To Nest Or Not to Nest How to Buy Breeding Stock Crimson Rosella

VOL 33 NO 05 Red-tailed Amazons, bees and drones

To nest or not to nest

Crimson Rosella breeding Information

How To Buy Breeding Stock CONTENTS

3 VoLume 35 / Number 03 Editorial 4 Red-tailed Amazons, bees and drones The Red-tailed Amazons nest in forest of the low-lying islands and neighbouring coastal plains, where they face diverse challenges to reproduce successfully. 6 PVSA NUUS / PASA NEWS PASA well-known Focus /FOKUS magazine has been discontinued, as of this edition Avizandum will be the printed media PASA will be using to update its members. 8 TO NEST OR NOT TO NEST »»p.8 What started as a project to build more capacity for breeding stock ended up in the building of a display Aviary in front of the breeding collection, to enhance the garden. 10 Breeding by parents 12 Crimson Rosella breeding Information Commonly found in gardens and mountain forests,they soon migrated to the surrounding regions.With such beautiful crimson plumage,they became a favourite companionbirds across the world. 15 Q&A on Dr Henriëtte van der Zwan Avizandum is excited to announce the launch of a new column on genetics. Most bird breeders struggle with this topic. We asked dr. Henriëtte van der Zwan, a researcher in avian »»p.16 genetics to shed some light on it. 16 Shabby Fufu lifestyle Farm, Plettenberg Bay Irene Passion being waterfowl, there are Black-necked Swans, Black Swans as well as 10 different species of duck and geese. These are bred in all earnest. 18 How To Buy Breeding Stock For the beginner, trying to make the right decisions concerning the purchase of breeding stock is like jumping into the great unknown. 22 Yellow-crested Cockatoos protected by dragons »»p.22

2 EDITORIAL Volume 33 warm welcome to our latest Edition we get to know Dr. Henriette better with a of birds, on Komodo Island the Dragons of The Avizandum, South Africa`s Q & A Session. As of the next edition,Number she safeguard the Cockatoo, by their 05 fierce Leading Birdkeeping Magazine. will be explaining the work she has done reputation. An interesting symbiosis. A March is the season when breeding in genetics research over the past few Our now famous Bird Shop, is still the comes to an end in South Africa and is the years. What is more exciting is that she will focus of any reader, whether it is to start of the Auction Season. As with 2020, be doing it in our language, normal day- become accustomed with the current this year remains very fluid in terms of to-day terms that we can all understand. pricing. Use it as a library of who kept what is being planned. COVID has wreaked Going to be a remarkably interesting and sold certain birds over period of time, havoc on our country, our lives, and our Column. Keep an eye on this one. or just find a reputable breeder once hobbies. Clubs have taken different views Our regular Loro Parque Foundation purchased birds from. The Bird shop on “To auction or not to Auction”, there article is all about the Red-Tailed Amazon. remain the big hit of the magazine. have been some auctions planned, whilst Rafael Zamora, Scientific Director at Loro Please enjoy the magazine and feel others have opted for online /What’s App Parque has also been kind enough to free to comment and subscribe. auctions. But these may change as the write an interesting article, Loro Parque Happy Reading .and breeding . Government restrictions are altered, so breeds over 1000 babies annually. please keep an eye on our website for any Our Featured article is the Crimson Team Avizandum. news and dates of auctions taking place. Rosella, what makes for interesting reading This issue is also the first to be used by The is the fact they breed with the onset of Parrot Breeders Associations of Southern the rains and not necessary just on the Africa (PASA) as their written platform fall of spring. Thus, if the rainy season for communicating with their members. is early, the birds will go to nest early. Whilst we are proud to be selected to If you new in the Hobby, the article on carry out this role, it also means that the purchasing breeding stock is the one for “Focus/Fokus” no longer exists. Electronic you in this edition. Not to say that breeders media has taken its toll here as well. are bad people, but the late Howard Great News, starting with this edition is the Voren, gives good advice on acquiring introduction of a Column by Dr. Henriette new birds for your breeding program. van der Zwan on Genetics, in this edition, Dragons were said to be predecessors Advertisers Index COMPANY NAME PAGE EMAIL ADDRESS CONTACT NUMBER WEBSITE PASA/PVSA 7 [email protected] 0824181555 www.aviculturesa.co.za Medpet 9 [email protected] 0116148515 www.medpet.co.za Mahindra 9 [email protected] 0315611415 www.mahindratractors.co.za

Loro Parque 11 [email protected] +34922373841 www.loroparque-foundacion.org Nutripet 17 [email protected] 0413640655 www.nutripetec.co.za Andre Van Zyl 19 [email protected] 0823297735 Parrots SA 21,24 [email protected] 0828768155 www.birdtrader.co.za CFAO Toyota 25 [email protected] 0319495000 www.toyota.com AviProducts 25 [email protected] 0317660016 www.aviproducts.co.za SA Lovepets 31 [email protected] 0749971180 MDS Africa 24 [email protected] 031 267 70000 www.mdsafrica.net L&T Rings www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine May 2021 3 LORO PARQUE FOUNDATION RED-TAILED AMAZONS, BEES AND DRONES

David Waugh, Correspondent, Loro Parque Fundación

nfortunately, the occupation of artificial nests by Africanized honeybees has increased in the past year, despite efforts to keep them in check. One initiative, which has been in progress for Useveral years, is to train and support people from local communities in the Red-tailed Amazon breeding zone to keep native species of bees. The objectives include to help the native bees sustain healthy populations, and to provide local people with an additional source of income from the sale of honey, which in turn gives them an incentive to help protect the forest. The native bee species most favoured for honey production is the Yellow jataí (Tetragonisca Two well-feathered angustula). chicks at the entrance to a natural nest. During the 2019/2020 breeding season in Paraná, the lowest number of hatchings of Red-tailed Amazons in the last ten years was recorded. A total of 105 cavities What kind of mattress suits you best for a good night’s suitable for forming nests were monitored, of which 74 sleep? Is it the spring kind, or foam, or maybe air or eventually had breeding activity. A total of 155 eggs were water, or even one that has hexagonal cells called a laid, from which 69 (44.5%) chicks hatched. Of those, only honeycomb base. If it is the latter, you are sharing this 15 (21.8%) successfully fledged. On the south coast of honeycomb experience with the Red-tailed Amazon São Paulo State, 23 suitable nest cavities were monitored, (Amazona brasiliensis) except that, in the case of the with only five of them showing breeding activity. In those, parrot, it is real honeycomb. This has been observed in a nine eggs were laid, seven chicks hatched and five of long-running project of the Brazilian NGO, the Society for them successfully fledged. The poor results are surprising, Wildlife Research and Environmental Education (SPVS), the numbers being 34% lower than those recorded for the for the conservation of this species throughout its coastal previous breeding season, and similar to the results prior distribution in south-east Brazil, especially in the State of to the installation of artificial nests from 2003. Paraná. The Loro Parque Fundación finances this project, The SPVS researchers postulate that natural predators, and since 1995 has supported activities for the study and protection of this species.

