At the beginning of 1986 it was reported that this flightless species, endemic to the tropical island of Breeding the Guam in the western Pacific, was extinct in the wild due to the prior introduction of the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) in the late 1940s. Guam Rail There was a population of between (Ral/us owstoni) 40,000 and 80,000 Guam rails on the island as early as 1960. By 1984, the written by C. Lex Salisbury, general curator number had dropped to 16 birds and field data compiled byJon Seltz, aviculturist Lowry Park Zoological Garden by 1986, it appeared to be extinct in Tampa, Florida the wild. The brown tree snake had also devastated most other forms of The Zoo avifauna on the island and by 1984 Lowry Park Zoological Garden is exotic subtropical trees, shrubs and had reached a population of between perhaps America's newest zoo, hav­ ground covers. The aviary has an arti­ one and three million (Shelton 1984, ing reopened its admission gates to ficial waterfall, stream and pond, 1986). Although it was planned to the public on March 5, 1988, after a water from which is recirculated begin captive breeding programs for total reconstruction. The $8 million through an electric pump. There is a all of Guam's endemic birds, by the phase one of the zoo includes an 400 square foot pressure-treated time the program got underway there Asian domain, a primate world, a timber platform about 15 feet above were only viable populations of the children's village (with petting zoo), grade, accessed by a wide staircase, Guam rail and the Micronesian king­ and a free flight aviary. The zoo is that allows for greater public viewing fisher (Halcyon c. cinnamomina) largely comprised of cageless opportunities. It also functions as a remaining. Several of the birds were environments and specializes in the sun and rain shelter, a place to hang transferred from the Guam Division educational display and breeding of artificial heat sources (electric porce­ of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources endangered species. Phase two of the lain and infra-red heaters), perching (GDAWR) captive facility to the Bronx zoo, due to open Nov. 1, 1990, will locations, nesting areas and feed and National Zoos in the United include a further $12 million in new stations. The top of the platform is States. As these two facilities estab­ facilities, including a Florida-at-night covered and heaters also hang in lished the husbandry and manage­ building, a Florida biome exhibit and these rafters. ment guidelines for the species and an education complex. Intraspecies competition is mini­ successfully bred the birds, surplus mized by limiting the numbers and progeny were sent to other American The Free Flight Aviary sexes of birds of a given species zoos wishing to participate in the The zoo's free flight aviary is an within the aviary. Interspecies com­ proj ect. From the original 21 18,000 square foot, 45' high cable petition is minimized by providing a founders there are now at least 132 truss structure. It has a concrete peri­ surplus of scarce resources which Guam rails in eleven collections in meter wall foundation and is covered typically include: the United States and one on Guam with 1" by 1" vinyl coated weld­ 1. Mates - by introducing only (Derrickson, pers. comm.). By agree­ mesh. The aviary, although appearing pairs ofsurgically sexed birds. ment, all birds in the American gene to be one open space, is divided into 2. Nesting sites (boxes, platforms pool remain the property of the six separately managed units, provid­ and nesting materials). GuamDAWR. ing opportunities for display and 3. Food - by providing a number Drs. Haig and Ballou, and Derrick­ breeding of a wide variety of birds. offeeding sites. son at the National Zoo are respon­ Presently, in these spaces we manage 4. Water - by providing several sible for the genetic evaluation and 13 avian orders, comprised of drinking locations. population management of the approximately 200 individuals of 60 Nest sites and feeding stations are species which endeavors to preserve species. The target species empha­ specially constructed and placed in the maximum genetic variation from sized are tropical, neotropical and the aviary with target species in the original founders. some temperate birds that do well in mind. Our experiences with the Guam the climate of west central Florida. rail began with the post-quarantine We also manage four species of rep­ The Guam Rail Project introduction of a male into the largest tiles including the Chinese softshell The Guam rail captive breeding portion (b-side) of the free flight turtle (Trionyx sinensis), the red­ project was adopted by our institu­ aviary, with a hand-raised, imprinted footed tortoise (Geochelone carhon­ tion in March of 1988 because it was female. The female was removed after aria), the blue-tongued skink representative of the sort of program a few weeks because her desire to (Tiliqua scincoides) and the green we felt progressive zoos should par­ interact with the public posed a threat iguana (Iguana) as well as the brush­ ticipate in. Although this rail species to her well-being (she liked to peck at tailed bettong (Bettongia penicil­ is somewhat drab and not particularly the shoe laces of passersby on the lata), a small Australian marsupial. popular with the public, it represents public walkway). She had also shown Since our grand opening we have suc­ an important cooperative endeavour no interest in the parent-reared male. cessfully bred 14 species of birds in between the government of Guam, On June 7, 1988, a new female was the aviculture department. the National Zoo and several other introduced into the aviary. For the The aviary contains mature live oak zoos in this country, including the first two days there was a little aggres­ trees and a wide variety of native and Lowry Park Zoo. sion between the pair and the male

