Methods used by these agencies include the use of genetic fingerprinting techniques, the maintenance of bird nesting areas, and the fostering of both wild and captive bird populations. Also a factor, biologists say, is that the weather has not harmed the bird's habitat in the Caribbean National Forest since the awesome destruction caused by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, when almost half of the known wild flock was swept away by the ferocious winds. The use of DNA fingerprinting information as the primary selection criteria has resulted in increasing the number of captive breeding pairs in both aviaries to 21. The DNA fingerprinting technique allows the Service to examine DNA strands from male and female parrot blood samples to select the most genetically distinct pairs for mating. This cuts down on inbreeding and reduces the likelihood that off-spring will contract diseases complicated by genetic factors.
Genetic variability is vital to preserving the species.
Although the Puerto Rican parrot has lost genetic variability over the years, enough genetically diverse DNA remains among the birds to produce a viable breeding population. Making structural improvements to the nesting areas is another management technique used to recover the parrot population. Puerto Rican parrots nest in natural cavities found in palo colorado trees. The bird cleans out the cavity without lining it. The Service prepares natural nesting material to help keep the cavities drier, cleaner, and reusable and creates natural nests for birds in captivity.