PsittaScene

In this Issue: Wild English Parrots? Golden Conure Review May 2003 Psitta Letter to members Psitta from the Director SceneScene Dear WPT Members, Thank you for your continued support to the Trust and our Editor goals. As you all know, we are a lightly-staffed organisation Rosemary Low, which strives to focus resources on parrot conservation and welfare as efficiently and effectively as possible. Consequently, Glanmor House, Hayle, Cornwall, we are not able to spend as much time as we’d like working TR27 4HB, UK with our members. It is however your dedication and commitment that keeps the Trust strong and growing, and CONTENTS enables us to work in so many places, with so many great people, and of course to save so many magnificent birds. Letter to members from Director ...... 2 Over the past year we have been working on several exciting initiatives to help reach out to A day in the Gorges with the Echoes ...... 3-5 the general public, expand our presence, and increase our membership. These initiatives Indonesia ends exports of include: wild-caught birds ...... 6-7 Rose-ringed Parakeets in the UK ...... 8-9 ¥ a new membership brochure Golden Conure research will aid ¥ a new Veterinary Membership program to help promote the Trust through avian clinics its survival ...... 10-13 ¥ connecting with bird shows around the world to raise awareness about the plight of Book reviews ...... 13 parrots in the wild and their needs in captivity A Dominica project...... 14-15 We often hear from members that they’d like to help more, volunteering their time to help Children’s T-shirt for sale...... 15 the Trust. As we grow larger, we intend to fully develop programs that can incorporate this Report from European WPT Reps ...... 16-17 kind of grass-roots support in many ways. Right now you can help, by telling your PsittaNews ...... 18 associates and friends about what we do. WPT general info ...... 19 As a Trust member you are one of our greatest assets. Collectively, we reach thousands of Parrots in the Wild ...... 20 bird enthusiasts in our local areas. In your area, you’re bound to know one or more people who would make a great new member. Please take the time to sit down with them and fill out the new membership brochure included in this issue of PsittaScene. When you are done pop it in the mail; you’ll be doing all parrots a huge favour! Please remember to explain all the terrific benefits of membership: ¥ the new Members’ E-mail List, with friendly insight and discussion of all things parrot from WPT members the world over, ¥ the quarterly PsittaScene packed with articles on wild parrot conservation and captive bird welfare, ¥ other publications such as the Happy Healthy Parrot leaflet, helping you inform others of parrots’ needs, Cover Picture By NICK REYNOLDS ¥ and additional benefits like our new Trade Ban sticker, posters, and other parrot- phernalia. At Paradise Park in Cornwall UK a large flock of Lorikeets can be fed by visitors. Here we Among other endeavours we’re working on is a formal WPT membership drive. Over the see the local Member of Parliament, Andrew next year, we’ll be getting to know you better, assessing where our potential growth is George MP, being greeted by enthusiastic birds. Andrew’s party, the Liberal Democrats, likely to come from, and then reaching out to those supporters to grow our membership. If have just adopted a policy opposing the you’re keen on helping with this effort or have some good ideas, please contact Michelle importation of wild-caught birds into the Cook at [email protected] and she’ll keep you informed about when and how European Union. The World Parrot Trust will you can help. work with them to continue its campaign against imports. Again, thank you for your continued support and for taking the time to make use of the The World Parrot Trust does not necessarily endorse any new membership brochure. views or statements made by contributors to PsittaScene. Sincerely, It will of course consider articles or letters from any contributors on their merits. Anyone wishing to reprint any articles in full or in part seen in this magazine needs permission from the author and must state that it was copied from PsittaScene. All contents © World Parrot Trust Jamie Gilardi, Director 2 ■ PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 A day in the Gorges with the Echoes By JASON MALHAM For the four members of the Echo Parakeet Field Team the day begins at Plaine Lievre, one of four field stations used by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) within Black River Gorges National Park. Plaine Lievre is situated on the north- eastern corner of the park and is in the heart of Echo Parakeet (Psittacula eques) country. Since 1996/97, fifty-four hand-raised birds have been released there. They have come from several sources. Some were chicks produced by captive birds, others were rescued from wild nests, while others were the result of down-sizing wild broods (a technique used to increase productivity by removing surplus chicks that the adults would be unable to rear). The surplus chicks are fostered in the wild or hand-raised. Last season a record 21 Echoes were released and today there are more than 40 birds coming to the supplementary food hoppers in the Plaine Lievre area. Echoes are not especially early risers, so 20m from the sleeping quarters! when Jason and Gareth wandered into the All the known Echo cavities/nest boxes and outside kitchen shelter at 04:30, all was birds are named. This makes identification quiet. The Echo team does not usually start easier. To make things a little more this early, but today was to be special! This Male Echo Parakeet. day would see one chick rescued, one interesting, all the different breeding groups swapped between captivity and a nest and have theme names, usually based on the downsized, with the “surplus” chicks either one fostered to another nest. Translocating cavity they use. A breeding group consists being fostered to other pairs who have chicks is a serious undertaking and nothing of one female and between one and five infertile or dead eggs, or taken to the is left to chance. Most of the equipment males. Those readers who are familiar with Gerald Durrell Endangered Wildlife needed for the day was prepared the remote field stations may have already Sanctuary (GDEWS) aviaries at Black previous night, to enable an earlier start. guessed where the Longdrop name came River. Because females lay on alternate from! This nest-box is situated near the days, the eggs generally hatch at least a day Coffee and breakfast finished, a final check longdrop toilet! apart. It seems the third and fourth chicks was made of everything - brooder, batteries The first stop of the day is reached after are often smaller and weaker than the first and cables, feeding equipment, cell phone, only five minutes driving and a few couple. So it proved to be with Crumpet’s back-up chick heating and carrying third chick. equipment, and diesel in the Landrover, minutes walk from the Landrover. Crumpet before heading off down the bumpy track. is one of the older known Echoes, having This chick hatched five days after the first, As the team departs, the sound of hopper been rung as an adult in 1996. She and at 7.5g. The average hatch weight for wild lids “clapping” and the high pitched “wack partner Pancake are only the second fully chicks is around 8.5g. After two full days wild pair to use a nest-box. Last year Noah, in the cavity it had become quite badly wack wack…” in Plaine Lievre clearing, a three-year-old, and her partner Shaggy signals the morning’s first birds arriving for caused much excitement when they used a supplemental food. They all have a nest box - the first ever fully wild pair to penchant for Kaytee Exact pellets! Some of use one! A number of release birds have these birds don’t have far to travel, also chosen nest-boxes. This season a total “Arantxa” and “Balthazar”, for example, of six boxes have been used. Crumpet is are raising two chicks in the “Longdrop” also one of the few fully wild birds to take nest box on the edge of the clearing, only supplementary food. This season several wild juveniles and a couple of adult males have been seen either feeding at hoppers or near them. This is exciting news because it suggests that the large number of release birds are attracting other birds, who will more than likely learn to use the food hoppers. Supplementary feeding is an invaluable tool for increasing productivity, especially in seasons of short food supply (common in Mauritius due to severely degraded forest). This season Crumpet laid three fertile eggs. Echoes lay one to four eggs, but have never been known to successfully raise more than Some of the Plaine Lievre release birds two chicks. There is not enough food. Preparing to place the chicks in the waiting for breakfast at food hopper! Since 1998, many Echo broods have been cavity. PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 ■ 3 dehydrated and had not gained any weight. Meanwhile its siblings were gaining 3-4 grams per day. A chick in this situation will die if left in the nest. Jason and Gareth are on the ground below the box at 05:20, to see Crumpet go back into the nest just minutes after arriving! They are forced to wait another hour before Crumpet emerges again to be fed by Pancake. The team follows a protocol of minimal disturbance with the wild birds and almost always wait for the female to emerge from the cavity when she is ready. Although this can mean long waits (four hours or more during incubation and early stages of chick brooding) the chance of nest abandonment through human disturbance is virtually eliminated. Several of the females who have been managed for a number of years, seem to leave the cavity just for the team! They almost invariably exit the cavity entrance within minutes of the staff arriving. They obviously have exceptional hearing. There is one wild female who sits on a perch just 1.5m away while the chick is weighed. She “talks” to the chick with soft mewing sounds and shows no sign of distress. These Echoes really are wonderful birds! So the chick in question is pulled from the box just before 07:00. It is carried for the complete journey in the Curfew portable Female Echo Parakeet. brooder that the World Parrot Trust kindly Crumpet’s box, in a chick swap. The team still healthy so that each pair have only one donated to the programme a couple of arrives at 09:50, and has to wait for 40 or sometimes two chicks to rear. The extra years ago. This brooder is excellent for egg minutes before Crumpet leaves the box. chicks are fostered to other wild pairs or and chick translocations and Jason used a This is when the portable brooder is useful; hand raised. bit of Kiwi ingenuity, setting it up with a with two 12 volt 18 amp-hour batteries, it portable battery so that it can be carried can be run continuously for around 12 The first priority for the Echo team is to away from the vehicle (it normally runs off hours. maximise egg and chick survival and the the cigarette lighter plug) and out to nest second priority for the "wild" team is to cavities. At the Landrover a few millilitres Miracle is weighed before being placed in maximise the number of chicks that fledge of warmed Lactated Ringers Solution with the nest. It is swapped with Crumpet’s first in the wild. The team even fosters aviary- Zoolyte (glucose) added, is fed to the chick, which is later named Kaya. Kaya is produced chicks in wild nests when the chick. By far the majority of chicks that are 1.5 times heavier than Miracle and would situation arises. Echo chicks can only translocated these days are given fluids as probably out-beg and trample Miracle safely be fostered before they have feather required (ie when the crop empties), during when they are being fed. So the plan is to growth (there is a risk the female won’t the journey. It significantly reduces leave the second chick (who is two-thirds accept a feathered chick, as we have dehydration and ensures the chick arrives at heavier than Miracle), with Miracle and recorded with some captive birds) and the its destination in as healthy a state as move Kaya to another site called the optimum age for fostering is four to eight possible. This is especially important when Woodstock cavity. days. fostering to another nest. Kaya has a half-full crop and doesn’t The drive down the winding, hilly Brood upsizing require any fluids until arrival at the Chamarel road to Black River takes a little At Woodstock, Nancy has just one chick, Parakeet trail car park, about 25 minutes over an hour. The team and precious cargo about the same age and size as Kaya. It’s a drive from Crumpet’s nest box. For all are met at the GDEWS aviaries by perfect opportunity for an augmentation transfers the team carries a kit with the Amanda, one of the