XI International Parrot Convention Puerto de la Cruz 2026
The XI International Parrot Convention of Tenerife takes place from 14 to 17 September 2026, bringing parrot specialists, researchers, veterinarians, conservationists and breeders from around the world to Puerto de la Cruz.
Organised around the work of Loro Parque and Loro Parque Fundación, the congress focuses on parrot conservation, welfare, veterinary medicine, breeding, nutrition and scientific research.
The 2026 meeting is particularly significant because it marks 40 years since the first International Parrot Convention was held in Tenerife in 1986.
International Parrot Convention 2026 dates and venues
- Dates: 14–17 September 2026
- Main conference venue: Hotel Las Águilas, Puerto de la Cruz
- Welcome event: Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden
- Tropical Night: Lago Martiánez, Puerto de la Cruz
- Associated visits: Loro Parque Fundación breeding centre
- Edition: XI International Parrot Convention
The official Tenerife Tourism agenda lists the event in Puerto de la Cruz and describes it as one of the world's important specialist meetings dedicated to the study, conservation and welfare of parrots.
What is the International Parrot Convention?
The International Parrot Convention brings together people working professionally with parrots and other psittacine species from around the world.
The programme combines scientific talks, veterinary knowledge, conservation projects, breeding experience, animal welfare research and practical management.
There is also a strong networking element, allowing researchers, conservation organisations, veterinarians, breeders and other specialists to exchange knowledge and develop international collaborations.
Monday 14 September 2026
Registration takes place during the days leading up to the congress at Hotel Botánico and Loro Parque.
19:00 – Welcome Cocktail
The official opening social event takes place at Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden in Puerto de la Cruz.
The welcome cocktail gives delegates an opportunity to meet before the main conference sessions begin the following morning.
Tuesday 15 September 2026
The first full conference day takes place at Hotel Las Águilas.
Conference topics include:
- Nutrition concepts in psittacines
- The role of the IUCN in species conservation
- Changes in parrot veterinary medicine and surgery
- Environmental enrichment
- Science-based parrot welfare assessment
- The role of private breeders in parrot conservation
Speakers include Rafael Zamora, Vivek Menon, Alan Jones, Matthias Reinschmidt, Jean-Loup Rault and Marc Boussekey.
20:00–00:00 – Tropical Night
The evening programme moves to Lago Martiánez in Puerto de la Cruz for Tropical Night.
Wednesday 16 September 2026
The second conference day continues at Hotel Las Águilas, with a strong focus on breeding, reproduction and species management.
Subjects include:
- Breeding and management of complex parrot species
- Modern reproductive technologies in conservation
- Veterinary perspectives on breeding
- Vasa Parrot breeding biology
- Avian courtship and breeding induction
- Conservation projects involving Pionopsitta pyrilia and Touit batavicus
- Breeding under human care
Speakers include Marcia Weinzettl, Michael Lierz, Bjarne O. Rasmussen, Povl Jørgensen, Debashis Banerjee, Sandro D'Amico and Álex Lacheein.
Registered participants can also take part in an afternoon visit to the Loro Parque Fundación breeding centre.
19:30–22:30 – Beach Party
The evening social programme includes a Beach Party at Siam Park in Adeje.
Thursday 17 September 2026
The final conference day returns to Hotel Las Águilas with presentations covering welfare, conservation, CITES and endangered parrot recovery programmes.
Subjects include:
- Environmental enrichment and animal welfare
- Night Parrot research in Western Australia
- CITES and advocacy for aviculture
- Reintroduction of the Lear's Macaw
- Puerto Rican Parrot recovery after hurricanes
- Conservation of the Spix's Macaw
Speakers include Yulán Úbeda, Neil Hamilton, David A. Garcia, Erica Pacífico, Thomas White and Fernanda Guida.
Another registered group will visit the Loro Parque Fundación breeding centre during the afternoon.
20:30–00:00 – Gala Dinner
The convention concludes with a Gala Dinner at Hotel Botánico & The Oriental Spa Garden.
Conservation, welfare, breeding and veterinary science
The 2026 congress covers a wide range of subjects affecting parrots both in the wild and under human care.
Conservation is one of the central themes, with presentations examining endangered species recovery, reintroduction programmes, international wildlife regulation and the role of both institutions and private breeders.
Other presentations focus on practical subjects such as nutrition, reproduction, veterinary medicine, environmental enrichment and methods for assessing animal welfare.
Specialist Leaders' Breakfast sessions are also scheduled on breeding, incubation and nutrition for participants registered for these activities.
40 years of the International Parrot Convention
The first International Parrot Convention in Tenerife was organised in 1986.
According to Loro Parque president and convention founder Wolfgang Kiessling, the original aim was to bring together people from around the world to exchange knowledge and experience about parrots.
Over the following four decades, the event developed into an international meeting point for people involved in parrot conservation, welfare and breeding.
The XI edition in 2026 therefore marks 40 years of the convention's history in Tenerife.
Who is the International Parrot Convention for?
This is primarily a specialist international congress rather than a general public festival.
Participants include:
- Veterinarians
- Parrot breeders
- Conservationists
- Researchers and scientists
- Zoo and animal-care professionals
- People involved in parrot welfare and management
- Specialist enthusiasts
Some activities require separate registration or are reserved for registered congress participants.
Registration for the 2026 Parrot Convention
Registration for the XI International Parrot Convention is handled through the official congress website.
Some additional activities, including Leaders' Breakfast sessions and visits to the Loro Parque Fundación breeding centre, require prior registration.
Visit the official International Parrot Convention website for registration and the latest programme.
The organisers state that the programme is subject to change, so registered participants should check the official schedule before attending individual sessions or activities.
International Parrot Convention in Puerto de la Cruz
Although several associated activities take place elsewhere in Tenerife, Puerto de la Cruz is at the centre of the 2026 convention.
The main conference sessions are held at Hotel Las Águilas, while Hotel Botánico hosts the welcome cocktail and closing Gala Dinner.
One of the major evening events also takes place at Lago Martiánez in central Puerto de la Cruz.
The congress is closely linked to Loro Parque and Loro Parque Fundación, whose conservation and breeding work forms an important part of the programme.
Frequently asked questions
When is the International Parrot Convention Tenerife 2026?
The XI International Parrot Convention takes place from 14 to 17 September 2026.
Where is the Parrot Convention held?
The main conference sessions are held at Hotel Las Águilas in Puerto de la Cruz. Other official activities take place at Hotel Botánico, Lago Martiánez, the Loro Parque Fundación breeding centre and Siam Park.
Is the congress held at Loro Parque?
The convention is organised around Loro Parque and Loro Parque Fundación, but the main 2026 conference sessions are at Hotel Las Águilas. Registered groups also visit the Loro Parque Fundación breeding centre.
Who attends the International Parrot Convention?
The event attracts veterinarians, researchers, conservationists, breeders, animal-care professionals and specialist parrot enthusiasts from around the world.
What subjects are covered?
The programme covers conservation, veterinary medicine, nutrition, breeding, reproductive science, animal welfare, enrichment, CITES and endangered species recovery.
Why is the 2026 convention significant?
The 2026 edition marks 40 years since the first International Parrot Convention was organised in Tenerife in 1986.
Can anyone attend?
The convention is a specialist registered event. Some activities also require additional advance registration.
