DOCSLIB.ORG

Breeding the Turquoise Tanager

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Breeding the Turquoise Tanager Breeding the The Collared Turquoise Tanager Aracari by Jerry Jennings Fallbrook, California by Maarten de Ruiter Cambron Casteau, Belgium he Collared Aracari Pteroglossus T torquatus is a colorful native of Central America, ranging from southern ~e Turquoise Tanager Tanagara enclosure that could be heated. The Mexico south all the way to Colombia, ~cana is distributed from artificial light source within the in­ 1- and as such is the most common ofthe Venezuela over western Amazonia to door enclosure was turned on from Central American toucans to be encoun­ southeast Brazil. It is not found in 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Along with the tered in the wild. Mexico as its scientific name suggests. Turquoise Tanagers were a pair of Though the Collared Aracari is com­ Itlives up to 500 meters (1600 feet) in Pekin Robins and two Bay-headed mon in the wild, it has been quite rare elevation and is seeninsmall groups of Tanagers. in captivity until the Fall of 1994, when up to six individual birds. There are The two Turquoise Tanagers were a few dozen birds were imported from five subspecies ofTurquoise Tanager, T. observed together most of the time Nicaragua. Prior to these importations, m. mexicana, T. m. vieilloti, T. m. media, and in the early part ofJune two eggs less than a dozen individuals were T. m. bolivicina and T. m. brasiliensis. were found in a small nest box. The known to exist in the U.S., and in just In Europe the Turquoise Tanager nest box measured 7 em x 7 em x 15 two collections, where they were repro­ is frequently available andthe subspe­ em high (2% in. x 2% in. x 6 in.). The ducing in small numbers. cies most commonly offered is tanagers had used coconut fiber and The Collared Aracari is a small tou­ Tanagara m. mexicana from the Guy­ drygrass as nesting material. The eggs can slightly larger than an Emerald anas. were blue-greenincolorationandhad Toucanet, with a comparatively long In 1990 a friend of mine obtained some red-brown spots on them. Both beak. They are monomorphic, requir­ asingle TurquoiseTanager. Its sexwas parent birds shared in the incubation ing surgical sexing to distinguish males not known as this species is not duties and after 14 days both eggs from females, though adult birds show sexually dimorphic. Itwas also invery hatched. The skin of the young was some differentiation in beak length, poorconditionwith scarcely a feather almost black and they were covered with the male sporting the longer bill. on it. This poor creature was placed with some whitish down feathers. At The breast is a bright yellow, with a hor­ in anall wire meshcage thatmeasured seven days of age, the first real izontal red and black stripe across the 0.5 meter (19% in.) in cube form so feathers beganto growand sevendays middle. it could not come into contact with later the young had left the nest. Between the stripe and the black its own droppings. By observing the Further breeding attempts were feathers on the throat there is a black feces, many worm eggs were found not made by the pair but this could spot, which varies in size among indi­ viduals from very large to very small, and and the bird was treated with 0.2 have been because the juveniles were in some individuals it is non-existent. The milliliters of Panacur 2.5%. A heat left with the parents. Even at two yellow breast feathers are suffused lamp was placed above its cage keep­ months of age, the young birds were with red, and the amount increases as ing the interior of the cage around observed begging from the parents. the size of the spot declines. 25° Celcius (85°F). A wide variety of As mentioned above, these birds were The head and neck of the Collared fruit was offered along with live fed a wide variety of fruit and insect is black, the back, wings, and tail dark insects (mealworms and small crick­ food. But shortly before this pair of green. Separating the black neck feath­ ets). Within three months this bird Turquoise Tanagers began to breed, ers from the green back is a brown ring recovered and was a real beauty! they were fed some egg-food which or "collar", that runs from ear to ear and Around a year later, a second was mixed with the insect food. Dur­ gives the species its name. Some writ­ Turquoise Tanager was obtained