I // Focus I~//

on I .",: / African f~ Buffalo weavers ~:~.... Finches . .. byJosefLindholm, III Keeper /I / Birds • Fort Worth Zoological Park Ghana, which in 1976 received CITES their future import in any numbers Appendix III status for all the unlikely. The African finch trade, "Finches" which occur there, they are deprived of all the traditional species, barred entry under the provision of is not likely to survive based on the the Act prohibiting the COlTImercial lTIOre obscure species. East Africa, inlport of birds listed on any of the which olight otherwise seem a poten­ CITES appendices. (Appendix III does tial source of finches, since olany spe­ not usually ilTIply an "endangered" cies there do not occur in Ghana, was status in the wild, but, rather, the already largely out of the picture desire of a particular country to keep before the passage of the Wild Bird All four of the families whose mem­ records of export of that species.) Conservation Act. Only one East Afri­ bers we traditionally call "Finches" Though 010st of the African Ploceids can country, Tanzania, allows export, have representatives in Africa south of are not covered by the Wild Bird Con­ and because of highly negative pub­ the Sahara. Of the 321 mostly Western servation Act, two other factors 111ake licity resulting from several miSOlan-

Hemisphere Emberizids, nine, all OJ CJ) belonging to the genus Emberiza ~ c ..c (Lindholm, 1994a) occur there. o -:> Twenty-six Fringillids, limited to two >­ £J CJ) genera (Ibid. 1994a) are Sub-Saharan, o (5 ..c the other 100 species living in Eurasia a.. and the New World. Seventy of the 130 species of the Old World family Estrildidae are African (Ibid, 1994a). It is the final "Finch" family, the Plo­ ceidae; Weavers, Old World Spar­ rows, and Whydahs, generally consid­ ered the most evolved of the four, that is most proportionately African. Only 30 of the 141 species do not occur on the Sub-Saharan African Continent. The European and North Asian Moun­ tain Sparrows (Montifringilla sp.) and the Indian Ocean island Fodies Fou­ dia sp.) are the only genera (out of 18) not represented there. The bulky nest ofFort Worth Zoo's White-headed Buffalo Weave~, builtfron1 mesquite Ploceids, like the Birds of Paradise, twigs, In contrast to weave~ oJ'the genus Ploceus, White-headed Bujfalo Weave~will use Bowerbirds, and New World Black­ the same nestfrom one season to the other. birds (Icteridae), compose a family in which sexual selection has had a pro­ found effect, resulting in a marvelous diversity of breeding plumages, court­ ship displays, and nesting behavior, often carried to bizarre extremes. Many of the startling birds that have evolved as a result have long captured the imaginations of aviculturists, and sonle have been enormously popular and wide-spread cagebirds, with cap­ tive histories exceeding two centuries. All of the traditionally popular spe­ cies of Ploceids in aviculture ceased to be commercially imported to the United States after October 22, 1993, as a result of the Wild Bird Conserva­ tion Act of 1992. Because the range of Fort Worth Zoological Park's White-headed Buffalo Weave~are kept out-oj:doo~ in the these species includes the Republic of recently openedRaptor Canyon exhibitjorBirds oj'Prey,

40 March / April 1994 aged shipments of birds, with heavy Ethiopia and Kenya, has a white beak American Public Zoos - all males. fatalities, the major airlines on which during the rainy season when it Having seen these birds myself, I can export from Tanzania depended breeds. In the dry season, the beak add that two subspecies are repre­ largely suspended avian transports in turns black. More remarkable than the sented. The five males at the San 1991. As far as I'm aware, only one color change is the seasonal alteration Diego Wild Animal Park have red Tanzanian shipment, in August 1993, of the actual structure of the beak beaks. I believe they are the East Afri­ has entered the U.S. since January (Rutgers et aI, 1977). A ridge forms can B.a. intennedius. The bird at Salt 1992. along the culmen, lending these black Lake City's Hogle Park Zoo is a white­ No African Ploceid can, at this point, birds the appearance of miniature beaked B.a. albirostris. There may be said to be certainly established as a hornbills or anis. This temporal varia­ well be specimens in American pri­ self-sustaining captive population in tion in beak shape is unique to B.a. vate collections, but I doubt that these North America