The Red-tailed Amazons nest in forest of the low-lying islands and neighbouring coastal plains, where they Flying a drone face diverse challenges to reproduce successfully. One (indicated with of those challenges is that suitable nest cavities, both red arrow) over natural and artificial, can become colonised by introduced forest to monitor aggressive Africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera). While Red-tailed the bees are in residence the parrots are excluded, but Amazon nests. after the bees vacate a nest, the parrots return to use the cavity again in the following breeding season. Pieces of broken honeycomb piled-up on the cavity floor, although not the usual substrate, do not deter the breeding amazons. Indeed, one can imagine that the body heat from the chicks (and brooding female) gradually softens the honeycomb in a way somewhat akin to a natural memory foam!

4 LORO PARQUE FOUNDATION

Red-tailed Amazon chicks hatched on old honeycomb.

A brood of four chicks in a wooden nest-box in the forest.

human interference and climate change could all have during the season using all the expected safe climbing influenced the reproductive output. Predation was higher, paraphernalia. After so many years, the field team is and climate changes took temperatures to extremes, hardened to it, and knows it must continue. However, increasing the possibility of diseases and decreasing the project is now testing a new method of nest the food supply. Even with the research team in place monitoring using technology: it is using drones to to monitor the breeding areas, cases of theft of parrot search for new breeding sites and to verify occupied chicks for illegal sale are still recorded, especially on the tree cavities. In the municipality of Cananéia, in one coast of São Paulo, as well as illegal felling of trees used of the breeding sites with nests already mapped by by the amazons for nesting. The project has witnessed the project team, testing of the utility of a drone to an increase in the Red-tailed Amazon from perhaps less verify the occupation of the tree cavities, by means than 2,500 in the mid-1990s to almost 10,000 nowadays, of taking photographs inside the cavities, has been and it has been removed from the IUCN Red List as a conducted. Drone use is likely to become more versatile threatened species. However, the presence of the threats and sophisticated, but from the testing done so far, the shows the prudence of continued monitoring. In 2019, the project team have proven that the type of tree cavity Red-tailed Amazon annual census recorded approximately available in the Queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana), 9,365 individuals, with about 80% of the population with the cavity opening upwards, is the most effective for concentrated in Paraná. drone monitoring. In addition, it has been found that the The monitoring of the nests can be arduous. Not only sparser the vegetation, such as in forest clearings, the is the forest dense with mosquitos during the breeding better is the guidance of the drone for nest cavity search season, every nest tree must be climbed several times and verification.

Nest-boxes occupied by Africanized Native bees are used by The Red-tailed Amazon is the honeybees are off-limits to Red- beekeepers in the Red-tailed flagship species for this poster, tailed Amazons. Amazon project region. “Know and protect our coastline”.

www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine May 2021 5 PASA NEWS PVSA NUUS / PASA NEWS

n Januarie 2020 het ons uitgekyk na ŉ jaar vol aangekoop en die ring gehalte is nou baie beter as in die hoogtepunte soos klub veilings, klub vergaderings en verlede. Ons pryse is baie kompeterend en die ringverkope voorsitters vergadering wat altyd groot pret is en bydrae was onder omstandighede baie goed. tot die spangees tussen lede. INiemand het verwag dat die Covid pandemie ŉ onmiddellike Daar lê egter verseker vir ons uitdagings voor. Baie mense stop sou sit aan alle byeenkomste en gevolglik ook aan die het hulle werk verloor of laer inkomste verdien en daar is nie PVSA se jaarprogram nie. fondse vir ekstras soos papegaaie of troeteldiere nie. Die Selfs internasionaal is Cites vergaderings, wat die PVSA lokale mark sal seker ŉ ruk neem om te herstel. gereeld bywoon, kanselleer of uitgestel na volgende jaar. Ons eie algemene jaarvergadering het ook in die slag gebly. Ons beplan weer soos ons in 2019 gemaak het ŉ vol program vir 2021 en glo dat daar nie weer ŉ virus ŉ stokkie Gelukkig het die tegnologie hierdie jaar selfs die mees in ons wiele sal steek nie. tegnologies gestremdes van ons gedwing om Zoom en Team vergaderings by te woon en het meeste van ons tot Baie dankie vir die klub besture wat in hierdie moeilike tye ons verbasing agter gekom dat ons van die huis af kan steeds die klub sake bedryf het en dankie vir elke PVSA lid werk. se ondersteuning.

Die “nuwe normal” soos die regering dit gedoop het, het Ons doen steeds alles in ons vermoë om die papegaai ons skielik gedwing om “sosiale afstande” tussen mekaar te bedryf te bevorder en lede se belange te beskerm. handhaaf en materiaal maskers te dra. Die jaarprogram en veilingsdatums sal eersdaags finaliseer Vir sosiale wesens soos ons was dit ŉ nagmerrie. In die wees en publiseer word. Dit sal ook op ons webwerf proses het gevestigde gesonde besighede onder gegaan. beskikbaar wees naamlik: www.aviculturesa.co.za Dink maar net aan die hele toerisme bedryf. Ons was in die gelukkige posisie dat ons papegaai boerderye en hokke PVSA groete aan al die lesers en geniet die Desember meestal van ons huise bedryf is en ons daarmee kon vakansie. voortgaan. Ons kon reispermitte vir ons werkers bekom en ons boerderye voortsit. Teen die lente het die uitvoere ook Laastens wil ons graag vir Guy van Zyl, ŉ oud bestuurslid weer stadig begin en kon ons bedryf weer die broodnodige van die PVSA, wat die nuwe uitgewer van Avizandum is fondse inkry om finansieel te kan oorleef. gelukwens met die uitstekende gehalte van die tydskrif en ons kyk uit na elke nuwe uitgawe. Indien ons die papegaaibedryf en ons stokperdjie vergelyk met ander bedrywe het ons baie gelukkig daarvan afgekom. Min boerderye indien enige het onder gegaan as gevolg van Covid 19. n January 2020 we all looked forward to a year with highlights like club meetings, club auctions and the Covid 19 het veroorsaak dat mense wêreldwyd nou meer chairmen’s meeting that always turn out to be a lot of van die huis af gaan werk, ŉ tendens wat waarskynlik fun and do a lot to maintain our team spirit. gaan voortduur, en gevolglik meer tyd in hulle huise gaan I spandeer. Dit sal weer die gevolg hê dat hulle die huis Nobody expected the Covid 19 pandemic to put an omgewing gaan verbeter en troeteldiere verryk, soos ons immediate stop to all the meetings and as a result also to weet, ŉ mens se omgewing. Dit is goed moontlik dat daar our year program. dus ŉ groter vraag na onder andere papegaaie sal wees. Even international meetings like the Cites meeting that Wat wel waar is, is dat die lokale klubs baie min kon PASA attends were cancelled or postponed to next year. vergader en die entoesiasme van klub lede asook die Our own AGM had to be postponed as well. entoesiasme van die PVSA se lede in die algemeen in die One of the advantages of the Pandemic was that even slag gebly het. Die PVSA se ledetal het dan ook afgeneem. the most technology handicapped had to learn to attend Ons was ingestel op oorlewing in nuwe omstandighede en meetings on Zoom or Teams and to our surprise we learned ontspanning en pret was iets van die verlede. Nog meer so that we can actually work from home. tydens die streng grendeltydperk. The “new normal” as the government called it forced us Tydens 2020 was daar tog verbeterings by die PVSA wat to wear facial masks and keep “social distances” from ons meen vrugte afwerp. Ons het ŉ nuwe ringpons masjien each other.