and ing the baby rearing period, the birds ers have suggested that the size, thick­ again the sex of this bird was un­ also received large amounts of ant­ ness, or shade ofbrown is determinitive known. Although this bird looked in pupa and the parent birds were also ofsex, though this is definitely not the good condition, it still was isolated observed searching regularly through­ case. during a six week quarantine period. out the enclosure (especially the cor­ The beak ofthe Collared is black at This was to make sure itwas inhealthy ners) for spiders, flies and other the tip changing to silver along the condition. invertebrates. sides then becoming red at the base. The These two biJ;ds were placed to­ Breeding results of tanagers are still eyeskin is deep red, contrasted against gether in a well planted aviary at the uncommon and I hope this article has a bright yellow iris. The rump is red, and beginning of the next spring. Con­ given some useful information for the legs blue-gray. nected to this. aviary was an indoor future breeders of tanagers. +- While the Collared is a small toucan, S6 March!April 1996 All food items should be diced or provided in small pieces no larger than 1/2 in. diameter, and preferably 3/8 in. Toucans, unlike parrots, cannot chew their food, and generally eat it whole. Large chunks are, therefore, either inedible, or they may choke the bird. It is especially important to feed small pieces 3/8 inch, when young hatch, as the parents will attempt to stuff the larger pieces into the mouths ofoffspring choking them, or stopping their diges­ tive systems. Collareds are very hardy birds and a species that rarely suffers from iron storage disease, which, incidentally, is common in a variety of avian species besides toucans. Even so, a low iron diet is the wisest course to pursue, hence the CollaredAracarisarecolorful, comicalandoneofthefewspecies oftoucans thatcan be safely use of Wayne's dog kibble. We have maintainedina mixedspeciesflight. found they are also easy to hand rear when necessary, and these tame young, it is one ofthe largest ofthe aracaris. We ing" behavior, wherein the young from while not the best birds for future weighed 20 adult birds, all in good the previous nest help the parents feed breeders, nonetheless make endear­ flesh, and found a range of 185-218 the new offspring. While not uncommon ing pets. grams. Newly hatched young weigh in the world of birds (bluejays, for Colorful and comical, Collareds are 8-9 grams, and double in weight every example), this behavior is not encoun­ one of the few species of toucans that four days. tered in other toucan species. The can be safely maintained in a mixed Collareds were first bred in captivity behavior may also occur in captivity, species flight. They are peaceful, quiet, in the U.S. by the author in 1989, and however, we have not attempted to relatively easy to reproduce in captiv­ have reproduced into the second and permit it, since our flights are only 8 ft. ity, and they make the perfect addition partial third generations. Because of x 12 ft. x 8 ft., far smaller than the to the softbill collection. • the small number of founder stock, space they occupy in nature. The poten­ these birds quickly became inbred. In tial for aggression between male parents r----------------­ an effort to rapidly increase the num­ and offspring, though low compared to ber ofbirds, babies were pulled for hand­ other toucan species, is nevertheless, a feeding, which succeeded in producing real concern. GOLDE a number ofimprinted birds, the males Diets for Collared Aracaris are sim­ CONURES ofwhich made poor parents. Fortunately, ple. We feed a papaya based diet sup­ WhiteBellied the sudden appearance of a number of plemented with grapes and cantaloupe. recent imports ofthis species promises Other fruits are also suitable, with the Caiques to improve the Collared's genetic diver­ exception of citrus, because of the sity and reproductive potential in cap­ high acid content (acid is thought to facil­ FollowillAviaries A Closed Aviary tivity. itate the uptake of iron). However, we Specializing in the Queen ofBavaria's Conure Like other species of toucans, believe it is useful to provide fruits Please call for free information package Collareds prefer to nest in hollow nest that are available all year, since it may Dave Followill (407) 773-7571 logs, which we easily construct from sec­ take time for the birds to adjust to new tions of palm tree trunks. However, dietary items, many ofwhich may have any hollow log will work, and there has so short a season as to disappear from even been successful breeding in a the marketplace at the very time the birds WATCHBIRD BINDERS wooden box with a concave bottom. begin to eat them. Hansome, sturdy binder holds afull year's issues of Collareds lay three to five elliptical, While toucans are primarily frugi­ The Watchbird (6 issues). Of rich brown leather-like white eggs per clutch and are capable vorous, they require some additional vinyl embossed ingold.