three full time hand- necessary items for keeping a chick healthy rearers on the team. Amanda places the foster - otherwise known as brood upsizing. during transit. The brooder has a good chick in its own brooder to settle, before The augmenting of broods is one of many thermostat and can be run at the optimum feeding it more fluids as the re-hydration intensive techniques used to increase temperature. With very young ones it is 36- process continues. productivity. The team augment broods as 37 deg C. Kaya is seven days old and is the situation arises and judges each quite comfortable with a temperature For Gareth and Jason there is no time to potential situation on its risks. It is usually around 32 deg C. dally because Miracle, a seven-day-old only attempted when the pair is known to chick that was assisted from its egg, is be capable and experienced, ie, they should Feeding a chick is quite simple and takes a ready to go back to the wild. Amanda has be able to raise two chicks. A technique few minutes. Lactated Ringers Solution is just fed Miracle so there is no need to give more commonly used is downsizing -- warmed in a small glass bowl, in a larger fluids en-route. Miracle is to be fostered to removing one or two chicks when they are bowl of filtered hot water, to about 40 deg 4 ■ PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 C. The chick is fed using a plastic pipette, cut in the side of the tree with a chainsaw. with a small piece of silicon tube as a By removing the wooden block, the brood nozzle. Usually a chick will beg well and can be reached easily. The first job is to take the fluid enthusiastically. remove the chick called Elvis, placing him in a bucket slung around Jason’s neck. The Jason and Gareth have a 20-minute walk wood shavings in the cavity are removed down the Parakeet trail, down a long ridge and replaced with fresh ones that have been with commanding views down Grande treated with a fungicide and an insecticide. Gorge to the villages of Black River and In the past Echo chicks have died from Tamarin on the coast. But the track is Aspergillosis caused by inhaling fungi exposed to the hot tropical sun and the spores, and from nest fly infestations. The almost sheer-sided “South Scarp” face larvae of these flies feed on blood in the below the Grande Gorge side of the ridge bird’s nostrils. Treated shavings funnels heat up onto the track. This day is a significantly reduce the likelihood of such typical scorcher. Kaya is quite happy in the problems occurring. brooder; it is probably cooler inside than out! To get to Woodstock requires a descent Both chicks are weighed and given a quick down the South Scarp. For this part of the health check before being placed in the journey Kaya is transferred to a wide- cavity. The whole process takes 15 minutes, mouthed thermos flask, which will be before Jason descends the ladder to again Kaya about to be placed in the portable wait. Nancy flies straight into the cavity much easier to manage on the very steep brooder. slippery slope. just a few minutes later. Jason only has a lines on it. If a chick is not gaining much wait of about an hour before Aztec returns. Gareth takes the lead with the thermos weight and the line veers towards or below Nancy exits again without hesitation. Jason sitting in the top of his pack. Fortunately the 20% line the team will consider climbs up and checks the chicks. Both have there are plenty of guava trees to hold on removing the bird. Chicks that are on a bulging full crops, meaning of course that to. The dry, loose soil is like ball-bearings definite “downward trend” don’t recover in Kaya has been accepted! to walk on and one slip could have the nest and need the specialist care offered It’s with a satisfied feeling of lightness that disastrous consequences for the precious by the hand-raising team. Jason makes the steep ascent back to the package on Gareth’s back. However he Parakeet trail. A successful mission like moves very cautiously and smoothly, with After ten days most chicks are weighed today’s puts one on a natural high! Jason Jason following, struggling with the every second day until they reach 150g, meets Gareth near the top of South Scarp. brooder amongst the “tight” overhanging when visits are reduced to three times per He has had success at UEA; Maya is a very guava. They periodically stop so Jason can week. Sometimes their weights will decline good weight for her age and looking very open the thermos and check the chick. On a even when they are much more than ten healthy. As they cruise up the track the couple of occasions it is panting - a sign of days old. In these situations they are guys reflect on what has been a long but overheating. However this is easily fixed by checked daily until a definite trend is very successful day. They arrive back at exposing the open thermos to a gentle obvious. Plaine Lievre at 7pm, in time to share a breeze coming up the hill. Got to stay awake! celebratory gin and tonic (an Echo team Woodstock is reached after 20 minutes of Finally after more than four hours of tradition!) with the rest of the team, before careful scrambling. A long wait is ahead. watching the cavity entrance (which is 10m sitting down to an excellent camp cooked Nancy is very dedicated and broods her above the ground), reading and struggling meal! chick for long periods in between regular to stay awake (thanks to the early start!), Huge population increase feeds by her partner Aztec. During the Jason hears the sound he’s been waiting for. breeding season the role of a male Echo is It’s Aztec doing his typical awesome, In the past two breeding seasons the Echo to care for the female during the incubation downward spiral from high up the South population has increased by about eighty and brooding period. So he comes in every Scarp. His wings are semi-folded and he’s birds! About half of these birds have two to five hours and, depending on the gliding at a terrific speed, making a single fledged in the wild and the rest have been pair, will either call the female off the nest “wack…..wack….wack…” call as he released to the wild. The programme is descends. Wings are flared at the last fully evolved now, with the three facets of and feed her in a nearby tree or, in some management (managing wild nests, captive cases, feed the female inside the cavity. As possible moment for a perfect landing in the nearby call tree. A brilliant display of breeding and handraising) refined almost as the chicks grow, the demand for food much as they can be. At the end of the increases and both the male and female flying skills and one of the many moments that makes the job so enjoyable! 2002/2003 season there were an estimated forage and feed the chicks. 170 birds in the wild, and a further 21 birds Aztec only has to call twice before Nancy in the captive population at the GDEWS in Weighed daily flies out to meet him; she (and her chick) Mauritius. Based on current population must be hungry! They fly to a nearby tree growth we estimate there are only four or Kaya is fed three times during the wait for where Aztec feeds and preens her. While all five more seasons of intensive management Nancy to exit the cavity. The brooder is this happens Jason has carefully placed left before we can reduce the management holding a constant temperature, and Kaya in a rigid container, inside his nest kit to a less intensive level. At that stage the humidity is kept high with a dampened bag. To reach the cavity he climbs a 10m population should be semi self-sustaining foam insert. At the two-hour mark Gareth wire caving ladder (which has aluminium (ie, will still need managing to a degree). leaves to climb back up to Parakeet trail rungs). A climbing harness is worn and at The Echo programme relies on outside help and go to check the chick at the UEA the top Jason clips his karabiner to a for sponsorship or donations. Anyone cavity. Until they are 10 days old all chicks webbing sling, which is attached to a rung interested in helping contribute to funding are weighed daily and their weights plotted of the ladder. Now he can safely let go and the programme or donating equipment on a graph with maximum, minimum, hang, suspended with hands free. This should contact WPT at the usual average and 20% below average weight cavity has a separate access hatch that was address. PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 ■ 5 Indonesia ends exports of wild-caught As close readers of PsittaScene are well aware, our efforts to end the trade in wild-caught birds take many forms. These efforts include everything from educating bird owners in birds range states so that their birds can live a long and healthy life, to encouraging the EU to end the barbaric process of taking these animals from the wild. As we reported in the Text and Photos By ROSEK Nov 2002 PsittaScene,we’ve had recent good news from CITES on how and whether NURSAHID, ProFauna Indonesia certain threatened parrots can be traded internationally. Those decisions alone will save the lives of thousands of wild parrots. On a national level, countries make decisions More than 15,000 parrots are trapped about whether to export or import wild-caught birds, and indeed, the following story by from North Maluku every year. This Rosek Nursahid of ProFauna Indonesia represents a major accomplishment on behalf of number is based on a thorough the parrots. That is, despite being one of the world’s major exporters of wild-caught investigation on the parrot trade in parrots, the Indonesian government - with significant prodding and encouragement from Indonesia carried out by ProFauna Rosek and his colleagues - has reduced their export quotas for wild-caught birds to Indonesia in 2001. ZERO. We are extremely pleased with this result and are proud to have been able to support ProFauna on their efforts to educate the Indonesian people about the plight of The surveyed areas included North Maluku, their unique birds. There will undoubtedly be additional work to be done to address Papua, Sumba, Java, Bali and Singapore. issues like domestic trade in wild-caught parrots within Indonesia and also to confront the Most of the birds caught in North Maluku potential to export wild-caught birds by calling them “captive-bred,” but the fact that the and Papua are then transported to Java. Indonesian government has been willing to take such a pro-parrot stand, we find Monitoring by ProFauna at the five biggest extremely encouraging. bird markets in Java shows that 47% of traded parrots are listed as protected species. Based on Indonesia Law No. 5/1990, the trade in protected species is prohibited and Campaigning with faces penalty of 5 years jailed and fines of celebrities 100 million rupiahs (US$10,000/ £6,000). Although they have been protected, there are After launching the report “Flying Without still many endangered parrots traded freely Wings”which contains the results of and openly in bird markets such as Palm ProFauna’s investigation into the Indonesian Cockatoo (Probosciger atterimus), Moluccan parrot trade, ProFauna is now conducting a Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis), Yellow- series of campaigns to protect parrots in crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea), and Indonesia. We have distributed posters, others. A Moluccan Cockatoo was offered at brochures, and VCD (Video Compact Disk) 500,000-1,000,000 rupiahs (US$100 / £60) at to school students and villagers. The Pramuka Bird Market Jakarta. In 2001, the brochure is funded by World Parrot Trust, parrot trapping exceeded the trapping quota while the VCD is funded by RSPCA (Royal issued by PHKA (Forest Protection and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to SLANK is 19 years old and the most famous Nature Conservation) of Forestry Department Animals). To encourage and stimulate youth Indonesian rock n’ roll band among Republic of Indonesia. For instance, there to protect parrots, on this campaign we have Indonesian youth. The posters were was no trapping quota at all for white enlisted the help of several Indonesian distributed to schools, universities, NGOs, cockatoo in 2001; in fact, ProFauna celebrities. We are excited to report that villagers and the general public. Some fans investigation result shows that more than 364 celebrities such as SLANK, Cokelat Band, of the groups were also visiting ProFauna of the white Cockatoos are trapped in North and Laluna Band have responded positively Indonesia Office and asking for further Maluku to be sent to animal exporters in to our requests. ProFauna Indonesia then information about the campaign on Jakarta. Some of the exporters are Hasco, CV made posters and brochures containing Indonesian parrot protection. Beforehand (Ltd.) Rahmat and CV Arus Fauna. SLANK’s statement about parrot protection. ProFauna Indonesia conducted a campaign

