PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN PARROT CONSERVATION AVICULTURE AND WELFARE World Parrot Trust in action Vol. 11 No.2 May 1999
Kakapo Update Black-cheeked Lovebirds Cockatoos in Peril Coxen’s Fig Parrot
psittacine (sit’ûa sîn) belonging or allied to the parrots; parrot-like GOOD NEWS ABOUT PARROTS! Kakapo Update Editor Rosemary Low, Fe b r ua r y 1999 P.O. Box 100, by DON MERTON, National Kakapo T eam Mansfield, Notts., United Kingdom Fifty five Kakapo ar e known to survive - 21 females: 34 males. These ar e currently NG20 9NZ located on six of f-shore islands. Apart from nine birds raised on the islands, all (46) have been r elocated since 1975 to islands to protect them from introduced predator y mammals. No natural population is known to r emain. CONTENTS Recent developments within the Kakapo r ecovery programme include implementation of a new supplementary feeding regime based on a two-yearly pulse rather than an annual Kakapo Update ...... 2-3 one; a decision to r emove Kakapo from Little Barrier Island; and the transfer of all bir ds Sense of Wonder ...... 4 from Whenua Hou/Codfish Island to Pearl Island for the duration of a rat eradication operation on Codfish. During 1998, 41 of the 55 kakapo wer e in fact transfer red between Cockatoo Poisoning ...... 5 islands (see distribution table below). Some of the bir ds temporarily held on Pearl Island ar e curr ently breeding - this is the thir d successive season during which br eeding has Venezuela plan for occurred. Parr ots ...... 5 One Kakapo is known to have (LBI). Over the last 16 years it early 1999. No females ar e Yellow-eared Parrot: nested during the 1998 season - has been shown that female known to remain. However, two Critical Discovery...... 6-7 the first to have bred on Maud Kakapo on Little Barrier must be females and a male, not seen Island. Three eggs were laid and intensively managed in order for since their transmitters failed (2) Black-cheeked Lovebirds three chicks, including one them to breed successfully. or were removed (1) between 9 in the Wild ...... 8-10 female, raised. The latter is the However, Little Barrier is large and 16 years ago may still only parent-raised female, and (3,000ha) and extremely rugged, sur vive. No sign of the missing Cockatoos In Peril ..11-13 one of just two females raised and it has proved impractical to male (“Snark”) was found during since the 1981 breeding season. manage Kakapo there an intensive sear ch of the LBI The Elusive Coxen’s Fig intensively. Furthermore, with arena in late Januar y 1999 when Parrot ...... 14-15 One adult death is known to rat eradication soon to be all known males were active have occurred in 1998. The male Psitta News ...... 16-17 attempted on LBI, temporary there. Mating sign found at the “Ken” died in July as a r esult of relocation of kakapo would have summit track and bowl system complications from a World Parrot Tr ust been necessary. (court) in early February transmitter harness injur y that indicates that at least one of the Projects ...... 18 occurr ed in mid-1995. This is Three female Kakapo (“Wendy”, “Heather” and “Jean”) were “lost” females may still sur vive. WPT Info Page ...... 19 the only known adult death in Arrangements ar e being made the last five years. One other transferred fr om LBI to Maud Island in May/June 1998. for a dog team to search for any Parr ots in the Wild...... 20 male (“Snark”) has not been seen nest. since 1990 and is believed to During August 1998 one male have died. (“Stumpy”) was transfer red to At least 15 of the original 22 Maud and two males (‘Luke” and Kakapo r eleased on Little Barrier Little Barrier Island “Merty”) were transfer red to in 1982 still survive, giving an Nukuwaiata/lnner Chetwode overall sur vival rate averaging Five males remain on Little 98% per annum. Barrier. Island along with a male (“Jimmy”) fr om Maud. The The Kakapo Management Group fertility/breeding fitness of the Maud Island and Kakapo Scientific and latter three males is in question. Fourteen birds (6 male and 8 Technical Advisory Committee Five males known to remain on female) are on Maud. resolved in March to remove all Little Barrier ar e to be moved to kakapo from Little Barrier Island Codfish and Pearl Islands in Two male and one female young were raised in 1998. “Flossie” The World Par rot Trust does COVER PICTURE and “Richar d Henry”, transfer red not necessarily endorse any views or statements made by Golden-shouldered Parrot Psephotus chrysopterigius from Little Barrier to Maud contributors to PsittaScene. This beautiful parakeet remains one of Australia’s most endangered Island in July 1996 to enhance birds. Two small populations remain in tiny areas of Cape York their breeding pr ospects, mated It will of course consider on the night of 30 January 1998 articles or letters from any Peninsula. In our issue of May 1997 Stephen Garnett and Gabriel contributors on their merits. Crowley describe the threats affecting this species, and the efforts and Flossie laid three eggs to help it survive. This superb picture was kindly supplied by Len between ~4-10 Febr uary. Three All contents © World Parrot Trust Robinson. chicks wer e raised. At 24 days, “Sinbad” (the youngest and
2 ■ PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 smallest chick) was removed from the nest for hand-raising at Stewart Island Burwood Bush. He was r etur ned searches to Maud when three months old, held in a large open-topped pen With the discovery in mid-1997 and trained to use a “cat-door”. of a “new” female on Stewar t He was released to free-range in Island the possibility existed late November - the cat-door that fur ther individuals might providing him with exclusive persist in the vast scr ublands of access to supplementary foods souther n Stewart Island. Two within the pen. His male sibling further sear ches were therefor e (“Gulliver”) left his natal home- mounted in this area (15 July - range in October when ~8 12 August and 26 August - 9 months old. The female (“Kuia”), September 1998), and a possible now 11 months old is still sighting of a Kakapo near the within Flossie’s home-range. northern end of Mason Bay by a deer stalker was checked out. This was the first breeding No kakapo or Kakapo sign was recorded on Maud and indicates found. It has been recommended that Kakapo can adapt to and that one fur ther search be breed ef fectively in an alien carried out - in the Pegasus environment - an exotic pine Creek catchment. This is within plantation on a small (309ha), the species’ former range but heavily modified island. This, has not been thoroughly and the successful transmission This is ‘Hoki’, the famous hand-reared Kakapo. Photo: Gideon Climo checked for some years. of genes from “Richard Henry”, during the winter. Twenty-six January indicate that eight the last known Kakapo fr om the birds (13 females: 13 males) matings have occurred. Two Diet and feeding NZ mainland, into the new were transfer red to Pearl Island, females have since laid: generation and the survival of two males to Anchorage Island, “Susanne” laid two eggs in mid regime all three chicks - including a one male (“Ken”) to Maud Island January, and “Alice” laid three in A new feeding regime simulating female - is cause for real in April, and one female (“Nora”) late Januar y/early February. more closely the sporadic optimism. to Maud in May. Two pulses of Because of the high risk of “masting” cycles of key natural The Pinus radiata plantation anticoagulant bait were predation by weka and rats, foods was intr oduced in June continues to be a favourite broadcast on Codfish by eggs wer e removed soon after 1998. Wher eas birds had feeding location, especially for Southland Conser vancy in laying for artificial incubation - previously been supplementary females - Kakapo feed on pine August. Kakapo are to be two eggs, Alice’s second and fed throughout the year or foliage. returned to Codfish in the thir d, are developing! Never pulsed on a 12-monthly cycle, autumn of 1999. before has laying occur red so the cur rent regime is based on a There has been little activity on soon (~9 months) after two-yearly cycle with foods the Maud arena this season and Pearl Island translocation. being withheld for much of this no booming has been heard. period. Most Maud birds ceased Twenty six Kakapo ar e curr ently Anchorage Island receiving supplementar y foods Nukuwaiata/lnner on Pearl. Six males, suspected of being in June 1998 and will receive no Males on Pearl have developed infertile or of low fertility are food supplementation until the Chetwode Island track and bowl systems and being held here. They will be spring of 1999. Hopefully, a Three males are on Nukuwaiata. since early December all ten placed on Pearl Island once rising plane of nutrition at this adult males have been hear d Codfish Island birds ar e time will stimulate breeding in During August two males (“Luke” booming. Signs found since 3 retur ned to Codfish. the autumn of the year 2000. and “Merty”) were transferred from LBI to Inner Kakapo known to sur vive : Februar y 1999 Chetwode/Nukuwaiata along with one male (“Jimmy”) from Female Male Maud. Fertility of the former two Subadult Adult Subadult Adult Totals is suspect, and Jimmy has a leg injury which may compr omise Fiordland Believed extinct since 1987 his ability to mate successfully. Stewar t Island Population relocated 1980-97 Whenua Hou/ Whenua Hou 1 1 Codfish Island Maudlsland 1 7 2 4 14 One male is known to remain on Little Barrier Island 5 5 Codfish. Nukuwaiata 3 3 All 30 transmitterised Kakapo Pearl 1 12 3 10 26 were removed from Codfish in April/May to alleviate any risk Anchorage - - 6 6 from poisoning during a rat TOTALS 2 19 5 29 55 eradication operation there
PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 ■ 3 scarcity of young females was the major threat to the survival of the species. Without Don’s insistence to search Little Barrier with dogs yet again it would have been a “one-female” In s p i r ed with a season. I gazed for a long time at these three, with their enormous feet, prominent ear holes and gr een feathers just emerging. The dark grey second down was erupting and the light Sense of Won d e r gr ey first down was still fairly thick. The seven chicks ranged by ROSEMARY LOW in age from 17 to 42 days. A In mid-April I was privileged to spend two days at Bur wood Bush in South Island. It is notable characteristic was their here that the Kakapo chicks ar e being hand-reared. I was en route for Australia, a trip ver y deep breathing. which I had planned in Januar y. At the time it was not known whether Kakapo would lay A consultant veterinarian, Alison this year. Never, since intensive management of this species has occur red, have there Archambault, was working with been chicks in three consecutive years. Nevertheless, I was optimistic and my desir e to the chicks at the time of my see a Kakapo chick was so strong I decided to plan my jour ney with a stop-over in South visit. She comes from Or egon Island. Don had given me the go-ahead to visit the rearing unit. but has str ong family ties with I followed the events of the previous weeks with enor mous interest. On March 12 Don New Zealand, wher e she spent had faxed me: “There should be several chicks by the time you ar rive.” When it became her childhood. She was clear that I would be seeing seven chicks, I could scar cely believe my luck. But above all I particularly concer ned with was elated that this was a season to write home about. That the Kakapo population had, good hygiene practices and within the space of five weeks, increased from 56 to 63. Of course, no-one was “counting uncontaminated water sources. their chickens” yet and, sadly, one chick was to die, but the hatchings repr esented Don Merton is delighted with significant progress in so many r espects that there was good reason for elation. the pr ogress made this season. My first sight of a Kakapo chick, He told me: “We have progressed a 42 day old male, was one so much in our capabilities and which I will always r emember. knowledge. Having reared chicks Fully feathered, he lay sleeping from the egg for the first time, peacefully, in an air-conditioned in futur e we will be pulling more room. With other parrot chicks, eggs as a means of boosting maintaining a high enough productivity. However, we will temperatur e is very important. aim to leave eggs in the nest for With Kakapo, once they ar e the first week or ten days as feathered the priority is in eggs incubated by the female for keeping them cool. this period pr oved easier to hatch.” When I saw Lisa’s three chicks 1 experienced a profound sense of For me, seeing Kakapo chicks wonder. All three are females! In was not only the fulfilment of a this one plastic box, sleeping personal ambition; it reinfor ced with heads and feet intertwined, my belief that certain aspects of was the boost which the Kakapo aviculture can be applied to Two of the three female chicks bred fr om Lisa Ð the female rediscovered with Conservation programme conser vation with highly eggs after 13 years with no sighting. needed so desperately. The successful results.
