Shady streams KLEIN BEGIN IS upward trend of the PERCH AND CRATE newsletter GROOT GEWIN Blue-throated Macaw REQUIRMENTS FOR BIRDS
Page 4 Page 6 Page 16 Page 18 NAMAQUA SAND GROUSE (PTEROCLES NAMAQUA) THE NAMAQUA SANDGROUSE IS A SPECIES OF GROUND-DWELLING BIRDS IN THE SANDGROUSE FAMILY. IT IS FOUND IN ARID REGIONS OF SOUTH-WESTERN AFRICA, ANGOLA, BOTSWANA, LESOTHO, NAMIBIA, SOUTH AFRICA, AND ZIMBABWE. PAGE 8 VOL 32 NO 7 CONTENTS
3 VoLume 32 / Number 07 4 Shady streams newsletter - May 1988 “At a meeting held at the Helderfontein Conference Centre on Sunday the 17 January 1988, a national body called the Avicultural Council of Southern Africa was formed.” 6 KLEIN BEGIN IS GROOT GEWIN Vanaf ‘n algemene belangstelling in voëls vroeg in sy lewe het Hennie Stadler gevorder tot ‘n voëlteler met ‘n belangstelling in mutasies en kleur by voëls. Soos by baie voëltelers het sy belangstelling begin by voëls wat hy saam met ‘n hok gekoop het. »»p.6 7 Avian Parasite Control The most common complication of captivity is the increased exposure to parasites. Whilst there are many forms of parasites, we will be looking at worms. AVIZANDUM and MEDPET (PTY) LTD have teamed up to bring you the reader a special offer. 8 Namaqua Sand Grouse The Namaqua Sandgrouse (Pterocles namaqua), is a species of ground-dwelling bird in the sandgrouse family. It is found in arid regions of south-western Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. There are thirteen species, with twenty-eight sub species. These are found on the African continent, Asia, Europe, and the Middle east. »»p.8 16 Survey confirms upward trend of the Blue- throated Macaw in Bolivia What are the indications that the Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis), which is still listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is any better off after 27 years? This is the number of years that the Loro Parque Fundación has supported in-country partner activities for the conservation of this species, endemic to one of South America’s largest grassland floodplains, the Llanos de Moxos in northern Bolivia. 18 PERCH AND CRATE REQUIRMENTS FOR BIRDS Due to the increasing number of birds being flown over the world and across South Africa, the NSPCA had noticed the use of crates for birds which is not compliant with the IATA Live »»p.18 Animals Regulations. All perching birds are required to have suitable perches in the crates specific for the species and size.
2 Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 www.avizandum.co.za EDITORIAL VOLUME 32 NUMBER 07
uly is an exciting time in the aviculturist and his love for the Remember their next Convention avicultural year. Not only must Asiatic species. His message in September 2022.Avizandum Jwe muster the energy to face to beginners and old hands will bring you all the information the challenges of Covid-19 in our is clear, quality is better than and news on attending the X th daily lives, but the eff ects it has on quantity. Thank you, Hennie. International Parrot Convention, our Hobby is also putting strain on Parasite control (Worms in 26 to 29 September 2022. Puerto breeders. None the less we need particular) is always a guessing de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain. to prepare for the coming breeding game, but in this issue we We have included some season, our African Parrots and have called in the assistance legislative requirements for the Asiatic Parrots are already busy of Dr Rob and the MEDPET transport of Parrots, as set out by in the nests, with the Galah team to assist in getting the the National Council of SPCA`s. Cockatoos short on their heels. diagnosis and medication spot We trust that the July issue will Changing diets from maintenance on, what an off er not to accept. be a learning experience for old to breeding diets, setting up Thank you MEDPET, long and young alike. Remember for nest boxes and preparations for may this relationship last. those who like the feel of a book babies in the parrot’s nursery, all July`s featured species is in your hand, SUBSCRIBE now keeping us all remarkably busy. one that is not that popular in to the next Issue in Print. At Avizandum we’re busy aviculture, but ads the missing May the 2020 breeding preparing for the all new run touch to any mixed aviary. The season be a great success for of printed magazines, the fi rst Namaqua Sand Grouse, is unique us all. Enjoy the magazine. of which will be the August in so may ways that 2020 issue. This issues will having them in your be a show stopper, annual collection is a must. subscriptions are now available Just remember at www. avizandum. co.za. in South Africa, August month will thus herald captivity permits the return of the legendary hard are required. Enjoy copy AVIZANDUM, subscribe this article, you now to ensure you receive your will be amazed one in a lifetime relaunch issue. at the number of But back to the July 2020 issue, sub-species and in this issue we take a step back their distribution in time and look at an article across the globe. published in May 1988, when Not to mention AVIZANDUM was still a fax, typed the most beautiful on a typewriter by Dave and Vera. cover picture of This article was about the that magnifi cent founding of the Avicultural female. Society of Southern Africa, Loro Parque, today known as Parrot Breeders and David Association of Southern Africa Waugh, has (PASA). Their goals and brought us objectives set out by David. some good What foresight these founders news about the had to envisage the challenges Blue Throated our hobby would face in years Macaw in to come. We will delve into the Bolivia. Keep progress made by PASA soon. supporting Hennie Stadler shares his their cause trials and tribulations as an in Aviculture.
