CONSERVATION COMMITTEE ACTION o r8 c o en ::Jo I :g en

enezuelan B ck ooded ed S·skin on he Br·nk by Edward N. Diebold Head Keeper/Birds St. Louis Zoological Park, Missouri MemberAFA Conservation Committee

Among other matters currently being elf- ustaining captive population ofred lated populations on the islands of considered by the AFA Con ervation si kins would certainly go a long way Gasparee, Monos, and Trinidad. In Committee, plans are being conceived toward relieving pressure currently addition to these, populations were to help ensure improved breeding being placed on the few remaining wild established on Puerto Rico and Cuba, success and more conscientious man­ population. Without some sort of probably as a result ofintroductions or agement of the Venezuelan black relief, the red siskin lies in imminent aviary escapes. The red siskin is now hooded red i kin (Carduelis cucullata) danger ofextinction. extremely rare throughout its range, last in captivity. The information presented The current status ofthe red iskin in being recorded on Mono in 1894 on here i intended to harpen the aware­ the wild must be considered extremely Ga paree in 1921, in Colombia in 1947, ness ofreaders, particularly tho e main­ critical probably numbering a few a and on Trinidad in 1960. Its current taining the pecie in their collections 600 to 800 individuals. Formerly, the tatus in Cuba is unknown. as to the extreme vulnerability of the pecies enjoyed a rather abundant, con­ The few remaining wild populations red siskin at the present time. A con­ tinuous natural distribution across the of red siskins to be found in Venezuela certed effort on the part ofaviculturi ts northern portion of Venezuela and are scattered in isolated pockets to develop and maintain a long-term, northeastern Colombia, as well as iso- throughout the northwest and north

8 April/May 1986 central cordillera regions, where they the predictability of its movements are semi-nomadic, utilizing a wide range within that range, it was an easy target. of habitat types. Even within their few The most commonly used method of Magnolia remaining havens in Venezuela, they trapping involved the use of a caged have been reduced in numbers so dra­ siskin, known as the "pitador;' whose matically that, ironically, it is likely that purpose was to attract wild siskins with Bira the largest remaining single population its calls. Around the caged pitador, of wild red siskins is now the perches, coated with sticky Ficus sap introduced population on the island of were arranged so that wild birds, Farm rA:" 'f< l Puerto Rico. responding to the calls of the pitador, When reading of similar declines in would become stuck to the perches and naturally occurring wild populations hence be collected by the trappers. throughout the world, many reasons are Many thousands ofbirds were collected frequently quoted as the probable cause in this manner, the majority of which for such declines. Rarely is the cause so died before ever reaching foreign obvious as in the case ofthe red siskin. markets. The precipitous decline in wild popu­ In the early decades ofthe 1900s, the lations of the red siskin has been red siskin was afforded some protection directly attributed to its long-term by the simple fact that the areas in exploitation by man, which, in turn, is which it is found, particularly its linked to the species' long-standing breeding grounds in the higher ele­ popularity as a cagebird. vations, were largely inaccessible. Despite full protection by law on both Trappers were unable to collect from the We Buy Birds the domestic level (within Venezuela) beginning of the rainy season in March and on the international level, the until after the breeding season inJuly. We Shlp Birds species continues to lose ground at the More recently, new roads into these COMPLETE 81 RD SUPPLIES hands ofthis exploitation, which dates areas allow trappers, equipped with all­ back to the early 1800s. terrain vehicles, to follow the move­ (714) 527-3387 The species was first described to ments of the bird and collect virtually Open 9 to 6 Closed Sun .• Mon., Holidays science by Swainson in 1820, and all year long. Even though the species is 8990 Cerritos Ave. although it was unknown to the now so scarce that it cannot be col­ Anaheim, Ca. 92804 European cagebird trade during the lected in large numbers, the high price 1800s, it was already being exported to that they command continues to make the Canary Islands where it was soon to them a highly sought-after prize. be hybridized with the canary. By the It wasn't until the early 1940s that the ~ C~1,..\..OG early 1900s it was commonly being first steps were taken to afford the red E Send $1.00 hybridized with canaries in many coun­ siskin protection by law. It was during tl discount available tries, which led to the demonstration in this period that Venezuelan ornithol­ your source for... 1928, that through these crosses, the ogists William Phelps, Sr. and Jr., LAFEBER'S PRODUCTS long sought-after''red factor" could be became aware of the red siskin's in­ • PELLETED FOODS introduced into the domestic canary creasing rarity and ofits persecution at • EMERAlD I& II stock. These hybrids were not only the hands of the bird trappers. It was colorful but retained the canary's size largely because of their efforts that the • NUTRISTART, etc. and song which placed them in great wheels were set in motion, resulting in a raise healthier birds... demand among canary fanciers. series of laws designed to protect the more nutrition for your money... In the early decades of the 1900s, red siskin. AVI-CUlTUR-l BILLIONTM interest in cagebirds grew as did the 1944-1947-The Venezuelan Mine­ international trade in exotic birds. As a sterio de Agricultura y Cria (MAC) concentrated Lactobacillus acidophilus result ofthe United States and many of adopted resolutions prohibiting sale • combat diarrhea & "pasted-up" the European countries enacting laws and export of the red siskin, making it vents prohibiting capture and trade ofnative the first species ever to be protected by • combat the effects of stress species ofbirds, interest was generated Venezuelan law. from crowding, molting, drugs, in the canary and its many varieties. Red 1952-The International Union for etc. factor canaries became especially the Conservation of Nature and Natural • fight E. coli, Salmonella, etc! popular, and because the red siskin was Resources (IUCN) included the red • Just sprinkle on food. the only vehicle by which the red factor siskin on its endangered species list. could be introduced, the demand for it 1975-The Convention on Interna­ skyrocketed. Unfortunately, at that tional Trade in Endangered Species of ~:~:C:~c:~:;1 time, the red siskin was not protected by Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) added the law. red siskin to its Appendix I, list of ..{{~?~t\ As demand grew in the international endangered species on July 1, 1975. market, their price rose abruptly, sud­ CITES took effect for signatory parties Wm. V. Reichert & Son • Dept W 1523 Potter Rd. denly making them a lucrative target for in 1977. Park Ridge, IL 60068 bird trappers. Because of the species' 1976-The United States listed the red 312-825-BIRD rather limited geographical range and siskin as endangered under the United afa WATCHBIRD 9 r-- ..,~••,C...... : ~ States Endangered Species Act. siskin a reasonable chance for survival , ..w ~ . ~ I979-The International Council for in the wild state, Coats, et. aI, (1985) +0' ",,\c..~ Bird Preservation (ICBP), in conjunc­ suggests the following: "1) Creation of tion with the IUCN included the red one or more national parks or protected nature reserves (in Venezuela), of size 1986COMMITTEES siskin in the second edition ofthe Aves volume ofthe Red Data Book. and location such that the total area