6 PASA NEWS

For social beings like us it was a nightmare. In the process During 2020 we had some improvements at PASA. healthy established businesses closed down. Just think A new punch was bought, and our ring quality has of the tourism industry. We were in the fortunate position improved. Our prices are also very competitive, and the sale that our breeding facilities and aviaries are at home and of rings was very good in the circumstances. we could proceed unhindered. We were able to arrange We certainly face certain challenges. A lot of people lost travelling permits for the workers to attend work. At the time their jobs or now have a lower income and the little extra spring arrived most of the exporters were able to proceed money needed to buy pets may not be available. The local with exports and funds that we desperately need flowed into market will take time to recover. the country. We are planning a full program for 2021 and believe that the If one compares the parrot industry with other industries, we virus will not derail us this time. were very lucky indeed. Few, if any parrot breeding facilities closed because of Covid 19. May we thank club management that looked after the The pandemic had the result that people word wide started interest of the clubs during this difficult time and we also that to work from home, a tendency that is likely to continue, every PASA member for his/ her support. and therefor spends more time at home. This again has We are doing everything in our power to protect the interest the result that they enrich their environment at home and of the parrot industry. as we know pets and parrots are perfect in that regard. It is therefore expected that the market for parrots will improve in The program for the 2021 year, including the auction dates the future. will be available soon and can also be accessed at our webpage: www.aviculture.co.za Unfortunately, locally bird clubs could not have meetings Best wishes for all the Avizandum readers for the holiday and the enthusiasm of members diminished. The season membership of bird clubs as well as PASA came down. We were all faced with the day to day fight for survival and there Lastly may we thank Guy van Zyl, an ex exco member of was little time for fun and relaxation. It was the worst during PASA, and publisher of Avizandum for the excellent job the stringent lock down period. done and we look forward to each new edition.

Kantoor Besonderhede

PVSA Wonderboom Voëlpark; h/v Lavender & Braam Pretorius straat; Sinoville; 0182 PAPEGAAITELERSVERENIGING VAN SA Tel: Elsabe 082 418 1555

Lynette 072 533 7791

Fax: 086 604 8084

E-mail: [email protected]

Kantoorure/Office hours Weeksdae/Weekdays 9:00 – 15:00 BANK – STANDARD – VRYBURG Acc Name/Rek Naam: PVSA PASA Takkode/Branch code 050201 Tjekrek/Cheque acc. No: 040417654 PARROT BREEDERS ASSOCIATION OF SA Lede kan unieke PVSA Ringe, Datumponsers, Eiertoetsliggies en ander produkte by die kantoor aankoop. Registered Breeders can buy unique PASA rings, Date Punches, Egg test lights and other products from the Office

Voorsitter: Ben Minnaar Cell 082 446 2644/Email: [email protected] Chairman www.aviculturesa.co.za

www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine May 2021 7 NESTING TO NEST OR NOT TO NEST

ack in March 2020, South By Avizandum Africa went into its first hard lockdown due to the COVID 19 pandemic. As I am In the book A Guide to Noephema & Bcertain many a bird breeder took this Psephotus Grass Parrots, as an time to get some much-needed work example sizes for nesting boxes used done around the bird cages. by the author are illustrated. Here we This all to detract from the seriousness set up nesting boxes as “prescribed” of the current situation. for Turquoisines and Gouldians. The twist was, what started as a However the turquoisines rejected all project to build more capacity for and sundry and opted for beneath log breeding stock ended up in the on the aviary floor! building of a display Aviary in front of the breeding collection, to enhance Four little balls of fluff. the garden. It became known as the COVID Aviary. The thinking was for our Whilst we are all led to believe in a pair of Loeries, Tauraco persa buffoni, particular nestbox, shape or size, even to be housed in this aviary, along with a specific diet, and type of feeding some small doves and finches. regime, this little incident goes to show us just how important the Breeding stock is. If we have a compatible pair of healthy birds, they will breed. If they want to breed and the facility does not provide the stereotyped breeding The selected nest site! space, nature takes its course.

She laid Four eggs and incubated them under the driftwood feature. Tauraco persa buffoni, in the COVID Aviary. April 2019.

The result was a four-meter long, 2.1 m wide Aviary concealing a very bland and unsightly wall. Some inhouse decorations by my Daughter resulted in a well-finished feature in our garden. You ask, what has this to do with the correct nest boxes for your type of parrots? This aviary has a collection of doves Four eggs,21-22mm long and 18mm wide. and finches, as well as a pair of Dilute Red-breasted Turquoisine Parrots in The hen sat for Eighteen days and was it. The pair had never bread previously constantly fed by the cock bird. and were added for their striking colour.

Neophema pulchella (Turquoisine Parrot)

All four eggs hatched and the babies were growing strongly.

8 www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine May 2021 9 LORO PARQUE FOUNDATION BREEDING BY PARENTS AT LORO PARQUE FUNDACIÓN

Rafael Zamora Padrón, Scientific Director, Loro Parque Fundación

levels, including biosecurity. These do not dominate the incubation and tasks are carried out only under special care behaviors of their little ones at circumstances and can also be applied one hundred percent. In controlled in our projects in the wild, whenever it is environments, these common losses necessary thanks to the experience and can survive thanks to the advancement accumulated data. of protocols and new technologies. In nature, the first attempts of the Sometimes is the only way to save youngest couples do not result in one species. the survival of the offspring, as they Rearing by hand is always a challenge

t Loro Parque Fundación, where the largest living genetic reserve of parrots in the world takes place, the Aaverage annual reproduction results in about 1,000 chicks of the most diverse species. All with some degree of threat in nature. Throughout this year 2020 we have already exceeded a thousand births, which become a true safety net for each of the represented species. Sometimes the incubation or growth of the chicks must be assisted by auxiliary techniques such as artificial incubation or hand-rearing, which implies longer subsequent socialization processes until the young parrots are completely independent. We are happy to share that, between last year and so far this year, more than 70% of the chicks that have been raised by their parents have been exceeded. An achievement that makes us immensely happy since it is really important that the chicks develop with their parents. Especially when it comes to birds that can be reintroduced into the wild in order to repopulate certain species that are in danger of extinction. For this reason, it is vital that they discover, through their parents, the correct way to eat and communicate, in addition to learning the customs and behaviors of each species. At Loro Parque and Loro Parque Fundación we carry out hand-raising, assisted by our technicians, with the most advanced technologies at all