www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 3 THE ARCHIVES SHADY STREAMS NEWSLETTER - MAY 1988
David and Vera Dennison, Hillcrest May 1988.
At a meeting held at the to the formation of this council is they be aviary bred and closed rung Helderfontein Conference Centre as follows: or wild caught birds. A resolution on Sunday the 17 January At the CITES meeting held in asking that ALL international airlines “1988, a national body called the Ottawa, Canada in 1987 a resolution be prevented from carrying as Avicultural Council of Southern was tabled to stop the international cargo wildlife, including birds, was Africa was formed.The background movement of ALL birds, whether TEMPORARILY shelved and was
4 Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 www.avizandum.co.za THE ARCHIVES revised in 1989. Had this resolution be to work with Nature Conservation been passed it would have been the and not against them. start to the end of aviculture. THE FUTURE IS IN YOUR CITES resolutions were inacted HANDS. We would like to ask all into South African Law in 1983 but our friends and yours to help protect have never been implemented in our hobby by joining the Avicultural practice. THIS IS NOW CHANGING Society of Southern Africa. We are and it is felt that we need a enclosing application forms herewith. STRONG organisation with local Remember this is not just another and international affiliation to be bird club. We have the SANCBA sure that when laws are drawn up to and its very efficient network of clubs regulate our avicultural activities, our countrywide to serve that side of practical experience is taken into the hobby. This society is purely to account.The fact of the matter is that protect the rights of aviculturists, not it is going to happen so our aim must just locally, but internationally.
www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 5 PROFILE KLEIN BEGIN IS GROOT GEWIN
anaf ‘n algemene met dieselfde hoeveelheid Goldwing belangstelling in voëls vroeg Pro 20 saam met gekookte erte en in sy lewe het Hennie Stadler mielies voorgesit. Dit word ‘n paar gevorder tot ‘n voëlteler met keer ‘n week afgewissel met appels ‘nV belangstelling in mutasies en kleur en uitloop saad. by voëls. Soos by baie voëltelers het Hy beveel aan dat hokke en kaste sy belangstelling begin by voëls wat in ‘n beskutte gang weg van die hy saam met ‘n hok gekoop het. wind geplaas word. Aan die voorkant In 2006 het hy sy eerste paar van sy hokke het hy mikrosproeiers Groen Pruimkoppe gekoop omdat geplaas vir die onverwagse warm hulle vir hom mooi was en as gevolg somersdae. Hy het reeds in 2014 van hul Asiatiese herkoms. Hy het begin om in hanghokke te broei. Dit gou tot die besef gekom dat beperkte was so suksesvol dat hy al sy hokke kennis gevaarlik is en dat hy sy kennis intussen verander het. moet uitbrei om te voorkom dat hy In 2014 koop hy sy eerste Grey ‘n rat voor die oë gedraai word. Hy Green Pruimkop. In 2019 teel hy skaf in 2006 Sjack Bastian se “Asiatic ‘n Grey Green Pruimkop met rooi parrots and their mutations” aan. in sy stert. Die betrokke voël gaan Daarmee begin hy in alle erns met sy binnekort met Opaline en later met missie om self mutasies uit te werk en Lutino gebroei word. Verlede jaar sy eie parings te bepaal. het hy sy eerste Lutino mannetjie Hennie heg baie waarde aan gekoop en daarop gebroei. Hy het die veilige bestuur van sy hokke. tans Misty, Misty Grey Green, Opaline Rotbeheer is veral vir hom van en Lutino. Hy is tans besig met die belang. ‘n Voëlteler moet bloot Cleartail Opaline en Aqua met die slimmer optree as die rot. Maak Indiese ringnekke. skoon voer beskikbaar vir die rot vir Hennie skryf sy sukses toe aan sy om en by ‘n week. Daarna moet gif gewoonte om sy huiswerk te doen. Hy gemeng word met dieselfde kos en beveel aan dat telers ander telers wat op dieselfde manier en op dieselfde spesialiseer in die voëlsoort waarin jy plek vir 2 aande voorgesit word. Hy belangstel besoek en vrae vra. Hy lê beveel ook aan ‘n vanghok vir die klem op die handhawing van kwaliteit terloopse invallers. Hy heg groot eerder as kwantiteit. Sy langtermyn waarde aan die korrekte voeding droom is om blou pruimkoppe ook by vir sy voëls. Sy voeding bestaan te voeg tot sy versameling. uit groente en vrugte wat met ‘n Hennie lewer ‘n laaste Meatmaster gemaal word en dan waarskuwing aan aspirant voëltelers. in bruikbare hoeveelhede gevries Hy glo sy belangstelling in voëls is word. Elke oggend word ‘n bakkie ‘n tydverdryf. Moenie dat dit ‘n afgod groente en vrugte wat gemeng word word nie.