Kakapo chick bred from “Zephyr”. Consultant vet Alison Ar chambault from Oregon.
4 ■ PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 BAD NEWS ABOUT PARROTS Cockatoo Poisoning - A Threat to our Wil d l i f e Birds Australia Media Release (edited by WPT) Birds Australia expresses great parrots, corvids, Brolgas and Birds Australia is completely concern about recent statements grain-eating waterfowl. opposed to the use of poison to made by the Victorian Minister for control pest cockatoos. We Conservation and Land The destruction that would flow suggest that there should be no Management, the Hon Marie Tehan from permitting far mers to use a departure from the MP, regarding changes to methods wide variety of poisons will not recommendations of the 1995 for controlling Cockatoos, be limited to pest cockatoos, and report regarding control methods, Corellas and Galahs. will certainly kill many harmless, and that a continuation of beneficial and even, possibly, These changes include permitting departmentally supervised threatened non-tar get species. It trapping and euthanasia should the use of a variety of poisons up especially poses the serious threat to Schedule 6, including not be superseded by less of secondary poisoning of native selective methods of destruction. organophosphate and other mammals and of birds of prey. pesticides designed for It is understood that the three completely different purposes, on The Minister’s statements run species of cockatoos mentioned in baits and using deployment contrary to a repor t published in the title of the Report may cause methods according to the whims 1995 by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee of economic damage to some of individual farmers. Guidelines farmers in Victoria. Accepting that For many farmers this bir d is a pest. regarding their use to poison the Parliament of Victoria, ‘Problems in Victoria caused by some form of control is necessar y lateral, environmentally benign birds would be largely useless in some places at some times, since little is known about which Long-billed Corellas, Sulphur- and non-destructive methods of crested Cockatoos and Galahs’ such control should be selective control that benefit both our bird chemicals or cocktails, what enough to not endanger other dosage levels, or what bait which rules out poisoning as an populations and our farming effective solution to the problem. fauna, nor pollute the community. treatment methods would be most environment. In the medium to target-specific. Departmental supervision will be minimal and The report, which is based on long-term ther e is a desperate Hugo Phillipps, Birds Australia largely useless in cases of abuse. submissions and expert advice need to get away from the largely Conservation & Liaison, Australian made by Birds Australia, ineffective ad hoc reactionary Bird Research Centre, 415 Although Birds Australia believes government departments, measures that have been and are Riversdale Road, Hawthorn East, that most farmers will be farmers, Landcare groups, as well continuing to be used, and to VIC 3123, Australia. responsible about adhering to the as many other organisations and develop and implement a Tel: +61 3 9882 2622. law, some landowners may take individuals, outlines measures to comprehensive pest management Fax: +61 3 9882 2677. advantage of relaxed controls to systematically control pest strategy. There must be research Email:
PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 ■ 5 MORE GOOD NEWS ABOUT PARROTS! Critical discovery of Yel l o w - e a r ed Parrot by PAUL SALAMAN AND BERNABÉ LÓPEZ-LANÚS In the twentieth century, we have witnessed declining wildlife populations of many species sensitive to landscape changes by humans. Of 353 species in the charismatic Parrot family, 30 percent are threatened with extinction, with one of the most endangered members being the Yellow-eared Parrot Ognorhynchus icterotis from the South American Andes. At the turn of the century this magnificent parrot was documented as being ‘abundant’ in mountain forests over a vast area of the northern Andes. The Yellow-eared Parrot depends on wax palms - the world’s tallest palm standing 40 meters tall - for nesting in their trunks, roosting on fronds at night and feeding on its fruit. However, by the 1980s it was clear the population was catastrophically declining, as large flocks disappeared at an alarming rate. By 1991 only two flocks were known to survive, numbering fewer than 50 individuals in locations in Colombia and Ecuador. Unlike most species of parrot, the Yellow-eared Parr ot has very rarely been kept in captivity, and was represented only by two single birds. Presently none is know to survive in captivity. Effectively, the two flocks contained the entire global population and it was clear that without immediate conservation action, extinction was imminent. This nest, the only one known, contains at least one chick. Photo: Bernabé López-Lanús Ognorhynchus’ was fruits from wax palms) - Forest Area instigated in Colombia by Parrot Awareness reported a flock of 20 Purchased Paul Salaman and Niels Campaign Yellow-eared Parrots on 13 Krabbe with Colombian and December 1998. This report By the mid-1990s, A regional parrot awareness international support and was forwarded to Bernabé researchers in Ecuador with campaign with posters was financial aid. By June 1998, López-Lanús and follow-up Loro Parque Fundación undertaken with Proyecto investigations ensued. purchased and protected a field surveys by Bernabé Ognorhynchus by stand of palms and forest López-Lanús commenced to Corporación Regional used for breeding by the last locate and protect the Autónoma del Quindío (CRQ) Two Flocks dwindling flock in Ecuador, Yellow-eared Parrot, as well and help from Corporación yet the birds appear not to as mounting a sustained Regional Autónoma del Discovered have bred in several years. regional and international Tolima (Cortolima). This Official permission was In 1997, a flock of 24 Yellow- publicity campaign for the campaign proved fruitful granted to Bernabé and his eared Parrots were observed species. However, after 11 when Alonso Quevedo - a assistant Julián Peña to visit in a historically well-known months of intensive searches Colombian fieldworker the area from 18 April 1999. location in the Cordillera over suitable areas of the studying the endangered That same day, Bernabé Central of Colombia. As a Colombian Andes the parrot Mountain Tapir (also witnessed a scene he result, ‘Proyecto had not been located. dependent on the fallen thought ‘science fictional’ -
6 ■ PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 flying over wax palms and roosts in wax palm stands. forest were two flocks of ¥ A communal ritual was Yellow-eared Parrots, witnessed daily in the together totalling 61 birds in afternoon - whereby a a remote location of central flock visited a dead wax Colombia. No sooner had he palm and all gnawed on discovered the flocks and the dry trunk. This where they roosted, but behaviour is probably Bernabé found a nest site associated with bill with a chick bird being fed sharpening and/or by adults. After 11 months gleaning minerals. searching, Bernabé’s dedication and enormous ¥ Local campesinos effort finally paid off. This is (mountain farmers) a phenomenal multiple provided an extensive list discovery that exemplifies of tree species which the areas importance for Ognorhynchus feeds on, Ognorhynchus, and doubled which includes palm fruits the known population of the as well as various other species. Over the course of tree fruits present in the the next week, Bernabé area. established a wealth of ¥ Campesinos in the study information, including: area were conservation- ¥ The active nest site has at minded and did not hunt least one chick, which is or collect Ognorhynchus. protected and fed by the parents and several A Critical ‘helpers’. The nest site is being monitored Moment For The continuously by Bernabé Species and Julián. This remarkable discovery ¥ The species nests and comes at a critical moment The spectacular wax palm habitat of the Yellow-eared Parrot. Photo: Bernabé López-Lanús for the species. Whilst 61 action plan to protect and individuals represents the assist the species’ survival largest flock recorded in can commence quickly. recent decades, the worrying aspect is that only one pair out of a possible 30 appears Can This Parrot to be breeding. This is Be Saved? obviously not a sufficient rate to provide any optimism The race is on to save the for the species’ long-term Yellow-eared Parrot and survival. Furthermore, ensure its place with us in mounting threats in the form the twenty-first century. of hunters, illegal parrot collectors, and forest Pr oyecto Ognorhynchus is clearance continue to funded by Loro Parque threaten the species. Its Fundación, Zoologische survival is dependent on the Gesellschaft/Fonds für goodwill of local rural Bedrohte Papageien and farmers and communities American Bird Conservancy not to hunt or collect the with World Parrot Trust and species as pets. Fortunately, Barbara Delano Foundation, Pr oyecto Ognorhynchus has and supported in Colombia the enormous co-operation by Sociedad Antioqueña de and enthusiasm of Ornitología. campesinos, local communities and regional For further information Yellow-eared Parr ot (Ognorhynchus icterotis) government agencies, so that check: Photo taken by kind permission of R. Low & R.& V. Moat from Parrots in Aviculture a long-term conservation www.proaxis.com/~salaman
PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 ■ 7 Bl a c k - c h e e k e d Lo v e b i r ds in the Wil d by LOUISE WARBUR TON, Research Centre for African Parr ot Conservation, University of Natal It's not easy to see a Black-cheeked Lovebird (Agapornis nigrigenis). By the time I finally saw my first flock, home, in the gentle green hills of Oxfor dshire, seemed an unr eality. Find that Lovebird! This was May 1998 in south Kafue National Park, Zambia. Eight Lovebir ds flew up fr om The Lovebirds wer e usually the ground, a silent flash of vivid gr een disappearing into the nearest canopy cover of located by sound. Once sighted small thorny balanites bushes. their location was r ecorded by GPS, together with as much The core distribution of these Lovebir ds is found in a disjointed belt of mopane information as possible on woodland, between the Zambezi River to the south and Kafue River in the nor th. A small flock-size, activity, interaction break in the mopane between these two catchments seasonally divides the Black-cheeks with other species and habitat into two sub-populations. I spent last year camped out in the Nanzhila plains obser ving data. Each Lovebird sighting, the northern population, mapping their distribution, estimating abundance and water pool and feeding site was attempting to identify their habitat requir ements including diet, watering, roost and nest numbered and stor ed on the GPS sites. for subsequent refer ence as the wandering Lovebird researchers. intense efforts wer e made to season's progressed. The Study Site Fringing the plains are the open up routes ar ound the Throughout the region Black- The south Kafue National Park is Colosphopermum mopane, study ar ea and to locate water cheeked Lovebirds were found characterised by wide open mopane, and Brachystegia, sources. This was followed up in localised population clumps. miombo woodlands. The Park is As the field season progressed it grassland plains interspersed with routine monitoring for became possible to r ecognise with bushes and termiteria. Most the largest protected ar ea within Lovebird use and drying dates. Zambia, covering around "ideal" Lovebir d habitat. of the termite mounds ar e well The study area is bisected by However this was no guarantee vegetated, with the insect’s 22,480 km2 , making it one of the Nanzhila River fr om north to the largest four in the world. for locating the Lovebirds who underground earthworks south, which had already dried appear to be absent from large bringing up minerals that the The Nanzhila study site was into isolated pools by May. Pool chosen based on infor mation areas of suitable habitat within plants exploit. The elevation of numbers continued to decr ease their already highly localised the termite mounds also from the Tim Dodman Black- as the dry season progr essed. cheeked Lovebird survey (1994) range. Some which were pr otects the roots from Woodland pools in the mopane Lovebird-free from May until waterlogging during the summer and Zambian Ornithological had largely dried by July, but Society records. mid-September wer e used by the rains when much of the area is refilled with the first rains in parr ots during the height of the flooded - and impassable to During the months of fieldwork November. dry season, pr esumably attracted by the availability of water. The Importance of Water The early stages of fieldwork concentrated on locating water sources, to see if they were utilised by Lovebirds. The characteristics of utilised and non-utilised pools were recorded. Contrary to earlier speculation the Lovebirds drank from a variety of pool types, in early morning and late afternoon. The exact ar riving times changing with increasing day-length. Typically the pools appeared to be positioned between the overnight r oosting location and the daytime feeding ar ea. At regularly observed pools mor ning arrival A flock of Lovebir ds in Kafue National Park. Photo: Louise Warburton and after noon departur e
8 ■ PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 directions were reversed, fluttering. They fed almost non- indicating that roost sites stop with all heads down at the remained constant. same time. At ground level the Lovebirds fed almost without Behaviour at the pools changed exception in silence, until seasonally as the availability of water became reduced. As the disturbed, whereupon the flock dry winter season progr essed, would take off in silence usually retr eating to perch in the the number of birds ar riving to nearest canopy. Then the drink increased. The arrival and Lovebirds either dropped down meeting up at the pools became a significant social event. From again to resume feeding, or May to July Lovebirds would individuals would star t to softly come to drink in small flocks, contact-call to stray Lovebirds typically of 5 or 6 individuals, who did not retreat to the same perching briefly before dropping tree. silently to drink, then r etreating Lovebir ds were also observed to to the same bush for a brief feed arboreally. Species fed on preen or rest. The flock would included Acacia polyacantha then depart together, generally (leaves), Capparis tomentosa calling, typically as another (flowers), Combretum flock flew in. By late August paniculatum (flowers), Syzgium Lovebird numbers began cordatum (unopened flower concentrating at drinking time. buds) and scale insects on Flocks would arrive, contact- mopane leaves in June. As the calling, in the vicinity of the project progresses effort to water pool, gathering in a single document the species fed on by or a few neighbouring trees Black-cheeks will continue. A (typically the tallest, or with the likely hypothesis is that as the barest canopy). Early arrivals dry season progr esses until the settled to preen, sun-bathe and later rainy season when the Black-cheeked Lovebird being examined in Kafue National Park. Photo: Louise Warburton contact call the next arrivals in. grasses seed, ie. October was usually ar ound twenty perch right next to (and The largest recorded number of through to mid-Januar y, the minutes, although fifty minutes surround !) a Shikra in a small individuals arriving at a single Lovebir ds depend more on non- to one hour were not uncommon Acacia bush, and African Fish pool was exactly 800. The time grass seed nutrition (ground when there was no disturbance. Eagles who wer e observed to kill taken from the first arrival to feeding decr eases). Black- Other small bir d species such as doves and a Gr ey-headed the first drinking wave was cheeked Lovebir ds coincide their Red-billed Quelea, Southern Sparrow on one occasion. exactly one hour. Large flocks of breeding with grass-seed Grey-headed Sparrow and Blue Evidence of one killed Lovebir d doves and Red-billed Quelea production making the exact Waxbill also commonly rested was found under a small drank during this time, with the time of breeding variable, but near by. Mopane tr ee next to a water Queleas 'meeting' in small on average slightly later than pool. It was almost certainly a bushes before drinking in large the widely published November- The Lovebirds were often raptor kill as feathers fr om all groups. In contrast to the silent December season. observed to scratch, and also to over the body had been plucked, approach to the water of the mutually, allo-preen and self and there was evidence of other smaller Lovebir d flocks earlier preen. Sunbathing was common small avian victims having been in the season, these large waves Resting and in the cold early mor nings and consumed from the perch above. of birds seemed to generate a Preening pre-sundown during May, June lot of excitement, making them and July. In the heat of Unusual Colouring wary to land long enough to The Lovebirds were observed to September and November a few drink. Most Lovebir ds would rest at any time during the day, Lovebirds were observed clearly Two Black-cheeked Lovebirds then disperse in small flocks to usually retreating into the panting, with their feathers wer e observed at the Mabvigo feed, although 'retur ns' to drink shaded mid-canopy of the sleeked to their body, an upright water pool on the 08/09/98 in small flocks wer e common. Mopane in the vicinity of posture, wings held away fr om which did not conform to the feeding areas or in the locality the body slightly drooped and described type (after Sclater of a water pool. They slept with the bill gaped open. 1906). One was much yellower Food either their heads tucked around on the br east with a brighter Around eighty per cent of onto their back with the bill Predation orange forehead and crown. The feeding obser vations were made buried into the back feathers, or other was of normal body with Lovebirds foraging for facing forwar ds with the orange Although commonly observed in colouring but had a much paler grass seeds at ground level, bib (and all body feathers) the near locality of potential culmen which looked near usually under the canopy of puf fed out and the bill resting predators, like the Accipiter white. Mopane termiteria woodland, on top. The Lovebir ds slept in species, only one obser vation often near the (scr ub) fringes small flocks, usually a was made of a pair of Lovebir ds bordering grassland plain, and a combination of heads back and being 'buzzed' by a Lanner Aggression sub-canopy of bushes such as puffed bib, with one or two Falcon. Little Banded Goshawks Overall the Lovebir ds were not Balanites aegyptiaca or Boscia remaining awake to pr een or (Shikra) were routinely observed observed to be an aggressive angustifolia. The mean feeding observe. They usually fell asleep at water pools, often swooping species. The vast majority wer e flock size was 9 individuals. almost immediately once down on mixed Quelea, Sparrow not obser ved to perch as a pair, When foraging, the birds perched, and slept continuously and Lovebird flocks at the ie. the stereo-typical Lovebir d covered the ground fairly until alarmed. The duration of water's edge. However the pose, but rather as individuals rapidly by walking, hopping and sleep/resting periods observed Lovebirds were also obser ved to Contd. on page 10
PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 ■ 9 Contd. from page 9 close by to each other but with personal space, frequently on separate branches in the same canopy strata. Common to other species of bir ds which allo and mutually preen ther e appears to be a narrow margin between pr eening behaviour and aggr ession. Habitat Intact Contrar y to the conservation challenges of the majority of parrot species, the Black- cheeked Lovebird's natural habitat does not appear to suf fer from immediate or for eseeable destruction. The Typical Black-cheeked Lovebir d habitat ar ea is both remote and does not hold any special economic historically known range that 3. Identify habitat requirements rates potential. Indeed, as a first have since been deserted. 4. To evaluate all threats ¥ Growth curves impression, the Lovebir d Perhaps the pr ovision of limiting the population's ¥ How long does the juvenile appears to be successful wher e Lovebird-friendly water sour ces r ecovery 'darker' colouring of the bill villagers have settled to far m in could be developed by creating 5. To create a sound method of last for ? the Game Management Areas. new water sources with per ching population monitoring ¥ Pattern of parental care This will be investigated during space in the locality, and 6. To involve local people in the ¥ Seasonality of breeding the 1999 fieldwork season. growing strips of millet and development of a long-ter m ¥ Longevity monitoring pr ogramme Poaching inside the Kafue sorgham away fr om the villagers Also, National Park (and GMA's) is fields to try to supply and During 1999 particular attention ¥ Where and when did you get common and widespread. The redirect the Lovebir ds feeding will be paid to the Lovebir d's significance for Lovebir d away from far mer's crops. In use of village water sources and your Black-cheeks? conser vation is that illegal trade reality it is difficult to envisage ¥ Have you found them an easy crops to gain an insight into the species to breed? in wildlife pr oducts goes on such measures being possible importance of these cr ops as a almost unchecked and at the ¥ Have you had any particular without special long-ter m source of food. The favour ed health management pr oblems? moment is unpoliceable given provision and outside choice of crop, level of the lack of r esources within the management. The Lovebirds utilisation, the r ole of other Thank-you. Parks Department. Lovebir ds share their environment with crop-raiding species, and the would pr ove any easy target to Zambian villagers who live on a Lovebir d-human interaction will Louise Warburton, RCAPC, Dept. capture with their dependence subsistence basis, resour ces be investigated. It is likely that of Zoology & Entomology, on daily access to water and such as water and grain crops the field work will be conducted University of Natal, Private Bag social habits. being extremely precious. on a more mobile basis, moving X01, Scottsville 3209, Conservation of natural resource between the villages on a Pietermaritzburg, Natal. SOUTH Factors limiting the population's AFRICA r ecovery after the 1920's trade education is non-existent, and regular sampling basis, will certainly be encouraged exploring new areas of possible email: ar e both subtle and Warbur [email protected] accumulative, both attributable through the local interest which Lovebir d habitation, and visiting to man (change in cr opping will be aroused during the time sites where they were known to Acknowledgements of fieldwork. occur historically; in addition to patter ns from the Lovebir d The main source of funding in pr eferred millet and sor gham to routinely monitoring sites measured in the 1998 season. support of this pr oject has come maize -Dodman 1995) and Implications from the Loro Parque Fundacion nature (incr easing desiccation of The 1999 fieldwork will I would like to take this of Tenerife. Other supporting the r egion resulting in lower dr y commence in the Sichifulo Game opportunity to appeal to captive bodies include: the Foundation season water availability). Like Management Ar ea around the breeders of Black-cheeked for Resear ch and Development many other species of parr ots, villages of Mulanga and Lovebirds for breeding r ecord (RSA), the Wildlife Conservation Lovebir ds also appear Bombwe. Particular attention information, which would Society (USA), the Zambezi traditional in their habits. In will be paid to the Lovebirds use provide inter esting and useful Society (UK), the Canadian World such a harsh envir onment of village crops and their data for the project. Any Parrot Trust, the Ger man knowledge of the local ar ea, interaction with human information is much appreciated Zoological Society for the learnt from your parents/flock- neighbours. This information even if you do not keep Conser vation of Species and mates may pr ove paramount to will form an interesting methodical records, and full Populations, the International survival which may inhibit the comparison to the norther n sub- acknowledgment will be given to Fund for Animal Welfare Lovebird's fr om exploring 'new' population studied this year data sources. Charitable Tr ust (UK), The (or moving back into old) areas. which lives almost without any I am particularly interested in:- British Ornithological Union The long-term sur vival of the human contact. (UK), The Lovebir d (1990) Black-cheeked Lovebir d may Objectives for the study are: ¥ Egg laying and hatching Society (UK), The Parrot Society depend upon manipulation of intervals (UK) and The Conser vation in the existing lovebir d utilised 1. To map the distribution of A. ¥ Clutch size Aviculture Society (UK). British resources to try to encourage nigrigenis ¥ Incubation (time and habits) Airways Assisting Conser vation movement back into areas of 2. Estimate abundance ¥ Hatching and fledging success provided flights to Durban.
10 ■ PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 completely for ested. This evidence includes the presence of an endemic quail, a strict grassland species. Today, Sumba’s landscape is mor e r eminiscent of the golden Cockatoos in Peril savannahs of East Africa than by MARGARET F. KINNAIRD, Ph.D., Conservation Biologist W ildlife Conservation Society, and Co-director, WCS-Indonesia Program the ver dant vistas of Java or Bali. The occasional for est patch My colleague and husband, Dr. Tim O’Brien, and I jump down from a bright blue minibus interrupts vast expanses of blaring music so loud that it strains the speakers. W e cross a narrow, paved str eet to a grasslands dotted by domestic small green building that serves as the of fices of Sumba’s Department of Forestry and buf falo, cattle, and horses. Conservation. Once inside, we meet our Indonesian counterpar ts and island guides, Pak Robert and Abu, and obtain all the permission papers necessar y to conduct preliminary Sumba’s for est patches range in size from 16 to 42,000 hectar es resear ch on the island. and make up less than 11 The object of our visit is to begin an assessment of the status of one of the world’ s rarest percent of the island’s land area. and most endangered hor nbills, the Sumba Island Hornbill. Throughout our conversation Isolation and fragmentation of however, I’m distracted by an assortment of squawks, barks and squeals coming fr om the Sumba’s forests occur as land is back of the building. Abu notices my distraction and br eaks the meeting to escor t us out cleared for livestock and back. There, in a lar ge flight cage, are fourteen snow white par rots variously hanging agriculture; each year the upside down, delicately preening feathers, and nibbling on corn husks with lar ge problem worsens as fir es lit by powerful bills. I know from the distinctive orange coloured feathers popping up and herders to pr ovide fresh fodder down on the top of their heads that these comical and endearing bir ds are Citr on-crested for livestock eat away at forest cockatoos. edges. The Sumbanese follow a traditional culture of livestock Like the hornbills we have come incorporate the cockatoo into husbandry, and burning for to survey, Citron-crested our research pr ogram. Our plan Sumba’s Distinctive pasture is an integral aspect of Cockatoos are found only on was ambitious - we hoped to Landscape their life. Sumba, a small 11,000 km2 survey every forest on the island in the far south-eastern island, characterise the habitat, Sumba is somewhat of an anomaly when compared to the Team Explores corner of the Indonesian look for potential nest tr ees, rest of Indonesia’ s mostly lush, archipelago. Because of their measure levels of human gr een islands. The island is Every Forest very limited distribution, the disturbance, and of course, strongly affected by war m, dry For the next six months, Tim well-being of both species determine the numbers of winds blowing nor th from and I, along with a team from depends entirely on the hornbills and cockatoos present. Australia and as a result the Department of Conser vation conservation of this one island’s These data would allow us to receives far less rain than many and BirdLife International, forest habitat. determine what types of habitat of its neighbours to the west. explored every forest patch on were most impor tant for Although Sumba has lost over the island. Most of our jour neys hornbills and cockatoos to 60 percent of its for est cover in to and from the various forests Confiscated develop recommendations for the last 50 years, evidence wer e made on motorbike. I still Cockatoos forest management on Sumba. suggests the island was never Contd. on page 12 Abu tells us that the cockatoos are in their present state of incarceration because the conservation depar tment is waiting for their clipped wing feathers to re-grow befor e releasing them back to their forest habitat. The conservation department had been caring for the parr ots for nearly eight months - ever since their guards, tipped off by an unknown source, confiscated the birds from traders as they attempted to smuggle them onto boats. The cockatoos were found stuffed into large bamboo poles, a common and often deadly method for shipping birds between islands. Tim and I quickly realised that the plight of the cockatoos may be more severe than that of the hornbills and decided to Confiscated Citron-crested Cockatoos in flight cage, awaiting r elease.
