the extent that it has been proposed they be given their own genus (Guarouha The Golden Conure: guarouhaJ taxinomically. Because oftheir massive head and mandible, many people feel that Goldens more closely resemble macaws than conures. In More Precious Than Gold their behavior and facial expression, if by Dave Followill not their size, they hear a strong resem­ Satellite Beach, Florida blance to the Hyacinth Macaw. Golden Conures share the gentle behavior and ease of handling that is typical of many irst described by Rosemary Low in opportunity to work with a hird that is larger parrots with massive beaks. FEndangered Parrots as a conure hoth a joy to manage and a deserving Although their conformation more more precious than gold (Low, 1984), conservation project. Aratingaguarou­ closely resembles a macaw, their call and the Queen of Bavaria's or Golden ha is seriously endangered in the wild the interspersion of green in the yellow Conure Aratingaguarouba deserves its by loss of its native habitat in the plumage of immature Goldens are char­ reputation. Of all the parrots, none is Amazon rain forest, and relatively few acteristic of a conure. The yellow more brilliantly clad, more raucous in exist in captivity to ensure their long­ plumage is softer and generally longer behavior, or more endearing in its per­ term survival. The sense of pride and than that of comparahly sized conures sonality. In today's market, a breeding satisfaction that comes from successfully or macaws. The inevitable conclusion pair of the Queen of Bavaria's Conure breeding these birds is immeasurable. is that this parrot is a unique treasure. is literally worth its weight in gold. The great surprise to most who are The Golden Conure evokes many fortunate enough to know these birds Health Considerations emotions in the aviculturist, hut the is not their ohvious heauty, hut their Golden Conures are very hardy hirds first reaction is usually awe, followed engaging personalities. A handfed and they appear to be as resistant to dis­ quickly by a lasting reverence. This is Golden Conure will exhibit an unusu­ ease as other conures. They are, of a parrot in the truest sense. The broad al trust in its keeper. Young Goldens course, susceptible to the viruses and head and beak lend the imposing enjoy handling to the extent that most infectious diseases that plague other par­ appearance of a macaw. A long, tapered will lie totally relaxed on their backs in rots; however, they do not suffer from tail balances this otherwise top heavy your hand. Fortunately, they love each any species-specific ailments. The cap­ bird and gives it an overall regal appear­ other even more than people and will tive U.S. population of Goldens has ance. The rich golden yellow plumage usually be seen in close contact, whether been relatively free of disease prohlems. of the hody and tail are in· striking they are playing, preening, mock fight­ It has been reported that Golden contrast to the dark green primary ing, or roosting. This high degree of Conure chicks require constant hand­ flights. If they had nothing more to socialization is a natural adaptation, feeding to avoid stunting, a condition offer than good looks, this conure as they are communal breeders. of underdevelopment usually associated would he among the most desirable of From a practical point of view, with malnourishment. I have not found all companion or aviary hirds. Beyond Golden Conures possess all of the qual­ this to be the case. In the absence of an this, Golden Conures are cherished for ities necessary to ensure an unending infection, Golden Conure chicks devel­ their rarity, their endangered status, demand. In addition, they have a high op rapidly and require no more atten­ and their captivating nature. market value coupled with a moderate tion than those of any other parrot The Golden Conure is a bird worth size. Larger birds have greater require­ species. I believe that the poor immune the waiting, the planning, the paperwork, ments for space, food, cleaning, and all response of some Golden chicks is and the expense, rewarding the breed­ of the other factors that limit the num­ responsible for these reports. er far heyond normal expectations. her of birds one can care for properly. My experience in rearing Golden Rarely does an aviculturist have an Goldens are unlike other conures to Conures has been exclusively with arti­ ficially incubated eggs. Although pro­ ductivity is enhanced, the chicks do not receive the advantage of antigens from C & J's Original ~ the crop milk of the hen. A few of Sprout Mix & Soak 'n' Cook ' .' '. these chicks are weakened hy bacter­ . ;' ial infections during the first week, but • The nutrition of sprouts in 1-1/2 lbs. - $5.50 .,. even these will thrive with no notice­ 3 