6 Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 www.avizandum.co.za SHORT ARTICLE KLEIN BEGIN IS AVIAN PARASITE CONTROL GROOT GEWIN AVIZANDUM AND MEDPET SPECIAL
he most common complication your aviaries and sending it by courier »» Remember: The parasite eggs of captivity is the increased to MEDPET laboratories. Dr Rob will will show in brown material and Texposure to parasites. Whilst analyse the samples, identify (if any) not urine. there are many forms of parasites, the parasites by their waste products, we will be looking at worms. eggs etc that is excreted with the The following Information AVIZANDUM and MEDPET (PTY) birds faeces. must be submitted with the LTD have teamed up to bring you MEDPET will then recommend the samples: the reader a special offer. appropriate medication, along with the • The owners phone number. Have you wondered if your dose required for your birds/collection. • Residential address. birds have worm infestation or The only cost to you is the courier • Type of birds in collection / not? How do you determine if you of the sample and obviously the faecal sample. must de-worm your collection or medication that might be required. MEDPET and AVIZANDUM will favourite pet parrot? It is better to keep records of the type, quantity, identify when your birds are more A few points to remember: and the months of findings. These likely to be affected by worms and »» The representative sample must results will be analysed to try and to treat them at that time than to cover all the aviaries establish a pattern based on type treat them at set times of the year. »» If you want each aviary tested of parasites, region where samples Where the likelihood of there being separately, mark the samples came from etc to develop a trend no infestation is as good as there and what species the sample which could be used in better flock being one. It remains a guessing came from. management. These findings will game or do we just de-worm »» The sample must be as fresh be published in the Avizandum. because we remember to or as possible with as little urine As always, and as South because a friend is doing his birds? as possible. African law requires, no breeder’s information will be divulged at We know the peak season for any time. worms is: • Prior to Breeding Season • After heavy rains (wet Samples can be sent to: aviary floors) • During warm temperatures MEDPET • During times of stress 30 Hornbill street • New arrivals. Fourways But none of these confirm if there is an infestation present or not. OR MEDPET have a complete range of products to treat all Parasites. Postnet: Epsom Downs, Lonehill or Fourways Crossing. Now we can help you to eliminate the guessing game. OR
MEDPET will at no charge to »» Nothing is added to sample to try MEDPET our readers and subscribers to keep moist. PO.Box 266 test Faecal Samples and assist »» The darker material in the Fourways. you the Aviculturist to medicate sample the better (and less your flock to treat the birds for white material) (Owner must phone me if they the worms currently present in »» Results are available on the day I do it this way so I can watch out for your flock. receive the sample. parcel). »» Put in Ziplock bag. It will work out cheaper if a club How do you go about making »» Roughly 10 to 50 grams of gets together to sends one parcel use of this great opportunity? sample to be sent in identified packets. Easy as taking a faecal sample from »» The sample must be fresh www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 7 FEATURED ARTICLE NAMAQUA SAND GROUSE PTEROCLES NAMAQUA
irst described by Gmelin in 1789. Johann Friederich Gmelin (8 August 1748 – 1 FNovember 1804) was a German naturalist, botanist, entomologist, herpetologist, and malacologist. The Namaqua Sandgrouse (Pterocles namaqua), is a species of ground-dwelling bird in the sandgrouse family. It is found in arid regions of Namaqua Sandgrouse – Male south-western Africa, Angola, By Yathin sk - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index. South Africa, and Zimbabwe. php?curid=21278587 There are thirteen species, with twenty-eight sub species. These are found on the African continent, Asia, Europe, and the Middle east.