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Best of Costa Rica March 19–31, 2019
    THE BEST OF COSTA RICA MARCH 19–31, 2019 Buffy-crowned Wood-Partridge © David Ascanio LEADERS: DAVID ASCANIO & MAURICIO CHINCHILLA LIST COMPILED BY: DAVID ASCANIO VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM THE BEST OF COSTA RICA March 19–31, 2019 By David Ascanio Photo album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidascanio/albums/72157706650233041 It’s about 02:00 AM in San José, and we are listening to the widespread and ubiquitous Clay-colored Robin singing outside our hotel windows. Yet, it was still too early to experience the real explosion of bird song, which usually happens after dawn. Then, after 05:30 AM, the chorus started when a vocal Great Kiskadee broke the morning silence, followed by the scratchy notes of two Hoffmann´s Woodpeckers, a nesting pair of Inca Doves, the ascending and monotonous song of the Yellow-bellied Elaenia, and the cacophony of an (apparently!) engaged pair of Rufous-naped Wrens. This was indeed a warm welcome to magical Costa Rica! To complement the first morning of birding, two boreal migrants, Baltimore Orioles and a Tennessee Warbler, joined the bird feast just outside the hotel area. Broad-billed Motmot . Photo: D. Ascanio © Victor Emanuel Nature Tours 2 The Best of Costa Rica, 2019 After breakfast, we drove towards the volcanic ring of Costa Rica. Circling the slope of Poas volcano, we eventually reached the inspiring Bosque de Paz. With its hummingbird feeders and trails transecting a beautiful moss-covered forest, this lodge offered us the opportunity to see one of Costa Rica´s most difficult-to-see Grallaridae, the Scaled Antpitta.
    [Show full text]
  • CP Bird Collection
    Lab Practical 1: Anseriformes - Caprimulgiformes # = Male and Female * = Specimen out only once Phalacrocoracidae Laridae Anseriformes Brandt's Cormorant * Black Skimmer Anatidae American Wigeon Double-crested Cormorant Bonaparte's Gull California Gull Bufflehead Ciconiiformes Forster's Tern Canvasback Ardeidae Heermann's Gull Cinnamon Teal Black-crowned Night-Heron Ring-billed Gull Common Goldeneye Cattle Egret Royal Tern Fulvous Whistling-Duck Great Blue Heron Gadwall Great Egret Western Gull Green-winged Teal Green Heron Alcidae Common Murre Lesser Scaup Least Bittern Mallard Snowy Egret Columbiformes Columbidae Northern Pintail Falconiformes Band-tailed Pigeon Northern Shoveler Accipitridae Mourning Dove Redhead Cooper's Hawk Rock Pigeon # Ruddy Duck * Golden Eagle Snow Goose Red-shouldered Hawk Cuculiformes # Surf Scoter Red-tailed Hawk Cuculidae Greater Roadrunner Galliformes Sharp-shinned Hawk Phasianidae White-tailed Kite Strigiformes # Ring-necked Pheasant Cathartidae Tytonidae Odontophoridae Turkey Vulture Barn Owl California Quail Falconidae Strigidae Gambel's Quail # American Kestrel Burrowing Owl Mountain Quail Prairie Falcon Great Horned Owl Western Screech-Owl Gaviiformes Gruiformes Gaviidae Rallidae Caprimulgiformes Common Loon American Coot Caprimulgidae Clapper Rail Common Nighthawk Podicipediformes Common Gallinule Podicipedidae Common Poorwill Virginia Rail Clark's Grebe Eared Grebe Charadriiformes Pied-billed Grebe Charadriidae Western Grebe Black-bellied Plover Killdeer Procellariiformes Recurvirostridae Procellariidae American Avocet Northern Fulmar Black-necked Stilt Pelecaniformes Scolopacidae Pelecanidae Greater Yellowlegs * American White Pelican Long-billed Dowitcher * Brown Pelican Marbled Godwit Western Sandpiper ZOO 329L Ornithology Lab – Topography – Lab Practical 1 BILL (BEAK) Culmen the ridge on top of the upper mandible. It extends from the tip of the bill to where the feathers begin. Gonys ridge of the lower mandible, analogous to the culmen on the upper mandible.