ProFauna Indonesia with the aid of these two huge balloons Around 100 villagers, of which 35% are known parrot trappers, funded by Gibbon Foundation is promoting a massive internal crowded next to each other in the house of head of Kosa sub- campaign in seven Indonesian cities. village to see ’Flying without wings’ film.

6 ■ PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 On 12th December 2002, they gathered Parrot Exports Authorised by Indonesia 1997-2001 Total Wild Total Capt Total Birds Moluccan King Parrot, Alisterus amboinensis 196 285 481 SMU and SMP Papuan King Parrot, Alisterus chloropterus 1,517 64 1,581 (Senior and Junior Aprosmictus spp.03030 Red-winged Parrot, Aprosmictus erythropterus 630 30 660 School) students. Olive-shouldered Parrot, Aprosmictus jonquillaceus 0 112 112 Around 450 Umbrella Cockatoo, Cacatua alba 1,378 512 1,890 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita 09999 students were shown Eleonora Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita eleonora 0 802 802 the film of “Flying Moluccan Cockatoo, Cacatua moluccensis 088 Pink Cockatoo, Cacatua leadbeateri 022 Without Wings” Little Corella, Cacatua sanguinea 165 45 210 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua sulphurea 0 369 369 showing the ProFauna’s Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus funereus 044 investigation results on Black Lory, Chalcopsitta atra 172 232 404 Brown Lory, Chalcopsitta duivenbodei 1,070 11 1,081 parrot trade in Yellow-streaked Lory, Chalcopsitta Scintillata 1,384 93 1,477 Indonesia. The film Josephine’s Lorikeet, Charmosyna josefinae 509 0 509 Striated Lorikeet, Charmosyna multistriata 160 0 160 show got a very warm Papuan Lorikeet, Charmosyna papou 1420 82 1,502 welcome from the Red-flanked Lorikeet, Charmosyna placentas 1,603 14 1,617 Fairy Lorikeet, Charmosyna pulchella 875 0 875 students. They Cyanoramphus spp. 606 Cyclopsitta spp.03232 followed the session Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Cyclopsitta diophthalma 931 451 1,382 with questions and Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni 044 Orange-breasted Fig Parrot, Cyclopsitta Gulielmitertii 368 30 398 answers to a variety of Eclectus spp.044 issues. “ProFauna must Eclectus, Eclectus roratus 41,229 1,233 Red Lory, Eos semilarvata 4,347 309 4,656 not be afraid of Blue-streaked Lory, Eos reticulata 0 14 14 tour in seven big cities in Java and Bali. members of TNI Blue-eared Lory, Eos semilarvata 0 3 3 During the successful campaign ProFauna Violet-necked Lory, Eos squanata 1,144 88 1,232 (Indonesian Army) who Red-cheeked Parrot, Geoffroyus geoffroyi 501 24 525 members took two giant balloons resembling usually transport Orange-fronted Hanging Parrot, Loriculus aurantiifrons 173 0 173 parrots. At the crowded centre, the members Red-billed Hanging Parrot, Loriculus exilis 099 Maluku’s endemic bird Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Loriculus galgulus 1,592 0 1,592 distributed brochures containing parrot Yellow-throated Hanging Parrot, Loriculus pusillus 361 10 371 to Java”, stated one of Sulawesi Hanging Parrot, Loriculus stigmatus 923 95 1,018 protection messages. The campaign tour the students who felt so Purple-naped Lory, Lorius domicella 04646 attracted the media’s interest. More than 40 Chattering Lory, Lorius garrulous 656 664 1,320 furious with the TNI Black-capped Lory, Lorius lory 0 672 672 media including a national TV station involvement that often Yellow-billed Lorikeet, Neopsittacus musschenbroekii 988 0 988 published the program. Plum-faced Lorikeet, Oreopsittacus arfaki 1,026 0 1,026 takes ‘souvenirs’ of Rosella, Platycercus spp.606 Maluku’s bird after Buru Racquet-tail, Prioniturus mada 099 Dialogue with House of Golden-mantled Racquet-tail, Prionituris platurus 510 41 551 performing duty in Dusky Lory, Pseudeos fuscata 1,733 85 1,818 Red-breasted Parakeet, Psittacula alexandri 1,377 156 1,533 Representatives North Maluku. Long-tailed Parakeet, Psittacula longicanda 849 0 849 Large Fig Parrot, Psittaculirostris desmarestii 707 656 1,363 ProFauna Indonesia considers the public Edwards’s Fig Parrot, Psittaculirostris edwardsii 0 133 133 awareness program a vital activity for Awareness Salvadori’s Fig Parrot, Psittaculirostis salvadorii 144 189 333 Goldie’s Lorikeet, Psitteuteles goldiei 02626 villagers living in areas near parrot trapping programme Pesquet’s Parrot, Psittrichas fulgidus 04747 Blue-naped Parrot, Tanygnathus lucionensis 82 0 82 locations. A campaign in these regions was Great-billed Parrot, Tanygnathus megalorynchos 07777 launched by conducting dialogue, on the 14th for villagers Blue-backed Parrot, Tanygnathus sumatranus 03333 Yellow-and-green Lorkieet, Tr ichoglossus flavoviridis 492 16 508 November 2002, with the House of During December 2002, Rainbow Lorikeet, Trichoglossus haematodus * cover 5,902 387 6,289 Representatives, which in Indonesia is called the members of Ornate Lorikeet, Tr ichoglossus ornatus 05252 Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah (DPRD) ProFauna Indonesia 35,901 8,385 44,286 North Maluku Region. The first dialogue CITES trade statistics derived from the UNEP-WCMC CITES Trade Database, UNEP - World conducted awareness Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK involving five members of ProFauna was not programmes to villagers only joined by DPRD members but also by in five districts in North other official government Institutions, such as Maluku Province, they were Obi, Bacan, Oba purpose. In addition, ProFauna Indonesia from Forestry Department and its local Selatan, Wasilei and Jailolo Selatan. The actively encourages the rangers of Forestry office, Tourism Department and other NGOs. distance between each district is very far so Department to conduct confiscation On the 28th November 2002, the members of they must travel by ship from one island to programmes to stop illegal trade of protected ProFauna again held discussions with DPRD, another. The ship rolls with the great waves parrots. Many of the protected parrots are this time was with DPRD of North Maluku of the ocean connecting the islands in North confiscated, but it ends up with the problem Province. They ran smoothly and achieved Maluku and made anyone not accustomed to of finding a place for the confiscated birds. In positive results. DPRD and also other local it seasick. One needs to be quite fit and have fact, there are no rehabilitation centres for governments support ProFauna’s great stamina to conduct this awareness parrots in Indonesia. recommendation to stop parrot trapping in program! The awareness program was North Maluku. The government even running well, especially when ProFauna Government pledges to indicated that they will withdraw the permit showed the “Flying Without Wings”film. stop parrot export of bird suppliers in Ternate-North Maluku. Around 100 villagers crowded next to each The members of the House of other in the house of the head of Kosa sub- ProFauna Indonesia also encourages the Representatives and the local government village in South Oba District to join the film Directorate General of Forest Protection and agree that protecting parrots in their own show. Around 35% of villagers of this sub- Nature Conservation of Forestry Department habitat will bring long-term benefits village are parrot trappers. Most of the asking the government to stop trapping and especially on the tourism side. trapped birds are sent to a bird supplier in prohibit the export of parrots taken directly Ternate city, who transports them to several from the wild. On the dialogue with ProFauna Education for school bird exporters in Jakarta. Indonesia, Mr Adi Susminato from PHKA stated that he agreed with ProFaunas students ProFauna Indonesia has been conducting recommendation. The Indonesian Government The members of ProFauna Indonesia in campaigns continuously on parrot protection has pledged to prohibit export of parrots taken Ternate North Maluku also conducted a in Indonesia, and is also lobbying airlines to directly from the wild and to prohibit also campaign with school students as the target. stop transporting parrots for commercial the trapping of parrots in the wild. PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 ■ 7 Rose-ringed Parakeets in the UK By CHRIS BUTLER During autumn 2000, I began a Ph.D on the population biology of Rose-ringed Parakeets (Psittacula krameri) in the UK. When I began my doctoral study, very little had been published on the biology of this species in Great Britain. It was known that they began breeding in 1969 at Southfleet, Kent and that the population slowly grew to 500 individuals by 1983 when it was accepted by the British Ornithologists’ Union as an established exotic species. A survey of their roosts in 1996 found that the population had continued to increase to 1,500 individuals. A small paper on Rose-ringed Parakeet breeding biology was also published, suggesting that they had low reproductive success and could only fledge 0.8 young per nest in the UK. Finally, there have been a couple of papers published demonstrating that the UK birds are a mixture of the two Indian races, P. k. manillensis (from southern India and Sri Lanka) and P. k. borealis (from northern India and Nepal). Chris Butler. Rose-ringed Parakeets are serious crop concluded that the range of the Rose-ringed Coupled with their long lifespan (up to 34 pests on the Indian subcontinent, and there Parakeets was considerably larger than had years in captivity) and the lack of predators is concern that if the population continues previously been reported. Not only were (neither Sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) to increase they could become a crop pest they present in the Greater London area, nor Eurasian Hobbies (Falco subbuteo) in the UK as well. In addition, they begin but also they had spread out into the have been able to catch these parakeets, breeding in early March, considerably surrounding countryside and were breeding although they have been observed trying), earlier than native cavity nesters, and so only 8 miles from Oxfordshire. In addition, this reproductive rate seems to ensure that could potentially outcompete native species there was a significant population at the Rose-ringed Parakeets will continue to for cavities. Consequently, I thought that it Isle of Thanet (Kent), as well as a small increase in the near future. However, some would be worthwhile to further explore population in Brighton (Sussex) and populations are increasing more rapidly their biology to see if the population would Studland (Dorset). than others. While the Greater London continue to increase and if they might have population is rapidly increasing, the a detrimental effect on native species The roost at Esher isolated population at the Isle of Thanet and/or crops. (Kent) is increasing more slowly. In 1996, The next phase was to start counting the there were 299 parakeets counted at the As I began my research, I decided that the parakeets. I visited the most well known roost in Ramsgate (on the Isle of Thanet). first thing to do was to map out the roost (at Esher Rugby Club in the Greater By the winter of 2001-02, this population distribution of Rose-ringed Parakeets in the London area) and discovered that the had increased to 540 birds. This population UK. I posted a request for sightings on population had increased considerably is growing at a rate of only about 13% per some local email lists, and received a since 1996. There were approximately year, compared to the Greater London number of responses. A reporter for The 3,000 parakeets at this one roost alone population, which is growing at double that Evening Standard contacted me and offered during the winter of 2000-01! Altogether, rate. to do a story about the parakeets, the total population during the late autumn requesting that people send their sightings and winter of 2000 contained 4,500 birds - One possible reason for this may be that to me. I agreed, not knowing that this was a three times the number that had been some of the chicks are being illegally major newspaper in the UK. On the present in 1996. The population seemed to harvested each year. When I began my evening that the article was run, I was be increasing at a rate of about 25% per study on this species, I was rather surprised overwhelmed with phone calls and had to year. This was borne out in following years to see that several trees on the Isle of rush out and buy an answering machine for - there were 6,000 birds in autumn and Thanet had notches cut into them. When I my office. When I came back the next day, winter of 2001 and 7,500+ birds by 2002 talked to the Parks Manager, he confirmed I discovered that the cassette tape had been (see Figure 1). that these notches had been cut into completely filled! parakeet nests in order to remove the So what was driving this exponential nestlings, but that the police had never Putting together the sightings that people increase? During 2001-02, I monitored 70 caught the person(s) responsible. It was a submitted to me, coupled with the reports nests of Rose-ringed Parakeets in the from County Bird Recorders, I soon Greater London area, the Isle of Thanet (Kent), and Studland (Dorset). Breeding success over this period was considerably higher than had been previously reported; the parakeets fledged an average of 1.6 ± 0.3 young per nest. This reproductive rate is similar to that reported in India and Pakistan.