or Europe. Over the albirostris, not occurring in either of rather formidable large birds have years, quite a number of species have the red-billed subspecies. ever had much popularity, so the total been bred, and some have demon­ The South African Bubalornis albir­ number is likely minescule. The Wild strated a clear potential for establish­ ostris niger does resemble the nomi­ Bird Conservation Act does allow for ment, but, until recently, there has not nate subspecies regarding sexual been a coordinated effort between dichromatism; in B.a. albirostrisr;======~ institutions and/ or individuals tow­ both the male and female are black ards long-term propagation of any (Williams, 1980). This is in marked given species. contrast to the East African B.a. inter­ Now that the continued importation medius where the female is very dif­ of any species is in doubt, attempts ferent from the black male, being are being made to establish at least a "greyish-brown above, whitish below, few African Ploceids in this country. streaked dusky" (Williams, 1980). One difficulty is the relative scarcity of From the illustration in Newman published accounts of captive hus­ (984), while not black like the male, bandry of these birds. In the first 15 the female B.a. niger is basically a volumes of A.F.A. Watchbird 0974­ uniformly dark bird, brown with indis­ 1988), there are only four articles that tinct white edging to the feathers of deal at length with African Ploceids the throat and breast. From the mea­ (A.F.A., 1989); Louis Baptista's (978) surements given for B.a. intermedius discussion of cross-fostering Parasitic and B.a. albirostris by Williams Whydahs under Bengalese, and (980), and B.a. niger by Newman accounts of breeding Gray-headed (984), it appears that the latter is Social Weavers (Schulenburg, 1982), slightly smaller than its two nolthero Social Weavers (Collias & Collias, relatives. In addition, the red beak of 1977) and the Red Bishop (Haynie, B.a. nigeris tipped in black. 1984). Only a few more have ap­ Such distinctions are academic at • Rare Pet Species • peared subsequently. In the hope of this point, as this species' West African • Consultatjon • furthering avicultural knowledge of range includes Ghana, therefore plac­ There is no charge for African Ploceids, I intend to present ing it on appendix III of CITES, and telephone consultation by an overview of these species in including it among species prohibited hobbyists, pet owners. captivity. for commercial impolt to the U.S. The two most primitive genera in As of June 30, 1993, the Interna­ EB CRAVENS the family Ploceidae each consist of a tional Species Inventory System P.O. Box 823, Naalehu, HI single species; The Black Buffalo (993) lists a total of six specimens in Weaver (Bubalornis albirostris) and 1-800-929-9933 the White-headed Buffalo Weaver (Dinemellia dinemelli). At ten and co N nine inches in length, respectively, M they are the two largest species in Ray Ackroyd's Australian A"itours their family, stretching many people's Presenting our 1994 'Outback Bird Tours' perception ofthe term "Finch". Discover Australia's magnificent bird life on a twelve day Bird Safari. Enjoy The Black Buffalo Weaver is often your personalised tours within a luxury, air conditioned 4-wheel drive. All tours also called the White-billed Buffalo are reserved for a maximum of four persons allowing for optimum comfort and Weaver, and sometimes the Red-billed mobility. Explore vast waterfowl wetlands, inland river systems, parrot and Buffalo Weaver. This confusing state cockatoo breeding grounds on a full camp-out tour that you will talk about forever. of affairs is due to the fact that there Experience video of still photography at very close quarters. You'll soon feel an integral part of this unique natural habitat. are three well-defined sub-species of Black Buffalo Weaver Bubalornis Please join tour guide Ray Ackroyd, fondly known as 'Cockatoo Dundee' and hostess Beryl Berthon-Ackroyd on this outback adventure of a lifetime. albirostris. B.a. albirostris, with a vast Sales agent and tour enquiries; Liverpool Travel Service, Northumberland Street, range across Northern Sub-Saharan Liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia. PH; (61 2) 602 0233 FAX; (61 216020403 Africa, from the Atlantic to western

