PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN CONSERVATION AVICULTURE AND WELFARE World Parrot Trust in action Vol. 13 No. 4 November 2001

Philippine Imperial Amazon Blue-throated Echo Parakeet

psittacine (sit’å sîn) belonging or allied to the ; parrot-like Philippine Cockatoo

Editor hanging by a thread Rosemary Low, P.O. Box 100, By ROSEMARY LOW Mansfield, Notts., The lovely little Red-vented or Philippine Cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) has the dubious distinction of United Kingdom being classified as . The definition of the threat category is that it may suffer an estimated NG20 9NZ 80% reduction in the next ten years in the wild, or the next three generations (estimated 45 years) with decline which has happened based on direct observation, decline in extent of occurence, area of occupancy and / or quality of habitat plus actual level of exploitation. It joins 181 other in this sad category. CONTENTS The other cockatoo in the same predicament is the Lesser Sulphur-crested (Cacatua s. sulphurea) - which might Philippine Cockatoo ...... 2-3 come as a shock to some members. In contrast to the Philippine Cockatoo, it is a very familiar avicultural subject. And that is precisely why it is so endangered; it has been trapped almost out of existence, although no Imperial Amazon ...... 4-5 wild-caught birds have been legally imported into Europe for more than a decade. Blue-throated Macaw ...... 6-7 The principal reason for the Pet Act ...... 7 decline of the Philippine Cockatoo Feather Pickers ...... 8-9 is deforestation of lowland forests. Trapping for the local cage- Echo Parakeet ...... 10-11 trade seriously affected its Sales Items ...... 12 numbers but the fact is that most Book Review / Sales ...... 13 of its habitat had already gone. Eighty percent of the Philippine The WPT 12 Donors...... 14 forests and many of the mangroves Original Paintings / Sales 15 have been cut down. As recently PsittaNews ...... 16-17 as 50 years ago this cockatoo was still common in the wild; now it WPT / Trade Ban Petition 18 has an estimated population of WPT Info Page ...... 19 1,000 to 4,000 birds. If this figure Parrots in the Wild ...... 20 might not seem critically low, it would be because the rapid rate of decline has not been considered. In any case, the figure of 4,000 Philippine Cockatoo. Photo: Olivier Morvan & Philippe Garguile might be over-optimistic. until March 1995 the 350 left in three locations. There For the past ten years a number of sponsored a public awareness are 50 to 70 on Masbate. There initiatives have been taken to try programme. This included a one- might be a few other populations to prevent the extinction of this hour radio programme, broadcast which are so small they have no cockatoo. Unfortunately, laws have every Sunday morning. More than long-term prospects of survival. had little impact because they are 130 listeners responded, resulting In 1992 it was estimated that 50 to largely unenforceable. In 1992 in the location of more than 300 100 birds remained on the islands there was a total ban on logging; and over 30 nest sites of Siargao and Dinagat. In 2001- the forests continue to be which were previously unknown to 2002 these islands will be surveyed depleted. In the same year the researchers. Even former trappers with funds donated by private Cover Picture cockatoo was placed on Appendix co-operated. The radio programme breeders in the USA. Illegally 1 of CITES; commercial trade in has continued weekly between collected birds are still to be Philippine Cockatoo in the wild Appendix 1 is forbidden. January and August every year, found in the bird market in Manila But local illegal trapping resulting in a network of which are thought to originate Photo: Olivier Morvan & informants and protectors. Philippe Garguile, Pygargue continued. It has become obvious from these islands. The cockatoo Productions, France throughout the tropics that laws The island of Palawan is the last is extinct on Cebu and probably without conservation education stronghold for this species, with also on Negros. There is one pair are more or less useless. left on Siquijor. Two recent The World Parrot Trust does not an estimated population of necessarily endorse any views or Also in 1992, Marc Boussekey from between 750 and 2,800. This records from Luzon probably statements made by contributors France took up the cause of this figure assumes a mean population represent escaped cage birds. to PsittaScene. cockatoo. From the zoo of St density of one bird per square km One of the earliest field surveys of It will of course consider articles Martin-la-Plaine, Marc visited the of suitable habitat. On the island this cockatoo was made in 1991 or letters from any contributors on Philippines on many occasions. He of Tawitawi the estimated number by Dr Frank Lambert for the World their merits. persuaded the zoo to sponsor a of 100 to 200 might be over Conservation Union (IUCN). Dr Anyone wishing to reprint any poster showing the cockatoo and optimistic according to Nigel articles seen in this magazine Lambert is one of the most needs permission from the author describing its plight in three Collar et al in ‘Threatened Birds of experienced field workers in the and must state that it was copied languages. Three thousand of the Philippines’ due to a mistaken region and is now based in from PsittaScene. these posters were distributed estimate of intact forest. On Indonesia. He suggested that this All contents © World Parrot Trust throughout the islands of the Mindanao the cockatoo is close to cockatoo might need mangroves Philippines. From September 1994 local extinction with only 130 to as a refuge, if it is to survive.

