Bare-jacedgo away .

White-bellied go away showing se ual dimorphism. The male has the greenish beak u'hile thefemale's is black. 8 December/January 1989 Magnolia Touracos: Bira Captive status Farmyit"

by Rochelle Plasse, Supervisor, Birds Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas

For the past ten years, as supervisor institutions and private breeders. These ofthe Houston Zoo bird section, I have were mostly in the U. S., however a few had the opportunity ofworking with a European zoos known to keep toura­ remarkable group ofbirds - touracos. cos in their collections were also Touracos are a distinctive taxon of contacted. softbilled birds which range over por­ The questions the survey asked were tions ofAfrica, south ofthe Sahara. basic: which do you keep? The Houston Zoo's breeding pro­ numbers, sexes, wild or captive raised, We Buy Birds gram for touracos began in 1973 under breeding activity recorded, survival the direction offormer curator Robert rates, ages, and methods of housing. We Shlp Birds J. Berry. Over the last 15 years the pro­ Respondents were also encouraged to COMPLETE BIRD SUPPLIES gram has expanded due to the team jot down any historical or problemen­ efforts offormer supervisor Trey Todd, tal data which might prove useful. (714) 527-3387 myself, and an outstanding flock of One hundred eleven replies were Open 9 to 6 Closed Sun., Mon., Holidays zookeepers. The program is ongoing received, roughly a 74% response. 8990 Cerritos Ave. and continues with present curator Of the 65 north American facilities Anaheim, Ca. 92804 Larry Shelton. The zoo currently holds which reported keeping touracos, only 80 touracos, representing 16 species 25 were currently producing young. and sub-species. Twenty-four are Eighty-three percent of these 25 were youngsters raised since February ofthis involved in breeding only red crested 1",-oG year. touracos (Tauraco erythrolophus) and ""E~ Cl' Send $1.00 Since 1973 nearly 300 specimens, white cheeked (Tauraco leucotis). " discount available representing 12 species and sub­ Only five facilities reported success­ your source for... species, have been bred in Houston. fully raising other touraco species. LAFEBER'S PRODUCTS During this period a great deal ofexpe­ These data are rather deplorable con­ • PELLETED FOODS rience and information on touracos has sidering U.S. zoos have been exhibiting • EMERAlD I & II been amassed. Through communica­ touracos since 1914. Both the National tions between other zoos and private Zoo and the Philadelphia Zoo reported • NUTRISTART, etc. breeders interested in touracos, we numerous touracos coming through raise healthier birds... could easily see trends developing their facilities since that time; many in more nutrition for your money... with regard to the captive status of the 1950s. Although the first world AVI-CULTUR-l BILLIONTM these species; once commonly bred breeding in captivity took place in a concentrated Lactobacillus private collection in 1904, the majority species were decreasing, numerical acidophilus over-representation of others were of successful breedings have occurred • combat diarrhea & "pasted-up" apparent and genetic diversity in the since 1970. This is a considerable vents captive population was becoming sig­ amount of time to get our avicultural • combat the effects of stress nificantly reduced. act together, even though the emphasis from crowding, molting, drugs, When the suggestion of a touraco on breeding birds, particularly in zoos, etc. studbook arose, these trends in the did not hit home until the bird • fight E. coli, Salmonella, etc! captive population could not be sub­ embargo of 1972. • Just sprinkle on food. stantiated based on actual data and no Returns indicated that 477 touraco real determination could be made on specimens are currently living in sur­ which species were in greater need of veyed U.S. collections. That certainly ~:~:C:~c:~:~;1 management. Obviously, much more sounds like a lot of birds. And it is, information was required and with this until you begin breaking the figures .J~:~{~i\ in mind I was given permission by the down into species. This is particularly zoo director to initiate a touraco survey significant with regard to genetic Wm. V. Reichert & Son. Dept W 1523 Potter Rd. questionnaire on specimens in U.S. diversity. As in some species, genetic Park Ridge, IL 60068 collections. diversity is already severely limited. 312-825-BIRD The survey was sent to 150 facilities; Only 174 (36%) of the 477 speci-

