Treasure of the Meet the Solomons Eclectus Group by Mary Nogare Snoqualmie, Washington

by Sandee L. Molenda ur Eclectus companions Specialty Organization Vice President and breeder pairs are O barely a century away from their counterparts in the wild. ormed in early 2000, the Information on the Eclectus Group They are very much influenced by the Eclectus Group was fonnal­ web-site includes comparison studies instinctive behaviors that would help ized last May to bring togeth­ of Eclectus subspecies in tables and to ensure survival in their natural habi­ F tat. It is important to learn about their er the Eclectus breeders, provide a site photographs. Photos include compar­ for data on the keeping and breeding isons of pairs, heads, profiles, tails, and origin and their natural life strategies of Eclectus Parrots, and to establish a juveniles. The Eclectus Group is so that we can better understand their discussion list for infonnation sharing. always looking for good photos of behaviors in the foreign environment This group is managed by a Board of pure subspecies to include on this site. of our homes. By considering the orig­ Directors: Constance Bacon, Joe Articles on diet, nutrition, grooming inal need for their natural behaviors, Baker, David rvey, Cathy Kelly, and (wing clipping), breeding, behavior, we can help them to adapt their sur­ Gloria Scholbe, and chaired by natural habitat and geography, nursery vival skills to our domestic environ­ Laurella Desborough. Graham Taylor management, stunted babies resulting ment and better meet their needs. of is Overseas Consultant. from inexperienced hand-feeders, as Thus, problem behaviors can be Brian Speer, DVM is Veterinary well as many other problems and avoided and a happier, more satisfying Advisor. At present there are 69 mem­ experiences are presented. arrangement can be secured for our bers in the group. Selected topics from the discussion companion and for us. The Mission Statement of the list are included on the web-site In the following paragraphs, the Eclectus Group is to provide members including feather abnonnalities, toe­ natural environment, life strategies, with reliable infonnation on diet, hous­ tapping, etc. and behavior of wild Solomon Islands ing, husbandry, health, disease, sub­ A list of members (who choose to Eclectus will be briefly described. Also species identification, and manage­ be listed) is also available on the web­ discussed will be how some common ment. site as well as a "sales" and "wanted" behavioral pitfalls were avoided with a Their goals: Interface with the page for members. domestic-raised pair through observa­ American Zoo Association/Private For more information, check out the tion and an understanding of their nat­ Cooperative Working Groups as a Eclectus Group's web-site: ural world. representative for the Eclectus sub­ species, and work to preserve the puri­ http://www.homestead.com! Environment ty of the subspecies in captivity. eclectusgrp/Cues The Solomon Islands - a chain of over 900 islands strung over 900 miles The Eclectus Group's special pro­ The web-site is designed and main­ in a southeasterly arc starting at jects include: tained by Gloria Scholbe. Membership Bougainville, • Internet discussion list for breeders. information may be obtained from across the Coral to . The • Creation of a web-site presenting Gloria at 920-826-7478 or email: larger islands are Bougainville, reliable infonnation. Choiseul, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, • Promotion of the sale and purchase [email protected]. Guadalcanal, Malaita and Makira. The of weaned babies only. global address of the chain is between • Future sale of Eclectus Group logo Presently, there are no membership 50 and 150 South latitude, and 1550 pins. dues. + and 1700 East longitude, which gives it 56 January/February 2001 a tropical monsoon climate. The Eclectus is monotypic Larger islands in the northern Temperatures generally range with nine recognized subspecies. All of and central Moluccas between lows of 75°F and highs of these, in nature, inhabit the general • E. r. aruensis* 85°F reaching as high as 90°F in the area of New Guinea and the sur­ -Aru Eclectus warmer months of November and rounding islands, and the Cape York -Aru Islands December. Humidity is consistently Peninsula in Australia. Each subspecies • E. r. polychloros* about 80%, and a little lower in the inhabits a different part of this area, -Red-sided Eclectus warmer months. Rain falls in every and is unique from each other sub­ -New Guinea, western Papuan islands, Kai (Indonesia) month of the year, averaging about species in such characteristics as size, • E. r. biaki* nine inches each month, steadily rising conformation, color, vocalizations, and -Biaki Eclectus to as much as 12 inches during January the length of time necessary to mature -Biak Island West Irian to April, the wettest months of the and to hatch and raise the chicks. • E. r. cornelia monsoon season which extends from These differences indicate that the