    [Show full text]
  • Roosting and Nesting of Aracari Toucans
    THE CONDOR VOLUME 60 JULY-AUGUST, 19% NUMBER 4 ROOSTING AND NESTING OF ARACARI TOUCANS By ALEXANDER F. SKUTCH The genus Pteroglossuscontains a number of speciesof toucans of small or medium size to which the name araqari is usually given. The slendernessof body and bill in the Central American representatives of this group is very evident when one compares them with the bulky toucans of the genus Ramphastos which inhabit the same forests. Of the two species of Pteroglossus in the lowlands and foothills of Central America, P. torquatus is of wide distribution, while P. frantzii, far brighter in color, is restricted to the Pacific side of southern Costa Rica and adjoining parts of the republic of Panama. Although these two birds were united in the same speciesby Peters (1948), their differ- ences in coloration are evident at a glance and they do not seem to intergrade. Yet their similarities in voice, habits, size, and color pattern show that they are closely related. Since my studies of these rather elusive birds are incomplete and since there is little information available on their behavior, I shall discuss them in the same paper. Thus gaps in my observations on one species may be filled in a measure by my studies of the other species. COLLARED ARACARI Appearance.-The Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus torquatus) , the duller and more widespread of these two toucans, is a slender bird, whose length of about 16 inches is largely accounted for by its heavy bill and long, graduated tail (fig. 1) . The general tone of the head and most of the upper plumage, including the wings and tail, is black.
    [Show full text]
  • Aazpa Librarians Special Interest Group Bibliography Service
    AAZPA LIBRARIANS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP BIBLIOGRAPHY SERVICE The bibliography is provided as a service of the AAZPA LIBRARIANS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP and THE CONSORTIUM OF AQUARIUMS, UNIVERSITIES AND ZOOS. TITLE: Toucan Bibliography AUTHOR & INSTITUTION: Mary Healy Discovery Island, Buena Vista, Florida DATE: 1990 Austin, O.A. 1961. Birds of the World. Racine, WI:Western Publishing Co., Inc. Berry, R.J. and B. Coffey. 1976. Breeding the sulphur-breasted toucan, Ramphastos s. sulfuratus at Houston Zoo. International Zoo Yearbook, 16:108-110. Bourne, G.R. 1974. The red-billed toucan in Guyana. Living Bird, 13: 99-126. Brehm, W.W. 1969. Breeding the green-billed toucan, Ramphastos dicolorus at the Walsrode Bird Park. International Zoo Yearbook, 9:134-135. Buhl, K. 1982. Red-breasted toucans flourish in Phoenix. The A.F.A. Watchbird, 9(3):27-28. Campbell, B. 1974. Dictionary of Birds. New York:Exeter Books. Coates-Estrada, R. and A. Estrada. 1986. Fruiting and frugivores at a strangler fig in the tropical rain forest of Los Tuxtlas, Mexico. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 2(4):349-358. Cracraft, J. and R.O. Prum. 1988. Patterns and processes of diversification speciation and historical congruence in neotropical birds. Evolution, 42(3):603-620. Dewald, D.D. 1988. Channel-billed toucans. The A.F.A. Watchbird, 15(1): 36-37. Dhillon, A.S. and D.M. Schaberg. 1984. Pseudotuberculosis in toucans. 73rd Annual Meeting of the Poultry Science Association, Inc. Poultry Science, 63(suppl.1):90. Flesness, N. 1984. ISIS Avian Taxonomy Directory, 2nd ed. Apple Valley, MN:ISIS. Giddings, R.F. 1988.