8000

6000

4000

2000

0 Number of parakeet 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1995 2001 2004 Year A Parakeet nest that has had notches cut Figure 1: The number of Rose-ringed into it to create easy access for the Parakeets at a regular roosting spot. Parakeets in the UK from 1983 to 2002. poachers who steal the nestlings.

8 ■ PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 Parakeets could potentially cause The female adult does not have the The Parakeets actively defend only their problems for native cavity-nesting species colourful rings around its neck. nest cavity, rather than the entire tree. like the Green Woodpecker. bit startling to discover that nest robbing ringed Parakeets actively defend only their numbers and expand their range in southern occurs not only in tropical countries but nest cavity, rather than the entire tree. This England. They have a reproductive rate also in England! means that you can have parakeets nesting similar to that in their native range, and Despite this, both the populations at the only a couple feet away from a European they have no natural predators. Although Isle of Thanet (Kent) and the Greater Starling nest or a Jackdaw nest. In addition, they will frequent bird feeders, it does not London area are continuing to grow. In each of the native species can use a type of appear that the bird feeders are necessary theory, they could potentially cause nest cavity that Rose-ringed Parakeets are for them to survive in England’s relatively problems for native cavity-nesting species, reluctant to use. Starlings will nest in mild climate. including Common Kestrels (Falco buildings, for instance (which parakeets in The public like them! tinnunculus), European Starlings (Sturnus the UK appear to avoid). Kestrels, Stock vulgaris), Stock Doves (Columba oenas), Doves and Jackdaws will all occupy It is likely that Rose-ringed Parakeets will Jackdaws (Corvus monedula), and Green cavities that are too large for parakeets to cause further crop damage as they continue Woodpeckers (Picus viridis) (which accept, and the majority of Green to increase. However, the general public typically reuse 20% of their old nest Woodpeckers excavate new nests each year. seems to have an overall favourable cavities). However, parakeets are still too In addition to their possible detrimental impression of this introduced exotic. few in number to track changes in their effects on native species, Rose-ringed Approximately 8 out of 10 people who population using the Breeding Bird Surveys Parakeets could also potentially become responded to the The Evening Standard according to the British Trust for crop pests. There are hints that this may be said that they enjoyed seeing these bright Ornithology. This means that any observed a genuine cause for concern in the UK. The green, tropical-looking birds in their local variations in the aforementioned species Kingston Guardian reported in October parks and gardens. Rose-ringed Parakeets populations cannot be due to the increase in 2002 that parakeets had decimated a are here to stay in the UK, and most the parakeet population. vineyard at Painshill Park (Surrey). Instead people are delighted about it. of their traditional 3,000 bottles of rosé Potential for negative wine, the staff at Painshill Park was able to impact produce only 500 bottles as the parakeets had eaten a large quantity of the grape As the population continues to grow, there crops. is certainly the potential for the parakeets to have a negative impact on native cavity- But will they spread into the surrounding nesting species. However, I suspect that countryside? It is commonly supposed that their impact will be minimal, as Rose- these parakeets are dependent upon bird feeders in order to survive in the UK. However, that may not necessarily be the case. The birds in Brighton (Sussex) for example, supposedly survived for eight years in the wild before they learned to use bird feeders. When parakeets moved into the Upper Norwood Grove area of Greater London, it took them nearly 16 months before they learned to use bird feeders. It appears therefore, that while bird feeders may be helpful, they may not necessarily be required in order for parakeets to survive. Indeed, parakeets are now frequently seen in rural areas of Berkshire and Surrey where bird feeders are relatively scarce. A chick temporarily removed from the In conclusion, it appears that Rose-ringed nest for observations. Parakeets will continue to increase in An adult male.

PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 ■ 9 Golden Conure research will aid its survival By GLENN REYNOLDS We have long been concerned about this Brazilian species, which has suffered from tremendous loss of its rainforest habitat and being highly sought after for the illicit bird-trade; therefore, in May of 1999 we launched the WPT-USA ’Golden Conure Survival Fund’. We contacted Carlos Yamashita, Brazil’s leading parrot biologist, who had previously conducted research into the Golden Conure and its needs. He indicated he was anxious to do more to help its preservation. We published a detailed proposal from Dr. Charles Munn III in the August 1999 PsittaScene. Glenn Reynolds. The town of Paragominas, at the heart of History the region, is now surrounded by a The Golden Conure (Guaruba guarouba) is devastated landscape. Over the past several also known as the Queen of Bavaria’s years, two thirds of the town’s lumber mills Conure. Although it has been considered have ceased to operate, indicating an endangered since the mid 1940s it has exhaustion of local wood sources. This never been formally studied as its range means the forests that provide food for the was considered to be so remote that it was local fauna are likely to be razed in the out of harm’s way. In the early 1970s very near future. The rural social conditions construction began on the Tucuruí dam, spawned this boom-bust cycle of timber, which on completion flooded 888 square presenting a further obstacle in the Golden miles of rainforest. The dam evoked the Conure’s struggle to survive. construction of two major highways and a proliferation of human colonization around Description its borders. Along the TransAmazon The Golden Conure is a rich yellow with highway the resettlement process consumed dark green primary, secondary and outer 100,675 hectares. Bordering another road coverts. The plumage of the adolescent is that parallels the right side of the reservoir similar but with random streaks of dark another 311,025 hectares were deforested green that are most often on the back of the for relocation of displaced forest colonists. The Golden Conure: famed among head, the nape, and the chest but can be Seventy one percent of the total aviculturists for its beauty and found most anywhere on a given individual. deforestation occurring in Brazil since 1977 personality. Photos By Rosemary Low has taken place in the northeastern regions Their call can be best described as a where the Golden Conures reside, all but land that is naturally nutrient-deficient for lengthy repetitive keek, keek, keek, keek. I 13% has occurred since 1988. It has planting is temporarily made nutrient-rich would describe their captive personalities resulted in a total loss of more than 37 by the burning process, but it will only as a cross between a Hyacinth Macaw million acres of rainforest. yield crops for a few years before again (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) and that of a becoming deficient. The farmers are then Sun Conure (Aratinga solstitialis). They are The most obvious threat is dramatic forced back into the same destructive cycle very playful and clownish. deforestation. Prior to the construction of of relocation and deforestation. the Tucuruí dam, the wildlife in the lower Only 5% of the land was properly cleared Tocantins basin was considered to be prior to the completion of the Tucuruí dam among the richest and most diversified in and the flooding of the reservoir. The the world. It was estimated that 294 species decomposing of the rainforest below the of indigenous birds were also displaced. water’s surface has resulted in the release The resulting reservoir flooded 2,875 of methane gasses and carbon dioxide, square kilometers of rainforest. Sixteen which has spoiled the areas surrounding the hundred islands were formed by existing reservoir. The quality of the water is almost unusable and has seeped into the ground hilltops once the area was flooded, which water tainting wells for miles around. The have all been heavily deforested. water in the reservoir has an average Local people readily lease or sell their turnaround of 51 days, while the Caraipé property to logging companies, who branch has a turnaround of seven years. selectively log the land, and often The decomposition also resulted in the Grey-green streaking on the head is completely clear it to the ground after surface of the water being covered with characteristic of immature birds. logging by burning the remaining trees and aquatic macrophytes immediately after the brush. Selective logging destroys nesting initial flooding. Aquatic macrophytes are trees or leaves them unprotected increasing known as a primary medium for Initial study period the chances for trappers; furthermore, mosquitoes. The area has been so infested A group of Golden Conures was recently unprotected nesting trees are easily blown with mosquitoes for more than a decade encountered near a community of “sem- over during high winds. The areas are that it has become mostly uninhabitable for terras”, landless peasants, who receive plots burned to ’clean’ the land for planting. The humans or animals. to farm through a controversial government