sub­ -Cornelia Eclectus November to April. species have been distinct from each -Sumba in the The Solomons are situated at a crux other for a long period of time. • E. r. roratus of several geologic plates. The direc­ In Parrots oj the World, Forshaw -Grand Eclectus tion of the movement of these plates describes a theory that Rainbow Lories, -, Ceram, Amboina, southern and the pressures produced resulted in Trichoglossus haematodus, may have Moluccas several volcanoes, which formed the spread into their current range from • E. r. solomonensis* rocky base of the Solomon Islands and New Guinea, and proposes the possi­ -Solomon Islands Eclectus other islands in the area. Over time, bility that the original population of -Solomon Islands, Bismarck the rocky islands were colonized by Eclectus parrots may have done this as Archipelago, corals and reef-forming organisms. well. At this time, it is not known • E. r. riedeli Other coral islands and atolls also where the founding population of the -Riedel's Eclectus formed. This, combined with the Eclectus subspecies may have originat­ - warm, wet climate, encouraged the ed, nor is it known for certain how the * denotes "blue-eye-ring" subspecies development of soils, and colonization population spread from island to Details of the range, specific island by plant and life. island. As Eclectus are strong fliers, names and descriptions, and measure­ The complexion of the Solomon they may have simply flown to closer ments of the different subspecies of Islands chain then, varies from geolog­ islands, however they may have Eclectus Parrots can be found in many ically active, rugged, mountainous, moved to more distant borne sources, including Parrots oJthe World. rainforested islands with steep valleys on the winds of typhoons or other Eclectus are the most sexually dimor­ to low-lying coral atolls. Soils range storms that move through the . phic of parrots, which means the males from volcanic and fertile to relatively They may also have moved over and females look very different. Other infertile limestone. These soils are islands or "land bridges" exposed dur­ unusual characteristics of Eclectus are home to a wide variety of plants and ing raising and lowering of sea levels that they also have a feathered cere and trees such as ferns, orchids, palms, during various climatic changes. the ends of their body feathers are mangroves, casuarinas, and many fruit By whatever means this occurred, "hair-like." Four of the subspecies are and nut producing species. These rich once separated, the original popula­ common in aviculture. In approximate food sources are exploited by reptiles, tion would have continued to follow order of size (largest to smallest) these including the largest of the prehensile its evolutionary path in its location. are vosmaeri, polycholoros, roratus and tailed skinks, the Solomon Island The daughter population would fol­ solomonensis. Skink, Corucia zebrata, mammals, low its own path, reinforcing the A detailed description of the such as many species of fruit bats, and genetic traits of its smaller number of Solomon Islands Eclectus follows: birds, including several species of fruit members and changing in response to Solomon Island Eclectus , doves and parrots. its new environment, creating a sepa­ Eclectus r. solomonensis Rothchild and rate subspecies. Hartert 1901 Eclectus Parrots The following is a list of the sub­ Length: The solomonensis sub­ Forshaw's Parrots oj the World indi­ species, with a common name and a species have a large distribution range cates there are 11' species of parrots on brief note on their distribution as indi­ in the wild that corresponds to a big the Solomon Islands. These include cated in Parrots of the World: difference in their size and length. several Lories (Loriidae), the Ducorps • E. r. macgillivrayi* They have a marked geographic size Cockatoo, Cacatua ducorpsii, Singing Macgillivray Eclectus variation with the western (islands) Parrot, heteroclitus, and the Cape York, Australia birds being the same size as the simi­ Solomon Islands Eclectus Parrot, • E. r. vosmaeri lar appearing Red-sided Eclectus and Eclectus roratus solomonensis. Vosmaer Eclectus the eastern (islands) birds being much the afa WATCHBIRD 57 J smaller in size and length. Those iris of the mature female is pale to gleaned from such a diet, espeCially solomonensis in captivity are from the creamy yellow, the legs grey, and the beta carotenes, which the Eclectus Par­ eastern range of the island group and nails black. In some subspecies, a ring rot requires in ahundance. thus are small in size. The length of of tiny blue feathers is present around Eclectus Parrots can breed year­ these parrots is 33-34 cm 03-13.5 inch­ the eye, called an eye-ring. round, however on the Solomon es), making it among the smallest of all It is interesting to note that prior to Islands they may reduce their breeding the Eclectus subspecies. 