    [Show full text]
  • Costa Rica Birding & Nature Independent Birding Venture La
    Costa Rica Birding & Nature Independent Birding Venture La Selva, Rancho Naturalista & Savegre Few places rival Costa Rica’s ecological diversity. Over a quarter of the country is protected lands, boasting 850 bird species and 200+ mammals. This Independent Birding Venture takes place at three of our favorite lodges, with excellent local guides to assist with birding. You can be met at the airport, and each transfer between lodges is with a birding guide so you make the most of those travel days. Search for Neotropical specialties on trails at La Selva Biological Station, a place famous for studies of tropical rainforest species that often has the highest number of species for each year’s annual Christmas Bird Count. While here, glide down the Sarapiqui River looking for Green Iguana, Green Ibis, kingfishers, and Mantled Howler Monkey. Explore varied habitats as you move from lowland rainforest to lush montane forests at Rancho Naturalista. Trails and a viewing porch with hummingbird feeders make it a great place for birding and natural history. From here drive the PanAmerican Highway to a splendid mountain valley, passing through misty cloudforest. Relax at Savegre Mountain lodge where you can witness Emerald Toucanet and Collared Redstart in the wild Savegre Valley. Here Resplendent Quetzal nest and American Dipper feed in the rushing stream. Highlights Seek many of Costa Rica’s 900 species of birds with over half of them being recorded at La Selva Biological Station Relax on a Sarapiqui River boat trip in search of Sunbittern, Green
    [Show full text]
  • The “Curious” Case of Costa Rica
    As the plane begins its descent into the Kong-like fog over Costa Rica, my heart beats with excitement as I wait with anticipation to get my first glimpse of what will be my home for the next three weeks. As an amateur bird enthusiast and proud owner of a quirky Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata [formerly Poephila guttata]) named Dwaine, I did not understand nor could I simply imagine just how much of an avian paradise the canopies of Costa Rica could be! As an undergraduate student attending the University of Georgia, I found the opportunity to study Avian Biology in Costa Rica through the Department of Poultry Science, which offers the program as a capstone for their Avian Biology majors. Despite some previous experience in other Avian Biology courses, I was not prepared for the overwhelming benefits of studying avian species in the field. Costa Rica is a country located in Central America that is similar in size to West Virginia. Its culture is rich with indigenous history. The Ticos’ particular appreciation for the natural beauty of their country reveals itself through the unimposing construction of their towns and cities as well as through their reverence for both the rich, fertile land of Costa Rica and the native animals that inhabit it. During our three-week journey exploring the country, we discovered not only the amazing range of landscapes, animals, and people, but also with it, a wide variety of avian species. As home to over eight hundred bird species, every day in this beautiful country exposed us to unimaginable glimpses of a wide variety of birds.
    [Show full text]
  • Songbird Remix Africa
    Avian Models for 3D Applications Characters and Procedural Maps by Ken Gilliland 1 Songbird ReMix Toucans Manual & Field Guide Contents Manual Introduction 3 Overview and Use 3 Base Model Quick Reference 4 Creating a Songbird ReMix Bird with Poser 4 Creating a Songbird ReMix Bird with DAZ Studio 4 Field Guide List of Species 5 General Information on Toucans 6 Toucanets Emerald Toucanet 8 Guianan Toucanet 9 Aracaris Collared Aracari 10 Fiery-billed Aracari 11 Toucans Channel-billed Toucan 12 Keel-billed Toucan 13 Plate-billed Mountain Toucan 14 Black-billed Mountain Toucan 15 Swainson’s or Chestnut-mandibled Toucan 17 Toco Toucan 18 Resources, Credits and Thanks 19 Copyrighted 2008-2013 by Ken Gilliland www.SongbirdReMix.com Opinions expressed on this booklet are solely that of the author, Ken Gilliland, and may or may not reflect the opinions of the publisher, DAZ 3D. 2 Songbird ReMix Toucans Manual & Field Guide Introduction Toucans are highly recognizable birds with their oversized beaks and bright colorations and are often associated with the parrot family, Africa and a cereal box. While a toucan does grace a cereal box, they’re not parrots; they’re actually closer relatives to the American Barbets and their homes are found in Central and South America. “Songbird ReMix Toucans2” journeys into the deep rainforests and ancient empires of Mesoamerica to bring to life many of the most interesting toucanets, aracaris and toucans found in the region. Overview and Use Select Figures in Runtime Folder and go to the Songbird ReMix folder. Here you’ll find an assortment of files that are easily broken into 2 groups: Conforming Parts and Bird Base models.
