops, memorable field trips, and—the first-ever Caribbean Parrot Conservation Summit: From Science to Solutions: Parrot Conservation under the Birds, People, Prosperity Framework.
Conservation leaders working to protect our Caribbean endemic parrots have been invited to participate in this inaugural Summit, creating an unprecedented opportunity to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and advance parrot conservation across the region.
The Caribbean is home to 11 endemic parrot species, each found nowhere else on Earth. From the St. Vincent Amazon and Imperial Amazon to the Cuban Amazon and Puerto Rican Amazon, these remarkable birds are among the Caribbean’s most treasured natural icons.
These charismatic ambassadors face mounting threats, including habitat loss, illegal trapping for the pet trade, climate change, and persecution when viewed as agricultural pests. As a result, all 11 species are on the IUCN Red List of threatened species, with most classified as Vulnerable or Endangered.
Despite these challenges, there is hope.
Across the Caribbean, local researchers and communities are already doing incredible work on their respective islands to protect their endemic parrots. With this foundation in place, the next logical step is to connect and upscale our efforts. Recognizing this need for regional unity, our partners at SoCal Parrot and Friends of the IUCN Wild Parrot Specialist Group stepped forward to support this inaugural Summit, helping bring our shared vision of a stronger Caribbean parrot conservation network to life.
Parrot people unite!
We are bringing together a diverse network of NGOs, government agencies, researchers, educators, conservation practitioners, and policymakers from The Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States.
Leading the Summit is BirdsCaribbean Acting President Andrea Thomen, a conservationist from the Dominican Republic who has dedicated many years to protecting the Hispaniolan Amazon and Hispaniolan Parakeet through research, education, and community engagement to combat the illegal pet trade.
Building a united front for parrots and people
Our goal is to create a dynamic space where conservationists can share experiences, strengthen collaborations, identify common barriers, and advance practical solutions. To make this happen, the Summit is divided into two interactive components: a symposium and a workshop.
During the symposium, we’ll highlight recent advances in research, population monitoring, education, community engagement, species recovery, habitat management, policy, and conservation action across the region.
Moving beyond presentations, the interactive workshop will provide participants with the time and structure to network, identify shared priorities, and develop opportunities for cross-island collaboration.
The reality is, many Caribbean parrot conservationists work on small islands with limited staff, resources, and often have few opportunities to exchange ideas face-to-face with colleagues confronting similar challenges. While every island is unique, many of the threats and opportunities are intertwined.
Together, we are stronger than any one island can be alone. By sharing what has—and hasn’t—worked, we can scale up our successes.
Our goal is for each participant to leave with new ideas, stronger partnerships, practical tools they can apply at home, and a renewed sense of momentum for parrot conservation across the region.
Whether you work directly with parrots or simply care about the future of Caribbean biodiversity, this historic Summit offers a unique opportunity to learn from colleagues across the region, build lasting partnerships, and help shape the future of parrot conservation.
Join us in Trinidad and Tobago for this landmark event. Learn more about the Caribbean Parrot Conservation Summit and register today for BirdsCaribbean’s 25th International Conference.