1837, male and female Eclectus were activities during the monsoon!cyclone Distribution: Originates through not recognized by the scientific com­ season. Nesting sites preferred are cav­ the Bismarck Archipelago (Umboi, munity as helonging to the same ities or hollows in the trunks of tall , the Wuti Islands, Lolobau, species. trees, often palms, which can be Wotam, Duke of York, , enlarged to suit the hirds. They will New Hanford, Tabar, Lihir, Tanga, and Natural Behaviors excavate into the center of the trunk FenD, the Admiralty Archipelagos and Life Strategies where the wood is softest, then down­ (Manus and Rambutyo) and through Eclectus Parrots in the wild general­ ward for three feet or more, then con­ the Solomon Island group includ!ng ly prefer lowland secondary forests tinue modifying the cavity into the nest Buku and Bougainville east to San and open woodland below 3,000 feet chamber. Cristobal and its satellites. or so. They are less common in the pri­ Once the nest site is identified, the mary forests, pOSSibly due to the pair must defend it from other Male greater humidity. Eclectus, other bird species, or Male Eclectus were first described Foods consumed are procured pri­ also seeking nest sites. The pair must by Scopoli in the 1700s. Generally, marily from the forest canopy - leaves, also defend it from predators. The male plumage is predominantly a light stems, leaf huds, fruits, nuts, and blos­ female tends to remain near her nest, green becoming slightly more yellow soms. A review of the flora of the even if she does not have eggs or around the head. The green color is Solomon Islands indicates some possi­ chicks, perhaps to dissuade potential slightly different for each subspecies. hie food plants to he the coconut palm usurpers. When out of the nest cavity, There are wide red patches on either (flowers and young fruits), casuarina she tends to avoid the ends and tops side of the body under the wings. The leaf shoots Cnoted in Parrots oj the of trees, seeming to prefer deeper wing bend and edges of the primary World), a wide variety of palm, the foliage, or positions near tree trunks. flight feathers are edged in blue, and Orleans plum, Maranthes corymbosa, The male tends to occupy locations in the under wing coverts are red. Upper and Burdekin plum, P!eiogynium timo­ the canopy or toward the ends of tail feathers are a lighter green than the riense. Figs, which occur throughout hranches. The male gathers food body plumage and are slightly tipped Indonesia and New Guinea, are also among the trees, which he brings in in pale yellow. Feathers toward the relished. Plant foods provided by his crop to feed the female, especially outer edges of the tail are slightly suf­ human settlement include corn (maize), when she is incubating eggs or hrood­ fused with blue. The upper mandible a local grain called "pitpit," , ing chicks. During this time, the female is a rich orange which is darker at the and yams. Although Eclectus do not leaves the nest only to eliminate or base and paler at the tip, creating the generally go to the ground to feed, other hrief, necessary purposes. The "candy corn" coloration of the beak. when humans harvest the yams, they female alone incubates her clutch of The lower mandible is black. The iris cut off less desirable sections, leaving two eggs and broods the chicks, of the mature male is deep orange, the them on the ground - which the parrots although the male may also occupy legs are grey and the nails black. then descend to consume. It should he the nest cavity from time to time. noted that in some areas of their range, In her nest hole, the female Eclectus Female Eclectus Parrots are considered to be and any eggs or chicks can be very Female Eclectus were not described pests of some human food crops, par­ vulnerable to predators. On the until 1837. Generally, female plumage ticularly grain. Solomon Islands, these predators is predominantly a rich red, which The beak of the Eclectus Parrot include endemic Giant Rats (Uromys becomes more maroon red across the seems to be poorly designed for crack­ imperator and Solomys ponceleti) and back and upper wings. There is a ing hard nuts, and well designed for ground and tree boas ( spp.). broad area of blue or purple coloration snipping leaf shoots, 'piercing thick­ Interestingly, Candioa spp are extending across the lower breast and skinned fruits or soft-hulled nuts, extremely variable in color. The abdomen, and up around the back of scraping fibrous stems, and peeling Solomon Islands Ground Boa, C. car­ the neck as the mantle. The bend in bark from twigs and small branches. niata paulsoni, can he grey, gold, yel­ the wing and the outer edges of the The digestive tract of the Eclectus Par­ low, tan, red, orange, lavender, white primaries are blue and under wing rot is longer than that of most parrots. or silver. This hoa has a zig-zag pattern coverts are purple. Both the upper and This facilitates the digestion of a coarse along the body and can change color. lower mandible are matte black. The diet, and the absorption of nutrients The Solomon Islands Tree Boa, c..

