Now Presenting The Veldhoven Park By Pierre de Chabannes, Photography by Josef Lindholm III

“One of Europe’s biggest parrot collections.” “A truly amazing park with many rare on display.”

hese compliments would sug- their knowledge with non specialists. because the owners could not care prop- gest that the place is really well The park itself is named Papegaaien- erly for them. The idea of creating a par- known and that it would have a park Veldhoven and the nickname NOP rot refuge soon turned into reality, which Tsolid international reputation like Bird- is in fact derived from the name of the put an end to his career as a parrot dealer park Walsrode. But the Veldhoven Par- Dutch Foundation for the Refuge and and seller. With the growing popular- rot Park, also known as NOP, is not in Care of which runs the place. The ity of his association, he soon needed that league. Even in the European bird- foundation itself was created in 1987 by more space to build and tropical lovers community, this place is not often a former parrot-dealer named Tonnie greenhouses to keep more and more mentioned and mostly known by parrot Van Meegen who realized that most par- donated to him each week. breeders who, unfortunately, rarely share rots he sold were returned back to him In 1992, a 19.75-acre forested field

AFA Watchbird 21 located close to Eindhoven airport was acquired and the park opened to the public in 1993. As more birds of differ- ent kinds kept arriving as surplus from other parks or confiscated by the Dutch customs, the park kept get- ting bigger and, thanks to the generosity of private donors and sponsors, a tropi- cal hall and several big aviaries were built between 1995 and 2005. Today, the NOP is the world’s biggest parrot sanctuary and houses one of the biggest bird collec- tions in Europe. The purpose of this park is not to breed or exhibit species, but to keep working as a parrot sanctuary and care center. A hospital entirely devoted to parrots has been built in 2000, thanks to a German sponsor and more facilities are added each year. The NOP currently works with the World Parrot Trust, based in Paradise Park (England) for parrot conservation in the wild but also estab- lishing parrots breeding programs in and giving tutorials on how to properly take care and keep these feath- ered jewels. From 1993, the parrot park has been opened to public and all the admission fees (10 euros these days) are used for ani- mal care and feeding. Only volunteers are working at the park and nobody, even the owner, is being paid for their duties. It is to be stressed that this park is not a breeding center but European laws are very strict on keeping animals belonging to Appendix I of CITES. In that case, no An interior lookout and feeding platform matter the park’s goals and policy, breed- such as Birdpark Walsrode, Berlin exhibits, especially in the tropical hall ing must be encouraged and attempted and Jurong Bird Park but I must admit I named Tropi-joy, where most species are which has led to great successes with was blown away. No information about not labeled. Hyacinth Macaws and several hornbill the place had ever reached me since I Our visit starts with the first rows of species, the most recent achievements started to get interested in and birds aviaries, entirely dedicated to medium- to being recorded with the Sulawesi Red- and I couldn’t imagine that this park big-sized parrot species. Here, the focus knobbed Hornbills (Aceros cassidix) and could house such an incredible collection, is not about the landscaping of exhib- the extremely rarely bred Rufous Horn- particularly concerning tropical Ameri- its but more about functionality, hygiene bills (Buceros hydrocorax), this last species can birds! and easiness for all daily care-tasks. Some being kept backstage. The purpose of this article is to make perches and wooden structures are pro- I was first introduced to this unique you discover the NOP as I was lucky to vided but no vegetation has been added. bird park by a parrot breeder friend who visit it more than five times in five consec- First on show are several pairs of ama- took me there and offered me a guided utive years. I would recommend spending zons, each shown in one small aviary. tour of the facilities in April 2006. I had two full days in the park in order to see We can find Mealy Amazons(Amazona already visited many nice most rarities showcased in the different farinosa farinosa), Vinaceous Amazons

