The Parrot Society Uk

Charity Number: 268726

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Quick Stats

  • Registered Charity Number: 268726
  • Annual Income: £196,166 (year ending 31 August 2025)
  • Annual Expenditure: £152,548
  • Founded: 1966 (registered as charity 1975)
  • Membership: 5,500 UK and International members
  • Grant Focus: Parrot conservation projects worldwide
  • Geographic Focus: International with emerging UK focus
  • Application Method: Direct inquiry via email

Contact Details

Website: www.theparrotsocietyuk.org

For Conservation Grant Inquiries:

  • Secretary Les Rance: les.rance@theparrotsocietyuk.org | 01442 872245
  • Chairman Dave Dickason: chairman@theparrotsocietyuk.org

Overview

The Parrot Society UK is a registered charity founded in 1966 that has evolved from a small group of approximately 225 parrot enthusiasts to an organization with 5,500 UK and international members. Officially registered as a charity in 1975, the organization is dedicated to the welfare and conservation of parrots both in captivity and in their natural environments. The Society's mission statement emphasizes being "the world's premier association providing help and expert advice to members and non-members on the welfare and conservation of all parrot species." As confirmed by the Charity Commission, grant-making is the main way the Society carries out its charitable purposes. The organization sets aside a percentage of its funds to support several worthwhile conservation projects around the world, with projects ranging from tree-tinning in Australia (funded since 1995) to habitat restoration in Brazil. The Society is governed by 6 trustees and supported by 5 volunteers, maintaining strong financial health with income of £196,166 and strategic reserves.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Parrot Society UK operates a Conservation Fund that supports parrot conservation projects on a discretionary basis. While specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, the organization evaluates funding requests on a case-by-case basis. The Society has a long track record of multi-year support for successful projects, with some initiatives receiving continuous funding for decades.

  • Application Method: Direct inquiry via email to Secretary or Chairman
  • Application Schedule: Rolling basis (no fixed deadlines)
  • Grant Type: Project-specific funding based on demonstrated need

Priority Areas

Projects employing avicultural techniques and expertise as well as habitat restoration measures are preferred.

The Society actively supports projects involving:

  • Endangered parrot species conservation in natural habitats
  • Habitat restoration and protection measures
  • Breeding programs for rare and threatened species
  • Community education about parrot conservation
  • Practical interventions such as nest protection and predator control
  • Both international projects (traditionally focused on tropical and sub-tropical regions) and emerging UK-based conservation initiatives

Currently and Recently Funded Projects

  • Scarlet Macaws in Costa Rica
  • Tree-tinning to protect cockatoo nest sites in Australia (since 1995)
  • Corn supplementation for Lear's Macaws in Brazil
  • Grey-breasted Conures in Brazil
  • Vinaceous Amazon Parrots in Brazil
  • Reserve Ecologica de Guapiacu (REGUA) in Brazil
  • Blue-throated Macaws in Bolivia (Asociacion Armonia project's Laney Rickman Reserve)
  • Lilian's Lovebirds in Malawi and Africa
  • African Grey Parrot rescue and rehabilitation in Africa
  • Fuerte's Parrots in Colombia
  • Indigo-winged Parrots in Colombia
  • Yellow-shouldered Amazon Parrots in Bonaire
  • Night Parrots in Australia
  • Echo Parakeets in Mauritius (historical project with successful outcome)

What They Don't Fund

  • Infrastructure for eco-tourism - “The PSUK does not accept proposals which involve financially supporting infrastructure for eco-tourism, as this is considered a matter for the businesses involved.”
  • Projects unrelated to parrot species conservation
  • Domestic Budgerigar projects (excluded from original constitution)
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees and Officers

Chairman: Dave Dickason

  • Retired Police Officer with extensive background in law enforcement
  • Former Chief Inspector and temporary Superintendent
  • Brings expertise in legal matters, investigations, and management

Secretary and Magazine Editor: Leslie Rance

  • Over 15 years as full-time Secretary
  • Key contact for conservation grant inquiries
  • Produces bi-monthly online newsletter 'Birdscene'
  • Contact: 01442 872245 | les.rance@theparrotsocietyuk.org

Other Trustees:

  • Mike Roxx (Northamptonshire)
  • Lee Clarke (Warwickshire)
  • Oliver Fry (Berkshire)
  • Alan Jones (Buckinghamshire)
  • Kevin Pickup (Lancashire)
  • Chris Smith (Greenford)

The charity has 6 trustees total, with no trustees receiving remuneration.