58 January/February 2001 bibroni australis, can be yellow, dark brown, orange, or black and can be blotched with pink, red, grey, and green. The Tree Boa can also change color and has a prehensile tail. Surprise someone This nest-protecting strategy of the hen remaining in the nest and the male with a Gift Membership to the exposed in the trees may have had American Federation of Aviculture some interesting consequences: p.o. Box 56218, Phoenix, Arizona 85079-6218 Coloring Phone (602) 484-0931 . Fax (602) 484-0109 It is possible that the female evolved A card will be sent notifying recipient of your gift. a deep red and blue/violet coloring as . Although this color Check membership category desired: NEW 0 RENEWAL 0 scheme may seem to us to be brilliant Individual $30/year 0 Family $35/year 0 Supporting $75/year 0 and showy, in the recesses of the nest Commercial $125/year, includes listing in Watchbird 0 cavity, or against the shadows of deep FOREIGN MEMBERS; Add $1 B for year in U.S. Funds. foliage or trunks, she seems to com­ request. First Class rates available on request. pletely disappear into the darkness. o check is enclosed for $ 0 money order is enclosed for $,~. ___ The male, on the other hand, occupies Gift for : __~~ ______Charge my 0 Me or 0 Visa account: more exposed positions. He forages in Address ______Account # ______the treetops. He stands near the nest to Cily ______feed and guard his mate and chicks. Exp. DaI6 ______Predominantly green feathers afford State ______Zip___ Signature him protection among the green leaves. Please allow 60 to 90 days for delivery. ~--~~---- AREA Males and Females not Recognized as the Same Species The scientific community had more challenges than sexual dimorphism when identifying the male and female Eclectus. In many other parrot species, the males and females are similarly col­ ored, and are often found together, except during the breeding season UGifts that Keep on when the females are in the nest. With .Eclectus, the males were more easily vis­ ible in more "expected" places - among Giving" the leaves and branches - the females were usually not. Males and females The American Federation of Avicu1ture's seemed to rarely be observed together even when flocking. Observers would often see flocks consisting solely of 20- Endowment Fund 30 male Eclectus (green parrots) and separate smaller flocks of as few as three <~~)(~()~. to as many as 15 females (red parrots) Leaving a Legacy to the Future and did not conclude that these parrots were the same species. So color, loca­ tion, and flock organization confounded For Further Information on How to Participate observers. In addition, at one time it was Through Honoraria and Bequests, Please Contact believed that Eclectus populations con­ Jim Hawley, Jr., AFA Chief Financial Officer sisted of significantly more males than females. Aviculture has shown that P.O. Box 56218 about the same number of male as female chicks are hatched over time. Phoenix,AZ 85017 This indicates the possibility that

the afa WATCHBIRD 59 obsetvers may have simply seen more greens, vegetables, and fruits to be female, was about 18 months old, she males than females, and come to an healthy, alert and active. The lifespan was sitting in my hand as she often erroneous conclusion. of the Eclectus in captivity is now con­ does. She seemed to be agitated, and sidered to be at least 30 years. It is like­ started chewing on her toenails. This Natural Behaviors and the ly that if the diet of the Eclectus in the was not preening, which we were Companion Eclectus wild were obsetved and relied upon in familiar with. This was an almost des­ The power and importance of the past, many years of needless lethar­ perate chewing. We remembered understanding something about the gy, disease and death by malnutrition one of the warnings we had received natural life strategies and behaviors, could have been avoided. - but at the same time, remembered and applying this knowledge to our What other problems can a knowl­ something from our research - breeding and companion Eclectus, can­ edge of wild Eclectus help us