World's First Captive Breeding of the Plate

T oucans are a family of birds distin prorated ·over three feedings a day, was guished by their lengthy and often bright 18 pinkies, nine mice and an unknown ly colored bills. Although commonly dis quantity of fruit. Because of the hole played in captivity, they have only depth and the parents sitting tight, our recently been bred on two occasions. In observations for the first three weeks 1967 at the Waldsrode Bird Park in West were limited. Throughout the incubation Germany, the Red-breasted Toucan (Ram and rearing period, the parents did con phestos dicolorus) successfully reared tinue to tunnel to increase the depth of young in the comer of an exhibit on a WORLD'S FIRST the nesting cavity. It is presently about sandy floor. In addition, on numerous CAPTIVE BREEDING six feet deep. occasions at the Los Angeles Zoo, the Initially naked, by the fourth week Crimson-rumped Toucanet ( Aulacorlyn OF the young toucans' eyes were open, their chus haematopygus) bred successfully in THE PLATE-BILLED short bills were turning from a light color our flight cage using dead palm logs as a to brown, they had feathered out the nesting sight for tunneling. This behavioral MOUN TAIN TO UCAN black on the crown and nape area and phenomenon was discussed in a previous AND they were blue-gray on the undersides. issue of the Watchbird (April, 1975). By the fifth week the parents spent We have had, during the past year, A FEW INSIGHTS less ti.ffie sitting, and the consumption of notable success with other species of pinkies and mice diminished. The female which this article will discuss the chron by John Tobin, Animal Keeper and spent time removing bill fulls of palm ology of one, the Plate-billed Mountain RichardS. Runde/, Curator of Birds core. The size of the young were two Toucan (Andigena laminirostris) . thirds that of the parents, and they had Although the breeding took place at developed a yellow fleshy area between the Los Angeles Zoo between December, the eye and bill which ran completely 1974 and February, 1975, the real story around the eye by the sixth week. begins in June of 1967, when the first Exactly seven weeks from the day of mountain toucans were acquired. As was their hatching, one of the young left the typical at this time, all mountain toucans nest. Two days later, the second bird were housed in a single aviary along with involved the placement of a palm log two left. Neither returned to the nest. Both a few small psittacines. The toucans feet in diameter and eight feet tall in each parents continued feeding pieces of numbered approximately eight to ten aviary. All of the pairs immediately tun fruit, pinkies and mice. By the eighth birds and included representatives of all neled out nests, although only one of the week, both birds were eating from the four species of mountain toucans - hood pairs of Plate-billed Mountain Toucans fruit pan along with Gaines Dog Pellets. ed, gray-breasted, black-billed, and plate proceeded to lay eggs . The parents continued feeding until the billed. Although the numbers varied, the In July of 1974, one egg was observed tenth week when the young birds were birds lived relatively compatibly until in which disappeared after one week. Two feeding entirely on their own. 1974 when typical parrot nest boxes were weeks later, an additional egg was observ Sharing the aviary were two small bar added. Behavioral changes quickly be ed in the nest which again disappeared bets and two ground dwelling pheasants. came apparent in the toucans. Although afte( one week. In September of 1974, The mountain toucans did not show no serious nesting attempts were made, one egg was laid which hatched after 16 aggression to these birds until the young the birds went in and out of the nest days and survived for 21 days before left the nest at which time they became boxes commonly and pairs were observed succumbing to unknown causes. Signs very protective of their young requiring being formed and aggression was noted that the bird had digested palm fibers was the removal of all other birds. After a towards the smaller parrots. This necessi one theory as to its loss. Two eggs laid period of three weeks, the adults showed tated the parrots removal and soon re December 19 and 21 were found hatched interest in nesting once again and com quired the toucans to be separated one January 4, 1975, substantiating the datum menced showing aggression towards their pair per aviary. Although sexual dimorphic given for the incubation period of 16 young, and the young were then removed. differences were noted involving bill days. Although successful reproduction has length and a few color differences, a nat The parents fed the young bits of fruit occurred with one pair, the species is ural pair could easily be seen by observ and pinkies