10 www.avizandum.co.za LORO PARQUE FOUNDATION if we start from the self recognized point where it is as a parrot and clear that reaching its own species. the growth curve A parrot raised achieved by the by its parents, parents, with their whose destiny direct feeding, is is not primarily usually always reproduction, will below than the have to socialize formulation that with humans from is supplied to a young age and them in manual will become a rearing. However, great companion today neonate who will rarely food formulas show behavioral have evolved problems. substantially and At this time of the with many species end of the year optimal growth at Loro Parque of young parrots Fundación, while is achieved. And several chicks it is clear that although the formula is acquired as a pet is not raised by hand, of the Australian black cockatoos are very good, the human component of it will not be as docile and affectionate born, some notable specimens are discipline, in hygiene and management as one that is. Far from reality, a parrot already becoming independent, such methods, is the key for the process to raised by its parents can be even as 4 Lear’s macaws (Anodorhynchus develop successfully. more affectionate towards humans, leari) that are currently in the beginning One of the species that usually present since it recognizes its position as a of development of his flying skills. Or problems in hand rearing is the Caiques bird, recognizes itself as a parrot and a palm cockatoo that shyly begins group. The position of the chicks, so does not break the limits of absolute to relate to solid food. All, exciting that they do not regurgitate and can dependence that a hand-reared parrot processes to observe day by day and choke on food, with the additions can express if the previous method of modify everything that is necessary. that the rearing pap requires, so that care was not appropriate. A hand reared Because nature is always changing growth is not extremely slow, is one parrot without the correct management, and we must be attentive to listen to it, of the points to overcome with these truly believes that he is an equal to his acting accordingly. species. Also the imprint that can be owners, becoming on many occasions very marked in the caiques, requires a a little tyrant. prolonged period of socialization with Both modalities are compatible with the juvenile specimens from past seasons, psychological health of the exemplars. which will be the only way that the If a hand-reared parrot does not hand-reared will behave well in the socialize in its juvenile stage with future with respect to their breeding its species, it will have a hard time partners. For this reason, when parents adapting to new circumstances and successfully raise their little ones for us a domestic life. For this reason, it it has many added values. must have a period of flight and Many parrot lovers think that if a parrot relationship with its peers until it is

www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine May 2021 11 FEATURE ARTICLE CRIMSON ROSELLA BREEDING INFORMATION Platycercus eleganis (Gmelin)

nown for their screeching vocalizations, Crimson Rosellas are natives to Australia’s easternK as well as south-eastern regions. Commonly found in gardens and mountain forests, they soon migrated to the surrounding regions of Norfolk Island and New Zealand. And with such beautiful crimson plumage, they became a favourite companion bird across the globe in no time. With their introduction to other parts of the world, Crimson Rosellas grew in numbers, courtesy of their incessant breeding.

Other Names Distinct names given to each of the three groupings: Crimson forms (P.e elegans: P.e nigrescens: P.e melanopterus) Crimson Rosella, Crimson Parrot, Mountain Lowry, Mountain Parrot, Pennants Parakeet. Orange-red and yellow forms (P.e fleurieuensis, P.e sub-adelaide, hybrid population) Adelaide rosella, Pheasant Parrot. Yellow Form ( P.e flaveolus) Yellow rosella,Yellow parrot/parakeet, Yellow rumped parakeet.

12 FEATURE ARTICLE

a tree perch near the female Crimson source to keep the nest warm enough Distribution who responds in the same way if she for the pair’s comfort is a must. is interested. This is followed by mutual feeding before mating takes place. Nest Box The next step is the selection of an apt Alternatively, one can also opt to nesting site and the task is done by provide a nest box to the pair instead the female. Normally, it is a hollow of of a hollow log. An ideal nest box for the tree that is much above the ground a Crimson pair would be roughly 25 level. Most of the Crimson Rosellas centimeters in length and breadth and nesting sites can be found at around 50 centimeters in height. Place it at the 30 meters above in the trees’ cavities farthest corner of the aviary that has that are roughly one meter deep. minimal light. If the pair does not select Often, they are Eucalyptus trees near this nest box instantly, then offer him a a water source. They also make sure few boxes of varied sizes that should that no other Crimson pair nests in not be big as they will lack the cozy-fit nearby trees, by guarding a buffer zone the pair prefers. They prefer a deeper of several trees radius around their Box in which they feel more secure. The Distribution of the Crimson and Yellow nest site, preventing other pairs from bottom of the nest box should be filled Rosellas. nesting in them. The nest is guarded with wood shavings. at all times, by either of the partners Breeding Months staying outside it. Any approaching flock Breeding Behavior Crimson Rosellas breed in the wet members are stopped by chattering and Crimson Rosellas are monogamous times of the year. Their breeding bickering. and they prefer to be with their season lasts till the rainy months lasts The Crimson pair prepares the nest to partners, especially during the breeding and the longer the wet times of the year, make it worth dwelling for the season season. Almost all the time is spent the lengthier their breeding season is. and raising the young ones. They line with the mate against the usual flock In their native region, the north-dwelling it with wood dust and shavings by gatherings. The male Crimson shows birds breed from early September until shredding the surrounding hollow area aggressive behavior towards the female late January and the south-dwelling with their beaks. No outside material during breeding months. Most of the birds breed in the months starting from like twigs is brought to prepare the nest. aggression is to force the female inside February to June. Unlike a few other parrot species like the nest box. And this behavior is more Quaker parrots, etc., Crimsons do not common and extreme if the usual cage Clutch share their nests with other Crimson size is too small and there is no nest Crimson Rosella clutch size ranges pairs. box attached to the cage. So make sure between 3 to 8 eggs laid at an interval to provide an appropriately big cage to of about 2 days asynchronously. The Breeding in Captivity the pair that has enough room for each eggs are 28 X 23 mm in size and are Crimson Rosellas are hardy birds bird and a small cozy nest box/log that white with a sheen. and can withstand a good number of offers enough warmth and privacy to fluctuations in temperature. This makes the pair. Incubation and Hatching it easy to breed them. Since they like The Crimson Rosellas mean incubation their nesting sites to be high above the Breeding Diet in the Wild period is 19.7 days, that means that ground and preferably be tree cavities, Crimson’s breeding diet varies with the the incubation period for Crimson one can place a hollow log high in the habitat. They eat differently based on Rosellas ranges from 16 to 28 days. aviary to encourage breeding during what nature or their breeders have to The female Crimson Rosella incubates the breeding season. Keep the logs’ offer to them. Crimson rosellas forage the eggs solely and the male feeds her internal size small, use assize where in trees, bushes, and on the ground for and takes care of everything else. The the Rosellas can just fit in. Big-sized the fruit, seeds, nectar, berries, and nuts eggs hatch rate of around 45% is logs are avoided by the birds as they of a wide variety of plants, including achieved, i.e., 3.6 eggs hatch in an lack a snug-fit feeling. To lend a natural members of the Myrtaceae, Asteraceae, average clutch. Crimson Rosellas feel to the breeding process, hang a few and Rosaceae families. Despite feeding can produce 2 clutches per season. log options at varied heights and let the on fruits and seeds, rosellas are not For the initial six days, the female feeds pair choose their preferred home. useful to the plants as seed-spreaders, the chicks solely and the male Crimson Once they select a nesting site, remove because they crush and destroy the joins on the seventh day, co-parenting all other alternatives. To maintain seeds in the process of eating them. the young ones for the next few weeks uniformity, keep the site exclusive for Their diet often puts them at odds until fledging. The young attain adult them for the subsequent breeding with farmers whose fruit and grain plumage at around 16 months of age. seasons too. Make sure to line the harvests can be damaged by the nesting site with organic and non- birds, which has resulted in large Breeding in the Wild toxic wood shavings. Make sure to numbers of rosellas being shot in When in the wild, Crimson males do the keep the site clean so as not to let the the past. Adelaide rosellas are known task of wooing their mate by making a pathogens or parasites breed. And if the to feed on dormant cherry flower buds. mating call. He usually bows down on temperature becomes too harsh, a heat Rosellas will also eat many insects and

