For millions of years, hundreds of thousands of beautiful green and blue Puerto Rican parrots lived in the island's rain forests. The island's original settlers were no threat. But the birds were eventually impacted by political and social change. European ships didn't just bring invaders but black rats that ate parrot eggs. As the human population grew, habitat was lost, and fewer and fewer parrots remained. In 1968, the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program began. Parrots were raised in captivity but had little success surviving if they were released. By 1975, only thirteen Puerto Rican parrots were living in the wild. Through trial and error, scientists have developed new approaches to saving the parrots and encouraging the growth of wild populations, which are starting to thrive once again. Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore cover an immense span of time that encompasses social, political, and natural history on the island, as well as ongoing scientific research, in this fascinating account of these birds' fall and rise. Roth's vibrant collage art is a stunning backdrop in this volume that concludes with a brief photo essay featuring the work of scientists trying to save the birds. (Ages 7-11)

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award - American Library Association (ALA)

A nonfiction picture book about the history of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican parrot, which was brought back from the brink of extinction.

Above the treetops of Puerto Rico flies a flock of parrots as green as their island home... These are Puerto Rican parrots. They lived on this island for millions of years, and then they nearly vanished from the earth forever.

Puerto Rican parrots, once abundant, came perilously close to extinction in the 1960s due to centuries of foreign exploration and occupation, development, and habitat destruction. In this compelling book, Roth and Trumbore recount the efforts of the scientists of the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program to save the parrots and ensure their future. Woven into the parrots' story is a brief history of Puerto Rico itself, from before the first human settlers to the present day.

With striking collage illustrations, a unique format, and engaging storytelling, Parrots Over Puerto Rico invites readers to witness the amazing recovery efforts that have enabled Puerto Rican parrots to fly over their island once again.