Parrots as Citizens and Transformative Solidarity

Transformative solidarity is both a means and an end, the proces of struggling together and a way of describing a kind of society that is more just and mutualistic.

 - Hunt-Hendrix L., Taylor, A.

“Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World Changing Idea”

Draft poster for a Parrot Citizen Movement (generated by AI)

We came from many parts of the world, but the emphasis was on the well-being of Caribbean parrots during the parrot workshop in Trinidad and Tobago in July 2026 at the BirdsCaribben Conference. This workshop portended to be like many others. We talked about what we want for the earth, but I feared that we would get stuck and not be able to committ to concrete, doable actions steps that align with our vision, and almost regrettably so often after coming together, our capacity. The people and parrots are beautiful here, but my spirit was lagging.

Then I heard something unique and inspirational. One of the subgroups gave us this vision for parrot conservation (photo below of the group’s vision).

It maye look like it, but a vision for parrot conservation is not a piece of cake

The room of parrot conservationists stirred as did our hearts. The entire group went onto combine vision statements, one of which follows:

A world where wild, free, and thriving parrots—embraced as vital Caribbean citizens—stand alongside humans to safeguard our shared environment and protect communities."

This vision is one of transformative solidarity, where it is not just humans siding with victims as benevolent colonists, but sharing the fate of the Caribbean together. All of life serves as actors and agents of transformation.

At One Earth Conservation we have concentrated on parrot conservation in terms of transformation, but now I don’t think this is enough. We need to analyze and organize, and to do it in solidarity with all of life. We need Transformative Unconditional Solidarity.

How do we do this? How do we see parrots as citizens of earth and make it so?

We analyze, we organize, and we act.

To achieve these steps, we are gathering people together for a three-part webinar series on “Transformative Unconditional Solidarity: A Way of Life for All Life.” To register for this series, go here. Before the webinars, you can find out more about parrot solidarity in action and get resources.

Maybe together we can make not just a draft, but an actionable true amendment for all our lands (see below).

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Draft Constitutional Amendment

The Avian and Ecological Citizenship Act

PreambleRecognizing that the sovereign territory of the nation is a shared home of both human and non-human beings; acknowledging that native wildlife has co-inhabited, shaped, and sustained these islands since time immemorial; and affirming that solidarity with our ecosystem must be unconditional—detached from economic utility, human likeness, or reciprocal obligation—it is hereby enacted that the foundational legal community of this State shall expand to include its most vulnerable native fauna.

Section 1: Declaration of Avian Citizenship

All native, wild-born parrots belonging to indigenous species—specifically including, but not limited to, the Amazona genus—are hereby recognized as Ecological Citizens of this Republic. They are endowed with inherent, non-revocable rights to existence, belonging, and state protection.

Section 2: Fundamental Civic Rights of Avian Citizens

Every individual avian citizen shall possess the following inviolable constitutional rights:

1. The Right to Bodily Liberty: The capture, buying, selling, commercial breeding, or caging of any avian citizen is strictly prohibited. Violation of this right shall be prosecuted under criminal kidnapping and trafficking statutes.

2. The Right to Sovereign Habitat: The primary nesting, foraging, and migratory territories of avian citizens shall be declared legally untouchable sovereign zones. These lands cannot be sold, cleared, or re-zoned for human commercial, agricultural, or residential development.

3. The Right to Climate and Ecological Security: The State is unconditionally obligated to fund, maintain, and restore habitats to protect avian citizens against natural disasters and human-induced climate degradation, independent of tourism or economic returns.

Section 3: The System of Fiduciary Representation (The Avian Proxy)

Because avian citizens communicate their needs through ecological behavior rather than human language, their political franchise shall be exercised via a proxy framework:

1. The Office of the Avian Ombudsperson: A permanent, independent state office shall be established, staffed by conservation biologists, legal experts, and ecological ethicists.

2. Fiduciary Duty: The Ombudsperson shall act as a legal trustee, bound by a strict constitutional duty to advocate solely for the health, autonomy, and flourishing of avian citizens.

3. Legislative and Judicial Veto: The Ombudsperson shall hold a seat in the national legislature with the power to vote on, pause, or veto infrastructure, zoning, or economic bills that present a direct threat to the survival or habitats of avian citizens.

Section 4: Legal Redress and Restitution

1. Standing to Sue: The Office of the Avian Ombudsperson, or any human citizen acting in verified solidarity, has the standing to launch civil or criminal lawsuits in national courts on behalf of avian citizens against individuals, corporations, or state agencies.

2. Financial Restitution: Any financial penalties or damages extracted from environmental or corporate violations affecting avian citizens shall not enter the general treasury. They must be paid directly into an Avian Citizenship Trust Fund, managed exclusively for habitat restoration, veterinary rescue, and species protection.