22 Volume XXXVI • number 4 • 2009 from other subspecies by its yellow area on head covering also cheeks and sur- rounding the eyes, and common Yel- low-naped Amazons (Amazona auropal- liata auropalliata). A huge aviary filled with branches, ropes and perches is occu- pied by a pair of Scarlet Macaws (Ara macao) and one Green-winged Macaw (Ara chloropterus). Next on line are some cockatoos, namely Greater Sulphur- crested Cockatoos (Cacatua galerita gal- erita), White Cockatoos (Cacatua alba) and Salmon-crested Cockatoos (Caca- tua moluccensis) which are housed sepa- rately in smaller exhibits. A pair of Pre- vost’s squirrels (Callosciurus prevosti) has been brought to the park in a very small metal cage and is staying there, in poor conditions. By the side of the parrot hospital, there is a grassy enclosure, called Lorre-Acker, filled with branches and an assortment of tree trunks. In this exhibit are kept about thirty parrots, mostly cockatoos, eclectus and amazons which cannot fly and some- times are sick, stressed or simply too old to be kept with other birds. Of course, most specimens shown there are not in good physical condition but at least, they have a secure place where to spend their last days. Surrounding this facility are medium-sized aviaries with, again, a few perches provided. Here are kept the big- gest parrots species of the park, and some of the rarest, including three pairs of Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hya- cinthinus), two pairs of Green-winged Macaws (Ara chloropterus), a pair of Scar- At top is one of the Baudin’s Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus baudinii). Above is one of the let Macaws (Ara macao), a pair of the crit- very rare Marajo Yellow-fronted Amazons (Amazona ochrocephala xantholaema). ically endangered Blue-throated Macaws (Amazona vinacea), Green-cheeked Hispaniolan Amazons (Amazona ven- (Ara glaucogularis), a pair of Buffon’s Amazons (Amazona viridigenalis), Lila- tralis), Honduras Yellow-naped Ama- Macaws (Ara ambigua), a pair of Mexi- cine Amazons (Amazona autumnalis zons (Amazona auropalliata parvipes), can Military Macaws (Ara militaris mexi- lilacina), Blue-cheeked Amazons (Ama- Red-backed Amazons (Amazona festiva cana) and two pairs of Blue and Yellow zona dufresniana), Cuban Amazons festiva), Bodinus Red-backed Amazons Macaws (Ara ararauna). A pair of Bau- (Amazona leucocephala leucocephala), (Amazona festiva bodini), Lilac-crowned din’s Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus Red-lored Amazons (Amazona autum- Amazons (Amazona finschii finschii), baudinii), endangered in the wild and nalis autumnalis), the very rare Yellow- Salvin’s Amazons (Amazona autumna- extremely rarely seen in captivity, was bellied Amazons (Amazona xanthops), lis salvini), the very rare Marajo Yellow- kept in this area until 2008. Yellow-shouldered Amazons (Ama- fronted Amazons (Amazona ochrocephala Two newly built and quite huge avi- zona barbadensis barbadensis), the rare xantholaema) which can be recognized aries are featuring a group of African

AFA Watchbird 23 White-backed Vultures (Gyps africanus) and amazons. a big group of Yellow-headed Amazons and South-American King Vultures (Sar- Next on line are five big aviaries, at (Amazona oratrix oratrix), one Guatema- coramphus papa) living with a pair of Red- least 8 meters tall and almost 50 meters lan Mealy Amazon (Amazona farinosa legged Seriemas (Cariama cristata) and long, where many dozens parrots are kept, guatemalae), several Red-lored Amazons some Bush Thick-knees(Burhinus gral- all together, sometimes with , in (Amazona autumnalis autumnalis), a pair larius) which are both quite common in very nice conditions, with lots of perches, of Yellow-shouldered Amazons (Ama- European bird collections. Two other avi- places to hide and wooden structures to zona barbadensis barbadensis) and one aries located a few meters away are show- play with. Here, we find mostly amazons, very rare Belize Yellow-headed Amazon casing two breeding pairs of Asian Horn- macaws, cockatoos and other medium- (Amazona oratrix beliziensis). bills, namely the Sulawesi Red-knobbed to big-sized parrots, each species being Cockatoos are also numerous with Hornbill (Aceros cassidix) and the Javan shown in big groups which sometimes a whole flock of the highly endangered Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoc- results in producing hybrids when breed- Abbott’s Sulphur-crested Cockatoos eros silvestris). A pair of African Wattled ing is recorded for this bird, which is (Cacatua sulphurea abbotti) which are Cranes (Bugeranus carunculatus), arrived not a priority for the park. Among ama- bigger than other Lesser Sulphur-crested at the park in 2007, live