afa WATCHBlRD 41 futJre non-commercial importation of ture. (1958), the first Director of the Aviary. prohibited species on a case-by-case If the Black Buffalo Weaver (Buba­ A single pair was purchased in 1954, basis. But as such shipments will be lornis albirostris) most likely will be and placed August of that year in the very difficult to arrange, I think it only an avicultual memory in this Aviary's large "Bridge Room". By Jan­ unlikely that further Black Buffalo country several years from now, there uary 1955, they began accumulating Weavers will arrive in this country. is reason to predict an entirely differ­ "twigs, small branches, and plant This species could quite likely have ent future for Dinemel/ia dinemel/i, fibers" at various locations, only to been established here if anyone had the White-headed Buffalo Weaver. have their efforts shortly interfered been interested in a coordinated pro­ From Robert Webster's (993) compi­ with by Scarlet Ibises and Javan Hill gram. While there appear to be no lation of Passerine Birds with popula­ Mynahs which took "apparent delight British breeding records, Rutgers et al. tions of 10 or greater in North Ameri­ in scattering whatever accumulation (1977) briefly discuss a success at can ISIS-listed collections, as ofJune they had made". This continued Zoologischer Garten Berlin which, 30, 1992, one sees that Dinemel/ia, through 1955, and in April 1956, the though no date is given, I believe took with 80 specimens, is not only the Weavers flew into the adjoining place before World War II. A "number tenth most populous species, but the "Fountain Room". Within a month of pairs" of B.a. albirostris were kept most well-represented African finch as there were three "bulky nests...each together. A nest was worked on con­ well. Subtracting the holdings of the (with)...three separate interior cham­ tinuously until it was a meter high. two foreign zoos in the June 30, 1993 bers all with their own entrance". It Two females raised chicks, a total of ISIS (993) abstract, one finds the pop­ did not appear any eggs were laid, four being fully-reared. ulation has grown to 88 specimens, an and by December, the birds ceased Two American zoos have hatched increase apparently due entirely to showing interest in the nests (they had this bird. While the International Zoo breedings, as ISIS (993) indicates that been quite ably driving curious Blue­ Yearbook lists all of these breedings 27 hatched (from six U.S. zoos) over cheeked Barbets Megalaima asiatica under "White-billed Buffalo Weaver the previous year, and only five failed out of them earlier). In March 1957, Bubalornis albirostris", again, having to reach a month ofage. the pair built several new nests, all seen the breeding birds myself, I can In contrast, the remarkable five year smaller than the previous year's three. say two subspecies were bred. A sin­ increase Robert Webster (993) docu­ In April, they began rebuilding the gle chick was hatched, but not reared, ments in his comparison of the 1987 1956 nests with sticks. On 15 August, at the International Wildlife Conserva­ and 1992 June 30 ISIS abstracts, where Mr. Hawkins noted the Weavers were tion Park (Bronx Zoo), in 1984 (Zoolo­ the population leapt from 13 to 80, is suddenly unusually agressive towards gical Society of London, 1986). I saw due to importations of wild birds. other birds when mealworms were the breeding birds in the fall of 1983. From my own compilation of the distributed, and subsequently saw They occupied a grassy outside avi­ International Zoo Yearbook breeding them carrying mealworms to the cen­ ary, part ofthe Zoo's old pheasantry. It records, I found that from 1981 (the tral nest of the three. "Through the was the first time I had seen B.a. albir­ first year the IZY, lists breedings ofthis next two weeks the Weavers would ostris, and I will always retain a vivid species) through 1987, out of the 46 not tolerate other birds in the vicinity impression of these sleek black birds hatched between five American zoos of the nest. Regardless of size, they with long tails carrying surprisingly in this period, only 10 survived to were all driven away from the nesting large and stout grass stems in their maturity (Zoological Society of Lon­ area". Hornbill-like white beaks. Equally don, 1983-1989). On the other hand, On August 29, the single chick memorable was the flock of Red­ before the airline ban on Tanzanian was found on the ground unable to billed Buffalo Weavers, probably East shipments, a number ofWhite-headed fly (Hawkins, 1958). Much to Mr. African, in a large indoor exhibit at the Buffalo Weavers were imported to this