8 Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 www.avizandum.co.za FEATURED ARTICLE NAMAQUA SAND GROUSE SPECIES: Pin-tailed sandgrouse Length: 31 to 39 centimetres (12 to 15 in) Pterocles alchata There are two subspecies: (Linnaeus, 1766) P. a. alchata – Spain, Portugal, France, north PTEROCLES NAMAQUA west Africa P. a. caudacutus – Middle East, Turkey and eastward to Kazakhstan Status: Least concern
Double-banded sandgrouse Length: 31 to 39 centimetres (12 to 15 in) Pterocles bicinctus There are three subspecies: [17] (Temminck, 1815) P. b. ansorgei – south west Angola P. b. bicinctus – Namibia, Botswana, north west Cape Province P. b. multicolor – Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Gauteng Status: Least concern
Burchell’s sandgrouse Length: 25 cm (10 in) Pterocles burchelli Monotypic (Sclater, 1922) Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa Status: Least concern
Crowned sandgrouse There are five subspecies: Pterocles coronatus P. c. atratus – Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan (Lichtenstein, 1823) P. c. coronatus – Sahara, Morocco to Red Sea P. c. ladas – Pakistan P. c. saturatus – Oman P. c. vastitas – Sinai, Israel, Jordan Status: Least concern
Black-faced sandgrouse There are three subspecies: Pterocles decoratus P. d. decoratus – south east Kenya and east (Cabanis, 1868) Tanzania P. d. ellenbecki – north east Uganda, north Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia P. d. loveridgei – west Kenya, west Tanzania Status: Least concern
Chestnut-bellied sandgrouse There are six subspecies: [21] Pterocles exustus P. e. ellioti – Sudan, Eritrea, north Ethiopia, (Temminck, 1825) Somalia P. e. erlangeri – Saudi Arabia, Gulf States, Yemen P. e. exustus – Mauritania to Sudan P. e. floweri – Egypt (almost certainly extinct) P. e. hindustan – south east Iran, Pakistan, India P. e. olivascens – south Ethiopia, Kenya, north Tanzania Status: Least concern
www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 9 FEATURED ARTICLE SPECIES:
Yellow-throated sandgrouse There are two subspecies: [22] Pterocles gutturalis P. g. gutturalis – south Zambia, Zimbabwe, (Smith, 1836) Botswana, South Africa P. g. saturatior – Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, north Zambia Status: Least concern
Painted sandgrouse Monotypic Pterocles indicus India (Gmelin, 1789) Status: Least concern
Lichtenstein’s sandgrouse There are five subspecies: Pterocles lichtensteinii P. l. targius – Sahara, Sahel, south Morocco (Temminck, 1825) to Chad P. l. lichtensteinii – Israel, Sinai, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia P. l. sukensis – Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya P. l. ingramsi – Yemen P. l. arabicus – Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan Status: Least concern
Namaqua sandgrouse Length 31 to 39 centimetres (12 to 15 in) Pterocles namaqua Monotypic (Gmelin, 1789) Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa Status: Least concern
Black-bellied sandgrouse There are two subspecies: Pterocles orientalis P. o. arenarius – Kazakhstan, Pakistan and (Linnaeus, 1758) western China P. o. orientalis – Northwest Africa, Canary Islands, Iberian Peninsula, Cyprus, Middle East, Turkey and Iran Status: Least concern
Madagascan sandgrouse Monotypic Pterocles personatus Madagascar (Gould, 1843) Status: Least concern
10 Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 www.avizandum.co.za FEATURED ARTICLE
Four-banded sandgrouse Length 25 to 28 centimetres (9.8 to 11.0 in) Pterocles quadricinctus Monotypic (Temminck, 1815) Central Africa Status: Least concern
Spotted sandgrouse Length 30 to 41 centimetres (12 to 16 in) Pterocles senegallus Monotypic (Linnaeus, 1771) Mountains of central Asia, Tibet and central China Status: Least concern
Tibetan sandgrouse Length 30 to 41 centimetres (12 to 16 in) Syrrhaptes tibetanus Monotypic (Gould, 1850) Mountains of central Asia, Tibet and central China Status: Least concern
Pallas’s sandgrouse Length 30 to 41 centimetres (12 to 16 in) Syrrhaptes paradoxus Monotypic (Pallas, 1773) Mountains and steppes of central Asia Status: Least concern
www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 11 FEATURED ARTICLE
The Namaqua Sandgrouse • Spitskop Nature Reserve Description: sandgrouse is • Karoo Desert National Botanical a medium-sized bird with a Garden plump body, small head, and • Akkerendam Nature Reserve short legs. It grows to a length • Benfontein Nature Reserve of about 28 centimetres. The • Skilpad Wildflower Reserve male has an orangish buff head, • Tankwa Karoo National Park throat and chest delineated by Behaviour: Outside the breeding a conspicuous narrow band of season, the sandgrouse are white and dark brown. The back Distribution: The Namaqua gregarious (outgoing) and feeding and wings are mottled brown sandgrouse can be found in in flocks of up to 100 birds. The with large white specks and there various arid parts of South Africa birds converge on watering holes are two long black filaments and its neighbouring countries. It in the early morning and