A conservationist group installed four artificial bird’s nests today (Tuesday) in two resin trees (Dipterocarpus alatus) in the compound of Madua Temple in Bang Bua Thong district of Nonthaburi province, in the hope of providing a breeding ground for Alexandrine parakeets.

It is estimated by the conservationist group that there are currently about 200 such parakeets, believed to be the last company in Thailand, and a number of them have taken shelter at the temple.

The group has been trying to push for the recognition of the Alexandrine parakeet as the symbolic bird of Nonthaburi province. The bird is most popular as a pet, among the 10 species of parakeet in Thailand, and its numbers have been falling steadily thanks to commercial hunting.

In recent years, however, urban areas have seen a gradual increase in population, due to dedicated conservation efforts.