to under­ female' Solomon Islands Eclectus not be overemphasized. To illustrate, at stand and avoid? begin to mature at around 18-24 one time, Eclectus Parrots were consid­ This is some of the advice we months of age, depending on the ered to be delicate and nearly impossi­ received from several sources when individual. They also chew and exca­ ble to keep alive in captivity. The birds researching Eclectus for our compan­ vate a nest hole. In one article, the were fed a diet of mostly seed. On ions: Eclectus hens are a poor choice author had even mentioned that if a such a diet the Eclectus, already for a companion parrot. They scream, hen is not provided with soft wood to stressed by the rigors of importation, pick their feathers and/or toenails and chew, she could chew her toenails or soon languished and died. bite apparently for no reason. They feathers. We gave Cabby a soft wood We now know the Eclectus Parrot are feisty and difficult to handle. stick toy. She promptly began to requires a diet high in beta carotene Males are gentle and companionable, chew it in preference to her toenails. and fiber such as that contained in and much better choices for pets, but When she had chewed it to "tooth­ they are feather-pickers and bite picks" we gave her another, then unexpectedly, so you must be careful. another. She chewed several of these Definitely do not get a female sticks to splinters before she seemed IJifetillle Eclectus unless you have a lot of to be satisfied. experience with parrots. • One evening at about this same ,\\elliliersilill Although we had never owned a time, we were sitting on the sofa $1,000 parrot before, ultimately we decided watching some lV. We had Cabby and Installment $100/month on a pair Solomon Islands Eclectus, Chardy with us as usual. Cabby was for 12 months. who we named Cabernet and playing on a little ledge behind the Installment plan available with Chardonnay (Cabby and Chardy for back sofa cushions like she often does. Credit Card payment only. short). Through our research, we I rested my elbow on the cushions as decided these parrots seemed to best I got comfortable on the sofa. Cabby l~e'IIII;)I· suit our lifestyle and abilities. We did ran over to me - then she growled and take to heart the well-intentioned bit my elbow. I moved my elbow and ,\\e 1111,e rsll i I' caveats we had received. We would she resumed playing. I replaced my socialize our babies as well as we arm. She ran back over to my arm with Individual - $30 could, and watch for the beginnings of eyes pinning. I moved my arm off and Family - $35 the problem behaviors we had been Supporting - $75* again the attack ceased. She was pro­ Commercial - $125* warned about. We would also contin­ tecting "her place." ·Supporting, Commercial and Lifetime Members ue to study Eclectus parrots for clues to We decided the place she was receive Fast News/Fast Ads by 1st Class Mail. understanding these behaviors. The defending as hers was an acceptable Name ______following are some of our experiences play area for her. We placed some Address ______and obsetvations with our pair. large towels over it and put her wood­ City ______en stick toys and twigs in it. She Cabby and Chardy - Stories State & Zip ______hopped into her "place" and began Cabby and Chardy came to us from Phone ______happily chewing up the sticks and tun­ their breeder completely weaned and neling under the towels. She would Fax or E mail ______well socialized. They were adorable, pull her sticks into her towel tunnel MCNISA # ______friendly, playful baby birds. Although with her to chew them, then scratch in Expiration Date ______we knew babies are more compliant, her tunnel - like a chicken. Bits of we had not seen any problem behav­ twigs and toys would fly everywhere. American Federation of Avlculture iors, and had filed the warnings away P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, AZ 85079-6218 Every few days, we would shake the phone 602-484-0931 • fax 602-484-0109 "in the back of our minds." splinters out of the towels, and replace • One day when Cabby, our the chewed sticks with fresh ones.