10 ■ PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 Protecting nesting trees Carlos has suggested the use of artificial nest boxes and paid guards to protect the known nesting sites from further trapping. Both suggestions are viable options and could be easily and affordably implemented in a short amount of time as compared to an eco-tourism camp. Eco-tourism and land acquisitions Eco-tourism is a conservation tool with proven effectiveness, when properly At nine months old their beauty is applied. In the case of the Golden Conures, apparent. its rarity and aesthetic beauty is appreciated by a wide range of serious bird watchers agrarian reform program. Completely View inside an L-shaped nest-box. isolated and neglected, the hygienic and nature enthusiasts. Indeed, despite the conditions were so dreadful that malaria extensive destruction of primary forests, the roosting and nesting trees in the area of the had permeated the community. It was secondary forest re-growth still harbours Cupim River south of Belem. This search impressive bio-diversity. A mere 40 has pinpointed the best roost trees in simply good fortune that none of kilometers from Paragominas, and over a Yamashita’s team contracted any grave accessible sites, which should allow period of two hours, BioBrasil researcher, BioBrasil to unlock earmarked funds that illnesses. During the initial period of study, Richard Hartley, saw four types of parrots, currently are restricted to two activities: Carlos located 13 active nesting sites within including a group of five Golden Conures, One is habitat purchase around the nests of a 90-kilometer radius of Paragominas, all a pair of Hawk-headed Parrots (Deroptyus this species and two is implementation of of them in cleared areas at a maximum of 3 accipitrinus), pairs of Green-winged (Ara an eco-tourism infrastructure. For each kilometers from intact rainforest patches. chloroptera) and Scarlet Macaws (Ara dollar that WPT contributes to the search This doesn’t mean that cleared areas are macao) as well as three King Vultures, all for roost trees, BioBrasil should be able to not able to sustain populations of Golden in a degraded forest patch. access as many as 5-15 dollars of matching Conures; merely that many of the forest funds for purchase of forest tracts, and for patches nearby have been selectively There are a series of indigenous reserves within the region. While wood extraction is the installation of permanent guards and a logged and therefore lack snags large taking place in some areas, other tribes rustic eco-tourism site. The matching funds enough to support the birds. As previously leave their forests intact. Carlos believes are rigidly restricted to forest purchases and stated these snags in open areas are much the best conservation strategy, therefore, protection of the purchased habitat and more vulnerable to winds and often will would be to buy forested land that hosts cannot be used for the initial research. To topple, causing the birds to seek other some birds and abuts the reserves where unlock this funding, the nest tree search suitable nesting sites and exposing the wood extraction is absent or minimal. In must be successful. flocks to further dangers. In addition, the theory this project will be modeled after the The potential for WPT support to unlock fact that these snags are not within the very successful eco-tourism site that five to 15 times as much funding should protective labyrinth of the forest, further BioBrasil has established to protect a large make this project especially attractive, facilitates the work of the local trappers. flock of Hyacinth Macaws in Piaui. On because it greatly increases the chances that June 15, 1999 BioBrasil purchased 2,000 the initial seed money will produce an Trapping hectares (5,000 acres) of dry tropical ongoing, self-funding conservation effort rainforest to protect the Hyacinths. They for this amazing but unknown species. The local people have never been were then able to later purchase another compensated for their loss of land other 2,000 hectares from profits. From May 1, Income from eco-tourism should eventually than mentioned above. They have never 1999 through August 15, 1999 the support year round protection of the recovered financially or socially and are BioBrasil preserve hosted numerous mapped out nesting and roosting sites. willing to do most anything to afford scientific researchers, photographers, and a Range and wild survival. Some of them have become parrot TV crew from the Fox-Family Channel. trappers to support their families. The gross receipts from this camp were population Because poverty is rampant in this region it about $14,000 of which half were profit. Golden Conures are distributed in pockets is understandable that poaching for the This same strategy should work with the strewn across northeastern Brazil, south of illicit bird trade is rampant too. Golden Golden Conure in areas identified as the Amazon River, in eastern Pará and Conures bring a high price in the market feasible and purchased by WPT and northern Maranhâo to the western edge of and remain in high demand. Their bright BioBrasil Foundation. The most viable sites Tapajós. Their range has been reduced by colours make them easy to spot from miles for tourism-financed protection of Golden as much as 30% in the past two to three away and follow, while their clanning Conure nests would be those that can be decades. Although our field project has not behaviours make trapping numerous birds reached easily by conventional road or river yet included a comprehensive population in one attempt almost certain. transport from airports. In practice, Belem survey, Carlos has estimated as few as The Golden Conure’s future in the wild is and Santarem are probably the two cities 2,000 birds left in the wild, and cautions at best precarious; it will require most likely to serve as jetports for visitors that their numbers will most certainly not courageous and innovative conservation who wish to predictably see protected exceed 3,000. efforts to ensure that at least some clans are Golden Conures. The range of Golden Conures extends far able to continue to live and prosper in their The initial objectives of this project were to westward into the Amazon basin reaching natural habitat. search for and survey the species and locate all the way to the right bank of the Madeira PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 ■ 11 Rio in Amazonas state; the bird reaches as taken immediately. Interestingly, he is also far east as the Gurupi in Maranhâo state. It Breeding behaviour of finding what seems to be an unrelated is found in much higher density (almost ten Golden Conures young female “helper” within the family times) within the confines of the current Carlos has stated that wild Golden Conures clan. study area. This coincides almost directly are very nervous around the nesting tree The results of the genetic testing, so far, with the heaviest deforestation zones. particularly when the size of the family suggest that all of the birds within a given clan is larger than seven to nine birds. He group are closely related with the exception Diet of wild birds notes a great deal of aggression between of a young unrelated female. This In our current research area the most the older birds, which may indicate that completely changes the way that predominately eaten substance by Golden this is the time that the older birds may aviculturists should be looking at Golden Conures is the seed of the Croton leave the family to form their own clan. He Conures. What was previously matouensis, which is in the castor bean noted that there are a lot of broken eggs in misconstrued as flock-breeding behaviours family. The fruit is similar in size and the nesting cavities and suggests that it may in wild Golden Conures was falsely appearance to a green blueberry, and be beneficial for captive breeders to pass interpreted. These are not flocks of contains three or four seeds. These seeds their eggs off to other similar species with unrelated birds producing concurrent are commonly eaten by all of the larger better nesting habits, if possible. clutches of offspring in a common area. parrots in the region. The outer fruit is These are multigenerational family clans of tough and requires a strong beak to tear it DNA results related birds, which share a nesting cavity, open and get to the seeds. This tree is in the duties of protecting the nest, and The first phase of our study, which was possibly assisting in the raising of abundance and is not one usually cut for its based out of Paragominas, Pará, was to try wood; therefore, food sources are not a real subsequent clutches of young from the to locate active, productive nesting sites adult pair. Nesting cavities are being found concern in this particular area. Carlos states and observe them biologically. that a flock of Golden Conures will stay at that are twelve to eighteen inches in Furthermore, we wanted to analyze blood diameter and as deep as fifteen feet. one tree until all of the fruit is gone, which samples to determine the degree of takes about three days. relatedness among members of clans (small Captive breeding In Tapajós Gil Serique reports them feeding multi-generational flocks of related birds) on Muruci fruit (Byrsonima crispa), a identified in specific sites and then to I have surveyed several large Golden berry-like fruit very much appreciated by determine the relatedness from clan to clan. Conure breeders from around the world and humans. He has also observed Golden In the first six months of the study Carlos have found that the average age for first located thirteen active sites. successful breeding in captivity is between Conures feeding at Mango trees, which are six to eight years. This seems to be a much more reasonable age to expect captive Golden Conures to breed, than the two to three years that so many breeders in the US claim, when trying to sell their offspring. Our research into this region of Brazil has uncovered a dramatic decline in primary rainforests, which has affected hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. To help the Golden Conures, which we have chosen as the flagship species for this area, is to help all of these species affected. Furthermore, helping the Golden Conures may boost the economy in this area, which in turn may reduce the incidence of birds poached for the illicit bird trade and the destruction of rainforests. Traditionally the best-known way to keep track of a captive population is through a studbook. There is a Golden Conure Studbook in existence, but it has not been Golden Conures at Paradise Park receive a varied diet. published since January 1998. This most widespread in Brazil. Açai (pronounced The last time that I had corresponded with recent issue of the studbook lists 804 assai), an Indian name meaning “weeping Carlos, he had trapped 22 adult birds for Golden Conures in captivity worldwide, tree” is also in their main diet list, and he sampling. There is no question that we with some facilities housing as many as 50 describes them just like the Muruci, but it need to trap and sample many more. So far individuals. As a general rule I would belongs to the palm genus Euterpe. This the DNA tests are revealing that the birds consider there to be at least one bird not plant species has been heavily exploited for within a clan are almost all of one listed for every one that is; therefore, the palm heart and for the last 10 years for its multigenerational family, and that most of captive population could easily be as many iron-rich fruit-pulp as well, which is the birds trapped from various clans are as 1,600 birds. heavily sold all over Brazil. Eating these very closely related. Carlos has stated that Golden Conures seem to be prolific once palm hearts has become a fad over the last the degree of relatedness is much closer they get started breeding. On average they 2 years. It is exploited by the communities than what would usually be expected in a lay four eggs and as many as three in the estuary area, and the seeds are geographically dispersed group such as the consecutive clutches per year. My pair commonly used as fertilizer in vegetables one that he has tested. This could indicate produced their first clutch at the age of crops. real trouble for this species if action is not four. They laid three consecutive clutches 12 ■ PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 Golden Conures may prove to be more fruitful if adolescent birds are left with the Speak with your local adults for several years to simulate these bird club instinctive behaviours. It might prove If you would like to help and can’t do so as beneficial to try and simulate this behaviour an individual; speak with your local bird after the first few years by adding a young club. If your club contributes to unrelated female. conservation projects put the WPT-USA Golden Conure Survival Fund on the list How you can help for their next contribution. Dr. Charles Munn III has predicted that it may take as much as $15,000 to $20,000 Purchase T-shirts (£9,000-£12,000) per year for the next The Golden Conure T-shirt has been a big several years to save this species and its seller and has resulted in quite a bit of A brood of recently hatched chicks. natural habitat. So far we are doing well, income for our fund. Purchasing a T-shirt is but we will need continued support from a way that you can help with only a small of six eggs, but none were fertile. I find groups and individuals. BioBrasil is investment. them to be very nervous and protective of interested in eco-tourism in this area. The the nest even though they were money that we put into the mapping of Purchase a print domestically raised and are very familiar nesting trees stands a good chance of ‘Golden Conures’ by the world-renowned with me. In my observations the female unlocking matching BioBrasil funds; wildlife artist, Grant Hacking, has become will avoid eating and drinking, if necessary, therefore, any amount large or small will be the icon of the WPT-USA Golden Conure in order to protect her eggs. They will bolt very helpful. Survival fund. His giclee prints on canvas into the nest box, when I enter the room. are spectacular. We have been offering Because of this they tend to crack or break prints for over a year now, which have eggs. I found that my pair broke all of the provided a steady flow of income for our eggs in their first few clutches. I used an fund. We have plenty of prints left and have egg from the third clutch to make a plaster just released 20 enhanced artist’s proofs. mould and subsequently produce fired All proceeds from the prints and the artist’s ceramic eggs. Moreover, I designed a nest- proofs go directly to the fund. box that would prevent them from jumping directly on the eggs. You may order Golden Wild Golden Conures use much deeper Conure merchandise or nesting cavities, but this size box seems to work well with my pair. make donations to: World Parrot Trust-USA, P.O. Box 353, I replaced their next few clutches with Stillwater, MN 55082, Phone (1) 651-275- ceramic eggs. The following year they sat 1877, Fax (1) 651-275-1891 their eggs without breaking any. I have World Parrot Trust-UK, Glanmor House, noticed a visible loss of weight in the Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4HB, Phone female while she is incubating. (44) 01736 751026, Fax (44) 01736 Carlos suggests that captive breeding of 751028 www.worldparrottrust.org Reviews: Australian Avi- The Birdie Cookbook Index on CD-ROM Making nutritious foods enjoyable for our parrots was the aim of Ellen Gyberg when she published The Birdie Australian Aviculture is a monthly Cookbook earlier this year. This 12-page booklet is full magazine with, not surprisingly, the of interesting ideas for varying their diet in an enticing emphasis on Australian species. way. The recipes are quick and easy - and very Throughout the period of more than American. For example, you can bake "Quick Birdie 50 years since publication Bread" using a packet each of cornbread mix, squash commenced in 1947, countless interesting articles on Australian parrots (the vegetable, that is) and "Southwest mix" (frozen have been published. These could now be at your fingertips even corn, beans and bell peppers). You simply mix the items although you have never seen a copy of the magazine. Last year a CD- together, pour the mixture into an 8in (20cm) square pan ROM was made indexing all the articles published. and bake for 25 minutes. The Index is in the form of 36 chapters such as Aviaries, Breeding This little booklet also tells you how to bake sweet potato and pellet muffins, spaghetti results, Diseases and Equipment. Each chapter has six headings: for the birds, birdie French toast, oatmeal pellet treat, pasta salad - and more. You can Subject, Article, Author, Issue and Page. The sixth column is for also make a toy using pellets and Cheerio cereals. ordering a photocopy of the article. An A4 sheet (two pages of the The booklet starts with some information on feeding your pet bird and the dangers of magazine) costs 20 cents, plus AUD$2 for airmail postage. an all-seed diet. It warns that grit is "actually toxic for birds and should never be offered" as it contains lead. I don’t agree - and neither do the wild parrots in Australia, Although other magazines have issued an index, I believe that this is for example, that risk their lives to take grit from the roads. The popular myth that the first avicultural magazine to do so in the form of a CD-ROM. It will macaws live to 80 is repeated. The truth is that few have lived beyond 60 years. - RL prove invaluable to aviculturists and researchers all over the world, and can be obtained from Ian Grant, 242 Civic Parade, Altona 3018, You can buy the cookbook (suggested price $4) from Ellen Gyberg, 5116 Tehachapi Victoria, Australia, price only AUD$13 including airmail postage. Way, Antioch, Ca 95531, USA, or order it by e-mail at [email protected].

PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 ■ 13 The Dominica project By LARS LEPPERHOFF, Switzerland In April 2002 I had the opportunity to visit the Windward Island of Dominica in the Carribbean. This island of volcanic origin is unique in many respects. To parrot people it is very well known for its two endemic Amazon species, the Jaco or Red- necked Amazon (Amazona arausiaca) and the Sisserou or Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis). It was possible for me to join the Dominica (Sloanea caribaea) and Gommier field team with Stephen Durand and his (Dacryodes excelsa), both normally people and with Dr. Paul Reillo on their covered with epiphytic plants like orchids, daily excursions into the unique habitat of Anthurium, Guzmania and Bromeliad, as these two rare Amazons. The Dominica well as epiphytic ferns. These enormous, project has been accompanied and incredibly impressive trees are used by both supported by Dr. Paul Reillo, Rare Species Amazons as nest trees. Sisserous prefer tree Lars Lepperhoff Conservatory Foundation, for some years. holes which are covered with epiphytes. I little activity. The field team (Stephen He put me in touch with the Forestry and would never have been able to find the Durand, Randolph Winston and Matthew Wildlife Division at the Botanical Gardens nests if the field team had not shown them Maximea) have been working for many of Roseau who finally gave me permission to me. The Jacos usually lay two or three years (in 1981 they started to count the to join the field team. WPT Canada is eggs and often raise two chicks. The birds) in the forest recording breeding and strongly supporting the Dominica project. Sisserou lay only one egg which is unique behaviour details and counting parrots. Dr. Reillo has already described this and in the Amazon family. More recently they were joined by Paul Sandra Metzger from WPT Canada also Unlike the Jaco, the Sisserou never accepts Reillo. It is easy to write about research in wrote about it in previous “PsittaScene’s”. human civilisation. They live only in the Dominican forest but it is most difficult Therefore I will just give a few untouched remote rainforests. Jacos like to to work in the field. I have a great impressions. feed in plantations and they even nest in admiration for all the forest officers; they I had wonderful opportunities to observe high trees between the plantations. are so dedicated and work so hard under both species. Every morning we went by Nowadays the farmers protect the birds difficult conditions. Sometimes you have to car from Roseau to Morne Diablotin in the despite the fact that they destroy their climb nearly horizontally holding on to north of the island. The vegetation fruits. The people of Dominica are proud of branches and tree trunks but in higher suddenly changed when we drove up the their Amazons. My first observations were elevations fern tree trunks get thorny... mountain from the west coast where it was of several Jacos at the Picard River Gorge At the Botanical Gardens in the capital dryer and the plants had a more from the Syndicate Trail, foraging in shrubs town Roseau are the headquarters of the Mediterranean character. On Morne and tree tops. There were also two pairs of Forestry and Wildlife Division. The director Diablotin in the habitat of the Amazons Imperial Amazons; the small branches bent is Mr. David Williams. Thirty percent of there was a unique primary forest with fern when the heavy Amazons climbed along Dominica is protected in national parks. trees, huge trees like the Chatanier them to get seeds or fruits. This is a tremendous area. Many very well We spent many hours in the most educated forestry officers are surveying the exciting forest observing nests to parks and caring for the Dominican record activity. In April 2002 it wildlife. There is a parrot conservation seemed that the rainy season was centre at the Botanical Gardens with a pair still going on and the breeding of Imperial Amazons and several pairs of season was delayed. There was Jacos. It is most important that Dominicans

The Imperial Amazon is called Sisserou in Sisserous in the wild live in remote tropical rainforest valleys such as the Dominica. Picard River Gorge.