www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine May 2021 13 FEATURE ARTICLE their larvae, including termites, aphids, Crimson pairs in the vicinity. Like other distance with a little privacy to each beetles, weevils, caterpillars, moths, bird’s eggs, the eggs of Crimsons also is a must. Keep in mind that in their and water boatmen. get destroyed by predators like foxes, natural habitat they keep a “buffer zone” hawks, feral cats, or peregrine falcons. of a few trees around their nest. So Breeding Diet in Captivity But more than these, for successful should breeders kee a buffer zone of a When in captivity, Crimsons must be hatching of the chicks, it gets few aviaries cleared of other Crimson fed a diet that has all the nutrients in important to save the eggs from the Rosellas. the right proportion. Whilst all breeders Crimson pairs in the neighborhood. strive to provide the same nutrients The neighboring female Crimsons Useful Tips for Successful as the Rosellas obtain from their diets destroy all the eggs by entering the Crimson Rosella Breeding in the wild, captive rosellas expend nest. This is to drive away from the Seeing the challenges in the breeding less energy in looking for food, being other pair and keep the whole vicinity to of this parrot species, one may take exposed to the elements( losing self. Disheartened, the pair abandons extra measures to eliminate all chances body heat in cold conditions as an the nest to find a safer nesting site. This of failure: example), thus captive diets must be way the dominant pair maintains the • Always adopt a young pair, i.e., adapted accordingly. Feed them a monopoly in the area for years. juvenile Crimson Rosellas, that are mix of fresh fruits and vegetables like unrelated to each other. This helps apples, mangoes, sweet potatoes, Breeding Problems in them bond organically from a young kale, cucumber, collard greens, etc. Captivity age. Supplement these with a seed and Since Crimson Rosellas are considered • Make sure the pair aren’t related. pellet mix. Seeds like chia, quinoa, an aggressive species, it is advisable Adopt male and female young ones barley, etc. are a few great options. to keep only one pair of Crimsons in from different aviaries to eliminate the Serve these sprouted or soaked to an aviary. Even if two pairs are housed risk factor. make them chewable for the bird. And together, make sure to leave a gap • Provide them a nutritious and for the pellets, there are many high- between them or install a division balanced diet. Keep the birds hydrated quality brands available in pet stores or between them with mesh wire. The for the smooth functioning of all body online that offer balanced nutrition to the reason being, with another pair in their processes. birds. sight, they lose the focus on breeding • Maintain the optimum temperature and pay much attention to owning the in the aviary to keep the birds Breeding Problems in the Wild space by being aggressive towards the comfortable. The biggest breeding problem for a other pair. They also feel their privacy • Lastly, offer them a peaceful and Crimson pair in the wild is a threat to as a mating pair getting compromised. stress-free environment. A stressed their eggs from predators, which more So, for successful Crimson breeding, Crimson pair might end up not mating often than not, happens to be the other housing each pair at an appropriate or abandoning their eggs after laying.

14 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Q&A ON DR HENRIËTTE VAN DER ZWAN

vizandum is excited to similar to what is used in livestock and mutations (the blue mutation) has been announce the launch of a humans, where the father or mother is identified in the budgerigar. We hope to new column on genetics. determined using DNA. investigate this further in other species Most bird breeders struggle and to also look at the turquoise and Awith this topic. We asked dr. Henriëtte Q: Why is a parentage test aqua mutations. van der Zwan, a researcher in avian important? genetics at the North-West University A: Most breeders know if they mate Q: Where can I test my birds? in Potchefstroom, to shed some light two birds with colour mutations the A: Unfortunately, the test is not yet on it. Over the next couple of months chicks have a certain probability to be commercially available. We are working Henriëtte will write a monthly column of a specific colour. They also know closely with the legal team at the North- explaining DNA, genes, genetic that splits show the wild-type coloration West University to patent the test and markers, Mendel, mutations and much and can then produce chicks with the have it set up as an affordable test more. In this issue we get to know her mutant colour if mated to the right that can routinely be used by any bird and learn what her research is about. partner. However, as a buyer it is a breeder. gamble to take to word of the seller that Question: What qualifications the suggested parents (with the colour Q: What will your research do you have? mutation) are indeed the biological focus on in the future? Answer: I completed a BSc(Agric) parents of the split chick. This test A: I’m currently doing my Post-doctoral Animal Science and Animal Genetics allows a potential buyer to confirm that fellowship at North-West University. As degree at the University of Pretoria the suggested parents are indeed the mentioned above, we are looking into followed by a Master’s degree biological parents of the chick before a the blue, aqua and turquoise mutations. specializing in animal genetics. I buying the chick. This gives the buyer Our aim is to develop a “one stop obtained my doctoral degree from the some upfront certainty that the bird is shop” test for all parrot species. This North-West University in Potchefstroom. indeed a split, rather than having to wait means one test that can determine I focused on lovebird genetics, more for the first breeding season to confirm sex, parentage, colour mutations and specifically the development tests that this. health screening. This will however take lovebird breeders can use to breed many years to develop. We need to better birds. Q: Why can’t we test to see if a secure substantial funding since genetic bird is a split for a mutation? research is very expensive. Q: What tests did you A: Parrot plumage colour genetics is develop? one of the most fascinating topics to Dr. Henriëtte A: A big part of my degree was first study! Parrots is the only group on earth van der Zwan, to sequence the genome. This is the that has the psittacofulvin pigment in a researcher in total combination of DNA of the bird. their feathers. As a result, there is so avian genetics We used this genome as the blueprint much we still don’t know about the at the North- from where to discover genetic markers genes linked to colour mutations that West University in that the tests use. We first developed a involve this pigment. To date only one Potchefstroom. parentage verification test. This test is of the genes linked to parrot colour

www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine May 2021 15 BREEDER PROFILE SHABBY FUFU LIFESTYLE FARM OWNED AND RUN BY PLETTENBERG BAY IRENE VERMEULEN

rene grew up in the small town of Irene Passion being waterfowl, there Enclosures. Uniondale in the Western Cape are Black-necked Swans, Black There are three different dams on the Province and completed her Swans as well as 10 different species farm, two where the Black Swans are school career there. From a young of duck and geese. These are bred in kept with their four offspring. And the Iage, she had shown a keen interest all earnest. other where the white swans are kept. in animals, however, what drew her The third dam is a man-made dam attention was Waterfowl, in particular The farm is a running concern that where all the other ducks and geese the Swans. Their quiet demeanour farms with sheep and vegetables. are kept. Shabby Fufu farm is currently brought a sense of serenity to Irene. These however are not what keeps expanding, with the construction Irene`s interest high. Her passion is of smaller ponds with enclosures Shady Fufu Farm is situated on the N2 the waterfowl. The species kept and to allow each breeding pair to be near Pletttenberg bay. The farm caters bred at Shabby Fufu lifestyle Farm kept separately. for children to experience a “touch farm”, include Ruddy Shelduck, Cape teal, complete with donkey cart ride, Horse Hawaiian Geese, Chiloe Wigeon, There are A-Frame thatch “houses” and cart drives for all. Springbuck and Brazilian Teal, Marbled teal, Yellow for breeding, but most of the waterfowl Giraffe complete the wild experience, Ringed Teal, Mandarins, Cinnamon breed under the “house” or in the this farm has it all and here you can book Carolinas, Cuban Whistling ducks as natural brush, surrounding the dams. overnight accommodation as well. well as Hooded merganser. The two large dams are natural farm

