The Brac Parrot Reserve: Preserving Cayman Brac’s Unique Biodiversity
High on the limestone Bluff at the heart of Cayman Brac lies the Brac Parrot Reserve—one of the island’s last strongholds for dry forest and the endangered Cayman Brac Parrot (Amazona leucocephala hesterna). Managed by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands, this 281-acre protected area is a refuge for rare plants and animals, including endemic and globally significant species.
The Brac Parrot Reserve is located just off Major Donald Drive and forms part of the internationally recognized Bluff Forest Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). It serves not only as critical nesting habitat for parrots but also plays a vital role in safeguarding one of the island’s largest freshwater lenses while helping us adapt to climate change by preserving natural carbon sinks.
A Forest Built for Parrots
At the core of the Reserve’s mission is the protection of the Cayman Brac Parrot—a subspecies of the Cuban Amazon that is found nowhere else on Earth. This charismatic green parrot with its signature red throat patch once ranged across both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman but is now limited to the Brac’s interior forests.
The parrot depends on mature dry forest to nest in natural tree cavities, and the Brac Parrot Reserve provides some of the best remaining habitat. As a result, its protection is vital to the parrot’s survival. In fact, the Cayman Brac Parrot occupies the smallest range of any Amazon parrot in the Caribbean, making it especially vulnerable to storms, development, and habitat loss.
Other key bird species also make their home in the reserve, including the Vitelline Warbler (Setophaga vitellina), Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris), and White-crowned Pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala)—all part of the Brac’s rich and unique biodiversity.
Bluff Forest and Rewilding Lands
The Reserve protects a mosaic of vegetation types—from rugged old-growth dry forest to rewilding farmland. The primary habitat, known as Xeromorphic Semi-Deciduous Forest, is one of the most biodiverse forest types in the Cayman Islands. Towering Red Birch trees (Bursera simaruba), spiny cacti, and bursts of native Wild Jasmine (Plumeria obtuse) make up a striking landscape rich with life.
The Reserve is also home to one of the Brac’s most popular trails. The traditional Bight Road footpath—once used by farmers crossing the island on foot—now connects with the Loop Nature Trail, a one-mile route that winds through forest and regenerating farmland. Educational signage, species markers, and benches along the trail invite walkers to learn about the unique ecology of the Bluff.
Why It Matters
The Brac Parrot Reserve is more than a sanctuary for parrots—it is a cornerstone of biodiversity conservation in the Sister Islands. It preserves water resources, offers refuge for endangered species, and provides a peaceful space for education and nature-based tourism. It is also the largest terrestrial protected area on Cayman Brac and a national treasure for future generations.
How You Can Help
Want to help protect this forest haven? – Visit the Reserve and enjoy the boardwalk and Loop Nature Trail. – Donate to the Land Reserve Fund to support habitat protection. – Become a Member of the National Trust to ensure long-term conservation.
By supporting the Brac Parrot Reserve, you’re helping preserve one of the most extraordinary parts of the Cayman Islands.
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