ALLIED GROUPS LIA[SON Prior to the enactment of such pro­ used by a population throughout the ]amesLynSwiggart (60[)960-1575 tective legislation, it is easy to under­ year is protected, .,. 2) Further studies AV[AN RESEARCH stand how the commerce in red siskins especially radiotelemetric, are needed to Dr. Susan Clubb (305) 226-6778 could have continued, unchecked, provide more precise information on AV[AN TRANSPORTATION resulting in severe population declines. daily and seasonal movements of local However, even now, their numbers con­ populations" .. 3) Efforts in Venezuela AVYAWARDS Dale Thompson (80S) 252-3441 tinue to drop at an alarming rate. Pro­ to raise public concern and enlist

BREEDING REGISTRY tection for the species within Venezuela support for protection of endangered has not succeeded to a large extent native fauna should be continued and CALIFORNIA LIA[SON because ofthe government's inability to expanded, ',. 4) The cooperation of Ha[ Koontz (80S) 872-1063 police the remote areas in which the the Netherlands government and its CLUB PROMOTION Chris Christman (714)638-1596 illegal trapping takes place, Stimulus for participation in CITES must be

CONSERVATION this continued trapping comes, for the sought .. ." Bob Berry (713) 520-3205 most part, not from the domestic Concerning the introduced Puerto CONVENTION STEER[NG Venezuelan market, but from the inter­ Rican population Raffaele (1983) Don Cavender (619)745-8697 national market. suggests the following: "Based on the CONVENTION 1986 Protection offered the red siskin by threat to this species, consideration Don Cavender (619) 745-8697 CITES is somewhat limited. As you may should be given to declaring its range in EDUCATION AND MEDIA SERVICES Dr. Va[C[ear (3[7) 642-0795 well know, CITES protects endangered Puerto Rico as critical habitat under the

ETH[CS species only as far as international trade United States Endangered Species Act, William Maynard (305) 968-4214 and transport is concerned. Within a Additionally, because the population in FINANCE country's boundaries or between a Puerto Rico may well represent the Hubert Morris (702) 565-7274 country's territories, endangered largest remaining pool ofthese birds in GOAL MON[TORING DallasD.]ohnson (301) 543-6198 species are subject only to the internal the wild, further investigations into the law of that country, Most important of status ofthe species and the possibility HOME OFFICE Rustie Heinlen (213) 372-2988 all, CITES applies only to signatory ofreintroducing the bird into well pro­

LEGALCOUNSH parties, tected habitats in its native lands should Gary Lilienthal (6[7) 542-7070 The red siskin's most serious remain­ be evaluated:' LEGISLATION ing threat comes from the Netherlands, It remains to be seen how many of Lee Phillips (301) 798-1353 a country that neither conforms to these measures, aimed at the protection MEMBERSH[P PROMOTION ]oeMcLaughlin (503) 538-6323 CITES nor has any laws regulating the of the remaining wild populations of