60 January/February 2001 Why did we not simply place a ~ wooden toy in her cage and let her II)o ~ c chew it there? The problem was that as o(J) Cabby could not really get her beak ~ or feet onto the toy to tear it and oo .£: chew it up. A centrally located toy a. would swing too much and she would quickly lose interest in it. In nature, the tree being excavated does not swing away. Toys located at the edges of the cage or twigs woven through the cage bars were better, but she would chew a piece off, and it would just fall through the cage bars. Thus, we opted for a combination of the toys/twigs on the side of the cage, and the back of the sofa - now called Cabby's "nest place." • As Cabby got older, we began to observe another behavior we associat­ ed with maturing - a "hormonal behavior." She would seem to be look­ ing at the world normally - but if we

Solomon Island Eclectus Parrots. The male to the right, the female below.

moved, she would jump as if we had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and lunge or bite - hard. Noises or objects would frighten her more easily. With observation, we learned that her "normal" looking eyes were really almost a "glassy stare" - large and dark. Pinning would only happen when the bite was delivered. This behavior would appear periodically - "seasonally." We called this behavior "hyper-vigilance." We concluded the behavior must have something to do with defending the nest from predators - bite first and ask questions later or become Tree Boa lunch. When we observe this behavior starting, we move more slowly and speak more quietly in her presence. We also heighten her sense of security - for example, we hold her closer to us and give her a bit of extra time to come out of her cage if she is reluctant. We have observed these "hormonal behaviors" to increase, peak and diminish over a time frame of about 10 da ys to two weeks. • In this same vein, both Cabby and

Chardy are afraid of sinuous dark I

the afa WATeHBIRD 61 Female Solomon Eclectus Parrot taking a stroll in the grass. brown things, wash cloths, or shirts, or another rOOlTI and changed it. When The Moral of the Stories? bandannas with zig-zag patterns or Cabby saw Al again, she quickly Had we not known abou t the "reptile skin" textures (like long-john relaxed, and was soon playing happily Eclectus hen's instinctive imperative to shirts), sometimes regardless of color. with hin1. On another occasion, a tan seek out and excavate a nest hole and We attribute this to an instinctive fear of and black handanna I had rolled up to defend it, nor about the predators that predators such as the Giant Rats or the wear out in the garden sent both birds she and her mate react to with instinc­ colorful Tree Boa. One time, Cabby flying in a panic, screeching their aIan11 tive fear and defensive behavior, we even tried to chase my husband Al call. I tried to hide the bandanna, but Inay not have provided Cabby with soft away from his shirt. It was a green and they saw where I had hidden it and wood sticks to chew and a place to tan plaid flannel shirt. She examined the screeched at the spot. I finally had to chew them. We may not have provid­ shirt, then screamed and bit Al very remove it from the room to a place ed these in time to avoid feather and hard and screamed and bit again. I where they could not see me hide it. toenail chewing, frustrated screaming, managed to get her away from Al, but Even then for at least an hour they con­ or "unreasoned" biting. she would not relax. Then he thought tinued to suspiciously watch the place W may not have understood her that the problem could be that the shirt where I had originally hidden it and "attack" on Al. She Inight have simply might look like a reptile. He went into would not go near that spot. fallen into the unpleasant pattern- we

62 January /Pebruary 2001 had been warned would be her fate - pating the hehavior. We then limit or help him express his instinctive needs screaming, picking, and biting - a poor avoid allowing him on his "hot spot" in the environment of our home. choice for a companion parrot. Just as until the hormonal urges subside - expected. Instead, we share our home usually in a week or so. Conclusion with an affectionate companion female Ohservations of Chardy have led us We no:w helieve that the warnings Eclectus Parrot. to believe that something else might we received when researching our What about the warnings we had he true. It is possible that some feath­ Eclectus were both true and untrue. received regarding the males? er picking hehavior in the male They were true in that some kinds of When Chardy was ahout two years Eclectus might he linked to hormones problematic behavior problems can old, an incident occurred while I was -- not the increase in hormones, but develop and