2 ■ PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 On Palawan, the rapid human possibility of future reintroduction until the age of six or seven population explosion in recent Rasa Island of captive-bred birds should not years). The latest studbook years has been highly detrimental The small island of Rasa (8sq km), be ignored, particularly for those available, that for 1999, shows to the cockatoo's survival. Nearly by Palawan, is now the main focus islands where the species has been that seven young were reared. all the nest holes are known to for research. The PCCP (Philippine eradicated. Co-ordination of effort, The Philippine Cockatoo is by no trappers. The young are removed Cockatoo Conservation Program) is including co-operation between means as easy to breed as most of as soon as they are old enough, mainly funded by Loro Parque private aviculturists and the Cacatua species. However, the sometimes also the brooding Fundaçion and coordinated by a institutions maintaining the co-operation of private parent. A few nests have been new team since September 1998 (a species in captivity, is required if aviculturists has been guarded since 1996 but the German ecologist, Peter Widmann the captive-breeding programme is disappointing. In 1997, for majority are too inaccessible to and two Philippino officers Indira to be effective.' example, five left the EEP without make this possible. Some former Lacerna and Siegfried Diaz) explanation, which lost at least 10 trappers are used for this purpose; through ‘Le Parc des Oiseaux’, the EEP programme cockatoos from the programme. known as wardens, they received Birdpark of Villars-Les-Domes, By the end of the first full year Furthermore, some breeders sell cash incentives, radios, rice and T- France since June 2001. During the (1993) of the EEP and its studbook, young to non-EEP participating shirts for their services. As a breeding season from January to 32 males, 21 females and five collections. result, in 1997, for example, ten June 2000, 15 nest trees were unsexed birds were held in 16 young actually fledged into the located. It is of interest that collections; 11 of these were On the other hand, responsible wild. This is extremely important horizontal rather than vertical private. At the end of 1994, the breeders refuse to sell young because the population was nesting cavities were preferred. total had risen to 48 males and 39 females to breeders with mature obviously an ageing one, as nearly Six eggs were lost to predation by females. Of the 24 participants, 16 males, knowing that there is a all young birds had been poached. the common monitor lizard. One (67%) were private breeders. The high risk of an immature female So even though several hundred noteworthy nest fledged four participants were from six being killed. Sadly this has birds still survive, many or most young. Five other nests held three European countries. By the end of happened in the past. Some of these will soon be beyond nestlings. The normal number of 1996, 48 males, 41 females and breeders are not responsible reproductive age, with no young young is two. Other very positive one unsexed bird were registered enough to have this critically birds to replace them, until the news was that no cases of in the EEP, of which 52 (57%) were endangered species in their care nest incentive scheme was poaching were recorded. Intensive captive-bred. The 22 participants but, of course, a breeder is at introduced. Hopefully, in future monitoring of nests was carried consisted of seven and 15 liberty to sell to anyone. years this will be more widespread. out by wardens from the middle of private aviculturists from seven There is a regional studbook for February until the middle of July. In 1994 students from Palawan countries in Western Europe. By the United States in which 100 The 'Adopt a Katala' fund-raising the end of 1999 the EEP population State University became involved birds are registered. In the project was launched to raise consisted of 41 males and 25 Philippines, Antonio de Dios, with their native cockatoo. They funds. Interested people 'adopt' a females. This reduced figure holder of the world's largest parrot formed a movement whose name cockatoo and receive a certificate reflected the fact that some private collection, also has the largest meant Save the Cockatoo. Together with information relating to a holders of this species had left the group of Philippine Cockatoos, with the Philippine Environment specific bird, identified by its ring. EEP and, in 1999, nine birds were approximately 20 pairs of which Ministry and the Palawan Local transferred outside the programme. are breeding. Some of his young Authority, Marc Boussekey birds have been exported to Europe. initiated a conservation In aviculture From 1992 to 1996 50 chicks were programme. A protection network Marc Boussekey has worked with hatched from nine pairs. Numbers Marc Boussekey believes that the was set up in five areas where the tireless energy and enthusiasm for reared annually fluctuated as integrated approach to the cockatoo still had viable the Philippine Cockatoo. He was follows: 1992 - 9; 1993 - 11; 1994 - conservation of the Philippine populations. A co-ordinator and responsible for setting up the EEP 12; 1995 - 13 and 1996 - 6. The Cockatoo, involving in situ several members spread the (European programme for an number of breeding pairs had protection, captive-breeding and information and tried to obtain the endangered species administered gradually declined from six to fundamental research, represents participation of the rural people. through zoos). He states: 'Even if three and the number of non- a real hope for preventing its From July 1994 to March 1995 a priority is currently being given to breeding pairs has increased from extinction. It is my hope that all certificate of participation was in situ conservation of the 13, no doubt because some were private breeders will take a more offered to 130 local people, remaining wild population of the too young to breed. (This cockatoo responsible attitude to this including 16 ex-poachers. Philippine Cockatoo, the does not usually start to breed critically endangered cockatoo. Young hatched in protected nests are now ringed with stainless steel rings bearing identification codes. One ringed bird was snared in a Cockatoo Walkabout 2002 rice field. When its presence was This is the male of the pair of Philippine Cockatoos in California discovered the man who trapped it owned by the respected cockatoo breeder Chris Shank. After stated that the cockatoos were many years in her care they bred for the first time in 2001, eating his crop but was persuaded producing two young which are destined to have free-flying not to trap any more. sessions with her other cockatoos, including their parents. Looking into the future, the In May 2002 Chris will host the second 'Cockatoo Walkabout’ to wardens have gathered saplings be held at her property, Cockatoo Downs in Grass Valley, USA. and seeds from trees preferred by This meeting will focus on the behaviour, care and conservation the cockatoo for nesting, feeding of cockatoos. Jamie Gilardi will be a speaker at this event. We and roosting. Two small nurseries are also delighted to announce that any profits will be donated have been established, with saplings cultivated in bags. In to the World Parrot Trust. September 1996 the first mass Further information can be obtained from Chris Shank, tree-planting was carried out. This telephone (001) 530 268 3593 or email her at has become an annual event which [email protected]. eventually will hopefully result in increased food availability for a Photo: Rosemary Low growing cockatoo population.

PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 ■ 3 Imperial Recovery: ’s flagship parrot on the comeback Text and Photos By PAUL R REILLO, Ph.D, Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF) Dominica's Amazon parrots (Amazona imperialis and A. arausiaca) are flagship species for the largest remaining oceanic rainforest ecosystem in the eastern . A joint parrot conservation programme between the Rare Species Conservatory Foundation (RSCF) and Dominica's Forestry Morne Diablotin Sisserou population and Wildlife Division has included parrot monitoring in the field, implementing a strategic recovery plan for the Sisserou (A. imperialis) Dominica's national bird and among the rarest of Amazon parrots and, most recently, establishing the new Morne Diablotin National Park. Recently developed field techniques have yielded essential data on life histories, behaviour, recruitment rates, and population parameters. Currently an estimated 350-500 Sisserous reside in the forests of Dominica, and only one pair is captive-housed at the Parrot Conservation and Research Centre at the Botanical Gardens in Roseau, Dominica's capital. Parrot conservation efforts have proven enormously effective for promoting island-wide, ecosystem-level conservation, emphasizing the need to protect oceanic rainforest at a broad scale. Recent field surveys reveal the beautiful, shy Sisserou as a compelling indicator species, whose population dynamics and life history show how long-term forest protection schemes enable island parrot populations to recover following devastating hurricanes. In terms of biodiversity per unit native terrestrial mammals, a New Sisserou population area, degree of species density myriad of amphibians and reptiles Morne Trois Pitons area and degree of threat, Dominica's (including the Dominican iguana), oceanic rainforest ecosystem is and a number of spectacular among the Lesser Antilles' highest invertebrates highlighted by 55 conservation priorities. As the species of butterflies and the "Nature Island of the Caribbean," goliath beetle. Dominica is the Dominica is the largest and most only island in the eastern pristine of the Windward Islands. Caribbean to have two, endemic Satellite image of Dominica's topography, showing locations of northern and Mountains consume roughly 75% Amazon parrots, the Jaco southern Sisserou populations. of this independent nation, with (Amazona arausiaca) and the species was reduced to a small Amazona Society U.K., U.S. Fish most slopes carpeted in virgin Sisserou (A. imperialis), Dominica's remnant population on the slopes and Wildlife Service, the World forest; some 52,000 acres are State national bird, the largest and one of Morne Diablotin. The Sisserou's Parrot Trust (UK, Canadian, and owned (28% of the total land area). of the rarest of Amazon parrots. recovery has been the subject of USA) and a number of American Dominica's mountainous The Sisserou is probably intense field research over the zoological societies including Palm rainforests boast high species represented by no more than 500 past 20 years championed by Beach, Chicago, and Cleveland. diversity (>60 woody plant birds confined to 22,000 acres in Dominica's Forestry and Wildlife The program has produced a species/hectare, over 1600 and adjacent to the Morne Division, but such work is number of significant results, flowering plants) and Gommier Diablotin and Morne Trois Pitons daunting: the Sisserou is very including first-ever, intra-cavity trees ( excelsa) National Parks. Ever since sparsely distributed across vast, documentation of reproduction in exceeding five feet in diameter. hurricane David in 1979-the most mature, mountain rainforest, is the Jaco, using a specialized video biodiversity is similarly devastating hurricane in exceedingly shy and reclusive, and probe, and quantitative analyses impressive, represented by 166 Dominica's recorded history- exhibits a low reproductive rate. of bi-parental care and recruitment bird species, 20 species of conservationists have feared for Meanwhile, with the ever-present in the Jaco and Sisserou, using freshwater and land crabs, 12 the Sisserou's extinction, as the hurricane threat, the Sisserou's direct observations and time-lapse recovery has become a race video surveillance. The existing against time. parrot aviary at the Botanical Since 1997, RSCF and the Gardens in Roseau has been Dominican government have enhanced and renamed the Parrot partnered to research Dominica's Conservation and Research Centre parrots and conserve the Sisserou- (PCRC), which now comprises a flagship species for the eastern self-contained parrot incubation, Caribbean's largest, intact oceanic rearing and general research rainforest ecosystem. laboratory, as well as a center for Sponsorship has been field data archival and analysis. international and diverse, recently Most significantly, on January 21, including substantial support from 2000, culminating a two-year, Parrot Team L-to-R: Stephen Durand, Randolph Winston, Paul Reillo. the Loro Parque Fundaçion, $1.086 million campaign