in a small enclo- zons, we find one Yellow-bellied Ama- Cockatoos subspecies and also lack the sure nearby. zon (Amazona xanthops), a huge group of yellow area on ear-coverts, Common Many small octagonal aviaries are built Blue-fronted Amazons (Amazona aestiva Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (Caca- all around the forested area of the park. aestiva) and Yellow-winged Blue-fronted tua sulphurea sulphurea), the rare Timor In each one are shown a few parrot spe- Amazons (Amazona aestiva xanthop- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sul- cies, the most interesting of which being teryx) separated between the five aviaries, phurea parvula), New Guinea Greater a pair of Orange-bellied Senegal Parrot a big flock of Yellow-fronted Amazons Sulphur-crested or Triton Cockatoos (Poicephalus senegalus versteri), the Mas- (Amazona ochrocephala ochrocephala), (Cacatua galerita triton), Bare-eyed Cock- sai Jardine’s Parrot (Poicephalus gulielmi some Yellow-naped Amazons (Amazona atoos (Cacatua sanguinea) and Goffin’s massaicus), some African Grey Parrots auropalliata auropalliata), some Orange- Cockatoos (Cacatua goffinii). Other par- (Psittacus erithacus) and more cockatoos winged Amazons (Amazona amazonica), rots species shown in these huge aviaries

24 Volume XXXVI • number 4 • 2009 headed (Platycercus adscitus pal- liceps) and a big group of Eastern Rosellas (Platycercus eximius ceciliae). To finish with parrots, this installation also exhib- its a pair of the rare Illiger’s Macaw (Pro- pyrrhura maracana). Cohabitating with all these small parrots species are a pair of Common Mynahs (Acridotheres tris- tis), a small group of Ring-necked Pheas- ants (Phasianus colchicus), a pair of Cali- fornian Quails (Callipepla californica), a small group of Ypecaha Rails (Aramides ypecaha), one Chilean Lapwing (Vanel- lus chilensis cayennensis) and a Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). Until 2008, we could also find a pair of Mikado Pheasants (Syrmaticus mikado) in this aviary which is about 50 meters long, 6 meters high and up to 11 meters wide! A walk-in exhibit has been created Cranes enclosure in 2005 to house a group of Ring-tailed Lemurs (Lemur katta), all surplus males are Blue and Yellow Macaws (Ara ara- (Aratinga wagleri frontata), the increas- coming from a breeding group belong- rauna), Green-winged Macaws (Ara chlo- ingly rare Mitred (Aratinga ing to Amersfoort Zoo, along with some ropterus), Illiger’s Macaws (Propyrrhura mitrata), Red-masked Conures (Arat- Chinese Barking Deer (Muntiacus reevesi maracana), one Blue-headed Macaw (Pro- inga erythrogenys), the rarely seen White- reevesi). With this exhibit, we now enter pyrrhura couloni), Military Macaws (Ara eyed Conures (Aratinga leucophthalmus), the part of the park where big forested militaris), Long-billed Conures (Enicog- Orange-fronted Conures (Aratinga canic- enclosures have been created. The first nathus leptorhynchus) and Red Lories ularis), Jandaya Conures (Aratinga jan- four, built all in a row, have been designed (Eos bornea). daya), Black-capped Conures (Nandayus for housing ratites with a breeding group In the biggest of all five aviaries, we nenday), a group of Patagonian Conures of Emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) and can also find one male Japanese Green (Cyanoliseus patagonus) and some Black- three specimens of Bennett’s Cassowaries, (Phasianus versicolor), a pair capped Conures (Pyrrhura rupicola). two of them belonging to the subspecies of White-eared Pheasants (Crossopti- We can also find a few Rainbow Lories “Casuarius bennetti papuanus,” identifi- lon crossoptilon drounyi) and two Grey- (Trichoglossus haematodus haematodus) able with its big white mark on each side crowned Cranes ( regulorum and the rare Weber Lory (Trichoglossus of the head, and the last one belonging regulorum). A group of Silver Pheas- haematodus weberi), sometimes treated as to subspecies “Casuarius bennetti hecki,” ants (Lophura nycthemera) and a pair of a separate species. which has darker blue head sides and Razor-billed Curassows (Mitu tuberosum) Australian and Asian parakeets are neck. On the other side of the pathway, are housed in the last two aviaries of that also well represented with the Siamese we find two more enclosures, one keeping area. Alexandrine Parakeets (Psittacula eupa- Yellow-billed (Mycteria ibis) with In the middle of that place, there is tria siamensis), some Ring-necked Para- Saddle-billed Storks (Ephippiorhynchus the first walk-in exhibit of our visit which keets (Psittacula krameri manillensis), senegalensis) and