Hawkin's surprise, the parents San Antonio Zoo's Hixon Bird House. country. I particularly remember the "showed complete indifference to the Of special interest is the fact that 146 price-lists ofthe now defunct importer presence of other birds near the chicks hatched there over a seven Bel/bird, where, in 1989 and 1990, baby". Both birds, however, fed the year period (Zoological Society of they were listed as "our favorite chick well with mealworms, as well as London, 1983-1989), Breeding began finch". I believe some ended up in pri­ "a variety of fruits along with some of in 1981, when 47 hatched. Only nine vate hands. Hopefully, when John our insectivorous mixture" whenever reached maturity. In 1982, again only Seltz, Chairman of the AAZPA Taxon it vocalized. When, though, on "the nine survived, this time out of 43. Of Advisory Group for Passerines, distri­ fourth morning the White-crested Jay the 35 hatched in 1983, 10 survived, butes, in this journal, a captive Ploceid Thrushes discovered the baby and but none hatched in 1984. In 1985, census, an accurate picture of this immediately set out to destroy it", the only 10 hatched of which two sur­ species in American private aviculture parents did not react at all and Mr. vived. All three of the chicks hatched will emerge. Hawkins had to pull the chick and in 1986 died. The final year that breed­ In contrast to the Black Buffalo handraise it for a week. Though "they ing took place, 1987, eight hatched Weaver, where the only discussion of displayed no excitement" when the and two survived. Thus, one can see a captive breeding is the second-hand chick was returned, capable of flight, that, given coordinated effort (which, one, there is a highly detailed account they resumed feeding it, and "in a few in this case would have involved of the first captive breeding of the days the young bird was follOWing investigation into neonatal mortality), White-headed Buffalo Weaver at the them everywhere". "By 15th Septem­ it is probable this species could have Pittsburgh Conservatory Aviary, in ber the young weaver was feeding been established in American avicul- August 1957 by Roland Hawkins without assistance... "I am not aware 42 March/April1994 that any further successes took place Following the breeding attempt from at Pittsburgh, and, so far as I know, which one chick successfully fledged, the next captive breeding took place a portion of the nest fell down. On AFA Watchbird advertisers at the San Diego Wild Animal Park in inspection this resembled a hollow represent some ofthe best in 1981, when three hatched and one ball of hay, of perhaps 20 cm dia­ the business. When you buy survived (Zoological Society of meter. Clearly the larger nest was from these fine sources, be London, 1983), constructed from a number of these sure to tell themyou sawtheir Rowland Hawkins' (958) notes on units. This contrasted with the more ad in Watchbird! the White-headed Buffalo Weaver substantial structure built of larger contrast interestingly with my own twigs by the Red-billed Buffalo Weav­ experiences, discussed elsewhere ers Bubalornis albirostris niger," (Lindholm, 1994b) in this magazine, (Wilkinson, 1990). Further specimens with the more evolutionarily ad­ were bred at Chester the following vanced Southern Masked Weaver year (Wilkinson, 1991). Ploceus velatus. While the Masked The problem of subspecies of Weaver males undergo an eclipse Dinemellia dinemelli does not con­ Emerald Forest plumage, changing drastically to cern American aviculture, as all the Bird Gardens resemble the female (a feature of founding stock of the present U.S. 45 wooded acres, streams, other advanced Ploceid genera as population came from either Kenya or ponds, and tropical gardens well), the White-headed Buffalo Tanzania, and can thus be assigned to devoted to propagation Weavers maintained the same plum­ the southern subspecies D.d. boehmi. of exotic birds. Breeding Toucans. Toucanettes. Tanagers age year around, and were also so Confusion arises over a discussion of Mot Mots. Touracos • Cockatoos. Macaws sexually monomorphic that Mr. subspecific differences (Rutgers et ai, Amazons. Eclectus • African Greys Hawkins was never certain which par­ 1977). It is asserted that only the nomi­ Pionus. Cranes. Waterfowl. Flamingos ent was the male or female. There nate subspecies from the Sudan and All Birds Closed Banded were no behavioral cues to assist him. Ethiopia bears a white patch on its pri­ Distributorfor Foster