16 www.avizandum.co.za BREEDER PROFILE

dams, with the third being man-made the males during mating season. This covered, and surrounded, with a net to is disappointing as it appears to be an prevent predators from gaining access to unnecessary occurrence. the waterfowl. Advice to other breeders. Sabhby Farm is in the process Swans need their enclosures, where OWNED AND RUN BY of building smaller enclosures to they are alone from other species. accommodate breeding pairs separately, Feeding must be done in such a way IRENE VERMEULEN this will result in better breeding results. that there is no excess food that gets time to mold or becomes sour. They Success and disappointment. should be able to eat all the food within Irene’s biggest success thus far is the a few minutes. success she had achieved with her Black Swans. She has managed to Should you opt for pinioning your raise four cygnets from her pair of Black waterfowl, Irene’s advice is that it is Swans. These are still kept in the same done as early as possible, three to enclosure as their parents. ten days. Pinioning is done at this early age to avoid complications The biggest disappointment to involved with blood supply to the wing. date is the loss of the White Swan Whilst this is a highly controversial cygnets, whether it was due to the topic but has its advantages if parents trampling them or other managed correctly. reasons, Irene realizes the White Manufacturers swans needed their enclosure. Today Sex your cygnets as early as possible of Stainless they have exactly that and appear to and split up your prospective pairs, Steel and be very happy. this prevents fighting, which can lead Aluminium Avian to serious injury or death.” Tag” your Identification The most saddening aspect of males with color-coded cable ties for Rings for Parrots keeping swans is the aggression of easy identification. • Solid (seamless) top grade, Stainless Steel Rings • Solid (seamless) Aluminium Rings • Split Aluminium rings with Stainless Steel pin (Patent Pending) • Non-corrosive, indestructible, everlasting • Narrow width with inside and outside edges smoothed by machine • No chaffing of the leg or callous formation • Neat Laser engraving, black, personalised initials and numbering with optional year date • Hand polished, professional finish • Stainless Steel ring sizes: from 4mm (ID) to 18mm (ID) • Aluminium ring sizes – Plain Silver or Coloured: from 4mm (ID) to 12mm (ID) • Split Aluminium - Plain Silver or Coloured: from 4mm (ID) to 12mm (ID) • Please note: Split Aluminium Rings are NOT recommended for Macaws and Cockatoos • Recommended by respected Aviculturists • Friendly service with National and international delivery via Courier or Postnet

“By far the best rings I have seen in SA, every serious breeder should be using them” William Horsfield Amazona Endangered Parrot Breeding Facility

Contact: Lillian Davis Tel: 031 7681111 Cell: 082 8741674 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.ltbirdfarm.co.za

or the beginner, trying to make the right decisions concerning the purchase of breeding stock is like jumping into theF great unknown. Do I buy local or out of state? Do I buy young, older or proven pairs? Do I buy from breeders, jobbers or at bird swaps? Do I demand health certificates, or do I take the word of the seller that the birds are in good health? These are some of the difficult questions that enter the mind of any thoughtful buyer. These are also questions that have no simple answers. All of your decisions have to be made by considering the individual circumstances surrounding the purchase you wish to make. Any of the above scenarios are acceptable under the right circumstances, and each individual situation must be considered on its own merit. What often appears to be the best advice might leave you with nothing to buy! It is easy to understand the logic behind the following prudent suggestions: You should buy birds from local sources so they do not have to undergo the stress of shipping, and can be visually and physically inspected before they are placed in your ownership. You should buy from reputable aviculturists whose aviaries you have inspected and appear clean. You should buy from a closed facility (one that for X number of years has not purchased birds from any outside sources and increases its breeding stock only by holding back offspring that they themselves produce). You should require the seller to supply a health certificate. You should not pay for the birds until your avian veterinarian inconsistent with other important goals. the fact that the birds have to be shipped re-examines them and certifies that the The question as to whether you should to you become a major consideration. birds are in good health. If they are a purchase locally or from other states If the birds that you are purchasing are proven pair, you should receive a list of where birds have to be shipped to you in good condition, the stress of shipping those who have previously purchased “sight unseen” is something that you do should not cause any problems. In the babies so you can verify that they not always have a choice about. Even fact, with the premium freight services have, in fact, been regularly producing. if you do have a choice, you are often like Delta Dash or USAir’s PDQ the Last but not least, you should only better off buying from a well-known out- birds will go through less stress getting purchase birds that you truly need to of-state seller with a national reputation from Point A to Point B than most augment your existing collection. to uphold rather than an unknown human passengers. The possibility of following all or even local dealer. Your goal should be the The false idea that shipping, in and most of these suggestions seldom exists acquisition of the best pair of birds of itself, causes enough stress to be in the real world. Some of them are also possible. Only if all else is equal should detrimental to a bird’s health has its

18 OPEN roots in the days of mass importation. birds, the first thing that you should look of continual national advertising. No Unscrupulous dealers would ship sick at is the chest. It should be well rounded nationally known aviculturist whom I birds to clients and claim that poor and meaty, not V shaped. Also note know would ever ship a bird that is in an handling on the part of the airline or whether or not the birds are alert and obvious state of poor health. the stress of shipping caused the active. Check the droppings. The white I believe that requiring that the seller birds to become ill. This excuse was urates should be pure white, without provide a veterinary health certificate usually followed by the statement that tinges of yellow or green. The green can be a double-edged sword that is the importers guarantee live delivery fecal should be firm enough to have more likely to hurt the buyer than help only and that if the birds arrived in poor shape to it. If fed a pelleted diet, it is him. The type of exam that is performed health, the recipients should take issue often normal for the bird to have brown by a vet so a health certificate can be with the airline. This charade caused feces. If the birds are shipped to you, issued is one that looks for obvious quite a bit of negative feelings toward the serious inspection of droppings can be signs of disease. As previously stated, airlines on the part of many aviculturists. made only after the birds have had 24 it is extremely rare that a seller with Healthy birds in good condition, if hours to settle in. a good national reputation will ship a shipped with seed and fruits (such as The combined stress of shipping, bird that shows obvious signs of poor apple, oranges or grapes, for moisture), new surroundings and a different health. What can happen is that all the should have no trouble spending two diet will often cause the droppings to combined stresses that go along with days in a shipping crate. Bear in mind appear abnormal for a short period placing the bird in a new environment that I am talking about birds that are in of time. Again, try to buy from those will compromise the bird’s immune top condition when shipped. who have a reputation to uphold and will system. This can result in the bird guarantee healthy arrival of the birds. becoming ill from problems that it was The Health Check Those who have continually advertised harboring before it was shipped but Being able to see what you are buying in national publications are the best bet. able to fight off until its immune system before you purchase is always a In most cases, those who cheat their was compromised by the stress. If you good idea, but in this case it is seldom clients will not be able to build the client required the seller to obtain certification possible. When you do get to see the list that is required to bear the expense that the birds were healthy before they