several extending from the olive-brown is common in the Kalahari Desert, dozens or even hundreds of tail. The colouring of the female the Nama Karoo (in central individuals may congregate in one and juvenile is more cryptic and western South Africa), and place. They also tend to spend being generally various shades in parts of the Western Cape. the night in groups, congregating of brown patterned with white In addition, it is also found in about an hour before dusk. They specks. It could be confused with Namibia (especially in the Namib split up during the day into much the double-banded sandgrouse Desert - where it is the only smaller groups to feed. (Pterocles bicinctus) and sandgrouse with a long pointed The Namaqua sandgrouse, Burchell’s sandgrouse (Pterocles tail) Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Pterocles namaqua, is a highly burchelli), which share the same Angola. nomadic, southern populations range. Highly nomadic. Flies It favours deserts and other arid partially migratory, granivore of in search of water 1-2 hrs after areas. To survive, this bird needs semiarid to arid habitats. As a sunrise. only seeds, some gravel, and result of nomadic movements in Status and threats: The species easy access to some sort of a response to rainfall, the size of is common within its range and fresh water source. Their habitat the breeding population in any is considered to be of Least usually has rough vegetation and one area fluctuates dramatically Concern by the International tussock-type grasses. between breeding seasons. Union for Conservation of Nature A migrant at the extremities This high mobility in response to (IUCN)Red list of Threatened of its range but resident in the spatial and temporal abundance Species. This means that they dry western country. Subject to of food resources is expected have not been elevated as considerable local fluctuations. to result in little population and a species for conservation. Usually occurs in flocks of a genetic structuring. Concerns have been raised over dozen to twenty but near water Because of their dry diet, they decrease in numbers in recent holes in the mornings and at need to visit water sources years. dusk. Their flight is rapid and as regularly. Drinking times vary The birds are at risk of they glide down water twisting among the species. Ten species predation by mongooses while and turning they give their drink at dawn, four at dusk and they are young. Sheep farmers onomatopoeic “kelkiewyn”. two at indeterminate times. kill birds of prey and jackals to protect their flocks and this may have resulted in an increase in the mongoose population and consequently a diminution in the number of sandgrouse chicks that survive. Other predators that prey on the Namaqua sandgrouse include the booted eagle (Aquila pennatus), the tawny eagle (Aquila rapax), the lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus) and the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). The Namaqua sandgrouse is a host of the Acanthocephalan intestinal parasite Moniliformis kalahariensis Habitat: Arid and semi-arid scrublands and desert grass land. • Karoo National Park When drinking, water is sucked
12 Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 www.avizandum.co.za FEATURED ARTICLE into the beak which is then Feeding: Their principal diet is in Female. raised to let the water flow down seeds but they also eat leaves, Breeding takes place at any time into the crop. By repeating this flowers, small fruit, insects of the year and is dependent on procedure rapidly, enough water (such as ants and termites may rainfall. Namaqua Sandgrouse to last twenty-four hours can be be eaten especially during the is Monogamous: laying 2-3 eggs swallowed in a few seconds. As breeding season), and molluscs. in a shallow scrape, breeding they travel to water holes, they They forage by exploring loose peaks vary from area to area. call to members of their own soil with their beaks and flicking it Usually the nests are solitary but species and many hundreds away sideways. sometimes several pairs of birds or thousands synchronise their The diet of many sandgrouse choose sites near each other. arrival at the drinking site despite is highly specialised, with the The nest is a scrape in the earth, converging from many different seeds of a small number of plant scantily lined with dried plant locations scattered over hundreds species being dominant. This may material. Two or three pinkish- of square miles (kilometres) of depend on local availability but grey eggs with brown markings territory. in other cases it reflects actual are laid over the course of a They are vulnerable to attack selection of favoured seeds few days. Incubation starts after while watering but with many over others by the sandgrouse. the last egg has been laid and birds milling about, predators find Seeds of leguminous plants are lasts about 22 days. The female it difficult to select a target bird usually an important part of the does the incubation by day and and are likely to have been diet. In agricultural