minutes a day 3 lbs. - $9.00 ahle loss in development once the ini­ • Economical-I-1/2lbs. makes 10 lbs. - $22.00 tial prohlem is resolved. In all cases of a whole gallon Breeder bulk (25 lbs.) - $47.50 slow growth, I have found the chicks • bCleadrly the choice of leading All orders add S&H $3.00 UPS Ground. to respond to antihiotic or fungal drug ree ers DI.ea er InqUIrieS.. weIcomed'. therapy. (Cultures and sensitivity tests 9 • premium grains selected for4 ~ are invaluable in diagnosis of these high protein/low fat nutrition i' PARROT PALS .. (§) problems in all parrot species.) • Ideal for all birds -budgies to . &J macaws . (602) 936-4048 I am aware ofvery few losses of adult •F . t b d' P.O. Box 48414 Goldens due to disease. Of the 12 orig­ rom weanIng 0 ree lng Phoenix, AZ 85075-8414 inal hreeders held at Followill Aviaries, 34 July/August 1995 and over 60 Goldens reared to inde­ 25 years of age. As with other parrots, the rain forest, and young Goldens pendence, only one has died. On age is probably not as signillcant as com­ have a habit of chewing each other's tail necropsy, that bird was found to have patibility or the mutual stimulation of and flight feathers. The voice is only suffered an internal injury. courtship behavior. Veterinarians expe­ unpleasant at close range and is not used Longevity appears to be on a par with rienced in surgical sexing have verified as often as that of many other parrots. other parrot species. The Golden Conure that age is not synonymous with sexual The feather chewing trait can be International Studbook lists wild-caught maturity. frustrating to the proud new owner, but individuals that lived approximately Compatibility may be a more impor­ the birds usually outgrow the habit 40 years in captivity (Lieberman, 1993). tant factor with Golden Conures than and allow the damaged plumage to Although available statistics are very lim­ with related species. Specifically, a be replaced by new feathers. I believe ited, Goldens exhibit every indication pair that is mismatched in level of young Goldens need to be allowed to of sharing the typical conure hardi­ aggression may produce infertile eggs interact with each other for future ness, and can be expected to be long­ even though both birds are mature. breeding .'>uccess. It is be.'>t to keep clutch lived. This problem does not seem ·to occur mates together and accept the ragged in pairs that are established at a young plumage of some of the young birds. Reproduction age. Potential mates should be carefully Feather plucking is a more serious The majority of captive bred Golden evaluated and evenly matched so that problem that is attributed to Goldens, Conures are descended from a small one bird will not dominate the other. but is far less prevalent than the chew­ number of the original wild-caught Golden Conures are highly social ing behavior discussed above. Chronic birds that make up the founder stock. birds. They have successfully bred in feather pluckers should be avoided, The fIrst difficulty encountered in breed­ colony flights, and are known to breed as this habit may be very difficult to ing Goldens, then, is to secure breed­ communally in the wild. A number of break. ing stock that is not the result of hens may lay in the same nest cavity, inbreeding. The next difficulty is to with feeding duties shared by the entire Status avoid inbreeding in your own stock. group (Forshaw, 1989, Silva, 1989). The range of the Golden Conure is Analysis of the Golden Conure This behavior is rare if not unique restricted to north-eastern Brazil, south Studbook indicates that Goldens do among the larger parrots. It supports the ofthe Amazon River, from the west bank not breed as readily as some more theory that these birds will breed most ofthe Rio Tapajos, Para and east to north­ commonly kept birds. In my experience, readily in the company of their own western Maranhaao. The Golden Conure however, they have no unusual breed­ species, as is the case with most other prefers.the hilly upland areas of terra ing requirements, and can be quite conures. With Goldens, however, there fIrma, rather than varzea, or flooded for­ prolific. Many pairs will produce three are no rules. Some single pairs have also est. They are pressured by habitat loss, clutches in a year (or more if eggs are proven to be prolific. predation, hunting, and trapping. Timber pulled for incubation). I have found them operations, gold mining, colonization, to be dependable breeders, an obser­ The Drawbacks cattle ranching, highways, railroad con­ vation that is supported by Studbook Golden Conures have two annoying struction, and hydroelectric projects records. Breeding pairs will usually traits that counterbalance their charm. have had a combined disastrous effect produce every