the other being occupied houses many conures and smaller par- one Port Lincoln Ring-necked Para- by a pair of Red-crowned Cranes ( rots species, along with a few other birds, keet (Barnardius zonarius semitorqua- japonensis). in a nicely landscaped habitat with many tus), one Mallee Ring-necked Parakeet These two exhibits are located directly perches, a grassy area and much wood (Barnardius barnardi macgillivrayi), on the banks of a big pond in which the provided in which some parrots even one rarely seen Green (Platyc- cranes often come to browse for food. nest. To start with conures, we find Blue- ercus caledonicus), a group of Crimson Some domestic mutations of Mallards crowned Conures (Aratinga acuticaudata Rosellas (Platycercus elegans), the Yellow (Anas platyrhynchos) and other acuticaudata), Scarlet-fronted Conures Rosella (Platycercus flaveolus), a few Pale- are living on the lake, along with Wild

AFA Watchbird 25 Coots (Fulica atra) and free roaming tur- tle species. We are now arriving at the far side of the NOP where most spe- cies are kept in beautiful planted aviar- ies. It is to be noted that all species kept there have been breeding quite regularly for years and the Parrot Park currently holds the biggest cranes collection in Netherlands. There we find some Demoi- selle Cranes (Grus virgo), Stanley’s Cranes (Grus paradisea), White-naped Cranes (Grus vipio), Greater Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis), Common Eurasian Cranes (Grus grus grus), Sarus Cranes (Grus antigone antigone) and a pair of Goliath Herons (Ardea goliath), which are shown at the park since 2008. We exit the cranes area and reach a newly built enclosure with a small con- crete beach and a pool housing a few Humboldt’s (Spheniscus hum- boldti) which arrived at the park in 2008. leucocephalus alaskaensis) which arrived Amazons (Amazona ochrocephala pan- More waterbirds are shown in grassy in the park between 2005 and 2008. amensis) and the others keeping more enclosures along the main pond and a Back to parrots, we’re now intro- Green-winged Macaws, Blue and Yellow secondary lake where we can find Great duced to a building fitted with two rows Macaws and other common parrots such White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus), of very small aviaries, created mostly to as Blue-fronted Amazons. Chilean (Phoenicopterus chil- house pairs of parrots which can barely We’re now entering what has prob- ensis), a pair of Maguari Storks (Cico- fly because of health or prob- ably become the biggest walk-in avi- nia maguari), some Greater Cormorants lems, and also old individuals belong- ary ever created for parrots. Opened in (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis), a breeding ing to fragile species. Here are found sev- 1997, this area covers about 2500 square group of Eurasian White Storks (Cico- eral pairs of Timor Cockatoos (Cacatua meters and is full of cut trees, trunks and nia ciconia) and many species such sulphurea parvula), a few Citron-crested wooden structures provided for parrots, as Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna paradisea), Cockatoos (Cacatua sulphurea citrinoc- pheasants and cranes living there all year. Cereopsis Goose (Cereopsis novaehollan- ristata), two pairs of Golden or Queen of Three smaller aviaries, located in the mid- diae) and many more. Bavaria Conures (Guarouba guarouba), dle of the mesh-covered path are housing Another highlight of the NOP is two pairs of the very rare Blue-backed Blue-winged Kookaburras (Dacelo leachii called the “Spider” aviary. It’s basically a Parrots (Tanygnathus sumatranus suma- leachii), a pair of American Kestrels big sized exhibit (about 6.5 meters high tranus), a pair of Tucuman Amazons (Falco sparverius sparverius) and a group and 21 meters wide) surrounded by a (Amazona tucumana), a pair of very sel- of Grey Mouse-birds (Colius striatus). mesh and topped by a spider-like con- dom seen Roatan Yellow-naped Amazon In the main structure, we find several struction with six steel-legs and a Volk- (Amazona auropalliata caribae) recogniz- Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (Caca- swagen Beetle car as body. This copy of an able with its all-yellow bill, and a pair of tua galerita triton), two pairs of Bank- artifact built somewhere in United States White-fronted Amazons (Amazona albi- sian Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus banksii), has been donated to the park after serving frons nana), among others. On each side many Blue-fronted Amazons (Amazona as an eye-catcher for ‘Dynamo Open Air’ of