afa WATeRBIRD 9 mens are wild caught. However, 22% Sounds pretty good? Not really, only of the wild caught birds are newly three facilities are breeding this species imported violaceous touracos (Muso­ and they are all, at least in part, related 1988-1989 COMMITTEES phaga violacea). to each other. Thus, there are 14 wild­ A summary of data on individual caught Lady Ross's out there doing AVIAN RESEARCH species follows: nothing but looking pretty. Don't let Dr. Susan Clubb (305) 226-6778 Red crested touraco (Tauraco me hear old age used as an excuse AVIAN TRANSPORTATION erythrolophus) - of the 110 red crests (theirs, not yours); Houston's breeding Clifton Witt (301)589-1262 reported, only 15 are wild-caught female is 22 years-plus and still pro­ (13'%). While there are 16 facilities ducing. In fact, many of the active AVYAWARDS Dale Thompson (805) 252-3441 breeding red crests, only five are breed­ breeding pairs oftouracos in the survey ing from wild-caught birds. Two of are in the 10 to 15 year old range. CALIFORNIA LIAISON these facilities (Houston included, Violaceous touraco (Musophaga Laurella Desborough (415) 372-6174 which holds 25 % of all wild-caught l'iolacea) - of the 58 specimens CITES red crests) have limited or stopped pro­ reported, 36 are wild-caught. This Lee Phillips (301) 798-1353 duction. These two facilities are aware species was first imported only a few CLUB PROMOTION of the numerical abundance of red years ago and the first captive breeding Chris Christman (714) 638-1596 crests in U.S. collections and are addi­ occurred at the Brookfield Zoo in CONSERVATION tionally concerned about the lack of 1984. Although the survey reported Jack Clinton-Eitniear (512) 828-5306 genetic diversity due to excessive only three facilities currently breeding CONVENTION STEERING numbers of red crests originating from violaceous, through personal commu­ Phyllis Martin (813) 839-4751 only one or two pairs of birds (over nication I understand these numbers CONVENTION 1989 representation). have increased. Opal Crosser (602) 853-0348 White cheeked touraco (Tauraco The above data reports on six of the EDUCATION AND MEDIA SERVICES leucotis) - of the 63 white cheeks most numerous species in captivity. Dr. Val Clear (317) 642-0795 reported, only five birds are wild­ The populations of the following ETHICS caught, two are breeding in Houston species are much lower and they share Trudi Dam (813) 422-3772 (although production again is purpose­ many common problems: FINANCE fully limited) and the other three are White crested touraco (Tauraco Vicki Fletcher (206) 841-2705 not breeding. Many of the white leucolophus) - of the 29 specimens LEGAL COUNSEL cheeks in the survey were listed as reported, only seven are wild-caught Gary Lilienthal (617) 542-7070 origin unknown. Obviously, further and there are two facilities breeding LEGISLATION information on the origin of these this species. Birds in both facilities are Janet Lilienthal (617) 542-7070 specimens would be beneficial in the related to each other. future genetic management of these Purple crested touraco (Tauraco MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Joe McLaughlin (503) 538-6323 birds. porphyreolophus) - except for a few Hartlaub's touraco (Tauraco l'ery recent imports, all purple crests in NOMINATING AND ELECTIONS hartlaubi) - of the 36 Hartlaub's U.S. collections originate from shared Kayla Snyder (215) 855-4463 reported, 18 are wild-caught but only Houston/Bush Garden stock. Accord­ PARLIAMENTARIAN three facilities are raising young. It is ing to the survey, only Busch Gardens interesting that during the last ten to is now breeding this species. Houston's PUBLIC RELATIONS fifteen years Hartlaub's were the most original breeding birds are showing Linda Rubin (617) 469-0557 numerous of all touracos in the U.S. signs of geriatric problems and have PUBLICATIONS Recent imports may boost these figures been removed from the breeding pro­ Sheldon Dingle (714) 734-7448 shortly. But, if sufficient interest and gram. Houston's remaining birds are RAFFLE effort is not directed toward establish­ siblings. Some newly imported birds Dick Dickinson (408)248-1641 ing them in breeding programs, this from Tanzania have surfaced. But, as of SPEAKERS scenario could easily repeat itself. July 1988, Tanzania has closed the Nancy Vigran (818) 980-4694 Schalow's touraco (Tauraco doors on exportation of purple crests STATE COORDINATOR corythaix schalowi) - of the 37 and they are now on Appendix II, Amy Worell, DVM. (818) 704-0223 Schalow's reported, six birds are wild­ which makes future importation very VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR caught. Four facilities are breeding doubtful. Laurella Desborough (415) 372-6174 Schalow's but, in a roundabout way, all Guinea touraco (Tauraco cory­ WAYS AND MEANS the breeding females may be related to thaix persa) and Sierra Leone