Parrot Brooders Both birds took an equal share in maries, while southern birds have a Call or write for price list. Jerry Jennings building the nest and feeding the brighter shade of red on the upper tail chick. I only observed the male South­ coverts. All the White-headed Buffalo (619) 728-2226 ern Masked Weaver building nests Weavers I have seen have a wing­ Route 6/ Box 14/ Fallbrook, CA 92028 (always of grass-like materia!), and patch, though it may not always be Visitors by appointment only saw only the female feed offspring. As very apparent. There is a great deal of I have elsewhere noted (Lindholm, variation in the color of zoo birds' 1994b), the male Southern Masked upper- and under-tail coverts, from ALL PETS always destroys unused nests, while orange, through pink, to red, but I'm the Buffalos used nests built the previ­ sure this may well have to do with MEDICAL ous year. The fact that there was only diet, as is certainly the case with CENTRE a single pair of Buffalos does not Bishop Weavers Euplectes sp. appear to have resulted in any of the Being confined to East Africa, the unfortunate abnormal behaviors I wit­ White-headed Buffalo Weaver is not nessed in male Masked Weavers, included on any CITES appendix, so is which I attribute to there not being a not covered by the wild Bird Conser­ large number of females to each male vation Act. In today's situation, we (Lindholm, 1994b). Thus it would should not look too optimistically to appear that White-headed Buffalo further imported birds to maintain the Weavers may be easier to establish U.S. population. It is reassuring to than any Ploceus. note that several American zoos are The first British breeding occurred at involved in a cooperative program the Chester Zoo, in England where, which aims to stabilize the captive­ over the years, quite a variety of Afri­ bred population (Bohmke, 1989). The can finches have been bred. One St. Louis Zoo, where hatchings com­ chick was hatched and raised in 1989 menced in 1986 (Zoological Society of (Zoological Society of London, 1991). London, 1988), has been involved in Chester's Curator of Birds, Roger this effort at least since 1988 (Bohmke, Wilkinson (990), does not note how 1989). Amy B. Worell, D.V.M. many White-headed Buffalo Weavers The June 30, 1993 ISIS (993) Diplomate, American Board ofVeterinary Practitioners Certified in Avian Practice were present inside the walk-through abstract report indicates that of the 96 Tropical House. The birds "built a Dinemellia (Including four each at (818) 883-2600 large communal structure in the Chester and Heidelberg, but otherwise Mon.7-8 Tue.-Fri. 7-6 Sat. 7-2 crown ofone of the palm trees". "This distributed among 20 U.S. zoos) listed, 7606 Fallbrook Ave. appeared to be a single entity with 40 percent were captive-bred, while West Hills, CA 91304 three separate nest holes and was 47 percent were certainly of wild ori­ Now accepting referrals in Avian Medicine &Surgery built mainly ofdry strips ofvegetation. gin. The American zoo with the largest afa WATCHBIRD 43 holdings was the San Diego Wild Ani­ April 14. Both were placed in their sary informs me that the daily diet mal Park, with 12 (two hatched there Raptor Canyon exhibit May 28, where consists of the commercial softbill over the previous fiscal year). The a male African Pygmy Falcon Polih­ food Scenic Red Apple.Iung/e, Purina next largest group was the nine at San eirax semitorquatus, hatched at the Hi Protein Dog Chow, and a diced fruit Antonio (with eight hatched). Then San Diego Wild Animal Park the previ­ mix usually containing apples, follow three groups of eight; Dallas ous year had been introduced the pre­ papaya, blueberries, grapes, banana, (six hatched), Milwaukee (five vious day. African Pygmy Falcons and cooked sweet potato and carrots, hatched) and the San Diego Zoo, appear to have evolved a dependence supplemented with white millet, saf­ where none hatched. Other zoos to upon colonies of either species of flower seed, sunflower seed, Vianate breed this bird between June 30, 1992 Buffalo Weaver or Social Weavers vitamin/mineral powder, and giant andJune 30, 1993 were Houston, with Philetairus socius (another species mealworms. Chris Davis notes that the five inventoried and four hatched, and that does not destroy its nests). The weavers favor the dogfood. St. Louis, with seven held and two falcons themselves nest in abandoned The White-headed Buffalo Weaver hatched. Out of this total of 27 chicks, weaver