areas oats the male does a longer shift at spotted before they can get close and other grain are readily taken. night, starting about two hours to the flock. The choice of a Seeds are either collected from before sunset and finishing two watering site is influenced by the the ground or directly from the hours after dawn. The chicks are topography of the nearby ground. plants. Foraging techniques vary precocial (a young bird or other The sandgrouse tend to avoid between species that co-exist animal hatched or born in an sites with cover for mammalian which reduces competition; advanced state and able to feed predators and their greatest risk is in Namibia, double-banded itself almost immediately)and able usually from predatory birds. sandgrouse feed slowly and to leave the nest on the day they Sandgrouse travel tens of miles to methodically whilst Namaqua are hatched. The male brings their traditional water holes and sandgrouse feed rapidly, them water absorbed on the tend to disregard temporary water exploring loose soil with their specially adapted feathers of his sources which may appear beaks and licking it away breast. The chicks grow rapidly; periodically. This probably has a sideways. Grit is also swallowed they are fully feathered at three survival value because a dried-up to help grind up food in the weeks and able to fly at six weeks water source in an arid region gizzard. of age. could result in dehydration and Sexes: death. The Burchell’s sandgrouse Male: Plain head, long pointed tail in the Kalahari Desert sometimes and call diagnostic. travels over 100 miles (160 km) Female: Separated from the daily to reach a water source. Not Double Banded Sandgrouse by all species need to drink every streaked (not barred) breast and day, and the Tibetan sandgrouse lacks chestnut belly of the female does not need to travel to drink Yellow Throated Sandgrouse. because of the abundance of JUV more finely barred than water from melting snowfields in the female, belly reddish brown its habitat. in male, mottled and barred
Aviculture (from the experiences and aviaries of Danie van Niekerk): Namaqua Sandgrouse is a hardy specimen and become exceptionally tame in captivity. Once relatively tame, they become easily bred, their chicks are relatively easy to hand rear. As previously stated, they are monogenous and pair for life, during the night they sleep close together with their heads in opposite directions. These birds are not aggressive
www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 13 FEATURED ARTICLE outside the breeding season the first two to three weeks. Danie has also been but are very protective of their We have all seen video footage successful in hand rearing the nest and nesting area during the of the male Sandgrouse flying sandgrouse chicks. He uses breeding season. The breeder off to find water, drenching his brooders with a fine layer of keeps four different species in chest feathers in the water and chicken growing meal as a the same aviary and still has bringing it back to the chicks to floor covering, with poppy seed good breeding results. However, drink. In aviculture the parents sprinkled over (any small black breeding species and pairs walk the chicks to the water seed can work). separately would result in better bowl, but the chicks do not drink, Because the chicks breeding outcomes. the male has been seen to instinctively search for water The Namaqua sandgrouse drench his chest feathers in the in the parent’s breast feathers, breeds during the spring and water and then allow the chicks placing water bowls (as with summer months, normally laying to drink from the special chest quail) in the brooders will be 2 to 3 eggs. In aviculture the feathers. The chicks DO NOT a fruitless exercise. Danie nesting methods are much the BEND THEIR HEADS DOWN uses a piece of cotton wool, same as in the wild. A simple to drink water. After about three dipped in water, and held up scrape in the ground near a weeks, the chicks have been to the chick’s beak, once the rock or clump of grass, with a observed to drink from the water cottonwool touches the beak few sticks and tufts of grass bowls. (Keep in mind they are the chick instinctively drinks. scattered around. They sit for fully feathered at three weeks He repeats this process daily 24 to 25 days, (a bit longer than and can fly at six weeks of age) for the first few weeks, until the books state) after which Danie has observed that the the chicks start drinking by both parents raise the chicks. female has the same specialised themselves. The parents walk the chicks breast feathers as the male, The aviary must be sparsely and stimulate them to eat off the which also allows her to provide planted, with plenty of sand for ground and seeds from local water to the chicks, however the Sandgrouse to roll and bath vegetation. literature does not mention this in the sand. Sandgrouse like The chicks are dependent and aviculture as a whole is not the wide-open plains and as on their parents for water for all aware of this. such, aviaries must mimic this.