A.B. McNabney (415) 945-1785 original Houston Zoo stock. The pro­ (Tauraco corythaix buffoni) - popu­ liferation of Houston's stock dominat­ lation numbers reported for these two BUSINESS OFFICE ing the existing captive population of visually similar sub-species are very (213) 372-2988 Schalow's is an example of what low. In the past, some facilities kept happens when genetic management of these species paired to each other (not WATCHBIRD STAFF a captive species is not monitored recognizing the differences). Infor­ Sheldon Dingle/Editor (714) 734-7448 closely. A super-producing pair ofbirds mation is unavailable whether or not M. Jean Hessler/M Director, can rapidly deplete the genetic diver­ hybrids may be in the general popula­ Production (714) 548-3133 sity in a captive population. tion. Susan Dingle/Assistant Lady Ross's touraco (Musophaga Grey go away bird (Corythaix­ to Editor (714) 734-7448 of the 38 Lady Ross's White bellied go Ted Hearsey/Advertising (213) 395-8847 rossae) - oides concolor), reported, 17 are wild-caught (45%). away bird (Corythaixoides leuco-

10 December/January 1989 gaster), and Bare faced go away bird (Cor)'tbaixoides persona/a leopoldi) - these three species share a common dietary problem. Cnlike other touraco species. they inhabit dry. savannah areas and primarily feed on the leaves, buds, and flowers of the acacia tree. In captivity, chick mortality for greys and white bellies has historically been very Commercial Members high, often due to the lack of green, American Bird Company, Kaytee Products, Inc" Chilton, WI leafy items pro\'ided in their diets Falls Church, VA Kellogg, Inc, Milwaukee, WI (Houston uses Romaine lettuce, endi\'e, Crackers, Greendale, WI Lowcountry Jungle, Ravenel, SC 'pinach and collards). A pair of birds Avicultural Breeding &Research Center, Magnolia Bird Farm, Anaheim, CA will often consume half a head of Loxahatchee, FL Michael's Bird Paradise, Inc., Romaine per day in addition to a Bird & Board, Orange, CA Riviera Beach, FL normal touraco mixed-fruit diet. Birds of Paradise, Houston, TX Nekton U.S.A., Inc., Clearwater, FL Houston has only been successful in Birdcraft, Inc., Coconut Grove, FL Parrot Jungle, Inc., Miami, FL Burke's Birds, San Bernardino, CA Pet Farm, Inc., Miami, FL raising white bellies during the time of Country Critters, Ltd" Medford, NY Petland - White Flint Plaza, ~'ear that honeysuckle could be pro­ Crofton Animal Hospital, Kensington, MD vided to the parents in great quantities. Gambrills, MD Reliable Protein Products, Artificial substitutes for the nutritional East Coast Aviaries, Inc., Studio City, CA value in these natural food items has Conway, SC Rolf C. Hagen, Inc" St. Laurent, not been accepted by the birds. Fins, Furs, 'n Feathers, Quebec, Canada Bare faced have a similar but more Boca Raton, FL Scarlet Oak Aviaries, Glenwillow, OH severe dietary problem in captivity. Hagen Avicultural Research Tammy's Landing, Kernville, CA This species was imported into the U.S. Institute, Rockwood, The Birdman Aviary, Bordheadsville, PA for the first time this year. Importers Ontario, Canada The Bird Marketplace, Portland, OR John Ball Zoological Park, The Seed Factory, Modesto, CA reported very high mortalities during Grand Rapids, MI quarantine, despite great efforts by some to provide them with an enor­ mous variety of food items. Houston received two un-sexed birds in February. They did well during our 30-dav quarantine, and we con­ tinued experimenting with their diets. Their preference was. ofcourse, for the THERMOCARE, INC. TEN/CARE UNITS green. leafy items. and they also offers Water Heated Warmers For treatment of devoured broccoli heads and cabbage Hypothermia in New­ for Portable Intensive Care - borns, Shock, Con­ leaves. Food presented in its most valescing and Post­ whole form, for example halfan apple. for Aviary, Cattery or Kennel operative Patients. was preferred over the diced fruit mix given to the other touraco species. ( Despite our efforts, one bird died shortly after release into an outside \<·11 With clear plastiC DOME cover, SAFE HEAT· IS prOVided. exhibit. Necropsy reports showed an and the means to add HUMIDITY and OXYGEN to the anatomical difference \vhich had ne\'er internal atmosphere - an Ideal environment for NEW­ BORNS. or for treatment of respiratory stress been obsen'ed in any of our other touracos. New MEDICATION NEBULIZER included Instead of a muscular, convoluted with all TEN ICARE units gizzard, the bare faced had onl~' a thin­ walled, sack-like structure. We later confirmed our findings with an im­ porter who had performed necropsies on quarantine birds. Evidently this 25"x17" organ is designed specifically for x15"H storing and digesting fibrous, leafy Economical 90W Heater items similarly found in the ruminant stomachs of cows. The remaining bird CONTROLLED UNIFORM .- in our collection still appears \vell. His HEAT (75° - 100°F) dietary preferences arc closely moni­ Conducted thru Water and Circulated by Convection y- tored and we are constantly making 33"x27"x25" H or 42"x27"x25" H changes in order to develop a diet Also Available: Send lor 'ree BrOChure which can easily be duplicated by New SAFE HEAT other aviculturists. BROODER INCUBATOR Thermocare SAVES LIVES for young chicks P.O. Drawer YY Until very recently, all greys in U.S, Incline Village. NV 89450 (r02) 831·1201 collections originated from shared