4 ■ PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 spearheaded by the Dominican been identified and located with government and RSCF, Dominica pinpoint accuracy. formally declared the new Morne Thanks to new technology, Diablotin National Park, training, and field support encompassing 8,500 acres provided to the parrot team, an (measured flat) of pristine exciting conservation milestone rainforest and a stronghold for the was documented. The Sisserou's Sisserou. Taking into account the comeback, albeit slow, is both extreme topography of the park, the measurable and significant. As an protected surface-area acreage is at endemic reliant upon the largest least 20,000 acres. This conservation of Dominica's rainforest trees for milestone probably will become survival, the Sisserou represents a the second Natural World Heritage compelling indicator species for Site for the Caribbean, and the rainforest rejuvenation and second for Dominica, after the recovery. Moreover, as mature Morne Trois Pitons National Park, forest is least susceptible to established in 1975. hurricane damage, the species is a The core of Dominica's parrot sentinel for evaluating the program is its stalwart team of magnitude of forest perturbations. field researchers-Stephen Durand, Indeed, the Sisserou's near- Randolph Winston, and Matthew extinction caused by hurricane Maximea, veteran forestry officers David in 1979 signaled the with the Forestry and Wildlife opening of a research window on Division. The depth of the the characteristics of Windward Division's field expertise is Island catastrophes and how they manifest not only in the parrot relate to long-term ecosystem and team, but also across the entire species recoveries, the details of range of staff, many of whom have which we are only now beginning conducted exhausting parrot to appreciate. surveys and monitoring expeditions Clearly, Dominica's parrots have across miles of near-vertical terrain. evolved with their biological and Thanks to the Division's tireless physical environments-including commitment to land stewardship hurricanes-soundly proven by the and conservation, Dominica has species' persistence despite produced a legacy of forest centuries of assaults by man and protection unrivaled in the Female Sisserou (Amazona imperialis). nature. The central element in the Caribbean. As a result, parrot brought its population to the brink patrol. Confirming that Sisserous Sisserou's survival has been an populations have persisted, and of extinction-perhaps as few as 50 reside in this area would prove intact habitat, which affords the RSCF/Forestry partnership has that the species had reestablished researchers and nature lovers alike been afforded the opportunity to individuals. Although once distributed in mountain forest itself in the southern portion of its the unique opportunity to observe design and implement a above 700 meters elevation in historical range-an event that had an oceanic rainforest ecosystem comprehensive parrot conservation both the Morne Diablotin and been anticipated since powerful and all of its biological, physical, and research strategy. Morne Trois Pitons areas, since hurricane David, 20 years prior, and temporal dynamics. Our Recently, the parrot team engaged 1980 the Sisserou has been largely which drove populations in the recent Sisserou sighting in the in a series of field surveys that restricted to the slopes of Morne southern half of Dominica extinct. south of Dominica confirms that punctuate the importance of Diablotin, located in the north, With GPS technology and co- the government's protected area Dominica's aggressive, central portion of the island. registered topographic maps and policies and strong conservation comprehensive forest conservation Exhibiting a shy, secretive satellite images courtesy of the ethic are working. Since its policies. During the 2000 and demeanor and local population U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS), the creation in 1975, the Morne Trois 2001 field seasons, the team densities rarely exceeding one bird parrot team could now identify the Pitons National Park has been began applying Global Positioning per 300 acres, the Sisserou has precise location of the Sisserous-if maintained as an intact bioreserve, System (GPS) and Geographic proven to be a challenging the birds could be located. enabling Dominica's national bird Information System (GIS) research subject. Despite years of Sure enough, on 6 December 2000, to rebound here-20 years after the technologies to parrot monitoring intensive study, few active nests following a two-hour climb over most devastating hurricane in the efforts, initiated with support have been examined, and eggs steep, rocky terrain to the heights island's recorded history. With from a U.S. Fish and Wildlife have yet to be described. Only of Morne Prosper, the parrot team Dominica's terrestrial park system Service GPS training grant and a recently have juveniles been was rewarded with a clear sighting anchored by Morne Trois Pitons Loro Parque Fundaçion grant (for monitored in the nest, and data of a small Sisserou population, in National Park in the south and the population surveys) to RSCF. from the past few field seasons protected forest at the base of new Morne Diablotin National Park Although the Forestry Division has suggest the Sisserou may lay a Morne Watt and Morne John. Four in the north, we look forward to been engaged continuously in single-egg clutch, perhaps only birds were seen in flight, and a the Sisserou's steady recovery to parrot monitoring since 1981, every other year. total of five birds vocalized in the pre-hurricane David levels. efficient methods to quantify the valley beneath the lookout point, A sobering reality is that the spatial distribution and abundance Re-established in the on a ridgeline from Morne Prosper Sisserou's future rides with the of parrots have proven elusive. south that demarcates the Morne Trois next wave of tropical storms rolling Rough terrain, dense forest canopy While engaged in GPS/GIS field Pitons National Park boundary. westward across the inter-tropical and inaccurate topographic maps training sessions during early With good satellite tracking, our convergence zone. But for now, have thwarted a comprehensive December 2000, the parrot team receiver recorded our precise Dominicans, the parrot team, and assessment of habitat utilization sought to explore an area known position (accurate to within three ornithologists everywhere can cheer by both parrot species. The as Morne Prosper, in the southern feet), and the tracks and for Amazona imperialis, as this Sisserou (A. imperialis) has been of portion of Morne Trois Pitons waypoints were downloaded to magnificent parrot ambassador tremendous conservation concern National Park, to investigate a map software. For the first time in expands across the blanket of forest for decades, but especially since possible Sisserou vocalization 20 years, a southern Sisserou that defines Dominica, the hurricane David in 1979, which detected by a forester during a population-however small-had Nature Island of the Caribbean.

PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 ■ 5 Blue-throated Macaw Conservation In Beni, Bolivia Critical Steps Toward The Recovery of One of The World's Most Threatened Birds A Proposal from the World Parrot Trust Photos By E. NYCANDER and C. MUNN As readers of the PsittaScene and the Parrot Action Plan know, the Blue- throated Macaw is the highly-threatened relative of the better known Blue- and-Gold Macaw. Unlike the larger Blue-and-Golds which are found throughout tropical South America, the Blue-throats are found only in north- central Bolivia. Although there have been effective efforts to study and protect this species since its discovery in the wild in 1992, the World Parrot Trust is pleased to announce that we are gearing up for a fully-fledged field conservation program for this species. To do the job right will likely require US$40,000 per year for the next several years. We have just received word from some very generous donors - Norah and Bruce Broillet - who have contributed an astounding US$21,500 to launch the recovery of this species. Norah and Bruce are key supporters of the Parrot Society of Los Angeles which has helped link their captive Blue-throated Macaw to the conservation of this spectacular species in the wild (www.parrotsocietyoflosangeles.org). Please read on to learn more about the current status of the bird and how we think we can help bring the species back from the brink of extinction. We realise that not everyone can manage the generosity of the Broillet's, but every contribution will be a huge help for these birds - for instance, $100 will build and place 2 nest boxes and $500 will buy protection for one nest Charlie Munn with Norah Broillet and Rocne (the bird) in Los Angeles, linking their for a whole season. captive Blue-throated Macaw to conservation. highly compatible with cattle birds were discovered by Charles harder for larger birds to enter the Background ranching in central Bolivia. The Munn, who posed as a wildlife cavity, guards should be armed with The Blue-throated Macaw (Ara Blue-throats have however faced a filmmaker and was led to the site sling-shots or light weapons like glaucogularis) is one of the rarest unique challenge from a dramatic by an ex-trapper (Jordan and Munn pellet guns to discourage avian birds in the world. Recent and well-documented pet trade. 1993). By then Bolivia had banned predators, trees should be flashed estimates put the wild population in Although the exact location of the the export of birds, the Wild Bird with metal to prevent climbing the range of several dozen birds wild birds has been a mystery to Conservation Act had been signed predators, and the branches from and captive estimates are in the ornithologists for decades, trappers in the US, and the last remaining neighbouring trees should be range of several hundred to the low apparently discovered the wild trapper had been converted to a trimmed so predators can not get to thousands (Hesse and Duffield birds sometime in the late 1970's or guide and protector of the Blue- the nest from these trees. 2000). Although the Blue-throats early 1980's. Between the early throats. In the ten years since, appear to be like many other 1980's and early 1990's, somewhere most of the effort on behalf of the Nest Enhancement specializing on one or two between 400 and 1200 birds were Blue-throated Macaw has focused on species of palm for food and exported from Bolivia (Thomsen et looking for more birds, protecting a For every nesting attempt, all nesting requirements, it was al. 1992, Yamashita and Machado de handful of nest sites (usually 3-4 avicultural techniques should be apparently not this habitat Barros 1997) many of which are depending on the year), and employed to maximize the specialisation that drove them to now in captivity in the European continuing to support ex-poachers reproductive output. Although the brink of extinction. A great deal Union and in North America. It was to protect all remaining known little is known about nesting of their habitat still exists and is not until 1992 that the last wild birds (Hesse and Duffield 2000, C. patterns of wild Blue-throats, if the Munn in litt.). captive birds and other Ara species are any indicator, there will be There are several approaches that substantial opportunities to we feel will contribute to the enhance the reproductive output of recovery of this critically each nest - in many cases doubling threatened bird: a brief description or tripling output. Approaches of each follows: include the incubation of abandoned eggs, supplementing the Nest Guarding feeding of the youngest chicks, Clearly every nesting pair of wild fumigating the cavity to ensure that Blue-throats is critical to the neither the chicks nor their parents survival of the species. Ensuring are suffering from ectoparasites, that each pair that attempts to nest and medicating all chicks that has every imaginable advantage is a require veterinary support. top priority. Approaches include stationing guards at each nest to Nest Box Provisioning protect the pair from all threats: Observations of nesting Blue- human, mammalian, reptilian, and throats in the last decade have avian predators. Nest entrances indicated that the larger Blue-and- should be manipulated to make it Gold Macaws (Ara ararauna) are