14 ■ PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 Epiphytic plants like Bromeliad, Ferns The aviary in the Botanical Garden of and Anthurium are particularly important Roseau. for Sisserous. can see these birds (the Imperial is the should be how projects are arranged and national bird which is also on the flag) in supported. It is very rare that someone like the very well maintained aviaries. The Rare Dr. Paul Reillo supports a project Jaco or Red-necked Amazon in the aviary Species Conservatory Foundation is paying consistently for so many years. The main of the Botanical Garden. for the improvements of the aviaries and aims are to survey the populations and the for all the food. Mr. Lenis Bruno is the protected land. According to all these animal species. You can drink the water out keeper. He is working every day there and observations it was possible to buy land of rivers and from the tap. There is no the aviaries and the birds are in good from private owners, land which is of great environment pollution. On my journeys condition. importance for the Amazon species. It is around the island I asked different people possible for the birds to move from the like bus drivers, farmers about their parrots. The populations of the Jacos and Sisserous Morne Diablotin to the Morne Trois Pitons All of them knew them very well and were were very low after 1979 when hurricane national park in the south through pleased to speak about them. I felt that they David occurred. There were only 20 to 50 had a personal interest to protect them. Sisserous left. Today it is assumed that mountaneous rainforest. Both Amazons there are 150 to 200 Sisserou and probably disappeared from Morne Trois Pitons after Two pairs bred again about 800 Jacos. It was only possible the hurricane but the Jacos took over quite According to Dr. Paul Reillo the year 2002 because of the most effective project which quickly afterwards. For the Sisserou it was finally ended quite well. For example the is laid down into the government of 20 years before forestry officers saw field team could observe two pairs of Dominica. Only because of this fact it is Sisserous again in this area! A further Sisserous rearing youngsters. Further possible to have a long-term project. In this important aim is also to educate people nesting activities could be observed on way it does not die when an organisation about Dominica’s nature. Morne Diablotin later on in the year. Dr. stops supporting it. It is not something On Dominica you can find the only Reillo is optimistic for the breeding season initiated by a foreign organisation, it is the untouched Carribbean rainforest of the 2003 because of the good state of the project of the island of Dominica. This whole region, with many endemic plant and forest and of the breeding trees. Children’s T-shirt for Sale The celebrated author, illustrator and friend to the parrots Quentin Blake has kindly allowed the front cover of his hilarious book ’Cockatoos’ to be printed on a T-shirt and sold in aid of the World Parrot Trust.

They are available in sizes: Extra Small (36cm x 45.5cm); Small (39cm x 49.5cm); Medium (42cm x 53.5cm); L (45cm x 56.5cm) and XL (47cm x 60.5cm) at a price of £9.99 incl. postage and packing. A few copies of the signed childrens book may also be available for a donation towards the Palm Cockatoo fund (while stocks last). To place an order please call 01736 751026 or visit our website www.worldparrottrust.org

PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 ■ 15 Reports from European Representatives

nice aviary in a flat. WPT Switzerland Switzerland is promoting these Lars Lepperhoff indoor aviaries because they give, for example, an Amazon The Swiss WPT-branch has pair or a pair of African Greys, existed since 1995. It is well enough space to live. Rolf Senn integrated in the Swiss advises his customers very well avicultural society Exotis and is teaching very high which is the main organisation standards in parrot keeping. for parrot people in Every customer who buys an Switzerland. In every Exotis- aviary from Rolf Senn is magazine “Gefiederter Freund” automatically made a WPT- one or two pages are reserved member. We are very grateful for WPT news, sometimes with to him because in this way we articles about WPT projects. can increase quickly. Many This encourages people to decide after one year to renew become members. An example of an indoor aviary. their membership. Recent highlights include a finally able to identify about 50 parrots The main reason why WPT-Switzerland is donation of Fr.1100 - from a school class without a mistake! The children were very successful is because the whole magazine which wanted to help parrots in the wild. concerned about the plight of many is translated into German by Mrs. They were particularly impressed with the parrots. Therefore they started to make Franziska Vogel, thus “PsittaScene” can Dominica project. The children, aged 9, and to paint cards which they sold. They be read in the entire German speaking became interested in parrots through their also created a parrot theatre and sold world. Many thanks to her for her very teacher Miss Daria Nold, who keeps a cakes. These activities went on during 5 time consuming contribution. The Maximilians Parrot (Pionus maximiliani) months. The children never lost their continous publication of translations in named Mäxi. She takes the lucky bird to enthusiasm so Daria Nold never had to our country during almost 9 years help to school every day. The parrot flies freely in motivate them. WPT Switzerland find new members. the class room and visits the children. He appreciates this donation very highly. even gnaws on the exercise books and Switzerland does not import parrots (or sheets of paper! We are lucky to have a good conservation sometimes a very low number). People minded aviary builder in Switzerland. Mr. are buying parrots directly from breeders Daria Nold reports that it was amazing Rolf Senn builds spacious made-to- and rarely through pet shops which how fascinated the children were by measure indoor aviaries. To own an aviary normally do not sell parrots. Therefore the parrots and how excited they were to is not only a privilege for people who situation is quite good compared with learn about them. Some children were own a garden; it is also possible to have a other countries.

legally imported or not. This is why I was Italy very glad to have the opportunity to Cristiana Senni participate on two TV nature programs As very few good resources about parrots are available in Italian, where I spoke about the wild-caught bird and only a minority of people know other languages well, WPT trade and showed some trapping footage. Italy focuses on providing information about parrots in the wild We have distributed about 7,000 Happy and in captivity. The fact that the Internet is now used much more Healthy Parrot leaflets, which were printed than just a few years ago has helped very much. There are now in Italian, and all the articles of PsittaScene several good web sites and e-mail lists through which many people are translated for our members. can seek advice and find information. Through the Italian WPT members and the e-mail lists members I Last year, Lori Samarelli a WPT member received a large number of signatures for the trade ban petition. who teaches in a high school in Bari, Currently Italy has contributed with a total of 1,500 signatures, for organised a WPT day for the school classes as described in the which I am very grateful to everyone who helped. Alfonso Filippi, PsittaNews section of the May 2002 issue . A group of students an active WPT supporter, designed the WPT No Import sticker. We were previously asked to prepare and research about parrot hope very much that the European members will like this sticker conservation, so that they could speak about it to the other students. and that a large number will be ordered, as this will be a great I sent them posters, leaflets and trapping videos. Avril Barton, UK support for the trade ban campaign. The importation of wild-caught has also visited this school where the children are very supportive birds is one of the issues which concerns me most and which is of conservation and welfare. almost totally unknown to the public, also due to the fact that whenever the exotic wildlife trade is mentioned in the press it’s This year a group of high schools of the whole province met on always in connection to the illegal trade, with no mention of the 30th April for an outdoor Art Day. Lori organised an environmental negative impact of the legal trade. Of course, the illegal trade is a stand shared by the World Parrot Trust and Greenpeace, in which very serious issue, but one that cannot be controlled by buyers of we provided information and collected many more signatures for pet parrots as it is often impossible to find out whether a bird was the trade ban campaign. 16 ■ PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 Benelux Ð Ruud Vonk We began in 1990 with the enthusiasm of just one lady and one table as our booth, visiting parrot shows and exhibitions in Holland only. After 2 years we founded the WPT-Benelux section in Antwerp Zoo. We started the membership registration in Holland and Belgium and with the PsittaScene translation, which is posted with the magazine and an additional newsletter in the Dutch language, as something extra for the members. In 1995 an old bus was donated to WPT- Benelux. An artist managed to paint the bus leaflet and the Happy, Healthy Parrot leaflet. all over with parrots and flowers. This For the Island of Bonaire we printed and painting job involved a social project in the donated a special version for the Barbadensis youth penitentiary prison as a creative and project as described in the February 2003 time-consuming job. Unfortunately, after issue article on Yellow-shouldered amazons. travelling around in Holland and Belgium, we Bonaire was a colonial island in the history of had to give it up because to maintain it and Holland and a substantial part of the Two young WPT supporters dressed up as the MOT was too expensive for a low-budget population speaks Dutch. Lear’s Macaws sell raffle tickets during organisation like WPT-Benelux. A highlight in Parrot Conservation by WPT the Symposium. Also, a Belgium printer (WPT member) is certainly the publishing of the ‘Parrot lot of ‘palm for a parrot’. Finally we were offered to print a few posters for us and we Action Plan’, for the costs of printing WPT- able to hand over to Charlie Munn a cheque designed a professional infoscreen, containing Benelux donated 1,450. of 6,000 for the project. 12 posters about what WPT is doing. Our effort concerning the global WPT action ‘Stop In 2003 again we will be very active for the At our tenth Parrot Symposium the Benelux the Import of Wild-caught birds’ resulted in Lear’s Macaw project. We have written a very branch celebrated this event with the 2,000 signatures on our petition lists and we interesting article of 4 pages A4 text and publishing of a book of 614 pages, containing have the support of the ‘Royal Dutch together with a superb photo of a Lear’s in his all the past and updated lectures of the ten Protection of Animals’. We are still working on habitat (from Jamie Gilardi). We offer this symposiums and special articles from well- the subject with the cooperation of local vets. special package to the Parrot Societies in known aviculturists. The contributions of During the 8th Symposium held at Antwerp Holland and Belgium to publish this article in ’Parrot’ artists such as Eric Peake, David Zoo we focused with special attention on the their magazines and ask them in return for a Johnston and Frans van de Ven with full Lear’s Macaw project. Our key speaker was donation to the project. Together with our colour pictures in the centre of the book were Charlie Munn, with of course, a lecture about WPT PR-slideshow we hope to focus on and outstanding. the Lear’s project. We organised a special raise a substantial amount of money for the We have translated the WPT Highlights press meeting, a raffle (see picture) and sold a Lear’s until early 2004.