NOMINATING internal trade in red siskins. red siskins, will materialize and what Janet Lilienthal (617) 542-7070 Just offthe coast ofVenezuela lies the road must be followed to see them PARLIAMENTAR[AN island of Curacao, a colony of the come to pass, However, the road to be Netherlands. Curacao provides a con­ followed by aviculturists in managing PUBLIC RELATIONS venient outlet for birds illegally trapped captive red siskins is overwhelmingly Tom Marshall (703) 759-9431 in Venezuela and smuggled out of the clear. The practice of hybridiZing the PUBLICATIONS Don Cavender (619) 745-8697 country by boat or plane. Once the red siskin with the domestic canary

RAFFLE smuggled siskins reach Curacao, they must stop and we must take the can "legally" be shipped from there to necessary steps to census all the red SPEAKERS the Netherlands where they are utilized siskins currently being held in captivity. DaleR. Thompson (80S) 252-3441 to produce red factor canaries. Com­ With this information as a basis, we SPECIAL ADVISOR Dr. Richard E. Baer (614) 836-5832 mercial canary breeding is big business must follow up by formulating a plan in the Netherlands and the market for for their long-range management. STATE COORDINATOR Ray H. Rudisill (314) 645-6757 the red siskin there is still so active that Methods used to successfully prop­

VETERINARY AFFAIRS it eagerly accepts every single individual agate the red siskin in captivity have Geoffrey R. Smith, DVM. (619) 726-89[8 that the smugglers can provide. been documented (Frey, 1985). Fur­ WAYSANDMEANS This intense demand for the red thermore, the censusing process has A.B. McNabney (415)945-[785 siskin in the Netherlands combined already taken shape (Amos, 1986). The ZOO PROFESSIONALS LIAISON Mary Hea[y (512)734-7184 with the Venezuelan government's in­ time is now for those persons main­ ability to control the trapping and taining the red siskin in their collections smuggling does not paint a promising to act, Take part in the census. Take picture for the species' long-term sur­ steps to ensure better breeding success, vival. Indeed, King (1981) suggests that Commit yourself to a long-term propa­ the pressure on the species is so severe gation program, and, above all, keep WATCHBIRD STAFF Sheldon Dingle/Editor (714) 734-7448 that the population's rapid decline is this in mind, This colorful gem, which M.]ean Hessler/Art Director (714) 548-3133 Susan Dingle/AssistanttoEditor (714) 734-7448 "unlikely to be changed until the last has graced our aviaries for so long, is in bird has been trapped:' grave danger of being lost forever, It is obvious that more dramatic Prompt, responsible action on the part measures must be taken to afford the red ofaviculturists could playa critical role

10 April/May 1986 in retrieving the species from the very brink ofextinction. The AFA, through its conservation committee, is forming a "breeding consortium"for the red siskin. The goal ofthisproject is to firmly establish this species as a long-term, self­ sustainingpopulation in captivity. Certainly Ed's article highlights the critical needfor our immediateaction. Among the consortium's initial objectives are: 1. to establish a reliable estimate of the number ofspecimens currently in north American collections. 2. to improve genetic diversity in the existing captive population through the exchange ofstock among breeders. 3. to enhance management tech­ niques for breeding this species in order to increase their captive numbers to a "safe" level. 4. to encourage breeding a portion ofthese birds in enriched environments (planted aviaries vs. cages) to help ensure that they retain their "wild characteristics" should a release program ever become a future potential. Certainly to see a bird that has con­ tributed much to aviculture become extinct would be a tragedy. Ifyou cur­ rently maintain this species orknow of breeders who would be willing to support this effort, please contact the AFA Conservation Committee immedi­ ately. These birds need our help. The Conservation Committee needs you! Robert]. Berry, Curator, Department of Ornithology, Houston Zoological Gardens, 1513 Outer Belt Drive, Houston, TX 77030.

REFERENCES Amos, S., 1986. Efforts to Aid the Endangered Black-hooded Red Siskin. AFA Watchbird, Volume XII, No.6, p. 19. Coats, S. and Phelp,s W.H., Jr., 1985. The Venezuelan Red Siskin: Case History of an Endangered Species. Neotropical Ornithology, AOU Monograph, no. 36, Allen Press, pp. 977-985. French, R.P., 1980. A guide to the Birds ofTrinidad and Tobago, revised edition. Harrowood Books. Frey. H., 1985. The Black-hooded Red Siskin, an Endangered Species, an Interview with Pat Dempko. AFA Watchbird, Volume XII, no. 4, pp.40-42. King, W.B., 1981. Endangered Birds of the World: The ICBP Bird Red Data Book. Washington, D.C., Smithsonian Institution Press. Meyer de Schauensee, R., and Phelps, W.H., Jr., 1978. A Guide to the Birds of Venezuela. Princeton University Press. Raffaele, H.A., 1983. The Raising ofa Ghost-Spinus cucullatus in Puerto Rico. Auk, Vol. 100, no. 3, pp.737-739. Rutgers, A. and Norris, K.A., 1977. Encyclopedia of Aviculture, Vol. 3, Blanford Press.•

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