year. Of our six original They have a voice designed to penetrate on their rain forest habitat (Forshaw, pairs, three have produced each year after the first success and the other three have produced infertile eggs, with breeding attempts each year. All pro­ duce multiple clutches. Grubco Live Our Customers Know.. The normal clutch size is three to six Grubco SCientifically-raised live eggs. Goldens are indeterminate layers, Pet Foods foods are rich in nutrition. in that they will continue to lay eggs in Nutritional analysis is available. an attempt to complete a clutch if eggs are pulled for incubation. As many as =~..: p:~,l~rJ.kttfl~ 10 to 12 eggs may be laid, but I have [Nul..,.. II found only the fIrst six or seven may be I~F=I'=La==m======high=.=ln=.=protein====. ,,~ ,~~. ~ fertile, indicating that copulation ceas­ .•.. . •. es as egg laying hegins. Golden Conures ill Soft bOdIed grub I ~~ ~. 24':~eln. W light in color - .,.. have proven to be seasonal breeders I ax "orm. when housed outdoors in colder climates ISI,e...,... ~I$~ I (Hayward, 1982). Indoors, however, Grubco Quality &Nutrition they will breed at any time during the Order by FAX: year. Over 40 Years experience! ~~~-~~7-5~~~ Most of our breeders were of uncer­ tain age when we acquired them, but -= (fl 800-222-3563 there are reports of Golden Conures l!I • Call toll-free to place QrubcQ breeding under two years of age. " your order and to receive KNOWN FOR QUALITY AND SERVICE. Fecundity records in the Studbook indi­ your free brochure. Box 15001 Hamilton. OH 45015 U.S.A. cate reproduction from two through r

afa WATCHBIRD 35 . Four baby Golden Conures reared by the author at his breeding facilities, Followill Aviaries.

1989, Low, 1984, Silva, 1989). in small numbers today, as a result of Commerce Permit (one time only) or a As a whole, the species Aratinga breeding success in both institutions and Captive Bred Wildlife (CBW) Registration guarouba is not helieved to be in private collections. Except for those is required by both parties (shipper imminent danger of extinction; however, specimens that are not suitable for and receiver) to move Goldens across it i ' critically endangered in the eastern hreeding Goldens should not be kept state lines if compensation is involved. portion of its range, where no fore t as pets until their numbers are increased. The permit is required even if the re erves exist. Its decline there has Due to their rarity, Goldens still com­ buyer picks up the birds in person. been so rapid and wide pread, that mand high prices and huyers are often o permit i required if both parties live extinction is predicted in all of the scrutinized as carefully as are the birds in the same state. region east of the Rio Tocantins. by the Permits are issued by the U.S. Fish and year 2000 (Hayward, 1982). Permit Requirements Wildlife Service, Office of Management Although their tatus in the wild is no Unlike many endangered parrots, Authority in Arlington, Virginia. Detailed cause for optimi m, Goldens are e tah­ Golden Conures are protected hy both information and permit applications li hed in aviculture where their desir­ CITES (the Convention on International may be requested by phone [(800) ability should assure a continued Trade in Endangered Species) and the 358-2104]. The fee is $25 for the CBW exi tence. Only recently have Golden .S. Endangered Species Act. CITES per­ Registration, which will generally be Conure hecom commonly available mit are required only for import to or issued for a 4-year period. Although infor­ to private breed rs. They are availahle xport fron1 the U.S. An Interstate mation is requested on expertise and experience with related species, knowl­

.~ edge, planning, and availahle resources .2 (5 may compensate for a lack of experi­ LL Q) ence. You must delTIOnstrate a worthy co> o purpose, such as long term captive > . .0 propagation, and the knowledge and (/) o ability to provide for the needs of these .£: (L important birds. Although the permit requirements for Golden Conures are an annoyance, they are insignificant in contrast to the rewards of keeping and breeding this enchanting parrot. References For haw, ].M. 1989, Parrots of the World 3rd (revised) edn., Willoughby, N.S.W., Australia: Lansdown Editions. Hayward,]., 1982, The Conure of Gold Carterton: Oxon. Lieberman, A.A., 1993, Golden Conure International Studbook 3rd edn., San Diego Zoo. Low, R. 1984 Endangered Parrots, Poole, Dorset, U.K.: Blandford Pre. s. Silva, T. 1989, A Monograph of Endangered Parrots, Tbe Golden Conure is a CITES 1 and a ESA (U.S. endangered species) bird. It is often Pickering Ontario, Canada: ilvio Mattacchione referred to as the Queen ofBavaria Conure. & Co.

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afa WATCHBIRD 37