www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine May 2021 19 OPEN were shipped, then they are within their outbreaks of these diseases did take determining factor in whether or not you rights to ignore your complaints. In this place in aviaries, the causative agents should purchase a pair of birds. I have situation, you have paid for a health were not particular as to whether they purchased some of my best breeders certificate that protects the seller, not infected domestically bred or imported from aviaries where the owners had the buyer. birds. That is why it is always important lost interest and were in the process of If you would like the birds to go through to quarantine your new acquisitions. slowly selling out. When people lose a health check, it should be done buy Above and beyond this, responsible interest, it is very common for them to your veterinarian within 72 hours after aviculturists realize the need to expand stop cleaning up as often and allow you have received the birds. Have the their gene pools to reduce inbreeding their facility to degrade to the point were seller agree to a full refund on the cost so that we can ensure that there will be many would consider it dirty. I have also of the birds if your vet finds that they pet birds in the future. At the Institute, we purchased some of my worst “deals” have some type of major problem. You have a large enough population ‘in many from facilities that are spotless. will lose the cost of shipping both ways species so that we do not have to rely on Although much more prevalent in dirty and the vet expense. If the only problem the introduction of new bloodlines from aviaries than clean ones, bacterial that the birds have is a minor bacterial other aviaries. This, however, is not true infections are something you should infection, it will pay you to keep them and of all of the species that we breed. This worry about even from the cleanest cure them if they are a good pair of birds. is also not true for most of the species facility. If you have any doubts about the In the case of a conflict of opinion, allow that are produced by some of the finest bacterial status of a pair of birds, have your vet to consult with the seller’s vet small facilities throughout the United your vet check them and run a bacterial to determine whether or not a problem States. We all have the responsibility to culture. As far as some of the dangerous should be considered major or minor. trade bloodlines with other facilities in viruses are concerned, they do not The only exception to this is when you order to ensure the future of aviculture in discriminate between clean and dirty are purchasing birds that are infamous the U.S. facilities. It can be difficult to determine if for papilloma. This disease is quite a breeder is selling out due to legitimate prevalent in imported greenwinged and Payment Etiquette reasons or due to an unstoppable redbellied macaws, although all adult Many newcomers to the industry are viral disease. If you are dealing with imported macaws should be suspect. surprised to find out that the long- a facility that is selling out, you might In the case of these types of macaws, standing custom is to pay for the birds ask for a letter from the owner’s avian you should demand and offer to pay for before they are shipped. The industry veterinarian certifying that to the best of a papilloma test done by the seller’s vet evolved to this point after shippers his knowledge the birds being liquidated prior to having the birds shipped to you. discovered that they could not exist do not come from an aviary that has had Contact the vet who will be performing unless they enforced this policy. They recent problems with any of the deadly the exam, send him a check for the were all faced with the unfortunate viral diseases. service, and ask that he record the band reality that there were more than just numbers of the birds on the certificate. a few people who made their living by Purchasing Pairs If the seller refuses to have the birds receiving shipments of birds that they One of the most common mistakes examined at your expense by his vet, had no intention of paying for. It was made by novices is the decision to call look for another seller. also not uncommon for buyers to accept around looking to purchase proven pairs. The value of trying to buy birds from C.O.D. cash terms over the telephone, It’s like a rabbit looking for a carrot in a a “closed facility” has been greatly only to refuse to pay for the birds when cage. If it doesn’t get snared, it’s lucky. diminished since importation has been they arrived at the airport of destination. There are many legitimate and honest stopped. Papilloma, polyomavirus, They would then try to talk the sellers people who decide to sell good proven Pacheco’s disease, proventricular into releasing the birds to them with the pairs. This is usually in cases where they dilatation disease (wasting syndrome) promise that the money would be in the are selling out completely, eliminating a and psittacine beak and feather disease mail the following day. Due to this kind certain type of bird from their production were all introduced into American of history, the seller has every right to or overproduction. The chances, aviaries by imported birds. The logical demand payment up front. If you feel however, of you finding one by calling reasoning was that if you ceased to that you can’t trust the seller with your around talking to aviculturists who have introduce new birds into your aviary, you money, you shouldn’t trust his birds. babies for sale is slim. ended the possibility of introducing any Look for those who advertise pairs of the imported diseases that you didn’t Judging Aviary Appearance for sale. They will usually be the already have. Many of these diseases Trying to determine that the seller ones who are directly selling out could be harbored by birds for years runs a clean facility is very difficult. All or those who are brokering the before they would show symptoms, yet the professional aviculturists I know pairs for the breeder. Some of the they might at any time be shedding the would not permit someone to disturb brokers who liquidate entire aviaries_’for disease. The farther importation falls their breeders by walking through those who are selling out will make into the past, the less the likelihood is of their aviaries, just so they can sell a the rounds of the large bird sales and being affected by this type of problem pair of birds. Allowing public access swaps. These sales can also harbor from birds that were previously imported. is also unsound from the standpoint some good finds and fantastic buys. Most of the imported birds that were of disease control. Another thing to Life teaches me, however, that these going to “break” with these types of consider is that how clean an aviary is types of opportunities are not usually diseases have already done so. When kept is not necessarily always a major around when you are looking for them.

20 OPEN

You stumble into them when you least expect it and have to be productive, they can be split up and sold as pets. A few months ready to make a fast decision with the money to back it up. away from their mates will usually result in them, once again, If legitimate proven pairs are found don’t expect them to be accepting human companionship. Retired pairs that were offered at bargain-basement prices. You will seldom find real never tame and have no value in the pet trade are doomed diamonds for the price of glass. You must also realize that it to be passed from one aviary to another until they die. Each will be next to impossible to verify if the pair you are buying is, owner along the line will wonder why this “proven pair” is not in fact, a proven pair-unless the seller is selling out completely producing, become disheartened and sell them to someone and he has only one pair of the specific type of bird that you else. are buying. In a case like this, the seller should not be bothered by a request from the potential buyer to speak to those who Augmenting Your Collection have previously purchased the babies. In most other scenarios, Heeding the advice that you should only purchase what you however, asking to speak to the clients who had previously need to augment your existing “collection” is presumptive. You purchased the birds is usually unfruitful. can only guess what your future needs will be. You might desire If you are buying a proven pair from someone who is selling a to purchase more pairs of the same types that you are already few pairs of a certain species because he has overproduction, producing in sufficient quantities to enhance your gene pool. he most certainly will not take the chance of introducing you There is also the fact that having a larger “species availability” to his clients. He understandably needs to protect his sales list makes you more attractive as a supplier. In cases like this, potential. In fact, one of the biggest reasons that causes people you might wish to purchase green-cheeked conures even to sell proven pairs is that they do not have a market for the though you are already producing maroon-bellied conures. birds that they produce. I have purchased “proven” pairs of You also never know if you will ever have another opportunity Amazons from small “backyard breeders” who still have the last to purchase a pair as good as the pair that you are considering three years worth of production sitting in holding cages. Asking at the moment. These, as well as many other considerations to speak to clients who do not exist is foolish. In cases like this, that are specific to your set of personal circumstances, must all I have no choice but to accept the word of the seller that the be considered when trying to make a decision as to whether pair I am buying did, in fact, produce the babies that they are or not a particular pair of birds is a worthwhile addition to your showing me. Also remember that it is very common for regularly collection. Always bear in mind that a good pair of domestically producing pairs to take one to three years off when they are bred birds whose age and origin can be verified by band moved to different circumstances. It is also not uncommon for number and code is an investment that can always be resold pairs that have never previously produced to begin producing a if necessary. short time after they have been moved. The purchase of young “untried” sexed pairs will guarantee a wait, but will also guarantee that you are not buying someone else’s problem or retired pair. It also allows you to know the true age of your birds. Remember that success is something that is worth waiting for. A major advantage in this is that the birds mature using your aviaries as their only frame of reference. Birds that have matured elsewhere might resent how they are kept in comparison with where they came from, even though, in your opinion, their housing has improved. When purchasing young birds, try to buy those that have been raised, weaned and socialized with other birds of the same type. In most species, hand-raised birds that are imprinted on humans do not present a problem as long as they are not overly dependent on human contact. This can happen when babies are not given the opportunity to socialize with other birds of the same or similar type during and directly after the hand- feeding and weaning stages of development. Parent-raised and weaned birds are the best choice but are seldom available. They will usually breed at a much earlier age, especially in the larger species. The next best option is hand- raised birds that have always been kept in a group of the same or similar species and that have not been handled during the weaning stage in order to keep them from cementing their bond with humans. These also make the worst pets due to their lack of desire for human contact. Tame, imprinted parrots that have grown up socializing with other similar birds will take longer to begin serious breeding. How much longer is usually related to the size of the birds. Green-cheeked conures might only take a few months longer, while with the larger macaws you will be waiting several extra years. One of the major advantages in working with tame birds as breeders, however, is their salability after they are retired. When tame imprinted pairs are no longer