this building, two grassy enclosures aestiva aestiva), some Orange-winged Rock festival in Eindhoven. Here, we find each house a pair of White-naped Cranes Amazons (Amazona amazonica), a few more macaws, mostly common species (Grus vipio). Red-lored Amazons (Amazona autumna- but also a pair of Red-fronted Macaws Walking a few meters on the main lis autumnalis), Greater (Coracopsis vasa) (Ara rubrogenys). A giant aviary has path leads us to three big-sized par- and Lesser Vasa Parrots (Coracopsis nigra), been built just behind to house several rot aviaries, the first of which housing a group of Australian King Parrots (Alis- young American Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus a big group of Panama Yellow-fronted terus scapularis), a pair of the rarely seen

26 Volume XXXVI • number 4 • 2009 (Agapornis roseicollis) but also some Masked Lovebirds (Agapornis personatus) and Fischer’s Lovebirds (Agapornis fis- cheri). Two pairs of Red-rumped Para- keets (Psephotus haematonotus) along with Bourke’s Parakeets (Neopsepho- tus bourkii), Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), Cockatiels (Nymphicus hol- landicus), Red-fronted Parakeets (Cyan- oramphus novaeseelandiae) and a small group of Eurasian Red-legged (Alectoris rufa) are living in the second exhibit. Turning left on the path leads us to the pheasantry, composed of medium- sized aviaries with a few bushes, stones and big perches. An overview of animals kept in this zone could be as follows: one One of the rarely seen Magna Yellow-headed Amazons (Amazona oratrix magna) male of the rare Lineated Kalij Pheas- Magna Yellow-headed Amazon (Ama- species will probably be added by 2010. ant (Lophura leucomelanos lineata), a pair zona oratrix magna) sometimes consid- We now find the children’s zoo and of Lady Amherst’s Pheasants (Chryso- ered as a color mutation of the nominal farm, where many goats, rabbits, guinea- lophus amherstiae), several mutations of subspecies of Yellow-headed Amazon, a pigs, dwarf horses, chickens, domestic Golden Pheasants (Chrysolophus pictus), pair of Black-crowned Cranes (Balearica and geese, along with Crowned a pair of Blue-eared Pheasants (Crossopti- pavonina pavonina) and a pair of the beau- Cranes (Balearica sp.), are kept in a grassy lon auritum), a pair of Himalayan Monals tiful Swinhoe’s Pheasants (Lophura swin- field. Just by the side, two small aviar- (Lophophorus impejanus), a pair of Noble hoii). During my last visit, in 2009, this ies are housing a big group of love-birds, Fireback Pheasants (Lophura ignita nobi- exhibit was being renovated and more rare most of them being Rosy-faced Lovebirds lis), a pair of Silver Pheasants (Lophura

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AFA Watchbird 27 nycthemera), a pair of not so common Yel- ostralegus), a pair of Black-faced Ibises some raptors, especially , brought to low-knobbed Curassows (Crax dauben- (Theristicus melanopis) and a flock of the the park during the last ten years. Among toni), a pair of Reeve’s Pheasants (Syrmat- Australian White-faced Heron (Ardea them are Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucoceph- icus reevesi), a pair of Eliott’s Pheasants novaehollandiae), which is very rarely alus alaskaensis), some common Eagle-owls (Syrmaticus eliotti), a group of European kept in European zoos. (Bubo bubo bubo), a pair of Snowy Owls Turtle Doves (Streptopelia turtur) and Once having circled around this (Nyctea scandiniaca), a pair of Andean a group of Crested Pigeons (Ocyphaps impressive exhibit, we find a couple of avi- Condors (Vultur gryphus) and a pair of lophotes). aries, built on each side of a small circu- Great Grey Owls (Strix nebulosa lapponica). Next are a huge group of Eclectus Par- lar building to house, respectively, a group Following the main pathway, we reach rots (Eclectus roratus polychloros) and of Keas (Nestor notabilis), and a pair of two more small building fitted with two African Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus rarely seen Blue-eyed Cockatoos (Cacatua rows of small aviaries that are used for erithacus) kept in two long aviaries, each ophthalmica), along with Palm Cocka- keeping young, sick or old parrots, mostly with a domestic mutation of Golden toos (Probosciger aterrimus) and Banksian amazons, cockatoos, conures and African Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus). On the Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus banksii). parrots. Some noticeable species housed other side of the path is one of the major Other aviaries, smaller but with bet- there are Red-winged Parrots (Aprosmic- new constructions done by the NOP in ter landscaping, are located on the other tus erythropterus), a pair of Brown-headed the last years: a monster aviary, more than side of the path which arrives near a small Parrots (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus), some 15 meters high and several dozen meters place with a children’s playground and a Red-bellied Parrots (Poicephalus rufiven- long, beautifully landscaped and designed restaurant. In here, we find two pairs of tris), many Galahs (Eolophus roseicapil- specifically for housing water birds, ibises White-necked Ravens (Corvus albicol- lus) and a pair of the rarely seen Western and egrets. Among them, we find a group lis) which are not common in European Corella (Cacatua pastinator). of immature Scarlet Ibises (Eudocimus zoos, a pair of Gray’s Piping Guans (Pipile New enclosures are regularly built ruber), a pair of Black-tailed Godwits cumanensis grayi) and two pairs of newly in this area. Some of them are hous- (Limosa limosa), a large group of Com- arrived Crowned Hornbills (Tockus ing domestic animals such as rabbits or mon Redshanks (Tringa totanus), a group alboterminatus). guinea pigs, others are used for wild ani- of Pied Avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta), On the other side, we find very tall and mals, either zoo surplus such as a bachelor some Pied Oystercatchers (Haematopus deep aviaries which are used for housing group of Meerkats (Suricatta suricatta),

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1820 ARNOLD INDUSTRIAL WAY, CONCORD, CA 94520 Laurie Baker

28 Volume XXXVI • number 4 • 2009 billed Noble Macaws (Diopsittaca nobilis cumanensis), a pair of Black-billed Noble Macaws (Diopsittaca nobilis nobilis), a pair of Chestnut-fronted Macaws (Ara severa) and a pair of the very rare Pileated Parrot (Pionopsitta pileata), which is not shown anywhere else in Europe. A pair of White-headed Hornbills (Tropicranus albocristatus albocristatus) was kept in one of these aviaries until 2008 but has now been replaced by a female Trumpeter Hornbill (Cerato- gymna buccinator) and a female Piping Hornbill (Bycanistes fistulator sharpii), identifiable from the other subspecies with her clear bill and white wing patch. Other aviaries in this section have been used since 2008 to house newly imported species, and particu- larly the very rare Guianan Toucanet One of the three specimens of Bennett’s Cassowaries, a member of the subspecies Casuarius ( culik), which wasn’t shown bennetti papuanus in European bird collections before, also or confiscated turtles, including endan- Smaller parrots from Africa and South two pairs of Green Araçaris (Pteroglossus gered species such as African Spurred America are also housed here, notably viridis), one pair of Black-necked Araçaris Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) or Mada- two pairs of Hawk Parrots (Deroptyus (Pteroglossus ), a pair of Swainson’s gascar Star Tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), accipitrinus accipitrinus), the very rarely Toucans ( swainsonii) and a to name a few. seen Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robus- pair of Channel-billed toucans (Rampha- We are now getting close to the huge tus robustus), the Brown-necked Parrot stos vitellinus). tropical house, but before we do, let’s (Poicephalus robustus suhaelicus) with Time now for us to enter probably the have a look on all these small aviaries a much brighter coloration, especially most impressive and the last exhibit of the which have been built on two sides of on neck, than the Cape Parrot, a pair park: the huge tropical hall (more than 40 this impressive building. Here are housed of Meyer’s Parrots (Poicephalus meyeri meters wide, 50 meters long and 8 meters rare parrots, sometimes also hornbills transvaalensis), a pair of the rare White- high) known as Tropi-Joy. This building, and toucans but priority is given to par- rots which cannot live in mixed species groups, either because of their bad tem- per, or because they’re too fragile. Some of the most conspicuous birds kept here are cockatoos, including two pairs of the rare Western Corellas (Caca- tua pastinator), one pair of the Bare- eyed Cockatoo (Cacatua sanguinea), a few White Cockatoos (Cacatua alba), two Salmon-crested Cockatoos (Caca- tua moluccensis), two pairs of Citron- crested Cockatoos (Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata), several Ducorps Cocka- toos (Cacatua ducorpsi)—which are rarely seen in Europe—and some Greater Sul- phur-crested Cockatoos (Cacatua galerita galerita).