Namaqua Sandgrouse – Female By Yathin sk - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index. php?curid=21278588
14 Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine JulyJune 2020 2020 www.avizandum.co.za 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 July 2020 15 LORO PARQUE FOUNDATION
SURVEY CONFIRMS UPWARD TREND OF THE BLUE-THROATED MACAW IN BOLIVIA
David Waugh, Correspondent, Loro Parque Fundación
hat are the indications to evaluate alongside these social estimate of that the Blue-throated indicators is the biological indicator 115 – 125 WMacaw (Ara glaucogularis), of the macaw’s population trend. total which is still listed as ‘Critically Reliable population size individuals. Endangered’ in the IUCN Red estimates are vital for the eff ective The latter List of Threatened Species, is conservation and management estimate is any better off after 27 years? of the Blue-throated Macaw. wide of the This is the number of years that However, there has long existed mark given that for several years the Loro Parque Fundación has some uncertainty about the at just one non-breeding season supported in-country partner population size of this species. (dry season) roost, in the Barba activities for the conservation of Reasons for this are various and Azul Nature Reserve in the north- this species, endemic to one of include that the Blue-throated west of the species’ distribution, South America’s largest grassland Macaw is a potentially highly there have been counts of fl oodplains, the Llanos de Moxos mobile species, for which only more than 100 individuals, with in northern Bolivia. There are limited information exists about the record number of 155 in several positive signs, including how far it ranges in its movements. September 2017. The Blue- the virtual elimination of illegal Furthermore, the lowland, throated Macaw’s geographical removal of chicks from nests for seasonally inundated savannas in distribution is divided into three trade and, due to involvement which it lives are very extensive disjunct, potentially isolated of the local communities in the and relatively inaccessible. Such subpopulations in the south, the manufacture of artifi cial tail remoteness and inaccessibility northeast and the northwest, and feathers, the drastic reduction mean that traditional survey and the species is patchily distributed in mortality from hunting for tail census methods for estimating wherever it occurs. Its potential feathers to adorn indigenous population size can be unsuitable, distribution has been estimated to ceremonial headdresses. Another unfeasible or cost-prohibitive. have an extent of only 43,500 km² sign is the spontaneous use by the From opportune, but not to 52,300 km², whereas the extent community of the name and image systematic, collection of data of suitable habitat (palm forest of the Blue-throated Macaw in over the years, the Loro Parque islands) is thought to be between everyday life, strongly suggesting Fundación and its partners have 9,236 km² and 19,249 km². the development of much estimated the total population to However, some certainty has increased awareness and pride in number between 250 and 350 been introduced by the recent local people. However, essential individuals. Others have given an publication of the results of a
16 AvizandumAvizandum BirdkeepingBirdkeeping MagazineMagazine July June 2020 2020 www.avizandum.co.za LORO PARQUE FOUNDATION study to obtain the first rigorous, established 11 survey areas occupancy of 34.3%. They also accurate conservative estimate across the three subpopulations, used two measures: a conservative of the Blue-throated Macaw’s which were visited twice, each estimate of the total number population size based on a time for a maximum of 12 days, by of macaws (CETN) detected, systematic distribution-wide one team in each subpopulation. excluding likely repeat observations survey. The survey was conducted The surveyors, all thoroughly of the same individuals, and the during the late dry season of familiar with the identification highest single count (HSC) of 2015 and was combined with a by sight and sound of the Blue- Blue-throated Macaws observed quantitative analysis of the extent throated Macaw and the similar simultaneously at any point. of suitable forest habitat using Blue-and-yellow Macaw (Ara The total number of Blue- remote sensing environmental ararauna), also obtained additional throated Macaws detected by data. The careful survey design count data from two roost sites. survey (CETN) and roost site adapted standard bird survey From the survey data obtained, counts was 137. Across all survey protocols to the constraints the scientists extrapolated the areas, the number of macaws imposed by local conditions to number of macaws detected per 100 ha of suitable habitat was avoid or at least minimise the per 100 ha of suitable habitat 4.7 for the first survey period and problem of double-counting in each survey area to the 4.4 for the second period for CETN specific individuals and the entire area of suitable habitat in and 3.2 and 3.4, respectively, for resulting inflation of population all subpopulations combined, HSC data. Corresponding global estimates. The scientists corrected for the species’ range population estimates were of 426 – 455 (CETN) and 312 – 329 (HSC) individual macaws. These findings indicate that the Blue- throated Macaw has a larger population and slightly larger distribution than previously thought and confirms that the positive effects of conservation actions are now becoming apparent. The researchers indicate the several priorities that exist for future research and conservation. One of those will be to monitor the population trend of the Blue- throated Macaw by regularly repeating every three to five years the systematic survey. *Herzog, S., Maillard Z., O., Boorsma, T., Sánchez-Ávila, G., García-Solíz, V., Paca-Condori, A., Vaílez de Abajo, M. and Soria- Auza, R. (2020). First systematic sampling approach to estimating the global population size of the Critically Endangered Blue-throated Macaw Ara glaucogularis. Bird Conservation International.
www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 17 TRANSPORTATION PERCH AND CRATE REQUIRMENTS FOR BIRDS
National council of SPCAs
ue to the increasing number of birds being fl own over the world and across South Africa, the NSPCA had noticed the use of crates Dfor birds which is not compliant with the IATA Live Animals Regulations. All perching birds are required to have suitable perches in the crates specifi c for the species and size. Frequently asked questions are which birds perch and which don’t and how do we tell the diff erence? The following diagram will show the legs of a typical perching birds forming over a perch.