nests, and appear not to has proved a satisfactory inhabitant of only five failed to survive a month. molest the weavers. Although our community aviaries, and among the Such propagation has resulted in a Pygmy Falcon has twice snagged various zoos, has been exhibited with growing number of American institu­ through the wire and partially quite a variety of species, mixing well tions obtaining White-headed Buffalo devoured cardinals, no actual agres­ with similarly sized softbills. It is cer­ Weavers from other zoos. For one of sion has been observed between him tainly to be hoped that the thus-far the exhibits in Raptor Canyon, Fort and the weavers, which being at least promising results with this species will Worth Zoo's unique facility for birds an inch longer, are often mistaken for continue, so that it will be a firmly of prey that opened in 1993, two spec­ his parents by zoo visitors. Both the established feature of public and pri­ imens were obtained that year. San San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park vate collections. Antonio sent us a male which that zoo have also maintained White-headed had bought from Bellbird in 1990. Buffalo Weavers with Pygmy Falcons. References From Milwaukee we received a bird Chris Davis, Keeper II in charge of American Federation of Aviculture (989) Watch­ that remains of uncertain sex, hatched Raptor Canyon, tells me that two nests bird article index (Aug '74 - Dec'88/jan'89­ there November 1992. The Milwaukee were constructed by the weavers this Volumes 1-15). AFA Executive Offices, Pho­ enix. bird arrived at Fort Worth April 29, the season from mesquite twigs. Kelley Baptista, L.F. (978) Using Society Finches to raise San Antonio bird having preceded it Snyder, of the Fort Worth Zoo Commi- other Estrildid finches & Whydahs, A.FA. WatchbirdV(No.4),28-32. Bohmke, B. W. (989) 1988 Highlights at the St. Louis Zoo. AfliculturalMagazineXCV, 29-30. Collias, E. & N.E. Collias (977) Sociable Weavers Yes, count me as ;~~ ~ - Bred in captivity Philetarius socius. A.F.A. ~ ... Watchbird IV (No.2), 8.

~ "" '" Hawkins, R. TIle breeding of Dinemelli's Weaver. .... o+~ .<.<>~..." a member of the A~' AviculturalMagazine XXXIV, 53-55. 0, Haynie, L. 0983/84) Sometimes we get lucky A.FA. WatchbirdX(No.6), 30. American Federation of Aviculture• International Species Information System (993) ISIS Bird abstract as of30, june 1993. po. Box 56218, Phoenix, Arizona 85079-6218 Lindholm,].H. (994) African Finches -Answering the Challenge. A.FA. Annual Co"ljerence Pro­ Phone (602)484-0931 Fax (602) 484-0109 ceedings 1993 (In Lit.) -. (1994) Birds in the Monkey House - Avicul­ THE WATCHBIRD IS THE OFFICIAL BI·MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE AFA, A NON·PROFIT ORGANIZATION tural experiences in the World ofPrimates. Please accept my application for membership in the American Federa- A.FA. WatchbirdXXl (In Lit.) Newman, K. (984) Newman's birds ofSouthern tion of Aviculture. Send me 6 issues (1 year) of the a.f.a. WATCHBIRD A/rica. Macmillan South Africa. magazine, and a membership card which entitles me to all the rights Rutgers, A., K.A. Norris & C. H. Rogers (977) and privileges of AFA membership. Encyclopedia of Al'iculture (Volume III), Blandford Press. Check membership category desired: NEW 0 RENEWAL 0 Schulenburg, W. A. (982) Gray-headed Social Individual $24/year 0 Family $29/year 0 Supporting $39/year 0 Weavers -A first U.S. breeding? A.F.A. Watch­ bird IX(No.I.),4. Sustaining $50/year 0 Commercial $1 DO/year, includes listing in WATCHBIRD 0 Webster, R. (993) Most common Passerines in FOREIGN MEMBERS: Add $16/year in U,S. Funds. First class rates available on North American ISIS institutions June, 1992 request. and a comparison of taxa populations from five and ten years past. Ibid. XX(No.3), 52-53. My check is enclosed for $ o o My money order is enclosed for $ Wilkinson, R. (990) Chester Zoo 1987-1989: Some observations on bird-rearing and arriv­ Name Charge my MC or VISA account: DMC DVisa als to the collection. Avicultural Magazine. XCVI,63-75. Address Account # -. (991) Chester Zoo Notes - 1990. Ibid. XCVII, City Exp. Date 147-153. Williams, ].G. & N. ArlOll (980) Ajleld guide to State Zip Signature the birds ofEast Africa. Collins. Zoological Society of London 0983-1991) Species ( ) Please allow 60 to 90 days Telephone of birds bred in zoos and other institutions for delivery of your first issue. AREA 1981-1989. buernational Zoo Yearbook XIX­ XXX!..