AFA Watchbird 29 inaugurated in 2004, allows the visitor to find a pair of Toco Toucans(Rampha - 2007. In 2009, many small aviaries were be immersed into a perfect reconstitution stos toco), a pair of Keel-billed Toucans added to display seed-eating birds includ- of a tropical rainforest where dozens of (Ramphastos sulfuratus), one Andean ing many nuns, waxbills and grassfinches bird species, some of them very rarely seen Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvi- but mostly commonly seen species. in captivity, are free roaming in between ana), which has been recently released A pair of Wreathed Hornbills (Aceros big trees, ferns and flowery plants. A play- in the free-flying part of the exhibit, two undulatus), a pair of Wrinkled Hornbills ground for children and a restaurant have pairs of Papuan Hornbills (Aceros plica- (Aceros corrugatus) and a pair of White- been installed in the central part of the tus) which often breed, a pair of the very headed Hornbills (Berenicornis comatus), building which means that the place is rarely kept Writhed Hornbills (Aceros the last one being replaced in 2009 by the often and unfortunately crowded, which leucocephalus), a pair of Javan Rhinoc- Writhed Hornbills, are living in three big doesn’t help birdwatchers and photog- eros Hornbills (Buceros rhinoceros silves- aviaries, built in the middle of the rain- raphers. Stairs lead us on a second story tris), a pair of Guianan Toucanets (Sele- forest hall and visible both from upper from where we can see directly in the can- nidera culik), two pairs of the very rare and lower floors. opy of trees planted there. On this obser- Curl-crested Araçari (Pteroglossus beau- On the ground floor, along with all vation deck which runs all around the harnaesii) which recently bred, one pair the trees and free-flight area, we also construction, we also find dark aviaries of Pale-mandibled Araçaris (Pteroglossus find a few small aviaries with just a few where several hornbills and toucans spe- erythropygius), a breeding group of highly perches and a nest box, where are kept cies, among others, are shown to public endangered Bali Starlings (Leucopsar pairs of Black-headed Caiques (Pionites and even breed despite having very few rothschildi), a pair of recently arrived and melanocephala), Yellow-thighed Caiques space to live in. still quite rare Black-spotted Barbet (Cap- (Pionites leucogaster xanthomeria), Rain- With many birds not being labeled, ito niger niger), a pair of White-crested bow Lorikeets (Trichoglossus haemato- it’s almost impossible to give to the reader Touracos (Tauraco leucolophus), a pair of dus haematodus) and Desmaret’s Fig-Par- a precise overview of birds being kept in Wire-tailed Manakins (Pipra filicauda), rots (Psittaculirostris desmaretii), and also this huge exhibit. After five visits, I was a group of Opal-rumped Tanagers (Tan- a pair of the very rarely kept Peruvian able to come up with a list that is reason- gara velia) and one Yellow-crowned Tana- Pygmy-owls (Glaucidium peruanum). ably comprehensive although certainly ger (Tachyphonus cristatus). Among free-flying birds, the most con- not complete. A pair of the very rare Choco Toucans spicuous are the three species of crowned Starting with the upper story, we can (Ramphastos brevis) was kept there until pigeons, namely the Victoria (Goura

30 Volume XXXVI • number 4 • 2009 A pair of Writhed Hornbills (Aceros A highlight of the exhibit of free-flying birds, One of the Roatan Yellow-naped Amazons leucocephalus) a Capuchinbird (Perissocephalus tricolor) (Amazona auropalliata caribae) victoria), Sheepmaker’s (Goura sheepmak- the endangered Omei-Shan Laughing- of free-flight birds. We can now find eri sclateri) and Blue-crowned Pigeon thrush (Liocichla omeiensis), one Hunt- a pair of Hooded Parakeets (Psepho- (Goura cristata), the numerous Sun Bit- er’s Sunbird (Nectarinia hunteri), Rosy tus dissimilis) and, most important, a (Eurypyga helias helias) and the Starlings (Pastor roseus), Grey Mouse- group of