Chairman's Perspective on Conservation

From the Chairman's blog: The Society recognizes that “most parrots naturally live in sub-tropical and tropical areas, and this is where the financial need is highest, but homegrown projects do exist.” The organization is actively exploring UK-based conservation projects as alternatives or additions to international work, having recently agreed to support new conservation initiatives within the UK.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The Parrot Society UK welcomes requests to support suitable conservation projects. The application process is informal and inquiry-based:

  • Secretary Les Rance: les.rance@theparrotsocietyuk.org
  • Chairman Dave Dickason: chairman@theparrotsocietyuk.org
  • Details of your organization
  • Brief description of the conservation project
  • Specific description of what the funding would be used for
  • How much funding is required
  • Evidence of avicultural techniques and/or habitat restoration measures (preferred)
  1. Application timing: Rolling basis - no fixed deadlines

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly specified and appear to be determined on a case-by-case basis. The Society evaluates proposals through its trustees and conservation committee.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Society has a long history of supporting multiple projects simultaneously and maintaining multi-year funding relationships with successful initiatives.

Requirements for Funded Projects

All supported projects must:

  • Provide regular feedback reports (preferably with photographic material)
  • Allow publication of project updates in the Society's magazine
  • Enhance the reputation of The Parrot Society UK
  • Demonstrate clear conservation outcomes

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated. Given the Society's track record of providing continuous multi-year support to successful projects (such as the tree-tinning program funded since 1995), reapplication and ongoing support appear welcome for projects demonstrating positive outcomes.

Application Success Factors

What Makes Applications Stand Out

1. Practical, Demonstrable Techniques

The Society explicitly prefers “projects employing avicultural techniques and expertise as well as habitat restoration measures.” Successful projects demonstrate hands-on interventions with measurable outcomes.

Example: The tree-tinning project in Australia, funded since 1995, involves wrapping metal sheeting around tree trunks to prevent predators from climbing to nests. This practical, replicable technique has been “so successful that it has been copied by other conservation groups” and adopted by neighboring farmers.

2. Strong Communication and Feedback

Projects that provide regular updates with photographic material for publication in the Society's magazine are valued. The organization states that supported projects "should provide regular feedback reports, preferably with photographic material to be published in the Society's magazine."

3. Clear Budget Justification

Applicants should include “a description of precisely what the funding would be used for and how much would be required.” Vague requests are unlikely to succeed.

4. Alignment with Conservation Values

Projects should focus on parrot welfare and conservation, either in natural habitats or (to a lesser extent) captivity. The Society's constitution emphasizes “the study and conservation of parrots and parrot like birds.”

5. Avoid Eco-Tourism Infrastructure

The Society explicitly states it “does not accept proposals which involve financially supporting infrastructure for eco-tourism, as this is considered a matter for the businesses involved.”

6. Long-Term Impact Potential

The Society values projects with sustainable, lasting impact. Many funded initiatives have received continuous support for years or decades, suggesting preference for programs with proven track records or clear sustainability plans.

Successful Project Examples

  • Echo Parakeet Conservation (Mauritius): Received multi-year financial support from the Society, contributing to population recovery from just 12 birds in 1984 to an estimated 106-126 breeding parrots by 1999-2000.
  • Tree-Tinning (Australia): One of the first projects funded in 1995, still financially supported today. Success measured by technique adoption by other conservation groups and neighboring landowners.
  • Lear's Macaw Project (Brazil): For their 50th anniversary, the Society arranged to plant 50 young palm trees in an area cleared and fenced off against goats and cattle.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Direct, informal approach: No formal application portal or deadline - simply email the Secretary or Chairman with your project details and specific funding request
  • Be specific about budget: Clearly articulate exactly what funding will be used for and how much is required
  • Emphasize practical techniques: Projects with hands-on avicultural or habitat restoration methods are explicitly preferred over purely research-based initiatives
  • Plan for ongoing communication: Be prepared to provide regular feedback reports with photos for publication in the Society's magazine
  • Avoid eco-tourism infrastructure: The Society will not fund facilities or infrastructure for tourism businesses
  • Build for sustainability: The Society values long-term projects and has funded successful initiatives continuously for decades
  • Consider UK projects: While the Society traditionally focuses on tropical regions, they are actively seeking UK-based conservation initiatives to support

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