18 Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine JuneJuly 2020 2020 www.avizandum.co.za TRANSPORATION
This needs to be taken into consideration when material for perches. crates are supplied for the transport of birds. Flat • The container must not allow the animal to injure surfaces are not acceptable for birds during air itself. All the edges must be smooth or rounded. PERCH AND CRATE transportation fl ight due to the natural stance of There must be no sharp objects, such as nails, upon perching birds which is further explained in the IATA which the animal can injure itself. The inside joints Live Animals Regulation. of a wooden container must be constructed that it The crates indicated below are in contravention of cannot be damage by the animal gnawing or clawing the IATA Live Animals Regulations as well the Animals the container from the inside. REQUIRMENTS FOR BIRDS Protection Act 71 of 1962. • Handlebars and spacebars must be provided to prevent handlers from being bitten by the birds. • Suitable ventilation must be available for all containers. • Feeding and watering must be made available for the birds inside the crates with access from the outside, allowing access for replenishment purposes. They must be rounded and made out of non-toxic material, suitable for the species. • Soldered tin must not be used. • All birds require water when being transported. • Aggressive birds must be packed individually. • Bedding or absorbent natural materials may be provided on fl oor of crate.
The perch supplied in the crate above is fl at and the small birds cannot perch in a natural position on it. Even with only small distance fl ying this should not be allowed as no natural perching bird can perch on a fl at surface. Requirements as set out in the IATA Live Animals Custom made plastic crates made for birds, must meet Regulations the following must be in place for the requirement in the IATA Live Animals Regulations the crates when transporting any live animals including birds. • All birds must be able to perch simultaneously and no overstock may be allowed to prevent smothering and overcrowding; Artificial eggs • A suitable perch must be fi xed inside the container at a height that just allows the bird to perch naturally S: ringnecks - R35.00 each with minimum head and tail clearance. (Birds must be able to sit up straight on the perch without M: Greys/Galah - R40.00 each touching the roof or sides.) L: Macaws - R45.00 each • Note that some birds may be exempted from requiring perches. • Suitable separated fl anged feed and water containers with outside access must be provided, and fi xed to the inside of the container. • Some species require the roof to be padded with soft material that cannot be destroyed. • Handling spacer bars or handles must be provided and must be secured. • When constructing containers for animal shipment, the normal habits and necessary freedom of movement must be considered; • The container must be well constructed and able to withstand other freight damage which can cause the structure to buckle or bend; • Containers must be constructed of non-toxic materials. Chemically treated wood may be poisonous and must not be used; this include
www.avizandum.co.za Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 19 TRANSPORTATION
WOODEN CRATES MADE FOR BIGGER BIRDS
Typial wood crates being used with wire mesh secured over the holes.
Plastic pet container modifi ed for birds.
20 Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine July 2020 www.avizandum.co.za TRANSPORATION
Below are examples of crates which are not compliant with IATA Live Animal Regulations:
No space bars and no perches. This form of transport is of concern and not compliant to IATA Live Animal Regulations. This type of crate would not withstand damage by other shipment. The animal’s wellbeing transported inside this crate is at risk.
Providing your bird with a nutritionally Guideline: balanced diet.
Feed 10% of Add luke warm water birds body mass. Eg: a 400g bird will need Complete 40g of food. Maintenance Parrot Mix Fruit & vegetables can Add +-10% This staple be given for variety. Pellets fed diet makes Always dry in a up 60 – 70% give +-10% separate dish of total. – making sure your Eg.70%+10%+10%+10% birds never Breeder =100% fully balanced Add +- go hungry. diet. Or 10-20% 10% as a fat source Fat Requirement of cage birds (% of dry diet) Low Fat (6-10%) Medium Fat (10-15%) High Fat (<20%) Complete Parrot Mix is low Finches, Canaries, Conures, Eclectes, Queen of Bavaria, in fat enabling bird keeper to Lovebirds, Cockatiels, African Parrots, Mollucan Cockatoo, Budgies, Ringnecks, Amazon Parrots, White Palm Cockatoos, Black feed additional sunflower Galah’s Cockatoos Cockatoos, Macaws seeds as required.
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22 Avizandum Birdkeeping Magazine June 2020 www.avizandum.co.za