afa WATCHBIRD 11 Houston/Busch Garden stock, both article. cesses are not remarkable, except facilities are still raising this species in One of the primary obstacles to perhaps for the Mulhouse Zoo (France) small numbers. Fortunately, the San breeding touracos in zoo collections is, and the private aviaries of its director, Diego Zoo has started raising young and has always been, the dread''mixed Dr. J .M. Lernould. Other large collec­ from unrelated birds. species exhibit:' According to the tions can be found in Antwerp A few other species which are new survey, ofpairs kept in mixed exhibits, (Belgium) and Walsrode (Germany). to U.S. collections have appeared there were 39 reports of no breeding, TheJersey Wildlife Preservation Trust recently, such as western grey plantain nine showing some breeding but with (British Isles) used to have quite a eater ( piscator), Fischer's low or no chick survival. Sixteen successful program, but has eliminated touraco (Tauraco corythaixfischeri), reported some success. However, the all but two species, greys and red and Livingston's touraco (Tauraco survey indicated that 26 pairs housed crests, and is now breeding only the corythaix livingstoni). The greatest as single pairs in separate flights are red crests. (I apologize if I've slighted fear is that these "trendier" species successfully breeding. That is 74 anyone, as the survey size in Europe will displace species currently in against and 16 for mixed exhibits ­ was limited to only a few.) collections, and further reduce the you be the judge! If the question in the back of your number oftouracos which still desper­ Indeed, most of the non-breeding mind is: So what? Touracos are not ately need work to become safely pairs ofLady Ross's in zoos are in large, endangered, why aren't there more established in aviculture. mixed exhibits. I'm sure this is due to where these came from?, then it is time It is a shame that some institutions this species' large size and "showa­ you develop a more realistic sense of (and I suspect several private breeders) bility:' However, due to their rarity, what the future ofaviculture really is. who were quite successfully raising wouldn't it be better management to Unfortunately, what the true status touracos in the past have virtually remove them to proper breeding flights of touracos is in the wild, no one really eliminated touracos from their collec­ and replace them with violaceous tour­ knows. No field biologists in their right tions. This is a great loss to the captive acos? Violaceous are a similar looking minds would be found pitching their future of touracos for certainly these species and one that, at least for now, is tents in Zaire, or the Sudan, or Ethiopia breeders' expertise and experience is doing well. There are currently numer­ or any of a dozen more touraco terri­ quite valuable and still needed. ous surplus birds available. tories. Political unrest and economic Their disenchantment with touracos To lessen the guilt trip in U.S. col­ hardships have, and will continue to (and also that of current breeders) has lections slightly, European colleagues make accurate studies virtually impos­ probably stemmed from the inability to are not doing much better. Their col­ sible. We will not see white cheeks rapidly surplus their birds, coupled lections may be larger and more varied, come out of Ethiopia or Somalia, no with the problems of housing ex­ with species not seen in U.S. collec­ red crests will leave Angola. Kenya is panding numbers of birds. We must tions. However, their breeding suc- closed to exports as is Uganda and as remember, no one is asking that we repopulate the African continent, just raise a few birds per year. Management Touracos Currently Held in North America is the obvious key, knowing which in Zoos and Private Collections bloodlines to continue, and which Number of species to raise in the proportionate Species in Descending Wild Breeding numbers and, more importantly, when PopUlation Totals Totals' Caught Facilities