The new community-run Grey Parrot Museum has recently opened on the edge of Kibale National Park in Uganda, becoming the first institution in Africa dedicated solely to parrots.
SHOWCASING THE GREY PARROT
Grey parrots are one of the world’s most intelligent, fascinating, and beloved– but threatened – bird species.
Indeed, they are known for their advanced mimicry, social behaviour, and cognitive abilities, traits that have made them popular as pets worldwide.
However, that demand has driven a devastating illegal pet trade which, along with habitat loss, is pushing wild populations of grey parrots towards extinction in much of West and Central Africa.
As a result, they are a highly endangered species listed under Appendix 1 by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
AFRICA’S FIRST PARROT MUSEUM
Located in the biodiverse Ugandan village of Bigodi, the recently-opened Grey Parrot Museum showcases the biology, history, and conservation of this special animal.
Bilingual displays in English and Rutooro – a Bantu language spoken mainly by the Tooro people from the Tooro Kingdom in Western Uganda – guide visitors through five themed sections, namely Introduction, Endangerment, Grey Parrots, History, and Local Conservation.
The museum’s exhibits explore the species’ natural history, the threats they face, and the innovative grassroots efforts emerging from Bigodi to protect them.
It is the brainchild of Director, Nick Byaba, a Bigodi native and professional bird guide who has long championed local conservation efforts.
The museum was developed in collaboration with a team from Brown University (Brown) in Providence, Rhode Island, including historian Professor Nancy J. Jacobs who is currently writing a book on the history of grey parrots.
With funding from Brown’s SPRINT/UTRA programme and Department of History, three undergraduates from the university – Anna Zulueta, Stephen Ololade Ogunbiyi, and Alyssa Gorman – assisted with exhibit research, poster design, and educational programming.
COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION
The Parrot Tree Caretakers Association (PTCA), a community-based organisation founded by Byaba in 2020, takes a leading role in the development and management of the Grey Parrot Museum.
The PTCA cultivates and protects native fruit trees that are essential to the diet of grey parrots and other wildlife in the area.
There are over 28 different recorded tree species fed on by grey parrots in the wild and around their main habitat, the state-protected Kibale National Park, with their favourite being the oil palm tree.
By supporting community-based conservation efforts for grey parrots, such as those led by the PTCA, locals are empowered to protect these intelligent birds and their habitats.
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This helps to ensure a future where grey parrots thrive in the wild, free to soar for generations to come.
Whether a parrot enthusiast, a family looking for fun, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, the Grey Parrot Museum is a must-visit destination that leaves visitors inspired and educated.