fees started to come in. We had a small Sweden booth at the SAA Convention in Dan Paulsen & Bo Gerre Gothenburg last October and we were very grateful for the excellent material For a few years during the nineties the two supplied by WPT Headquarters that was of us worked together on the board of the very useful. At the convention we gained Swedish Aviculture Association (SAA) as about a dozen new or prospective Secretary (Bo) and Chairman (Dan) and members. Through the courtesy of the this work has been the platform for our Editor of Fågelhobby we then had the taking up the task as representatives for opportunity to publish information about WPT in Sweden. WPT in the newsletter. It started with articles from “PsittaScene” We have so far translated most of the that we translated for use in the Swedish contents of PsittaScene November 2002 national newsletter “Fågelhobby”where Bo (left) and Dan managing a WPT stand and February 2003, and we will continue Dan was previously the parrot Editor. at the SAA Convention last October. with future issues in order to enable the Recently WPT Chairman Michael Photo: Dan Paulsen Reynolds asked whether we would be Swedish members, and other interested and willing to become WPT representatives in Sweden Scandinavian members that benefit from a Swedish translation, and possibly other Scandinavian countries. We accepted, and for to receive it. We have also just completed a version in Swedish some time now Dan has been the official Representative with Bo of the leaflet for new members which will be available soon. assisting him whenever needed. We have recently accepted an offer to have a free advertisement In order to enable members to pay membership fees in Swedish for WPT in the Swedish newsletter. It will run in the remaining currency we applied for an account with Swedish postal giro issues for 2003, informing the readers of the aims and work of service (“Postgirot”). The account would also make it possible to the Trust and how to become members. transfer funds on-line to HQ in UK as well. After nearly a year We would like to take this opportunity to ask current with many contacts and much trouble with “Postgirot”, we Scandinavian members to inform other parrot lovers about finally got the account number 400 81 84-6 up and running, and WPT and encourage them to enrol.

PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 ■ 17 Lesser Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis vasa) will In the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, take place on November 1 in Leipzig, an outbreak of avian influenza has caused Germany. It will be held at the major bird widespread concern for both bird and exhibition of VZE staged on November 1 human populations. This ’bird flu’ and 2. Further information can be obtained apparently spread from wild ducks to PPsittasitta from Jorg Asmus, fax no 0049 179 3366 poultry in the Netherlands. Rapid response 86031. by authorities appears to have quelled the outbreak, however dozens of health Avian disease updates workers contracted the disease, and NewsNews Depending on where you hail from, you tragically, one veterinarian died from may be having concerns about the latest in pneumonia attributed to the avian flu. Now bird viruses, both for you and your bird. that over 25 million chickens have been The Yellow-shouldered Following up on our last update in euthanized, and a considerable number of Amazon on Bonaire PsittaNews,the news is mostly good when aviary birds were destroyed in the it comes to Exotic Newcastle Disease. Netherlands, the disease has apparently ‘Letter from the field’ There have been new cases reported in been contained and export restrictions are New Mexico and Texas in the USA, soon to be lifted. The Yellow-shouldered Amazon (Amazona suggesting an eastward expansion from the barbadensis) is a Cites I species and it is majority of cases in California. However, considered vulnerable to the threat of those cases were apparently contained Caribbean Blue extinction. There are several isolated wild rapidly and widespread outbreaks have not Many of you are familiar with rare populations and these are found on been detected in either state. With any mutations of captive Amazons in which the mainland South America in Venezuela and luck, the worst is over - as this graph bird is almost entirely blue. While we on a collection of nearby Caribbean indicates, there have been very few new occasionally encounter parrots in the wild islands. The Dutch Caribbean island of cases in the past couple of months. Over with odd plumage - either hybrids or Bonaire holds one of these populations and, 3.5 million birds have now been mutations - seldom have we encountered this summer I will be on the island trying euthanized, primarily poultry, but these one so striking as the one pictured here. A to study the wild population there. This has figures include about 300 parrots as well. naturalist in the Netherlands Antilles named only been made possible because of the Until this END outbreak is clearly over Jerry Ligon sent us this stunning photo of generous support given by the World Parrot however, we encourage bird owners to this lone blue bird captured on camera by Trust, both the American and British practice careful biosecurity measures and residents Joe and Lois Liebher. So far, Amazona Societies and the Parrot Society record keeping. very little is known about this bird, nor is UK. much known about how wild parrots treat There are only around 400 wild individuals other parrots with aberrant plumage. In of this species on Bonaire and nest some wild birds, oddities are treated very poaching for the local pet trade is believed poorly by their "normal" plumaged to be a major factor in keeping their comrades, yet in others unique birds seem numbers this low. Poaching is of course to pair up and do just fine. Rest assured, illegal and the birds have actually been this "Caribbean Blue" is being closely protected by law since 1952. Despite this watched, both to protect it and to determine there are more of these amazons, known how it fares in terms of breeding and locally as "Lora", kept as pets than there survival, so we’ll look forward to keeping are in the wild. Last year an island wide As many members from eastern USA are you posted with any updates. amnesty of all captive birds was held. well aware, a potentially deadly bird Islanders declared their Lora and the birds disease called West Nile Virus has been were rung with unique rings. At the same wreaking considerable havoc with wild time an awareness campaign was run and birds and has now caused over 200 human this included a donation of Happy Healthy fatalities as well. This virus is carried by Parrot leaflets for all Lora owners mosquitos and appears to be particularly organized by Ruud Vonk (WPT Benelux threatening to crows and their relatives. trustee). Now people who are in possession Given the numbers of parrots housed of un-rung birds risk heavy penalties. outdoors in the southeastern states and the This year the government officials hope to fact that so far the virus has only been run a follow up campaign highlighting the detected in a very small number of parrots, risks people now face if they should it seems unlikely that this disease presents purchase illegal birds but also promoting a serious threat to captive parrots. Keepers the wild birds as something everyone of crows, jays, magpies and relatives should be proud of. I hope to have more however, might consider the possibility of news of the campaign and of how the wild installing insect screens and mosquito traps birds are doing when I next write! to protect their aviaries, and they might also consult their veterinarian about the Sam Williams value of vaccinating their birds for West Nile. The expectation is that the disease Lesser Vasa Parrot will be thoroughly established in wild birds The first meeting of the European along the west coast of North America by Conservation Breeding Programme for the the end of this summer.

18 ■ PsittaScene Volume 15, No 2, May 2003 Aims of the Trust WPT International Contacts United Kingdom Michelle Cook, Membership; Glanmor House, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 4HB UK. With thousands of members in over 50 Tel: (44) 01736 751026 Fax: (44) 01736 751028, Email: [email protected] countries, our branches work to achieve Karen Whitley, Administrator, Email: [email protected] the stated aims of the World Parrot Michael Reynolds, Chairman:[email protected] Africa Trust, which are: Vera Dennison, PO Box 1758, Link Hills, Natal 3652, South Africa. Tel: (27) 31 763 4054 Fax: (27) 31 763 3811, ¥ The survival of parrot species in the wild Email: [email protected] Asia ¥ The welfare of captive birds everywhere Catherine Carlton, Hong Kong To Achieve these Aims, we: Tel: (852) 9235 6300, Email: [email protected] Australia ¥ Restore and protect populations of wild parrots and their Mike Owen, 7 Monteray St., Mooloolaba, Queensland 4557, Australia. native habitats Tel: (61) 7 54780454, Email: [email protected] Benelux ¥ Promote awareness of the threats to all parrots, captive and Jacques Gardien (Mem), Snoeklaan 30, 2215 XG Voorhout, Netherlands. Tel: (31) 2522 20344, Email:[email protected] wild Belgium enquiries: Romain Bejstrup (32) 32526773 ¥ Oppose the trade in wild-caught birds Netherlands enquiries: Ruud Vonk (31) 168472715 Canada ¥ Educate the public on high standards for the care and Sandra Davey, PO Box 1043, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 6N1, Canada. breeding of parrots Tel: (1) 519 823 8941 Fax: (1) 519 823 8941, ¥ Encourage links between conservation and aviculture Email: [email protected] Sweden (Scandinavia) Dan Paulsen, Tjelvarvagen 28, S-621 42 Visby, Sweden Email: [email protected] France Olivier Arnoult, 16 Chemin du Peyronnet, 06500 Menton, France. Member, Donation or Legacy Mobile: (33) 61 099 1309 Email: [email protected] J. & G. Prin, 55 Rue de la Fassiere, 45140, Ingre. If you become a member of our Registered Charity you will Tel: (33) 2 38 43 62 87 Fax: (33) 2 38 43 97 18 receive a new member package, four of these PsittaScene Italy Cristiana Senni, Email: [email protected] magazines and one free entry to Paradise Park in Cornwall, Freddi Virili, via Matarus 10, 33045 Nimis, Udine UK per year with your membership card. You can also join Switzerland our members only group email list and gain access to many Lars Lepperhoff, Lutschenstrasse 15, 3063 Ittigen, Switzerland other members for parrot information and support. Tel: (41) 31 922 3902 USA Each renewal year you will receive the quarterly magazines Joanna Eckles, PO Box 353, Stillwater, MN 55082, USA. Tel: (1) 651 275 1877 Fax: (1) 651 275 1891, and one free entry into Paradise Park (Winner of Good Britain Email: [email protected] Guide, Family Attraction of the Year, for 2 years). Jamie Gilardi, Director:[email protected] WPT Web Sites: 100% of money donated to designated funds is spent directly Main: http://www.worldparrottrust.org, on parrot conservation. Canada: http://www.canadianparrottrust.org, Italy: http://www.worldparrottrust.org/italy Please consider a donation or legacy to the Trust.

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JOIN US NOW on our website or view our online sales items at: www.worldparrottrust.org Parrots in the Wild

Peach-fronted Parakeets Aratinga aurea By JASON CONRADT These Peach-fronted Parakeets were playfully climbing up a wooden post beside the Transpantaneira road in the Pantanal of Brazil. The picture was taken out the back window of a car with a PowerShot S230 Digital Elph Camera pointed through Leica 8 x 42 binoculars in April, 2003

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