22 June / July 1989 ,A -=I()~ida Var-adise Bird Retirement

HOME RECRFATION

4-year old large spacious 2-bedroom home. Master bedroom Excellent fishing - many deep lakes; numerous fine golfcourses, is 18.5x14', pluslargewalk-in closet. 24' x20' red oak-floored and, the best ofall .-- AT A PRICE YOU CAN AFFORD!! den. Screened & carpeted Florida room (Lanai). Attached 2­ car garage w/fiberglass shower unit. lAND HASSLE FREE

1 1/4 acres will' deep swan pond. Utility fencing. Corner Avoid traffic jams, violent crime, smog, high property taxes; property. 1/4 mile to nearest neighbor (no complaints!), but only 3 miles to major shopping center. Zoned small-scale ago Adjacentadditional acreage available. 2 wells w/pumps. Two large commercial storage sheds. OUT OF THIS WORLD

See the space shuttle blast offs from the comfort ofyour own BIRD HOUSE home. (The SpaceCenteris 100miles away, butmostshotsare clearly visible.) 24 each 4' x 4' x 8' raised heavy gauge, double galvanized wire cages, w/bird pairs and breeding boxes. 8' industrial chain­ !! link security fencing around entire bird enclosure. Cocka­ GET J\TfAR NATURE toos, double yellow-heads, eclectus, macaws and lutino ring­ necks. Resident pair Great Horned Owls nearby; see bald eagles, ospreys, egrets, herons, etc, daily; deer, otters, and perhaps HOBBY GREEJ\TJIOUSE an occasional sighting ofour resident Florida Panther!!

24' X 40', w/major cactus/succulent collection. EUREKA

Ifyouare looking for the idealretirement placeto breed birds, VEGETATION garden, and raise sub-tropical plants - at an affordable Many varieties palms, hibiscus; hundreds of lilies. Bananas, price, this is the place and the opportunity. Lo­ papayas, pineapples, etc. Growyour own greens/vegetables cated in central Florida, 1 hour + from Tampa or Orlando; for yourself and birds - year-round! Large quantities wild closer to Disney World; 3 hours to Miami. Close to major US black berries within 50 yards. highway. ACT NOW

Ifthis sounds interesting, call me and let's talk about it!! In California, or most anywhere else, something like this would cost many times as much. ERNIE &EDGWICK (813) 452-2767