PsittaScene V olume 11, No 2, May 1999 ■ 11 Contd. on page 11 found in flocks in small forest forest blocks on Sumba declared evidence of an addiction to betel patches. Our data suggested, National Parks. These parks ar e nut. have scars fr om spills taken on however, that small forest Sumba’s very first and, if wet pavement or as we fought patches did not contain resident managed well, will provide a New Research for contr ol while bashing our populations of cockatoos. home and a future for Sumba’s way acr oss uncharted grounds wildlife - including a good Programme to forests off on the horizon. There was a major difficulty in portion of the island’s hornbills For some of the mor e drawing conclusions from our I was accompanied by Anselmus and cockatoos. These parks, Jati, an ambitious young inaccessible for ests, we research about habitat however, are not used for the requirements for cockatoos - the master’s student fr om the mounted small, stur dy birds; they protect critical Sumbanese horses and camped long history of harvesting Indonesian Institute of cockatoos for the pet trade watersheds for the villages and Agriculture on Java. Ansel for several days at the edge of farmlands surrounding them. our tar get forest. threw a wrench in our planned to look mor e deeply interpretations. For example, it After a hiatus of two years, I into the effects of forest patch Sumba for ests vary in stature, is hard to know if the absence of returned in 1996 to Waingapu, size on the abundance and soil types, and appearance but cockatoos from a forest is due the provincial capital of East distribution of Sumba’s birds. He all are exquisitely beautiful. intended to study the entir e bird Most boast an abundance of community and was labouring large trees, many with gracefully over learning identifying buttressed roots snaking acr oss characteristics and the nuances the forest floor, dense tangles of of species vocalisations. Instead lianas, and a vivid assor tment of of surveying all forests once as unique butter flies. Many of the we had previously done, Ansel for ests are located on ridge tops picked nine forests to sur vey on or in steep ravines and as a a monthly basis. We set up a r esult are extremely dif ficult to structured sampling pr ogram navigate. I cannot count the within three large forests number of times I clumsily slid measuring around 1000 hectares or r olled down hills. The worst each, three medium forests of falls were in forests with soils 500 to 750 hectares each, and characterised by sharp, flesh- three small forests of around eating r ocks. My favourite 100 and 200 hectar es each. Such Sumba for est, Manupeu, hides a research design would allow one of the most extraor dinary Ansel to test rigorously for waterfalls of the island. effects of forest size on bird Approximately 150 meters high, communities. the Matayangu falls plunge fr om At the end of eight months, a break in a lush, misty forest. Ansel’s results showed similar Some 50 meters immediately patterns to what we had below, a second waterfall originally found for cockatoos explodes from a deep cave in a and hornbills, with a few extra r ocky wall. Both tumble into an twists. Ansel found a linear inviting milky blue pool that relationship between for est size feeds a river, which pr ovides and the size of birds commonly water to Manupeu village several found within them. Only the kilometres away. large forest patches supported healthy numbers of lar ge-bodied birds. For example, the brilliant Forest Size is red and gr een eclectus parrots Important and the lar ge imperial pigeons are commonly found in Ansel’s Our sur vey results showed that large forest patches but drop forest size plays an impor tant out in his medium-sized study r ole in the conservation of Por trait Ð Citron crested Cockatoo now highly endanger ed. sites. Smaller bodied birds, like Sumba’s hornbills and the tubby fr uit pigeons which to unsuitable habitat or to local Sumba, armed with a few of cockatoos. Hor nbills and these unanswered questions and are numerous in both lar ge and cockatoos prefer large forest extinction due to trapping. As medium-sized forests, ar e not usual, our initial discoveries new research topics. Little had patches. In fact, we found that changed. Sumbanese men, with found in small forest patches. uncover ed many more Small for ests are the private both species are absent or rar e unanswered questions. their alarming amber -coloured in for ests of less than 1,000 eyes and intricate, hand-woven domain of thick-billed crows, hectar es. The birds also cloth wrapped around their flycatchers and fantails - all pr eferred undisturbed, primar y National Parks heads and waists, trotted about generalists and insectivor es; the for est characterised by big, tall Created town on horseback. Women fruit-eaters ar e gone. trees and an abundance of walked about in a combination potential nest sites. Unlike Our survey results were not of western and traditional Cockatoos Still hornbills, cockatoos may fly unheeded. The Ministry of clothes balancing impossible- long distances over open Forestry, working with Bir dLife looking loads on their heads. Being Trapped habitats to feed on agricultural and WCS-IP, used these data as Nearly everybody had Ansel’s research provided other, cr ops and were occasionally fodder to get two of the largest frightening, blood-red lips - less pleasant information.
12 ■ PsittaScene V olume 11, No 2, May 1999 feather re-growth befor e release. bird car rying a radio that they Here I was again, ready to knew could give them away with initiate another hornbill project a few beeps. but unable to ignor e the desperate plight of Sumba’ s Returning to my of fice outside unique and magnificent Jakarta, I wr ote to Dr Stewart cockatoos. I turned to Arnold Metz to update him on these Sitompul, my WCS colleague, new developments. A strong who would be conducting the advocate of cockatoo hornbill study and said “We can’ t conservation, Dr Metz let these birds be released immediately of fered to buy the without radios!”. radios and help suppor t the fieldwork. He then notified World Parrot Trust and another Radio Transmitters dedicated par rot conser vationist, Ms Franziska Essential Vogel, generously donated The Conservation Depar tment additional funds. Befor e I knew was optimistic about the success it, I had a new project! of cockatoo releases but they had no data to confirm their As I write, we ar e gearing up for impression. The group of caged the release. Radios, receivers, cockatoos that I had met nearly antennas, and compasses have five years earlier had been been pur chased, tracking ringed before release and a few stations are being constructed, had been re-sighted during the and a veterinarian is on-site to following year, but their fates issue a bill of health befor e each were mostly unknown. By bir d is released. An eager attaching radio transmitters student fr om the University of before release we could answer Indonesia in Jakarta, Hendra, questions such as: Do these will track the animals and birds survive after release? How analyse the data for his master ’s are they using their forest Pair of cockatoos preening (in the wild). degree. Hendra’s data will also habitat? Which areas are help guide the management and Despite a 1994 ban on the similarities to my first prefer red? Do they fly between conser vation of Sumba’s capture and sale of Citron- exploratory trip wer e disturbing. forest patches? And are they cockatoos. We simply cannot crested Cockatoos by Sumba’s “Could this be a Deja vu?” I using small for ests on a conserve these magnificent Bupatis (the equivalent of thought as entered Abu’s of fice temporary basis for feeding? I birds without understanding District Officers), and the listing and hear d the now familiar also hoped that attaching radio their lives and needs. of Citron-crested Cockatoos on harsh squawks of citron-crested transmitters would provide Appendix II of CITES, the cockatoos. Sadly, there was yet these birds with increased As this project proceeds, we will capture of these birds for the another confiscated shipment of protection - per haps trappers keep the readers of PsittaScene pet trade continues at a cockatoos, caged and waiting would be less inclined to grab a informed. discouraging pace. During his monthly surveys, Ansel encountered trappers high in trees setting glue traps for the birds and found the r emains of rattan ladders snaking up the sides of large trees to holes where young birds had been snagged from their nest cavities. I travelled to Sumba again in 1998 to initiate another research project investigating the interaction between forest size and resource availability on Sumba hornbills. I wanted to know if space was really the key. Maybe hornbills, cockatoos, and other large bir ds prefer red big for ests simply because they contained more food resour ces. If true, then smaller forests with lots of fruit trees were still important habitat and should be protected. Once again, little had changed on Sumba. But this time the Rice planting celebration, Wester n Sumba.
PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 ■ 13 records in NSW was carried out. Examination of Grey Goshawk prey remains has also been identified as a useful technique to locate The Elusive populations of Coxen’s Fig- Parrot because of the likelihood that this raptor predates upon this endangered bird. This approach has so far been unsuccessful. Further Co x e n ’ s Fig Parrot habitat identification was carried out in the Lismore by LIZ ROMER, Wildlife Conservation Officer, Currumbin Sanctuary, Queensland area. The critically endangered Coxen’s Fig-Parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni is one of The year 1996 also saw the Australia’s rarest and least known birds. One of the seven most endangered birds in production of a brochure to Australia today, it is the only endangered parrot species in the country to occur in raise awareness of the parrot, rainforests. with confirmed sightings as a Coxen’s Fig-Parrot is an attractive, small, predominantly green parr ot with an hopeful outcome. The extremely short tail, a disproportionately large head and bill, and red and blue facial brochure, sponsored and markings. It is probably most similar in size and build to a Peachface Lovebird. It produced by Curr umbin differs from the two other endemic Australian fig-parr ot subspecies being the most Sanctuary, featured in a letter southern in distribution, largest in size and having an almost entirely blue forehead. to the editor of PsittaScene that The population decline of this which were almost without analogous Red-browed Fig- year. Ten thousand were attractive parrot, was reported exception decimated by the Parrots in response to produced and distributed to as far back as the early 1900s. 1920s, with much of the prime recommendations made by schools, natural history groups Storr (1984) even considered it fig-parrot habitat being lost Martindale (1986) regarding and various other to be extinct as early as the through logging and the breeding of fig-parrots in organisations within the bird’s turn of the century. Survey agricultural clearing (Cayley captivity. range. A second updated work conducted in 1985 and 1938). brochure is currently in from 1987-89 located only a In 1993 a Recovery Team was production. Because of the few individuals (Martindale The primary diet of the formed by the Queensland similarity in appearance 1986, Holmes 1990) while Coxen’s Fig-Parrot are the Department of Environment between the Coxen’s Fig-Parr ot additional survey work from seeds of fig fruit, however a and Heritage (QDEH). The team and three species of lorikeet 1993-95 produced no records wide variety of additional food includes members from New (i.e. small, and green and fast at all (Holmes 1995). trees has been recorded South Wales National Parks and flying!) the brochure had a (Holmes 1990). Although the Wildlife Service, QDEH, focus on correct identification. Historical records show that it nest and eggs remain formally Currumbin Sanctuary, was numerous in sub-tropical undescribed, it is reported to Threatened Species Network, In August 1996 a new tactic rainforests between the Mary nest in a similar manner to the State Forests of NSW, O’Reilly’s was introduced in the search River in south-east Queensland other Australian fig-parrots in Rainforest Guesthouse (Qld), for the parr ot. This involved and the Richmond River in a hole excavated in a dead or Queensland Museum and surveying areas for evidence of north-east New South Wales. decaying limb of a living or Environment Australia. current or past nesting sites as Reports in recent decades dead tree. It is thought to lay the nests are unique. In 1993-95 an additional field suggest it can be found north just two eggs (J. Young pers. Tantalising fresh evidence was search was carried out. The to near Bundaberg Queensland comm.). turned up of the bird’s and south to the Port primary technique adopted presence but no actual Macquarie hinterland in New during the survey was sightings occurr ed. South Wales (Holmes 1994, Conservation scanning fruiting fig trees in 1995). Unfortunately, the exact measures the hope of locating fig parrots In 1996,1997 and 1998 “decoy” whereabouts of populations of feeding in the branches or birds have been positioned in this endangered sub species As previously mentioned, field flying from tree to tree. No areas of likely habitat in the remain uncertain although survey work was carried out in birds were located over the hope they would call in 1985 and 1987-89. Funding for recent work to identify three year period. Coxen’s Fig-Parrots. It is potential habitat in both this was obtained from the In 1994 a postgraduate student thought the calls of the northern New South Wales and RAOU (now Birds Australia), Coxen’s Fig-Parrot and Red- in the Bundaberg area has ANPWS (now Environment studied the seasonal pattern of browed Fig-Parrot are quite provided the basis for large Australia) and Currumbin fruiting by figs in both the scale and targeted search Sanctuary. Although a lot of lowland and upland rainforests similar. The birds used were from Currumbin Sanctuary’s efforts. information was gathered in of south-east Queensland. In captive Red-browed Fig- relation to the bird, few actual 1996 habitat mapping of The demise of the Coxen’s Fig- sightings resulted. canopy height fig trees Parr ots. Unfortunately the Parrot is almost certainly immediately surrounding the strategy was unsuccessful in related to widespread clearing In 1987 Currumbin Sanctuary locations of the seven most attracting Coxen’s Fig-Parrot of the lowland rainforests started a captive colony of the plausible fig-parrot sighting individuals.
14 ■ PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 International “Birds 99” Convention being held in Brisbane, one hour’s drive away from the Gold Coast, from 18-21 June 1999. We are inviting all people interested in the captive care of Fig- Parr ots to attend and to contribute to the workshop. From the workshop we hope to produce a comprehensive husbandry manual for distribution. Interested people are requested to contact Liz Romer at Curr umbin Sanctuary on email: lromer@currumbin- sanctuary.org.au or write to Curr umbin Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin, Queensland, Australia 4223 or phone +61 7 55250197.
Coxen’s Fig Parrot (on right) Acknowledgements This illustration is from Parr ots - a Guide to Parrots of the World by Tony Juniper and Mike Parr, by kind permission of the publishers, Pica Press. Thanks to Dr Ian Gynther of the Queensland Department of In 1997 further nest site sighting. The fridge flier was Captive Breeding Environment and Heritage and searches were carried out. This produced by Currumbin fellow member of the Coxen’s time members of the research Sanctuary, sponsored by the Programme Fig-Parrot Recovery Team for party had their first brief but Parrot Society of Australia and Since 1987 Currumbin the editing, comments and rewarding glimpse of the bird distributed by the Bundaberg latest pieces of information. that had been so elusive as Bir d Observers Club. Sanctuary has been working on two birds flew overhead in the the analogous Red-browed Fig- References Main Range National Park in One recent initiative of the Parrot C.d. macleayana. Fig- Queensland. However, an recovery team has been the parrots have been notoriously Cayley, N.W. (1938) Australian active nest still remained to be production of shirts for sale to difficult to breed in captivity, Parrots: Their Habits in Field especially with respect to discovered. raise money and awareness for and Aviary. Angus and producing parent raised birds. this parr ot’s recovery. The T- Robertson, Sydney. Shortly after this, the first The aim of this programme is shirt features a painting by community search in NSW was to overcome these problems Holmes, G. (1990) The Biology wildlife artist Sally Elmer. No organised. Volunteers spent up by establishing a successful and Ecology of Coxen’s Fig- known photos or videos exist to a week lying under fig trees protocol for the captive Parr ot. RAOU Report No.65 of this bird! The painting is looking for Coxen’s Fig-Parr ot. breeding of fig-parrots by based on museum skins and Holmes, G. (1994) ‘Saving Although no birds were parent raising. An additional information from field Coxen’s Fig-Parrot’. Wildlife discovered it was successful in aim is to develop techniques to naturalist John Young. In order Australia 31(2): 20-21 spreading the word about the maximise production. The to raise awareness it features a Holmes, G. (1995) Coxen’s Fig parrot and its plight. information can then be tag with information on the applied if a decision is made to Parrot Survey. A draft report to In March 1998 a similar survey species. If interested in bring Coxen’s Fig-Parr ot into the Coxen’s Fig-Parr ot Recovery was conducted in the purchasing a shirt the artwork captivity as part of the Team, June 1995. Bundaberg area in the north of can be seen on the Currumbin recovery programme. Martindale, J. (1986) A Review the bird’s range. Although no Sanctuary web site Over the past nine years up to of Literature and the Results of new sightings were recorded, (http://www.curr umbin- seven pairs of fig-parrots have a Search for Coxen’s Fig Parrot eighteen anecdotal sightings sanctuary.org.au). been set up for breeding. The in South-east Queensland and were obtained as a result of success has been variable due North-east New South Wales associated media coverage. The recovery team is currently in part to varying techniques during 1985. RAOU Report No. The Bundaberg branch of the in the process of finalising the and certain nest manipulations 21 Bird Observers Club of recovery plan for this species. being trialled. To further our Romer, L. and Gynther, I. Australia has responded to the It is hoped it will be ready in knowledge in this area we are search with great enthusiasm. the new year. Meanwhile a (1997) ‘Coxen’s Fig-Parr ot planning a Fig-Parrot Recovery Program’. Eclectus One result of this is a fridge third nest survey conducted in Husbandry and Breeding Issue 3: 40-43. flier being produced for September 1998 unearthed an Workshop to be held on 22 distribution to households in old nest site at a new locality and 23 June 1999 at Storr, G.M. (1984) ‘Revised List the area again in the hope but again was unsuccessful in Currumbin Sanctuary on the of Queensland Birds’. Records raising community awareness finding the holy grail of a pair Gold Coast in Queensland. This of the Western Australian and securing a confirmed at a current nest hole. is following on from the Museum. Supplement No. 19.
PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 ■ 15 The Caribbean A Visit to St Lucia by MARK NOR TON On holiday in St Lucia r ecently, I met Adams Toussaint, Assistant Environmental Education Of ficer with the For estry and Lands Depar tment of the St Lucia This St. Lucia Parrot was bred in Jersey by JWPT, and Nicole Norton with the ‘giant jigsaw’ from the WPT Ministr y of Agriculture, based in returned to the island. Parrot Bus. Castries. Adams was kind the only sensible course of conditioned myself to the by a troublesome pearly-eyed enough to update me on the action and retired the bus. He likelihood we would not see any thrasher, flew off in search of a status of the St Lucia Amazon knew then that it would not be birds; too often I have tramped more peaceful part of the forest. par rot (Amazona versicolor) , or easy for his Department to through acres of for est only to Walking out of the for est we saw “Jacquot” as it is known locally . replace it. But not all was lost. hear tantalising parrot calls further flashes of colour in the He explained that at the lowest Adams took me to the new from around the next bend. canopy, which may or may not point, in 1980, the total par rot Canadian-funded Interpretative have been par rots, but I didn’t population had been less than Centre and, inside, he showed After we had been walking for really car e. I had seen one of 100 birds, mainly because of me the original WPT exhibits about an hour or so, I began to only 500 (ish) Jacquots in the habitat loss and the demands of taken out of the eco-bus! take a perverse pleasure in world - and that was one mor e the pet trade. It had seemed, Amazingly, they are still having been right. Of course we than I was expecting! then, that the Jacquot was teaching St Lucian children the were not going to see one of the almost cer tainly headed for difference between a good and a rarest parr ots in the world. It Peru extinction. But, in fact, the bad forest. I thought, as I was just as well I hadn’ t let species had made a dramatic watched my two-year old Adams get my hopes up. Then Feat of Clay recovery over the past two daughter playing with the as we entered an atypical piece decades. Adams told me that original rain forest jigsaw, that of forest - basically, a palm by WAYNE E. MAYER pr esent estimates put at over WPT members would like to grove - Adams, a few paces in 500 the number of par rots on St front of me, fr oze. I followed his On a good day in the Per uvian know that their donations are Amazon, you can see 600 to 900 Lucia. I asked him how St Lucia still working hard for the gaze, but could not immediately had achieved such a r emarkable see what had caught his parr ots and 100 large macaws conservation of the Jacquot! As a perched on the wall of an turn ar ound of events. He said measure of success, 37% of St attention. Then, as my eyes that it had only been possible adjusted to the bright Caribbean eroding riverbank, biting of f and Lucia remains cover ed in natural swallowing thumb-size chunks because the people of St Lucia forest; 18% of that is primar y sunlight, I saw the unmistakable had “r ediscovered” their Jacquot purple head of a Jacquot of orange clay. “The number of rain forest; and 16% of St Lucia’s macaws and parr ots of all sizes - they now knew the value of forest is protected. The eco-bus feasting on palm nuts, just 30- their national bird. Paul Butler 40 feet away. I fought with my at a single clay lick can exceed and its displays had played no fifteen hundred in one morning, played an impor tant par t in the small part in that success. cameras until my senses pr ocess. A significant milestone returned and I realised that the with more than a thousand on a on the road to the Jacquot’ s Adams introduced me to five St angle of the sun render ed futile wall at one time,” says Charles r ecovery had been the ar rival of Lucia parrots in the car e of the my best efforts. So, abandoning Munn, senior r esearch zoologist the World Parrot Trust/RARE Forestry Department. These my hopes of winning an awar d for WCS. “Daily, 21 species of eco-bus in 1991. parrots, at the Interpr etative for photographic excellence, I parr ots feast on clay.” The eco-bus toured the schools Centre, wer e the only captive relaxed and simply enjoyed the Why do they do it? To pry into and community halls of St Lucia Jacquots on St Lucia. He said experience. The parrot, this clay-eating behaviour, which for two years before the severe that the first two had been a apparently, was relaxed too. It is called geophagy, James r oads had finally taken their pair of birds returned fr om was quite content to continue Gilardi, research director of the toll. Lacking power -assisted Jersey Zoo following the success feeding in the palm tree, tossing Oceanic Society, Munn, and Sean steering and brakes, it is not an of their breeding programme. discarded nuts to the fer n- Duffy and Lisa T ell, of the exaggeration to say that drivers, But, of course, captive parr ots covered forest floor. It called out University of California at Davis, on occasions, had risked their are no substitute for their wild intermittently to nothing in combined field and lab science. lives in order to deliver the eco- cousins. So Adams and I set of f, particular and I knew then that I “In the Amazon,” says Munn, bus’s message to far-flung in perfect weather conditions, had in fact been listening to “nearly all vertebrates that eat hamlets. Adams r ecalled the sad along Des Cartiers Trail in the Jacquots for most of the time I leaves or seeds have been day when Ministr y of Transport Quilesse Forest Reserve in had been in the forest. obser ved eating clay. The seeds officials had r eluctantly taken search of the real thing. I Eventually, our Jacquot, har ried and leaves of tr opical plants are
16 ■ PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 rich in toxic compounds.” In sites generates annually addition to the parr ots, between several hundred and a monkeys, tapirs, peccaries, deer, few thousand dollars of for eign guans, curassows, and exchange for Peru, creating a Parrot books from chachalacas consume clay. powerful argument for Furthermore, highland Indians protecting these birds and their in Peru mix clay with wild rain-forest home.” potatoes to render these toxic Rosemary Low plant foods edible. New Zealand Members can order books by Rosemary Low directly In the lab at Davis, the investigators placed tiny brine 18 Kaka Chicks from her at P.O. Box 100, Mansfield, Notts NG2O 9NZ, shrimp, which are used to test were reared U.K., fax number 01623 846430. They will be signed for toxicity, in a cultur e medium and dedicated on request. The following titles are containing ground-up seeds Eighteen Kaka chicks we rear ed available: eaten by macaws. The shrimp in the area of the Rotoiti Natur e Recovery Pr oject in Nelson Lakes died quickly, indicating a highly Parr ots in Aviculture Ð a reference book and toxic brew. They then fed one National Park. It was the second group of orange-winged year in a row the endanger ed identification guide with colour photos of 250 species; amazons a harmless secondary native forest parrot has £27.50 post paid in the U.K., airmail Europe and compound mixed with clay. A produced of fspring in the area surface worldwide £29.00. control gr oup was fed the although it usually only breeds compound but no clay. The every three to four years. Encyclopaedia of the birds that ingested clay never Rotoiti Nature Recover y Project Lories Ð aviculture, developed high blood levels of co-ordinator David Butler said natural history and the compound, while the control group showed a rapid rise in there were 18 chicks in five conservation 432 pages blood levels that stayed high for nests. He said grave fears had (large format), 170 colour hours. Through a process called been held for the futur e of the photos. The definitive adsorption, the clay prevented embattled Kaka in the Nelson work on the brush- the compound - just as it does Lakes ar ea as studies by the tongued parr ots; £46.50 the toxins - from entering the department and by Landcare research had indicated a decline post paid in the U.K., bloodstream. Gilardi also airmail Europe and suspects that the clay protects in Kaka numbers over r ecent the mucus film of the gut lining, years primarily due to predation surface worldwide £51.00. preventing chemical irritation, by stoats. The success of the or “gastric erosion”, by seed season would once again depend Parrot Breeding Ð detailed advice on all aspects 160 toxins. Widespread snacking on on the success of the stoat pages, 60 colour photos. Soft cover. £19.95 post paid clay appears to allow parrots trapping programme. “If a single in the U.K., airmail Europe and surface worldwide and other animals to eat stoat finds its way into a nest it £22.00. poisonous foods. Geophagy, will mean the likely loss of not therefore, adds greater only any eggs and chicks but flexibility to an animal’s dietar y also of the nesting female Parrot Breeding Register Ð For record keeping, plus options. The team’s complete birds.” data on 150 species, including ring sizes and age at findings appear in the April ringing, 96 pages. £8.75 post paid in U.K., airmail issue of The Journal of Chemical He said that staff found three Europe and surface worldwide £10.00. Ecology. stoats killed by the department’s traps. Another dead stoat had Results from the parrot studies recently been found in the block Macaws a Complete Guide Ð detailed species accounts may aid medical resear ch in where the Kaka were br eeding. and advice on breeding diet, etc; 144 pages (large developing anti-diarr hoea Last year staff established a format) and 142 photos. £18.50 post paid in U.K., medicines and other discoveries network of 300 stoat traps and airmail Europe and surface worldwide £19.50. important to medicine and had already caught seven stoats ver tebrate biology. The parrots’ and three fer rets. passion for clay already benefits Parrot Quiz Book Ð 54 quizzes each with 12 questions rain-forest conservation. Ever y Dr Butler said Kaka usually only from 13 categories (Amazons, Lovebirds, etc); £5.95 year, some 4,000 tourists flock bred in the years when the post paid in U.K., airmail Europe and surface to the clay licks at Manu, beech forest flowered and set worldwide £7.00. Tambopata, Heath, and the seed. “With the beech for est Lower Urubamba rivers east of flowering heavily this spring the Endangered Parrots Ð accounts of threatened species Cusco/Machu Picchu to watch Kaka have moved into their and conservation projects, 190 pages, 82 illustrations. and photograph the colourful second breeding season in a spectacle of parrots devouring row.” Offer: £15.00 post paid in U.K. (Publisher’s price clay. Since 1984, these clay licks £20.00.), airmail Europe and surface worldwide £18.00. have generated close to a Last year a total of 12 chicks thousand jobs at locally owned were produced of which seven Video on Hand-rearing Parrots Ð 55 minutes - all are still in the ar ea. He said it rain forest lodges, at Cusco- and aspects of hand-rearing; £17.50 post paid. in the U.K., Lima-based travel agencies, and was pretty exciting to have a in supporting industries. Munn further 18 chicks bred this airmail Europe and surface worldwide £19.50. says: “Each wild parr ot at these summer.
PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 ■ 17 This important review of WPT projects is being repeated from the February 1999 PsittaScene A Review of World Parrot
Trust Projects Past, present and future by MICHAEL REYNOLDS In our PsittaScene for August 1998 Aratinga euops, funded for three We have long been concerned we listed 22 species of CITES years by Canadian WPT. about this Brazilian species, Appendix 1 parrots that had been So let us now add: which has suffered from helped by funds from WPT. These tremendous loss of its rainforest were: Scarlet Macaw habitat, and being a highly sought Blue-winged Macaw after bird for trade. Spix’s Macaw Yellow-eared Parrot Lear’s Macaw Mealy Amazon The Golden Conure Fund will be Hyacinth Macaw Black-billed Amazon based in our WPT-USA office (see Blue-throated Macaw Yellow-billed Amazon new address on page 19), and Buf fon’s Macaw Yellow-headed Amazon Glenn Reynolds (8338 Terra moving close to a ‘critical’ St. Vincent Amazon Blue-fronted Amazon Grande Ave., Springfield VA Imperial Amazon Golden-plumed Parakeet position. Red-necked Amazon 22153, USA, fax: 703.644.6415, White-necked Parakeet email: goldenconurefund@breeders See the article by Margaret F. St. Lucia Amazon Red-faced Parrot Red-tailed Amazon blend.com) will be pleased to hear Kannaird Ph.D. on page 11-13 in African Grey Parrot from anyone who has a special this issue for more information. Cuban Amazon Cuban Conure Red-spectacled Amazon interest in this species, or wishes Gr een-cheeked Amazon This brings us to 35 species to contribute in any way. We A NEW TOTAL Moluccan Cockatoo helped during the first ten years suggest that everyone who holds Red-vented Cockatoo of the World Parrot Trust. So if this species should consider These two projects bring us to Gof fin’s Cockatoo anyone asks you what WPT is sending $20 or £15 for each bird a grand total of 37 species Red-tailed Black Cockatoo doing, you could tell them about to our new fund. (We have five at helped by funding from WPT. Palm Cockatoo that, and suggest they join us so Paradise Park, UK, and have You can take it that the Kakapo they can add to our ability to save already sent $100 to get the fund trustees and committee Cape Parr ot the parrots fr om extinction. started.) WPT- USA will match the members of all WPT branches Black-cheeked Lovebird To close this report I would like to first single donation of $1000 to are pleased to have achieved Echo Parakeet let you know about two additional this fund. The out-standing so much with the invaluable To the above list of 22 we can ‘new’ projects for WPT. The first is wildlife artist David Johnston has support of the membership. now add a further eight species Golden Conure agreed to provide a painting of The steady flow of from the group of Neotropical Guaruba guar ouba the Golden Conure, and tee-shirts membership fees is vital, but parrots described in the Februar y will be available soon. in the last couple of years we 1999 issue of PsittaScene as being The second species is: have been greatly helped by ‘new to WPT’. We should also add an increasing number of the Golden-plumed Parakeet, Citron-cr ested Cockatoo unexpected DONATIONS. White-necked Parakeet, and Red- Cacatua sulphurea faced Parrot (all studied by field citrinocristata In addition to making biologist Jeremy Flanagan in The latest information on all the donations when possible, our Ecuador, with funding from WPT), white cockatoos is extremely membership could also and the African Grey Parrot. Also worrying, and the Citron-crested consider leaving a legacy to to be added is the Cuban Conure in particular appears to be the WPT in their wills.
Mr. Meyer has no connection whatever with the World Parrot Trust- Beware of Imitations UK, or World Parrot Trust Africa, and is absolutely not authorised to WPT has recently been sent a copy of a document being distributed collect funds on our behalf. We also deplore his infringement of our in South Africa by a Mr. Eddie Meyer. This gentleman contacted WPT- copyright. UK and asked for information, so we sent him - as we do to many We would appreciate being kept informed of any further misuse of enquirers - a full set of our literature. Mr . Meyer has not joined the our name or our literature. Trust, but has extracted large sections, word for word, from our On this subject, we should make it clear that we are always willing publications, in particular our ‘Manifesto for Aviculture’. He has also to agree to the use of the articles from PsittaScene, or our other copied our statement of aims almost exactly. publications, in legitimate aviculture and other journals. Our only He is promoting an organisation called The International Fund for requirements are that WPT’s address and membership details be Parrot Conser vation and Welfare, apparently for med in Cape Town in included, that prior approval is requested, and we are sent a copy of 1994, and is seeking to raise 35 Million Rand to pursue an ambitious the publication. list of projects. He states ‘Our aims are equivalent to those of the Michael Reynolds World Parrot Trust’. Hon. Director WPT While this is flattering in its way, we need to make it clear that 16 May 1999
18 ■ PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 Working for Parrot Co n s e r vation and Wel f a r e Wor l d w i d e The World Par rot Trust was founded in 1989 as UK Registered Charity Parrots’, and to win over the majority of aviculturists and scientists to No. 800944. International expansion has been rapid and the Trust now its point of view. The task is huge Ð our resources are limited. We need has linked charities and support groups in Africa, Australia, Belgium, the commitment of everyone in the ‘parrot community’: those who keep, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland breed, study and protect the parrots. Beyond those special interests, we and the USA. look for support from everyone who understands the crisis facing the world through the loss of biodiversity. We aim to continue using the Funds raised for the parrots have now reached £800,000 ($1.3M) and special charm of the parrots to win the hearts and minds of thoughtful have been used to initiate and support conservation and welfare projects in 20 countries for 37 species of parrot. Despite this wide- people everywhere. ranging activity, the Trust is run on a volunteer basis, with only two part Michael Reynolds time administrators worldwide. This uniquely cost-effective approach is Founder and Hon. Director made possible by substantial financial and logistical support donated by World Parrot Trust Paradise Park, the UK home base of the World Parrot Tr ust. The objective of the Trust is to promote the survival of all parrot species Mike Reynolds meets ‘Pablo’, and the welfare of individual birds. It pursues these aims by funding a hand-reared Echo Parakeet field conservation work, research projects and educational programmes. released to join critically The Trust seeks to promote the concept of ‘responsible aviculture’ where endangered wild Echoes in the interests of the parrots themselves are given priority over Mauritius. commercial, political, career or other human concerns. The World Parrot Trust and its members wish to be recognised as the ‘True Friends of the Join us Aims of the Trust If not already a member, please join. Receive our PsittaScene The survival of parrot species in the wild, and the welfare of captive birds. newsletter, know that you ar e actively contributing towards our These aims are pursued by: aims and pr ojects. Educating the public on the threats to parrots. Opposing trade in wild-caught parrots. Help fund our Projects Preserving and r estoring parrot habitat. Studying the status of parrot populations. We are currently supporting par rot conser vation, education and Encouraging the production of aviary-br ed birds. welfare projects in 20 countries. Your generosity towards the Creating links between aviculture and conser vation. parrots could help us expand cur rent schemes and star t new Promoting high standards in the keeping of parrots. ones. Supporting research into veterinary car e of parrots.
WPT NATIONAL CONTACTS Switzerland YES, I WANT TO HELP SAVE THE Lars Lepperhoff, Lutschenstrasse 15, 3063 Ittigen United Kingdom Tel: (41) 31 922 3902 Sarah Graham, Administrator, PARROTS OF THE WORLD Glanmor House, Hayle, Cor nwall TR27 4HY Germany Tel: (44) 01736 753365 Fax: (44) 01736 756438 Jür gen Oertel, Einsiedel, Pappelweg 6, email: [email protected] D-09123 Chemnitz SUBSCRIPTION RATES (please tick) Name...... Mike Reynolds email: [email protected] Italy Address ...... USA Freddie Virili, via Matarus 10, 33045 Nimis, Udine. Sonia O’Donnell, PO Box 49766, Sarasota FL 34230 Cristiana Senni, email: [email protected] UK and Europe (Single) £15 ...... Tel: 941 766 7262 Fax: 941 766 9581 Email: usa@worldparrottr ust.org Australia ...... Mike Owen, 7 Monteray St., Mooloolaba, UK and Europe (Family) £20 Benelux Queensland 4557. Peter de Vries (Membership Sec.), Jagershof 91, Tel: (61) 7 54780454 email: [email protected] ...... 7064 DG Silvolde, Netherlands ...... Tel: (31) 315327418 email: [email protected] Africa Fellow (Life Member) £250/US$400 Zip/Postcode Belgium enquiries: Romain Bejstrup (32) 32526773 V. Dennison, PO Box 1758, Link Hills, Corporate (Annual) Please charge my Master card/Visa No. Netherlands enquiries: Ruud Vonk (31) 168472715 Natal 3652, S. Africa Canada Tel: (27) 31 763 4054 Fax: (27) 31 763 3811 Mike Pearson, PO Box 29, Mount Hope, All overseas Airmail £17/US$25 Spain Exp. date ...... Amount £/US$...... Ontario L0R 1W0 Andrés Marin and Ana Matesanz, (or equivalent currency, payment Tel: (1) 905 385 9500 Fax: (1) 905 385 7374 C/La Majadita no 16 Guinate, Maquez, Signature ...... email: cwpar [email protected] 35541 Las Palmas, Spain by Visa/Mastercard preferr ed) Tel: (34) 928 835745 email: [email protected] OR: Denmark (Scandinavia) Michael Iversen, Hyldevang 4 Ð Bur esoe, WPT Web Sites: 3550 Slangerup Plus donation of £/US$ ...... I enclose a cheque made payable to the WPT Central: http://www.worldparrottrust.org email: [email protected] USA: http://www.funnyfarmexotics.com/WPT France Canada: http://www.worldchat.com/par rot/cwparrot.htm J. & G. Prin, 35 Rue de la Fassier e, 45140, Ingre. Italy: http://www .mediavillage.it/wpt Or join us on our website: www.worldparrottrust.org Tel: (33) 2 38 43 62 87 Fax: (33) 2 38 65 90 60 Denmark: http://www.image.dk/fpewpt
PsittaScene Volume 11, No 2, May 1999 ■ 19 Parrots in the Wild Gang Gang Cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum
This splendid male Gang- gang Cockatoo is enjoying the buds from a Hawthorn tree in New South Wales. This is one of a series of shots from Dr. Stewart Metz.
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