    [Show full text]
  • Colombia Birding February 28 - March 18, 2016 with Chris Leahy
    Colombia Birding February 28 - March 18, 2016 With Chris Leahy A Paradise for Birders, Colombia contains the greatest number of bird species of any country in the world with well over 1900 species. The diverse topography includes three Andean Cordilleras, two inter-Andean valleys, the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers, the Pacific and Caribbean Coasts, and the Chocó biogeographical region. We will explore a rich diversity of habitats: high altitude paramo, cloud forest, dry scrubland, and tropical lowland forest. All of which add up to a magical birding experience in a safe, yet not overdeveloped country with friendly people and good accommodations. The trip is divided into 2 parts, which may be taken separately or together for the full birding in Colombia experience! Black-fronted Wood Quail. Photo: Pablo Florez Travel with Massachusetts Audubon Society ~ 800-289-9504 ~ www.massaudubon.org DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY PART I: EASTERN ANDES, SANTA MARTA MOUNTAINS, AND THE CARIBBEAN Day 1, February 28: Arrive in Bogota at El Dorado International Airport After meeting our guides, we’ll transfer in our microbus to Hotel Casona del Patio. Depending on arrival times, we will either have an orientation dinner or orientation will occur the next day at breakfast. (D) Overnight at Hotel Casona del Patio (or similar). Day 2, February 29: Chicaque Reserve and Jardin Encantado Feeders After an efficient continental breakfast at 5:00 am, we’ll depart at 5:30 for a 1 hour drive to Chicaque cloud forest reserve at 7,800 ft. where hummingbirds such as Glowing Puffleg and Collared Inca will already be visiting the feeders.
    [Show full text]
  • Oaxaca: Birding the Heart of Mexico, March 2019
    Tropical Birding - Trip Report Oaxaca: Birding the Heart of Mexico, March 2019 A Tropical Birding SET DEPARTURE tour Oaxaca: Birding the Heart of Mexico 6 – 16 March 2019 Isthmus Extension 16 – 22 March 2019 TOUR LEADER: Nick Athanas Report by Nick Athanas; photos are Nick’s unless marked otherwise Warblers were plentiful on this tour, such as the superb endemic Red Warbler March in much of the Northern Hemisphere was rather dreary, but in southern Mexico we enjoyed day after day of warm, sunny days and cool, pleasant evenings – it was a wonderful and bird-filled reprieve from winter for the whole group including me. The tour visited the dry Oaxaca Valley (rich in culture as well as endemics), the high mountains surrounding it, lush cloudforest and rainforest on the Gulf slope, and dry forest along the Pacific. This provided a great cross-section of the habitats and offered fantastic birds everywhere. Some favorites included Bumblebee Hummingbird, Dwarf Jay, Orange-breasted Bunting, and a daily fix of warblers, both resident and migrant, like the unique Red Warbler shown above. The extension took us east across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, which serves as a natural species barrier. Numerous different species entertained us like Pink-headed Warbler, Rose-bellied Bunting, and a Nava’s Wren which put on an especially magnificent performance. Owling was a mixed bag, but our first attempt got us a spectacular Fulvous Owl, which was high up on the list of tour favorites. On tours like this, the group largely determines the success of the trip, and www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] p.1 Tropical Birding - Trip Report Oaxaca: Birding the Heart of Mexico, March 2019 once again we had a friendly and pleasant set of folks who were a pleasure to travel with.