afa WATCHBIRD 23 never left his territory (b-9). After two gruiform diet pans with extra live second breeding pair laid a single days, the pair was observed together food (crickets, meal worms and wax clutch of three ggs (for which we in the male's territory. This territory worms) were fed in b-9 twice a day. have no egg measurements) that was a triangular shaped area, bor­ The total diet we proVided the rails is hatched synchronously after 21 days dered on two sides by a perimeter as follows: seasonal fruit mix, game of incubation. We continue to work wall and on one side by the sidewalk. bird mix, pheasant mix, hard boiled with Guam rails in mixed species situ­ The territory was approximately 500 eggs, greens, meal worms, wax ations without problems. We have square feet. worms, crickets, bird of prey diet and found, however, that a highly arbor­ The nest consisted of a shallow trout chow. As is typical of rails, we eal passerine of significant size that depression, 4" in diameter and was have observed the parents picking up will not interact with the rails is the lo.cated under a low shrub (Photinia worms, bringing them to the young best. glabra) visible from the sidewalk. On and holding very still while the chick It is reported by Derrickson (1987), July 3, 1988, the first egg measuring pecks the worm out of the parent's that Guam rail eggs hatch asynchron­ 28 mm (?? in) by 43 mm (?? in) was beak. Several years ago I observed this ously and that incubation begins with laid. On July 4, a second egg 23 mm behavior with the Lord Howe Island the laying of the first or second egg. (?? in) by 41 mm (?? in) was laid. The wood rail (Tricholimnas sylvestris) in This has not been our experience. In final egg was laid on July 6, 1988 (no Australia. both our hatchings, the incubation measurement recorded) and incuba­ The nicobar pigeons (Caloenas began after the third and last egg and tion began. The male incubated dur­ nicobarica) who inhabited b-9 co­ the chicks all hatched the same day. ing the a.m., with the female taking existed peacefully with the rails until The recorded clutch size ranging over during the p.m. When the male the third egg was laid and incubation from one to five eggs, the incubation took over incubation, the female started. At that time they were driven being 20 to 21 days, the shared nest would leave b-9 to feed and drink, away. A few black-necked stilts construction, incubation and brood being gone normally about 15 to 20 (Himanoptus mexicanus) and a male care and other reported information minutes. She would then return to b-9 blue-winged pitta (Pitta moluccensis) by Derrickson (ibid), however, does to defend the nest site while the male were allowed to enter b-9, but neither correspond with our findings. The continued incubation. When the species remained long. Significant reported egg breaking trait common female incubated, the male would aggression was not observed between to rails (Ripley, 1977) has been leave b-9 for up to several hours and the Guam rails and other species, but recorded at our institution in both was often observed carrying a leaf or on July 27, 1988 a young male breeding pairs. Typically, a single egg piece of bark mulch back to the nest. crested wood partridge (Rollulus is laid and broken or the shell is The female was observed getting off roulroul) was found dead on the side­ pierced. The birds have never eaten the nest and defending the site for 10 walk in front of b-9. The necropsy contents of an egg, nor has a full to 15 minutes before the male revealed a puncture wound through clutch ever been broken. It seems as returned to b-9 to incubate. All three the skull. On August 6, 1988 a female though once our rails made up their chicks hatched within a few hours of pink-necked fruit dove (Ptilinopus minds to nest, they did so in earnest each other on July 26, 1988, making prophyreus) was found badly and did not break their eggs. the incubation time 20 days. After the wounded under a small shrub in b-9. We have sent several birds (adults chicks hatched, both of the adults On July 29, 1988, a female common and independent young) to Dr. Brian stayed exclusively in b-9 and were hoopoe (Upupa epops) was found McNab at the Department of Zoology observed brooding the chicks at the dead with traumatic injuries well out­ at the University of Florida in Gaines­ nest site for a day or so and near the side of b-9. We did not see the parent ville on short-term loans. The nest site for the following few days. Guam rails outside of b-9 during this findings on his non-invasive basal For several days, the chicks would period, so feel this was an unrelated metabolic research have been interest­ run back to the comfort of one of the incident. However, on August 16, ing and should appear in scientific adults in a stressful situation and hide 1988 it was decided that the Guam publications soon. McNab has also under their belly feathers. Typically, rail was not a good member of our noted the adult Guam rail, with a in this situation, the other adult mixed species collection. All five rails human-assisted launch, flaps to the would charge the intruder (including were removed and relocated to a ground at a 45 degree angle, whereas zoo keepers) with wings slightly planted, off-public-view breeding the young (about three months old) raised in a threat posture. The chicks complex with 16 ft. long by 8 ft. wide fly quite well in comparison. emitted highly pitched audible peeps by 10 ft. tall flights. No problems when being bothered or caught up. occurred with this move and the Postscript For the first few days, flat pans with parents continued to protect and feed We will surgically sex the six young high protein game bird starter and an their three chicks. The three chicks Guam rails bred at our institution at abundance of wax worms were set were removed from their parents' four months of age and offer them to out in b-9. The adults were never seen aviary and relocated together at the Dr. Derrickson from The National feeding from these pans, preferring to age of 50 days. These unsexed young Zoo. He plans to return with the birds eat their normal gruiform diet. The remain together now, at the age of to Guam in early 1989, where they new pans of food caused many other four months. will join other captive-bred members aviary residents to come into b-9 to Since this mixed species experi­ of their species. They will then be feast. It was believed that harm would ment in the free flight aviary, we have introduced to the Island of Rota some come to these new birds, as we acquired another two pairs of this 50 kilometers (?? miles) north of noticed that the Guam rails were species which we house in the above Guam. Rota is an island without rail becoming increasingly aggressive. mentioned off-public-view facility, or brown tree snake populations. The extra pans were removed. The each pair in a separate aviary. The I share the enthusiasm of my staff 24 June I July 1989 c co ing to know that recent captive breed­ "D .~ ing program for the Lord Howe ..c en I land wood rail and the Guam rail a: .E have been 0 ucces fu!. ew projects o for the pecie uch as the Aldabra "0 ..c0... __.... white-throated rail (Dryolimnas cuvieri aldabranus) hould be con­ sidered for initiation. It i important, however, to ensure that uch pro­ prosed program do not upplant the captive carrying capacity for rail within American zoological institu­ tions as i better to do one project ell, than everal poorly. Toward thi end, Scott Derrickson and I will be a king zoo throughout the country to a se s their space for rail and to confirm or otherwi e their interest in working with the Aldabra white­ throated rail, who's long-term status in the wild i precariou .

Pair ofGuam rails) male at left standing more erect) with their 1O-day-old chicks. Bibliography Derrick on . R. 198 ,Capti e Propagation of the Guam Rail - n pdate. Jean Dela­ in participating in this exciting, way of capti e work into the future. cour ICBP 198 Proceeding, pp. 18 -195. applied conservation project, and Flightle rail adapted to predator­ Ripley, . D., 19 ,Rail of the orId. David R. encourage other in titution to join Ie island environment have proven Godine Publi hing, Bo ton. our ranks. Rails, although viewed by very vulnerable and several pecie helton L. C., Guam Bird Re cue Project. some as difficult to manage in mixed have become extinct in recent history AAZPA .E. Regional Conference 1984: 4p. helton, L. C. 1986, Endangered Birds of pecies applications, are fascinating due largely to the introduction of Guam. AAZPA 1985 Annual Proceed­ birds that will require much in the exotic pests. It is, however, encourag- ings, pp. 223-225.•

afa WATeRBIRD 25