6 ■ PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 BirdsFirst and the UK Trade in Parrots By GREG GLENDELL Those who work for the welfare of birds are often disgusted at the conditions in which birds are sold. In Britain you can still go to sale days and auctions where you will see wild-caught parrots growling in sheer terror as a gullible public are duped into purchasing a 'bargain bird' for a pet. There are still plenty of vile, dingy high street pet shops where traders profit by deliberately keeping parrots in cruel conditions so that it will be 'rescued' by a buyer. The bird is soon replaced by yet another one. Often, we feel we need new, better laws to prevent such cruelty (perhaps we do). However, the UK has several laws relating to Blue-throated Macaw juvenile at nest entrance. animal welfare, which are simply not being enforced. The RSPCA usually use the Protection of Animals Act 1911 against cases of cruelty normally present in the area and close to their source of origin and regarding housing and treatment of animals. The Wildlife & Countryside can be very aggressive toward pairs have never been exposed to other Act 1981 is also used, particularly with illegal trade in British birds. of the smaller birds. This is not an captive birds. Given the disease idle concern as adult Blue-and- considerations of birds housed in However, it is the Pet Animals Act but again in cases of animal Golds in Peru have been observed multi-species facilities with birds 1951-83 which makes it a welfare, birds always seem to physically removing large chicks of from all continents, these 'local' criminal offence to operate "a come off worse. This state of the same species from a nest site, birds could have substantial business" selling any pet animals affairs is due to several reasons. they then take over the site only to advantages for use with the (vertebrates) without a pet shop There is a serious lack of training abandon it a few days later (Renton recovery effort either through licence. This Act is enforced by with regard to local government in litt.). As recently as October future fostering potential, captive local government environmental officers whose duty it is to 2001, observers at a Blue-throated breeding, or outright release. health officers. It requires pets to enforce this law. Most RSPCA Macaw nest site in Bolivia witnessed Second, some of these facilities be sold only from "premises" officers, though well-meaning, this exact conflict. Luckily in this have until recently provided cover which are a "licensed pet shop". lack adequate training in case, the more lightly-built Blue- for the laundering of wild-caught The Act has powers to control the recognising cruelty in exotic and throats were able to chase off the birds for export. Working directly conditions in which birds are sold, non-domesticated species. And larger Blue-and-Golds. A viable with these facilities will have the and the numbers that can be sold. the RSPCA seems to lack the will alternative to shooting all the Blue- added benefit of providing For many years this law has been to take offending traders to court. and-Golds in the area is to oversight to prevent any future openly flouted by the organisers Traders will even use RSPCA provision all nesting areas with trafficking of wild Blue-throats. of bird sale days and auctions. attendance at the sales to gain extra nest sites that are large Traders, breeders and even some credibility for their activities. Nest Searches national avicultural 'charities' are Organisers will also invite vets to enough and desirable enough for attend some of these sales to lend both species. This will minimize It is very likely that there remain all involved in this illegal trade and thousands of pounds can be an air of 'respectability' to the potentially-lethal competition for unknown small populations of Blue- event. nest sites during the critical period throated Macaws in central Bolivia. made on a day's trading. Many when the birds are deciding Locating, protecting, and people new to bird keeping visit With these points in mind, whether and where to nest. A monitoring these will be crucial to these sales but on seeing such BirdsFirst has been running a variety of nest box designs have the long term conservation of this appalling conditions, caring campaign to ensure this and been evaluated on several Ara species. The most effective way to newcomers are unlikely to make other animal welfare laws are species in Peru and the two most cover ground in this part of Bolivia further visits. properly enforced. The likely to work on Blue-throats will is to travel in pairs of small off- Most sale events will have birds environmental health officers' be used at each nesting area. One road motorcycles - these allow with bleeding and damaged own advisory body, the Chartered design uses a long hollowed-out excellent flexibility on areas wings, faces and feet due to Institute for Environmental Health section of the Blue-throats' without roads and a full 360° view transport conditions; birds kept is of a similar view to us favourite nesting palm (Attalea for sighting flying birds. in cages so small they may not be regarding how this Act should be phalerata), which is then attached able to stand up; and filthy enforced and many local to a live palm. Another design is to Results overcrowded cages without food authorities are enforcing the law use a long tube of PVC tubing which or water; home-made cardboard in the spirit intended. However, The results of this project will be cages with chicken wire some organisers are attempting to is roughly 14" in diameter with an measured by quantifying the output access door at the bottom. These sellotaped on. Birds whose only find loopholes in the law to of each known nest for the next food is that thrown onto the floor enable them to trade as before. 'boxes' are also mounted to existing several years and by monitoring the live Attalea palms. of the cage where it is mixed with They have tried to claim that population size of the wild Blue- their own excrement. And of 'members only' sales can be run Captive Blue-throated throated Macaws. Although some course recently imported wild- without a licence, but this has nesting failures are inevitable, the caught birds terrified at being failed. They are now claiming to Macaw Coordination critical status and lack of trapped in cages. For many bird hold events where birds on sale Since the vast majority of the knowledge of the Blue-throated keepers and traders this is seen are not pet birds but 'breeding individuals are in cages around the Macaw's biology encourage every as a perfectly normal way to treat birds' to get around the law. In world, it makes good conservation possible action be taken to improve birds and anyone objecting to our view, itinerant trading in sense to develop an understanding their chances of a rapid recovery. such conditions is likely to be birds results in them being of where these birds are, how many It's helpful to bear in mind that dismissed as a 'do-gooder' by treated like items in a car boot are wild-caught, whether they are several parrots have been rarer than those who profit from such sale. When the law is properly reproducing, and whether any have this species, including the Echo cruelty. Mere complaints will not enforced by local government the potential to contribute directly Parakeet (Psittacula echo) on result in any improvements being officers this will reduce the or indirectly to the conservation of Mauritius and the Puerto Rican made. Even if 'improvements' suffering of thousands of birds the wild birds. The primary target Parrot (Amazona vittata), and there were made, unlicensed trade immediately. of this effort is to work with captive is every reason to believe that remains a criminal activity. For more information on this collections in Bolivia itself which we orchestrated action now will lead to You might wonder why we don't issue contact Greg Glendell at: see as valuable for two reasons. a substantial recovery of this see thousands of terrified dogs [email protected] One is that many of these birds are species in the next decade. and cats sold in these conditions: or call Greg 0870 757 2381.

PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 ■ 7 Behaviour issues: Once a picker always a picker? Text and Photos By MICKEY MUCK wrapped up like a mummy in both legs. There was barely gauze. Her vet actually made a enough skin to stitch the There is a widespread belief that parrots that are chronic pickers full gauze slip on shirt so she wounds together. Not only was and/or mutilators cannot be rehabilitated. My experience the past could not get to her sutures or the family heartbroken but also 11 years demonstrates otherwise. I offer two case studies to her skin. Her family tried to they were confused why and demonstrate this. figure out what could have how this could happen to their happened that night that set beautiful baby bird. Corky did Case One Corky off. Nothing had changed not seem as alert as the last Corky is a 12-year-old female Moluccan Cockatoo and still the worst- in the environment. Her cage time so she was hospitalised for case picker/mutilator that her avian veterinarian has ever seen. and toys were the same, her a longer period of time. After Corky was hatched in captivity and hand-raised. She lived with a family's schedule had not being sutured up and collared wonderful family who made sure she had the best cage, diet, toys changed and diet was still very again, Corky was ready to go and whatever else she wanted or needed. Nonetheless she started good. Corky had always been a home after a week in the mutilating at approximately 9 months old. great eater. They were heart hospital. Unfortunately her Early one morning after Corky but quiet. She had chewed over broken that maybe they had family was afraid to take her had been in her new home for half of the skin off one leg and done something wrong. home. They still blamed approximately 6 months her put a huge gash in her chest Corky spent the next two themselves for this unique family woke to find her in her that was very deep. She was months healing and she did that behaviour and did not want to cage soaked and completely stable so the vet put her under beautifully. Her personality and put her through that again. They covered in blood. Not knowing anaesthesia and immediately high level of animation returned really felt it was they or their what was wrong they starting cleaning and stitching and she seemed happy. She was home that made Corky do this. immediately wrapped her in a her up. They also ran a completely healed; the stitches So many times it seems easy to towel and called her avian complete blood work up to make and the e-collar were removed. pin point why birds will do this veterinarian's emergency sure that there was nothing Approximately two months later to themselves, lack of number. They lived about an medically wrong. Corky's lab her family woke to the same enrichment, poor diet, too small hour's drive to the animal work came back normal and she horrible sight but this time it a cage, bad wing clipping, not hospital but they got there as was able to go home after two was much worse. This time the enough sleep, stress in the quickly as they could. The vet nights in the hospital, but she hole in her chest was much home, infection or other was waiting. Corky was alert had to wear an e-collar and was deeper and she had gotten at medical problems. Sometimes the problem is obvious but in Corky's case she seemed to have received everything possible for a bird in captivity. Corky's family loved her very much and did not want to give up on her but they were afraid to take her home. The veterinarian suggested a foster home close to the hospital while Corky was healing so she came home with me. She fitted in my home immediately and the healing began. Her family came to visit over the next three months but the visits got fewer and further in between. Finally they decided that they could not bear the fact that she might do this again, therefore I adopted her permanently. Corky has been with me for the past 10 years and has healed completely. She has not picked or mutilated at all during that time. Even in the last four years Corky Original. Corky After. feather have grown in on her