to stop. Some colleagues of mine were Red crested touraco (Tauraco erythrolophus) 41.47.22 8.7 16 appalled two years ago when we Wh~e cheeked touraco (Tauraco leucotis leucotis) 32.23.8 2.3 14 started "pinning" touraco eggs (plac­ ing a small hole in a newly laid egg to Violaceous touraco (Musophaga violacea) 16.27.15 12.13.11 3 prevent further embryo development, Schalow's touraco (Tauraco c. schalowi) 10.13.16 3.3 4 allowing parents to sit full term). This protocol was developed as removal of Hartlaub's touraco (Tauraco hartlaubi) 15.13.8 9.6.3 3 the eggs would only cause the pairs to Lady Ross's touraco (Musophaga rossae) 17.19.2 9.8 3 recycle sooner, resulting in females laying inordinate numbers of eggs, Wh~e crested touraco (Tauraco leucolophus) 10.15.4 4.3 2 becoming calcium deficient and more Purple crested touraco (Tauraco porphyreolophus) 8.9.1 2.2 vulnerable to egg binding, etc. Dummy eggs will also work but lack of devel­ Guinea touraco (Tauraco c. persa) 10.7 8.3 2 opment of their own eggs was a far Grey go away bird (Corythaixoides con color) 9.6.4 2.2 3 simpler approach. Also, this was the Wh~e bellied go away bird (Corythaixoides leucogaster) 5.12 4.11 1 only practical way to limit reproduc­ tion on several over-represented pairs Western gray plantain eater (Crinifer piscator) 5.5 5.5 0 and still keep the pair bonds intact. Sierra Leone touraco (Tauraco c. buffonij 4.2.2 3.2.2 1 This management approach also left more time and space to concentrate on Fischer's touraco (Tauraco c. fischeri) 2.2 2.2 0 species that needed more avicultural Livingston's touraco (Tauraco c./ivingstoni) 3.3 3.3 0 emphasis in our breeding program. This practice, in fact, led to a whole Bare faced go away bird (Corythaixoides personata leopoldi) 1.0 1.0 new foster rearing program at Houston •M/F/ unsexed that I shall report on in part two ofthis 12 December/January 1989 will be Tanzania. For countries still allowing exports, the remaining numbers of touracos will probably dwindle dramatically making their future more uncertain. Recently, a friend saw hundreds of Fischer's touracos on loading docks in Africa, awaiting shipment to Europe. These birds live in tiny, isolated pockets along a limited range! He also estimated that, from the numbers being exported, there are probably more Livingston's touracos in captivity now than in the wild. And so on ... Even if we can bring new blood into the .5., what good will it do if we continue along the same well-worn paths; keep a species because it is a novelty, and dispose of it when we're bored or when we've flooded the market with unwanted offspring? Zoos are certainly not exempt from this line of thinking, but neither is the private breeder. How unfortunate that, in this in tance, zoos and private breed­ ers stand on common ground. The birds needed to establish long term management programs are presently in our collections; they are scattered and often in non-reproductive surround­ ings - but they are there. Hopefully, by the end ofthis year we will see the initiation ofeither touraco studbooks to improve genetic manage­ ment or "working groups" ofspecial­ ists who are collectively willing to devote time and energy to establishing sound foundation stocks for future NORSHORE PETS generations of both touracos and a\·iculturists. A collection ofthe finest supplies I would hope that everyone con­ available for your birds. 211~~r>.~ cerned with this group of birds does their utmost to cooperate in a planned management program. You have every­ thing to gain through shared breeding experiences, shared genetiC stock, and a hared sense of purpose. The second part of this paper will explore in greater detail the actual management of touracos in captivity and provide a working foundation for aviculturists who have never kept touracos but now want to. I would like to express my thanks to Olivia Fisher and Judith Kinsman for their help with the survey data, and to DISCOUNT PRICES Robert J. Berry for his suggestions ABBA Products. Kellogg. Lyric. Scarlett. Silver Song. LaFeber. Nekton. Rich Health. Prevue/ Hendryx. Hoei. Fritz. Super Pet. Lustar. regarding the text of this paper. Duro-lite. Mardel. General Cage. Viobin (REX Wheat Germ Oil) CATALOG $2.00. refundable with first order References Books. Nets. Feeders. Stands. Cages. Seeds. Nest boxes. Vitamins flcrry. RobertJ.. 19-9. TOUraC(h. rlFrl Watcbbird, Pick up or shipped U'p'S. Vol. VI, ;\l0.-I. P.O. Box 271 • 6206 South Route 23. Marengo. Illinois 60152 Lindholm.JosefH.111. 1987.'!()Ur;ICOPopulalion in Public Zoos. Tbe HOlleycreepel: Vol. 2. ~. ~~~~~j;n4 No. I. 815 / 568-6732 :\loreau. R.E .. 19';8. Some ASpCClS oflhe;\1uso­ phagidae. II1/S. Vol. 100.•

afa WATCHBIRD 13