www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine May 2021 21 LORO PARQUE FOUNDATION YELLOW-CRESTED COCKATOOS PROTECTED BY DRAGONS David Waugh, Correspondent, Loro Parque Fundación.

Sharing Komodo Island, but ‘Critically Endangered’ in the same list, is the Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) of which occidentalis, one of the seven recognised subspecies, inhabits the island.

f Indonesia’s staggering Threatened Species, and Komodo subpopulations to produce accurate total of 17,508 islands, National Park was founded in 1980 to estimations of population size, the name of a relatively protect Komodo dragon populations to determine their ecological small one, Komodo, has on Komodo and neighbouring islands requirements and identify the need beenO conferred on a formidable including Rinca, Padar and Bero. for interventions and re-introductions. species of monitor lizard which lives Yellow-crested Cockatoos have been With biologist Anna Reuleaux there. This of course is the Komodo badly affected by over-exploitation as the principal investigator, the dragon (Varanus komodoensis), for trade, as well as loss of their project is a collaboration between the world’s largest lizard, growing forest habitat, and they have either Manchester Metropolitan University, up to 3m in length and weighing disappeared from much of the UK and Burung Indonesia, the up to 70kg. Komodo dragons hunt geographical distribution or exist country representative of BirdLife and ambush often large-bodied in small remnant subpopulations. International, supported by the Loro prey and are known occasionally to To help guide conservation action Parque Fundación and the Zoological attack humans, which adds to their for this species, since 2016 a Society for the Conservation of fearsome reputation. The Komodo project has been operational to Species and Populations. dragon is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ to gather crucial information, including Komodo Island, with an area of extinction in the IUCN Red List of surveys of all remaining cockatoo 340 km2 and a maximum elevation

Palm savanna, deciduous monsoon forest and grassland habitats.

22 www.avizandum.co.za LORO PARQUE FOUNDATION

Komodo Dragons in deciduous monsoon forest. Looking for birds to EXPORT

Cities 1 Only Registered Breeder selected areas within habitat assessed as suitable for Yellow- crested Cockatoos. The results from the counts, plus values from an index of wetness and the percentage Adult Yellow-crested of palm savanna and deciduous Cockatoo monsoon forest, were incorporated into the DSM, which in turn allowed the researchers of 824 m above sea level, is the to estimate how many cockatoos largest and highest of the islands remained undetected and to produce of the national park. Being situated a map of predicted cockatoo in one of the driest areas of densities in Komodo. They validated Indonesia, its natural water sources the predictions (93% coincidence) are scarce and streams do not by using three independent sources run for most of the year. Large of cockatoo observations: data areas of the island are covered by from the annual monitoring by the open grassland interspersed with national park staff, citizen science scrubland, palm savanna, small observations from eBird (eBird patches of broadleaved trees, and Basic Dataset 2019, www.ebird. gallery forests along watercourses. org), and cockatoo records from Deciduous monsoon forest occupies survey reports. valleys of larger streams close to the Yellow-crested Cockatoo groups sea, and at higher altitudes (>500 m) were observed at 48 of the 178 closed-canopy forest can be found, count locations, with an encounter which is referred to as ‘quasi cloud rate of 0.38 groups per (point) count. forest’ or ‘mossy forest’, becoming Encounter rates were highest in sparse forest and scrubland further deciduous monsoon forest (0.91) downhill. Komodo and the island of and palm savanna (0.62) and lowest Sumba, where C. s. citrinocristata is in the remaining habitat types (0.19 endemic, have long been suspected in grassland and scrubland; 0.06 in as the most important strongholds sparse forest; 0.00 in quasi cloud of the Yellow-crested Cockatoo. A forest). The average number of recent scientific publication* reports cockatoos in each group seen was the result of the survey conducted 2.61 individuals. Yellow-crested by Anna and her field team in Cockatoos also prefer palm savanna November and December of 2017 and deciduous monsoon forest on and brings the great news that other islands, but their absence Komodo Island does indeed hold a from quasi cloud forest in Komodo large subpopulation. is surprising, given that they are For parrot species such as the found in similar habitat types and Yellow-crested Cockatoo and altitudes on other islands. The overall +27 74 997 1180 other rare, highly mobile birds population estimate from the field survey in fragmented rugged habitats, sampling each inhabited patch is frequently unattainable. Therefore, in Komodo the researchers used, for the first time ever with a critically endangered species, a technique called density surface modelling (DSM). To do this, counts of cockatoos were made from fixed A pair of Yellow-crested points or stations (called point count Cockatoos at the nest distance sampling) in 25 randomly entrance.

www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine May 2021 23 LORO PARQUE FOUNDATION

Anna Reuleaux (left) with the field team planning the cockatoo surveys.

is of 1,113 (95% Confidence Interval: increasing over those recent years. depend economically on tourism. 587–2,109) individuals on Komodo Thus, as well as providing protection As such, Komodo National Park Island, this being considerably larger to the Komodo dragon, the national provides a successful model of than previous conservative estimates. park appears to be working as a long- methods and resources that could The density surface maps showed term stronghold for the cockatoo. The be applied in other protected areas cockatoos to be absent over much of the remoteness and topography of Komodo where formal protection has yet to island, but present at high densities in Island and its fearsome dragon appear increase local populations of the wooded valleys. to provide some natural protection from Yellow-crested Cockatoo. Direct counts collected annually by habitat destruction and illegal trapping. *Anna Reuleaux, Benny A Siregar, experienced national park rangers from However, enforcement of legal protection Nigel J Collar, Maria R Panggur, Ani vantage points overlooking six coastal for the cockatoo by park authorities Mardiastuti, Martin J Jones, Stuart J valleys in Komodo Island show an has been important and made possible Marsden (2020) Protected by dragons: increase from 382 cockatoos recorded due to the resources derived from the Density surface modeling confirms large in 2011 to 733 in 2019 (493 to 883 many paying visitors (about 180,000 population of the critically endangered including the islands of Rinca and Bero). in 2018) attracted by the Komodo Yellow-crested Cockatoo on Komodo This is evidence that the population has dragons. The park has the support Island, The Condor 122: 1-15. https:// at least been stable and is probably of local communities, which largely doi.org/10.1093/condor/ duaa042.