8 ■ PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 are subjected to the TV or family conversation until midnight and then are awakened early in the morning. Sleep cages in another room are great for this and the bird is still able to be part of the family. 3. Be sure your bird is eating the good foods they are fed. It is up to us to observe and make sure they are eating what they need as well as what they want. I find nuts in the shell are a great addition to a pickers diet. This not only gives them a project to occupy them but a food treat they usually like. Flax seed oil is a great source of essential fatty acids, which many birds are lacking. Mix a couple of drops in the fresh foods that the bird is eating. This is another easy way to make sure their diet is more Another feather picker - Pretty Original. Pretty After. complete. legs where it appeared she had a about one month I woke her up and others just seem to need 4 So many pickers are not lot of follicle damage. Corky is to find blood on her chest and some understanding. We must bathed often enough or at all, still very animated and is living rash like open sores. The sores remember that they are birds soaking showers and baths are happily with no reoccurrence of looked like she had been and have special needs, and that very important a minimum 3 picking or mutilating. In the excoriating them all night. I it is up to us to do everything times a week. case of Corky I believe her took her to the animal hospital possible for them while they are healing was due to an to see what the problem was sharing their lives in captivity 5 Enrichment is also lacking in environmental change. and we realized her feathers with us. But once a picker so many cases of feather were in grown on that area of doesn't mean always a picker! picking. A study from Case Two her chest. It was the area that C.L.Meehan, J.A. Mench and Lilly is an approximately 8-year- had been sutured. When the Helpful Tips J.P.Garner, Department of old female Umbrella Cockatoo. first veterinarian stitched her up Animal Science U.C. Davis he did in fact fold the skin After any medical problems states: "Our enrichment She arrived at the animal have been ruled out by your hospital, poorly collared, with a under instead of debriding it protocol effectively modified and suturing it together, which avian veterinarian the following fearfulness and effectively wardrobe of dresses made from are some basic changes and colourful cotton she was to wear did not allow the feathers to prevented the development of grow in normally. Her vet put additions that I have had abnormal behaviours. It also to keep her from picking her success with and which can be feathers. Also she was being her in an e-collar and I brought reduced the performance of her home. I hot packed and easily implemented into your established abnormal treated with Prozac. Her family birds daily routine. had given up on her and she did massaged her chest daily to behaviours." We need to not have a good future. She had facilitate regrowth of feathers. 1. I do not clip wings on birds observe and make sure that completely picked her chest and Once they had all regrown and that are picking. They appear our birds are enjoying the toys leg feathers out and had made did not irritate her anymore the to have more confidence and projects in their area. about an inch and half cut collar was removed. She has when they have their wings, They need all kinds of across her chest. Another been with me for four years and whether they fly or not. I do different projects to work on. veterinarian had stitched Lilly has not picked at all. not recommend that the Toy boxes can be easily made up and it just did not look right. I have had the opportunity to wings be allowed to grow in if from a shoebox; these can be Still, it was time for the stitches work with many picking and the lifestyle in the home is filled with left over toy parts, to come out. Lilly was taken off mutilating birds over the past not conducive to this. There other boxes, nuts, treats, etc. of the Prozac and moved into 11 years. 10 Moluccan is always a risk to having a Most cockatoos will spend my home during the healing Cockatoos, 6 Umbrella full flighted bird indoors or hours destroying their toy box. process. She seemed happy and Cockatoos, 1 Ducorps Cockatoo, out. There are some cases One of the most effective toys settled in quickly. Her new 2 Goffins Cockatoos, 3 Blue and where it appears a poor wing I have found for pickers is avian veterinarian had done a Gold Macaws, 1 clip was the cause for simply tying together other complete blood work up and and 1 Green-wing Macaw. Only shredding and picking. bird's feathers. This gives physical examination and she one Moluccan started picking 2. Make sure your bird is getting them a colourful object that was in good health. She again, a success rate of 96%. enough dark quiet sleep. This they can preen. We sometimes immediately started eating a Some are in my home, others is about 10 to 12 hours of forget that our birds are left in wonderful diet and her feathers are living with wonderful well- quality sleep every night. So their cages for long periods of started growing in. She educated families. Some were many times our birds share time and it is up to us to make appeared to be very happy. One found to have medical our living space but they can't sure they are able to stay morning after being with me for problems, which were treated, get the rest they need if they busy.

PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 ■ 9 been released in trials that aim to establish Echoes in new areas of the National Park. They settled in well and are being monitored with Echo Parakeet the new radio-telemetry equipment (see Objective 3 for 2000-2001 Season details). Establishment of Echo release By DAVID RODDA, PETE HAVERSON, DR CARL JONES, Ph.D. and DR CLARE MAUREMOOTOO aviary at Bel Ombre. The new release aviary, funded under this Introduction year's budget, will soon be The season of 2000 - 2001 produced 17 Echo chicks, a similar number to the previous two years. Eleven chicks constructed at Bel Ombre. The were hand-reared and released back into the wild, six were fledged from wild nests. This success came despite it design is currently with Manzer being a very poor season in terms of fruiting in the National Park. Most of our identified objectives from last Saxon - a Mauritian building season have already been achieved, others are in progress and further objectives for the coming season have contractor. Thus we expect the been identified. process of producing and constructing the Echo aviary to be Objective One smooth and rapid, and that it will To enable wild Echo Parakeet be ready well in advance of release population to produce the dates for the coming season. maximum possible number of healthy wild-reared fledglings each Objective Two season: To use captive-rearing and captive- * Through provision of artificial breeding to produce the maximum nest boxes and possible number of physically and * Through establishment of Echo psychologically healthy Echo Parakeets in additional areas of Parakeets for release into the wild the National Park. population - through further development of captive Achievements techniques, with a focus on upgrading facilities and enabling Population increasing. At the earlier socialisation. beginning of the season the population was estimated to Achievements number 106 - 126 individuals. This season we released 11 hand Captive-rearing and captive- reared chicks into the wild. Six breeding success. A total of 11 chicks were fledged from wild chicks (two of which were from birds. Four deaths of adult birds captive birds) were hand-reared have been confirmed from and released back into the wild. September 2000 to date. The wild Hand-rearing routine. The high population is now estimated at standards and survivorship (90%+) between 120 and 130 individuals. of hand-reared chicks was Thus the steady population Marie Michelle from Mauritius meets an Echo Parakeet at Paradise Park, UK. maintained this season, despite increase has been continued. (3 members of the Mauritius team have spent time at Paradise Park this summer.) most chicks arriving in a Released birds nesting with wild Photo: Nick Reynolds malnourished condition and a birds. Two released females are improved by shifting the access by Echoes will also lessen the complete change in hand-rearing known to have paired with wild hole from the front to the side. competition for natural cavities, personnel. males and successfully nested this which are becoming more of a Radical improvements in juvenile season. This is a significant First ever pairs nesting in nest boxes in the wild. Released limiting factor as the population socialisation. We have now occurrence as it demonstrates that increases. adapted our hand-rearing released birds can integrate females nested successfully in artificial nest boxes for the first Productivity enhanced by females techniques to allow the following successfully into the wild early socialisation improvements: population. time ever. It appears that released taking supplementary food. Two birds are more willing to nest in released females used hoppers * Chicks are now brooded together Nest boxes established in key wild artificial boxes than wild birds, as while rearing chicks. One of these from an early age (7 to 9 days) as sites, and design adapted. At the no wild birds have ever nested in females reared two chicks of good compared with previously being beginning of this season eight an artificial box. We intend to weight in a season when most reared in isolation until weaned. pilot design nest boxes were set release more females so we can nests failed completely due to lack * Chicks are also weaned at a up in the main release site area. A increase the use of artificial nest of wild food (native fruits in further two boxes were set up in younger age - 65 to 70 days old boxes: particular). This demonstrates the instead of at around 100 days. the Combo area to enable males usefulness of supplementary * They can be placed in areas with released in that area to become feeding to increase chick * Socialisation with adults was terrain that allows easier access accustomed to them. Ten more production. provided before weaning also for nest boxes are currently under by staff for cavity and chick the first time ever. The first Cavity protection against invasive construction and will again be set management batch of hand-reared chicks of cavity nesting species. This year up in the main release sites. The this season were housed pre- and * Placed in areas within the we developed a nest guard which design has been modified to make trapping grid where there are post-weaning for a total period them deeper and darker. It is successfully protected cavities of three weeks in an aviary less predators from invasion by tropicbirds. This envisaged that these changes will * They can be weather and adjacent to the main Echo flight deter Indian mynah birds from guard effectively excluded them aviary. Later release batches predator proofed more easily while still allowing Echoes access. nesting in the boxes and keep the than natural cavities were taken directly to the release nest cooler. Access to the nest Pilot releases at Combo field aviary from the hand-rearing boxes by staff has also been * The use of artificial nest boxes station. This year four males have aviary, and weaned during and