may even be likely to cleaning his cage. My sweet little the normal drive of increased hor­ develop if we do not take the time to Chardy came over to visit me. He stood mones. Chardy overpreens and bar­ learn about our parrots' natural in the center of the open cage doorway, hers (snips off) his feathers during the instincts. The warnings were untrue in struck his beak on the har (honked), times that Cahhy is "hormonal." This is their implication that the development growled and stared at me. I greeted him not due to her chasing him or harass­ of these behaviors was inevitable and and resumed cleaning. Another honk, ing him as she rarely does that. One of unavoidable, and that only those expe­ another growl and then - he bit me! the worst episodes of barhering rienced with parrots should consider Again he growled and honked and occurred when Cahby had been in her Eclectus as companions. stared. Needless to say, I was com­ nest hox on eggs for two weeks - he A final note of interest regarding the pletely surprised hy his unexpected had seen her only to feed her or stand Solomon Islands - the first document­ defensive behavior. Then it struck me - guard at the entry to the nestbox. The ed European contact was made in defensive behavior - he is two years harhering seemed to he a reaction to 1568 by the Spanish explorer Alvaro old now and growing up (Solomon heing in courtshiplhreeding condition de Mendana. Mendana discovered Islands males begin to mature at ahout even more so than possible boredom. alluvial gold on Guadaicanal, and pos­ 24-30 months of age). He was defend­ We thought ahout what might be sihly thinking he had found a source ing his cage as his territory. I retreated causing this "seasonal" feather picking of great wealth, named the islands the for a short time and let him he "the big to happen. Possibly, he was instinctive­ "Isles of Solomon." man on campus." In that time, he ly predisposed to expend extra energy Although gold did not become a ceased his defensive behavior and was foraging for food to provide for his source of wealth for the islands, a per­ hack to his normal self - playing, sweet mate and, soon, for chicks. In theory, haps far greater jewel dwelt there and happy. Not many days later, a sim­ his body might he preparing him to arrayed more gloriously than King ilar episode occurred - but this time, I feed a total of four birds! Living in our Solomon might ever have dreamed of knew what he was doing and was pre­ home in a cage with food provided just - the Eclectus Parrot, treasure of the pared. I sat back from the cage, told a few feet away at most, he was not Solomon Islands. ~ him what a fine cage he had and what able to do that which he needed to do a hig hoy he was, and moved to clean - fly and forage. Our solution was to a different side of the cage. A short time give Chardy the opportunity to increase later, I returned to the front of the cage his activity level - more flapping exer­ and resumed cleaning. He was his cise and more foods and twigs to peel, Mvertisers Index usual self. open or chew. We have had some suc­ Like the females, the males are cess, as Chardy has stopped overpreen­ Avicultural Society of America ...... 30 influenced hy their hormones but the ing and barbering his primaries and tail Birdpark "Jagrie"...... 23 expression is from a different point of feathers. We are hopeful that this con­ Cuttlebone Plua ...... 47 view. The males seem to stop their ter­ tinued regimen will expend his ener­ Everybody'a Bird Mart (Pomona, CA) .17 ritorial, defensive attitude as soon as gies in more appropriate ways, and that Hagen, Rolfe. (USA) Corp.-Tropicana. 25 their "ownership" is acknowledged. If he will no longer barher or overpreen Lady Gouldiana/Dalrymple ...... 39 the ownership is challenged, as I made his feathers. L & M Bird Leg Banda ...... 27 the mistake of doing once in a Thinking about the reasons behind Lyon Electric Company. Inc ...... 21 moment of impatience, the defensive Chardy's biting and harbering helped Magnolia Bird Farm ...... 1 7 behavior escalates rapidly. Sometimes us. We recognized his defensive behav­ Red Bird Producta, Inc...... 39 Chardy will get very focused on his ior for what it was - not "unexpected Roae'a Pet Emporium ...... 37 territory ("hot spot"), and his defense biting" but territory defense - and we Sun Seed Co. Inc ...... Back Cover does not stop with an acknowledge­ soon could deal with it appropriately Veterinarian Liatinga ...... 9 ment. In this case, he is moved to a dif­ whenever it would start. We believe we Veterinary Speciality Product6, Inc .... 23 ferent room, away from his "hot spot," understand at least some of his feather breaking the defense pattern and dissi- harhering, and are working out ways to

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