endangered Horned Parakeets flock of Carmine Bee-eaters(Merops birds (Colius striatus), Yellow-hooded (Eunymphicus cornutus) from New Cale- nubicus). Near the little ponds, we often Blackbirds (Agelaius icterocephalus), one donia. It’s the first time in the history find the beautiful Egyptian Plovers(Plu - Yellow-headed Manakin (Pipra erythro- of European that Horned Para- vianus aegyptius), which are getting rarer cephala), a pair of Bare-throated Bellbirds keets are shown to public in a free-flight in European bird collections, along with a (Procnias nudicollis), a breeding group exhibit. pair of Wattled Jacanas (Jacana jacana). of Crested Partridges (Rollulus rouloul), Our visit in this amazing bird park Cotingas are amazingly well repre- Golden Tanagers (Tangara arthus), Blue- ends with the Tropi-joy extravaganza. I sented in this exhibit with several spe- headed Tanagers (Tangara cyanicollis), would like to state that at least one day cies, most of them being really rare, if a rare Red-cheeked Tanager (Tangara is needed to fully enjoy the NOP and ever shown in other European zoos. The rufigenys), one Kentish Plover (Char- its incredible number of interesting spe- highlight of the collection is probably the adrius alexandrinus alexandrinus), one cies. Unfortunately, the park is not eas- Capuchinbird (Perissocephalus tricolor), specimen of the rare Moustached Laugh- ily accessible and practically unreachable which has been very rarely shown any- ing-thrush (Garrulax cineraceus), one without a car. The nearest train station where outside America in captivity and specimen of Eliott’s Laughing-thrush is Eindhoven central station from which is now only seen in Europe at the NOP (Garrulax eliotti), one Southern Yellow bikes can be rented (for the most coura- with only one individual left. Other rari- Grosbeak (Pheucticus chrysogaster), a few geous) or taxis hired. The park has many ties in that bird family are the only pair of Common Trumpeters (Psophia crepitans), more projects for the year to come and Wattled Umbrella-birds (Cephalopterus one rarely seen Village Indigobird (Vidua even a yearly visit there can provide with penduliger) displayed in Europe today, a chalybeata), a pair of Spangled Cotingas new species and interesting observations. pair of Red-throated Fruit-crows (Quer- (Cotinga cayana), a small group of Pied I would like to thank my Belgian friend ula purpurata), a pair of Bare-necked Imperial-pigeons (Ducula bicolor bicolor), Chris Bejstrup and the owners of “Zootrot- Fruit-crows (Gymnoderus foetidus), one a rare Golden-sided Euphonia (Euphonia ters.nl” Web site for providing me informa- female Pompadour Cotinga (Xipholena cayennensis), a Pale-legged Hornero (Fur- tion on the latest breeding successes and ar- punicea) and the Screaming Piha (Lipau- narius leucopus), a few Crested Quail- rivals at the park. gus vociferans). doves (Geotrygon versicolor), one Rainbow Many more birds are showcased in Bunting (Passerina leclancheri), one rarely My gratitude goes also to Mr. Florent that hall. Among them, we find Shining seen Yellow-rumped Marshbird (Pseudo- Pichon, French parrot breeder, who made Honeycreepers (Cyanerpes lucidus), Red- leistes guirahuro), a pair of Namaqua me discover this park, brought me there and legged Honeycreepers (Cyanerpes cya- Doves (Oena capensis), a pair of Green helped me with parrot’s identification, espe- neus), a group of Luzon Bleeding-heart Wood-hoopoes (Phoeniculus purpureus) cially with amazons and macaws. Doves (Gallicolumba luzonica), Nicobar and many other small birds. And finally I also want to thank Mr. Jo- Pigeons (Caloenas nicobarica nicobar- To finish with this incredible exhibit, sef Harold Lindholm III, senior avicultur- ica), Green Honeycreepers (Chlorophanes it’s worth noting that, in 2009, two par- ist at Dallas World Aquarium, for all the spiza), Common Hoopoes (Upupa epops), rots species were added to the collection help and guidance he provides me.

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