the first two weeks. Their not established in captivity. The second ing behavioral interaction. No birds consumption increased to 15 pinkies, six pair of Plate-billed Mountain Toucans were lost during this pairing. Three pairs cut up mice and a small amount of fruit showed strong continual interest in nest were set up in breeding situations. This each day. The peak of their consumption, ing and went so far as to lay eggs on two 6 INJURIOUS The National Cage Bird Exhibition sponsored by NIROC WILDLIFE and Greater Chicago Cage Bird Club will be held at the PROPOSAL Hillside Holiday Inn, 4400 Frontage Rd., Hillside, Illinois DIES (Junction I-90 & US Hwy 45) November 13-16,1975. Lynn Greenwalt, Director of the Fish Contact Mrs. LaVerne Krauss and Wildlife Service, has officially with 2719 S. Komensky Ave. ' drawn the Injurious Wildlife Proposal Chicago, Illinois 60623 despite last minute assertions the pro for information. occasions, but unfortunately in June of posal would go through. Although his action spells victory for aviculturists zoos 1975, following the removal of the ne~ female for a recovery period due to poor and the pet industry, it is expected health, the male died. and similar proposals will be drafted in the future Of the young birds, one ptoceeded to PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory have a bad foot and was not suitable for Council) spear-headed the drive to over breeding and the other one proved to turn the proposal with a well-organized be a female. One additional bird was campaign that objected to the "low-risk" acquired from Busch Gardens to provide list approach to determining which ani some stability and hopefully set up a mals would be allowed into the country. third breeding pair. Unfortunately due to Under that concept, a bird would have the loss of the male and a little bad luck to be proven harmless to be imported,. we presently have one breeding pair and whereas existing law requires that an ani three extra females. mal be proven injurious to be kept out. The purpose of this recounting is to In short, Interior attempted to reverse demonstrate that even though the breed the principle of "innocent until proven ing behavior is understood and proper guilty" Asuperior dietarysupplementthat enhances breeding environments are provided, a feather color - promotes better health. Fortunately, for aviculturists new species is not established in captivity breeding stock of heretofore unco:nmon In native habitat, birds eat carotene rich diets. until this is done with a minimum of ly kept birds will remain available for For caged birds, Flamen Oil (or Ambrosia twenty pairs. The fact that every pair Base, the water miscible form) supplies attempted to nest leads one to believe some time. With the threat of future re carotene derived from carrot oil, nature's rich strictions, aviculturists must make every our technique was proper. Several zoos est source of pro-vitamin A activity, plus vita ~ffort to establish the lesser known spec min E. and private aviculturists have since Ies in captivity before it is too late. followed this technique with encouraging Available at pet food stores, or order direct. Many organizations participated in the results. It is important that rather than . movement to thwart import restrictions. lamenting the unavailability of exotic FLAM EN OIL Mix with teed. In addition to PIJAC, the AAZPA, ZOO 4 oz. trial size . $3.90 ppd. birds, aviculturists concentrate on a few ACT, A.F.A. and others made contribu AMBROSIA BASE (Water miscible powder) Mix unique species and establish them. The with drinking water. Can be added to Aqua Vile. tions, as did many individual avicultur Bronx Zoo and the Los Angeles Zoo 2'12 oz. (makes 20 gallons) ......... $6.00 ppd. ists, whose letters to Interior achieved an presently have successfully cooperated AMBROSIA LUX (Vitamin D3 added) impact. Many ornithologists and biologists 2'12 oz. ......... $6.50 ppd. in breeding programs involving Tawny contributed their knowledge on behalf of Frogmouths, Green Wood Hoopoes, the above groups in an atmosphere of NUTRITIONAL Kookaburras, Eclectus Parrots and hopes u?ity never before demonstrated by these e RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. e for the future regarding the Monkey diverse animal interests • BOX W- So. Whitley, IN 46787 eating Eagle. Although we do not rob our collection for their needs, we do cooper ate in every way possible with the afore TELL THE ADVERTISER mentioned birds. We do not pass judg YOU SAW IT ment on techniques although we do dis IN THE WATCHBIRD cuss and visit whenever possible. · Our toucan breeding program has not December 4-6 1975 shifted into a new direction. We know the San Diego County Canary Club our technique will work with any species.

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