44 March / April 1994 Prepare now... E'S COMING\ THE BIG ON the 20th Anniversary AFA Convention Holiday Inn World's Fair • Knoxville, Tennessee AUGUST 4-6,'94 Premiering: BARRY HUTCHINS (Australia). author of"Australia's Parrots: A Field andAviary Study," Has kept and bred birds for 47 years. Re­ ceived the 1983Australian Federa­ tion ofAviculture's "Achievement in Avicultural Research Award."

WARWICK REMINGTON (Australia) has been an avi­ BOB BEECH (North Carolina) culturist for 32 years, has kept and bred cockatoos. will talk on breedingAfrican quail, doves and finches. Currently he concentrates Grays. Bob works with hun­ on Australian parrots and cockatoos. He has written dreds ofbreeding pairs of numerous articles for Australian Aviculture. He is an African Congo Grays and also accomplished speakerwho has often spoken at meet­ ofTimneh Grays. Bob pre­ ings ofthe Avicultural Society ofAustralia and at the sents his knowledge about Australian aviculture conventions. these birds in an interesting and informative way. GRAEME HYDE (Australia) has extensive knowledge ofaviculture inAustralia. not only due to his editing DAVEBLYNN (Georgia). ofThe Gray ParrotAviary. position of"Australian Aviculture." but from ten has spentyears workingwith African parrots and is a years' experience in speaker arrangement for theAvi­ nationally recognized expert in keeping and breeding culturalSocietyofAustralia and local clubs. the rare and unusualvasa parrots.

CHRIS KINGSLEY (South Africa) is one ofthe two SUSAN OROSZ, PhD. DVM, (Tennessee) is an excit­ most prominentveterinarians in South Africa. He is ing speakerwho teaches at the College ofVeterinary additionally a pastchairman oftheAvicultural Coun­ Medicine at the University ofTennessee. She will cil ofSouthAfrica and has a very extensive avian presentimportant information on avian anatomy collection. and on herworkwith fungal diseases ofbirds.

DAVID DENNISON (South Africa) is the editor of DALE THOMPSON (California). nationally known "Avizandum", a magazine on aviculture in the Afri­ breeder ofa wide variety ofexotic birds, with slides of can continent. He has maintained birds for over 40 unrivaled beauty and clarity. will present information years and presently has over 300 aviaries ofparrots. on the full range ofAustralian parakeets. lories. parakeets and conures,

LOUISE HAUCK, BSc, DVM, MVSc, (Canada) will speakon first aid for common diseases ofthe finch. Local host: Tennessee Valley Shewill cover recent advances in the treatment of skin mites. air sac mites, polyomavirus. paramyxov­ Exotic Bird Club irus type 3. tuberculosis. tapeworms and colibacillo­ sis (E. coli). First aid and emergency management for these problems will be described. Dr. Bauckworks U.S. Fish and Wildlife for the Hagen Avicultural Research Institute. will have a representa­ tive to participate in the plus numerous additional Regulatory Roundtable discussion on the Wild U.S. speakers on various Bird Conservation Act. veterinary and avicultural topics. American Federation ofAviculture • (602) 484-0931 P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, Arizona 85079-6218

afa WATCHBIRD 45