    [Show full text]
  • Collared Aracari Collared Aracari
    First Captive Breeding ofthe The Collared Aracari (Pteroglossus midway between the throat and vent torquatus torquatus) is a commonly and above the "belly stripe" is a encountered aracari of the rain forests Collared roundish black spot. The yellow and tropical dry forests of Central breast feathers are further diffused America, where it ranges from south­ with red flecks. The Collared's beak ern Mexico through Belize, Guate­ is tipped in black, with a silver upper mala, Honduras, icaragua, Costa Aracari mandible, red at its base. The ridge of Rica and Panama. It is a lowland the upper mandible and the sides of species that has adapted fairly well to by Jerry Jennings the lower mandible are also black. Woodland Hills, California the heavily disturbed habitat, and The eyeskin is bright red and the iris may be frequently seen along road- of the eye is bright yellow. ides and in farmers' field, where it Photos by Jerry Jennings The name "Collared Aracari" is fairly fearless of humans, unlike the derives from a brown ring or nuchal larger toucans, which are often collar approximately three-eights hunted for food. Collareds are usually inch wide that extends around the encountered in small groups of four nape separating the black color of the to a dozen birds, who fly from tree to head from the olive green of the back. tree, often single file, and engage in This collar is found in four of the six enthusia tic croaking and antic move­ subspecies but not in the Pale­ ments of their beaks up, down, and mandibled.
    [Show full text]
  • Of Northern LE REGENERATEUR ET SUPPLEMENT VITAMINIQUE POUR OISEAUX
    • • • by Jack Clinton-Eitniear McAllen, Texas Toucans of Northern LE REGENERATEUR ET SUPPLEMENT VITAMINIQUE POUR OISEAUX • v"" SUPPl(M£" _O",~I>OSE ~E ... 'AM !',ifS Esse ... • luES Central America ~ • E"''': .. DE EII • 1.1-'>; E..~PlO REC.Ul Ell 'I')uR"IjjAA Av' O'S£:. ES v 'AV ..·.£5 E' d lEA ECESS.). AE The hottest place in Latin America has feet in elevation, it seldom ventures OUt­ A u,,"e q 55.1'" E SA ... e got to be Merida, Yacatan in late]une. I side the dense forest as does the smaller 'e '\ )0'" normally would have taken a more aracaris and toucanets. Much ofthe year it .A high potency multivitamin southernly route back to the United remains in flocks roaming from fruiting '.~~ diet supplement for all cage States but was to meet my wife in Merida tree to tree. During the spring months the birds. Regular use Will ensure for her first real taste ofMexico. Traveling males spread out among the forest and that all essential nutritional west through the Ucatan peninsula we perch atop a tall tree where they emit that requirements during a bird's lifespanare fully met. Hagen soon crossed the Rio Usumacinta, the last froglike "Gaab" for hours on end. Vitamin Supplement Condi- ofthe truely wild rivers in Northern Cen­ Nesting in holes, generally in live trees tioner contains among other tral America. Soon we were at our where a branch broke off, or a ingredients VITAMIN A to pro· destination, the ruins of Palenque, mote health of plumage and woodpecker home from past years, the skin.
    [Show full text]
  • Breeding the Turquoise Tanager
    Breeding the The Collared Turquoise Tanager Aracari by Jerry Jennings Fallbrook, California by Maarten de Ruiter Cambron Casteau, Belgium he Collared Aracari Pteroglossus T torquatus is a colorful native of Central America, ranging from southern Turquoise Tanager Tanagara enclosure that could be heated. The Mexico south all the way to Colombia, is distributed from artificial light source within the in- 1- and as such is the most common ofthe Venezuela over western Amazonia to door enclosure was turned on from Central American toucans to be encoun- southeast Brazil. It is not found in 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Along with the tered in the wild. Mexico as its scientific name suggests. Turquoise Tanagers were a pair of Though the Collared Aracari is com- Itlives up to 500 meters (1600 feet) in Pekin Robins and two Bay-headed mon in the wild, it has been quite rare elevation and is seeninsmall groups of Tanagers. in captivity until the Fall of 1994, when up to six individual birds. There are The two Turquoise Tanagers were a few dozen birds were imported from five subspecies ofTurquoise Tanager, T. observed together most of the time Nicaragua. Prior to these importations, m. mexicana, T. m. vieilloti, T. m. media, and in the early part ofJune two eggs less than a dozen individuals were T. m. bolivicina and T. m. brasiliensis. were found in a small nest box. The known to exist in the U.S., and in just In Europe the Turquoise Tanager nest box measured 7 em x7em x 15 two collections, where they were repro- is frequently available andthe subspe- em high (2% in.
    [Show full text]