10 ■ PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 after the release process, in full when they fledge in the wild. contact with wild adult Echoes. Previously the birds were released Upgrading of captive-rearing when fully weaned and fully equipment for next season. For developed physically (120 days next season we hope to reduce old or more). This season we used intrusion by using closed circuit hand-rearing staff to complete the cameras to monitor nesting birds process of weaning in the field and chicks without disturbing the after the birds had been released. nest. Four cameras have been For some birds, this included purchased and are in the process being fed in the tree tops rather of being installed. Important than in the release aviary. This biological information such as the wild weaning meant that the birds number of times eggs are turned, were able to go through the chicks are fed and which parent process of early social learning feeds, will allow us to better and habitat facilitation at an age manage hand-reared chicks and comparable to wild birds. build a more complete picture of Post-release monitoring - radio- Echo biology. tracking study of released birds in progress. Unfortunately Young Echoes at the release aviary. Photo: Lance Woolaver Most captive females now lay eggs. transmitters could not be sourced Most captive females are now pairs plus an estimated seven early enough in the season to be Achievements surplus males. A large area of mating and laying eggs, this used on the main batch of release compares with the past where only Continued female-biased sex ratio good quality native forest exists, birds this season (due to a for releases at Plaine Lievre. It is capable of providing habitat to one or two pairs laid each season. combination of funding, However most of these eggs laid still very difficult to accurately more pairs. It is important that the production and customs delays). It estimate the numbers of female 'surplus' males are brought into now are infertile which highlights was thought too risky to recatch one of our future challenges. Echoes in the wild. We know from the breeding group, as they may and radio-tag precious released observations of the wild be genetically unique. Thus mostly Government of Mauritius will build females already established in the population, for example when females will be released at this new GDEWS Captive-rearing wild. Instead, 2 male pilot release Echoes are prospecting for nesting site in the coming season. facility. The Government of birds were recaught at Combo cavities, that there are a Mauritius has confirmed that it field station and fitted with tail significant number of excess Establish breeding subpopulation has earmarked funds for a new mount transmitters. males. Thus we continue to release in Combo area. We intend to release more birds at this site to captive-rearing laboratory complex The transmitter study at Combo is mainly females into the main to replace the currently very basic population at Plaine Lievre - this continue the establishment of a intended as a pilot study to test new subpopulation. hand-rearing room we work in at the validity of using radio tracking season five females and two males the Gerald Durrell Endemic equipment as a means of studying were released at that site. To continue to redress the male Wildlife Sanctuary. Echoes. From this study we expect biased sex ratio imbalance in the to develop techniques to monitor, Goals 2001-2002 main wild population. Continue to Objective Three via radio tracking all of our future Sustain increase in the wild Echo release mainly females at Plaine To maximise the successful release birds. This will enable us population. We aim to support an Lievre, and similarly to release establishment of released Echo to develop a picture of increase in the wild population to mainly females at Bel Ombre. Parakeets into the wild population survivorship/cause of death, 150 free-living Echoes by the end Detailed monitoring of released - through improvement of habitat utilisation and dispersal of of the coming season, with an birds. We aim to make more psychological health in captivity released Echoes. annual target productivity of 20 - detailed monitoring of released and supported by more detailed 30 birds per season for the coming birds using radio telemetry post-release monitoring. Objective Four years. The target of 500 free-living equipment acquired this last To ensure the survival of the full birds will be the next major season. Key issues are Achievements range of genetic variation milestone. determination of where released Improved release techniques. We currently available amongst wild 1 Wild Population Management birds disperse to, any deaths and have learnt how to release the and captive Echo Parakeets - Objectives investigate their habitat utilization. birds at a younger age (70 - 90 through scientifically informed This is particulay important in the days old) comparable to an age genetic management. Continued hands-on wild nest new release areas. management. We expect to manage 10-20 nests per year for 3 Echo Captive Programme the foreseeable future using the Objectives techniques proven successful over Establish aviary database. We are the past five years in particular. setting up a database system for Nest boxes at all field stations more automatic and systematic where we release Echoes. Natural record keeping. cavities are absent from some Modernise captive facility. areas and can be more difficult to Research will be conducted by the manage if inaccessible or difficulty Echo hand-rearing Coordinator to in predator proofing. Additional assess what other equipment may nest boxes will be set out in areas help us make further adjacent to all release sites. improvements. The MWF captive 2 Echo Release Programme team will also continue to Objectives research, and give advice to the Government, for the design of the Boost numbers of Echoes in Bel new captive rearing laboratory. We Ombre area. There is a current hope that construction will be 'subpopulation' (or part of the started in March 2002 and Members of the Mauritius team relax at ‘Camp’, from where the Echo fieldwork is main breeding population) at Bel completed for the following run. Photo: WPT Ombre of at least three breeding season.

PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 ■ 11 Sales Items To place an order for any of these items (while stocks last): Tel 01736 751026 • Fax 01736 751028 • Web www.worldparrottrust.org • Email [email protected] Limited Edition Prints

Blue & Gold Macaw by David Johnson by Malcolm Ellis (25.5 x 18in) £38 / US$65 (33.5 x 24in) £58 / US$97 Golden Conure by Grant Hacking (30 x 20in) £117 / US$175

Hyacinth Macaw by Nicholas Drumming by Steve Hein (20 x 17in) £58 / US$85 Lear’s Macaw by David Johnson (31 x 25in) £38 / US$65 (18 x 25.5in) £38 / US$65 T-Shirts Videos

£20 / US$32

Golden Conure - S, M, L, XL, XXL £17.50 / US$29 Tape 1 £20 / US$32 Understanding Bird Behaviour Tape 2 £20 / US$32 TrainingThrough Positive WPT Polo Shirt - S, M, L, XL, XXL Reinforcement Live Parrot £19.50 / US$32 Endangered Parrots / Flags - S, M, L, XXL £17.50 / US$29 £17.50 / US$29

12 ■ PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 themselves in or the people they meet. No one who has lived with a parrot will for a second doubt that they have thoughts or feelings similar to ours." by ROSEMARY LOW Book Review Unfortunately, many people who live with parrots lack the perception to understand this. Many of the situations that the author describes so lucidly will surely make them aware that their parrot deserves The Parrot Who Owns Me much more consideration and respect. With her husband, she tried to Do not let the title of this book uncover Tiko's motivations, and to 'ease her way into a bird's eye mislead you into believing it is a view'. simple tale of a woman whose 'pet' is a Salvin's Amazon. Joanna Burger After several years, Joanna found that: "the balance of power between is no ordinary woman. She is a us shifted. I stopped treating Tiko like a pet. I began to see him as an Professor of Biology at Rutgers autonomous creature whose dependence on me only highlighted the University, the author of 14 books need to really understand, deep down, that his life was as important on bird behaviour. Her style is as mine, his desires and inclinations equally valid." eminently readable but it is her Tiko's story is interspersed with her experiences in watching parrots empathy with her Amazon and her in the neotropics. Near La Selva Biological Reserve in Costa Rica ability to interpret his feelings and (where I, too, have watched Salvin's Amazons) she observed a behaviour that make this book courting pair, and tenderly describes their behaviour. There is no remarkable. As I read, I realised its doubt that watching parrots in the wild reinforces the fact in one's significance. This book has the mind that they are wild creatures and that living with humans is not potential to change the way people perceive their parrots, to provide easy for them. their owners with a deeper understanding of their bird's needs which We can make it easier by truly trying to understand them, as Joanna can improve their quality of life to an unimaginable degree. In this Burger understands Tiko, who was 46 years old when she wrote about age of careless acquisition of parrots and often even more careless his life and made so many apt observations. She points out that disposal, this book is timely. It conveys the message that a parrot is a among animals: "Their capacity for intimacy and connection with one remarkable being that deserves the utmost respect and another and with us isn't fixed. It grows and develops. It has understanding. untapped depths and reserves. It can, perhaps, be taught. It is Tiko is a Salvin's Amazon (Amazona autumnalis salvini) whose elderly influenced by experiences and events." owner died. The way his story unfolds will provide an insight into This touching story, from someone with a deep knowledge of bird what an unwanted parrot suffers and perhaps make parrot owners behaviour and ecology, has the potential to change for the better the more responsible for their actions. Tiko came into the care of her lives of so many parrots. Please go and buy it - for yourself or for former owner's niece, Josie, who lived near Joanna Burger. another parrot owner. It could be the biggest step forward in Unfortunately, Tiko did not like Josie who could not communicate understanding parrots that we will see for many years. with him. He was lonely and became very noisy. The Parrot Who Owns Me is published in the UK by Sidgwick & As the months passed, Joanna noticed how Tiko's plumage was Jackson, price £15.99 Tel 0207 014 6000, Fax 0207 014 6001. The UK becoming duller; he seemed more lethargic and morose. Josie said he edition has eight pages of colour and 245 pages of text. The would not eat. "You know I'm not crazy about him. Anyway he doesn't American edition, published by Villard of New York, lacks the colour like me". Tiko spent his time pacing his cage or staring into space. photographs. Then he huddled silently with drooping wings, his feathers fluffed, his head withdrawn. Josie covered his cage to quieten his anguished shrieks. Parrot toys made easy? Joanna found it painful to watch him deteriorate and was relieved We all know that occupying our when Josie called her to say “You can have him”. Five months later birds can be one of the most Tiko started to moult. “With the moult he shed much of his suspicion: expensive ventures in owning them, he was truly a bird of a different feather. This, of course, also had to but it is very critical for their mental do with his own frame of mind; the moult and the brilliance of his health. Many times I have spent $40 fresh feathers renewed my sense of confidence in my role as a to $60 on a bird toy only to find it caretaker in Tiko's life. His, or rather our, mutual adoption had not in shreds at the bottom of the cage been a mistake; he was thriving. And as his new feathers came in, he after a few minutes. finally bonded with me.” The author of this book, Carol, has The touching story of how Joanna won his heart is one of inspiration meticulously categorised parrots for anyone who rehomes a parrot or takes on a wild-caught bird. Her into eleven different types based on remarkable insight and perception of what Tiko needed would give their interactions with their toys. entry to many people into a hitherto unknown world. The door to this While reading the book you will world too often remains closed and it prevents them from forming a surely think of certain birds that fit happy and close relationship with their parrot. One of the keys that perfectly into a given group. After identifying the play styles of these unlock this door is the recognition that anthropomorphic values are birds Carol offers quick, easy, common sense, inexpensive ways to highly relevant. I realised this many years ago and found it satisfying use everyday items to provide a given type of bird with toys that to read: match their activity type. In most cases Carol gives simple instructions that anyone can follow to build bird toys that don't cost "Our training drills into us [scientists] an aversion to a fortune, but will keep their bird occupied and happy for hours. The anthropomorphic judgements. I once considered it the epitome of second half of the book is completely dedicated to simple bad science to attribute human thought, feelings, and language inexpensive ways to build play-stands. This could be the best ability to animals. But over the years I have changed my mind. I have US$16.95 (£12) that any bird owner would ever spend, or as a come to regard it as at least equally benighted to automatically christmas gift to a parrot owner. assume that animals lack these qualities. I find myself amazed, in fact, that anyone could doubt that the animals closest to us - dogs, Carol S D’Arezzo has very kindly donated a percentage profit of this cats, horses, parrots (especially parrots) - have emotional responses books sales towards the World Parrot Trust’s conservation projects. to the things around them, or that anyone could question the This book is available from WPT UK or WPT USA please see details on proposition that they form ideas about the situations they find page 19.

PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 ■ 13 This year’s donors to

projects

Red-throated Example of Fundraising leaflet by Pip Rowe. Example of Fundraising leaflet by Greta John. Lorikeet Fund Lear’s F C OWENS Macaw Fund Golden MARIA GRAY ALAN LURIE KILVERSTONE WILDLIFE TRUST BARBARA JOHNSON Conure DISNEY CONSERVATION INITIATIVES BARBARA HARDIMAN Fund T & J PYLE LISA TELL African Grey D & C POSEY BOB EDGERLY BALTIMORE BIRD FANCIERS GLENN REYNOLDS PITTSBURG PARROT RESCUE KYLIE HOWARD Parrot J & B CARLSSON PEGGY STAGGEMEIER MARCO ITALIA CHRISTINE MATTHEWS Fund CAROL REES BOB SCHRECENGOSTS K & L KENDALL SUSIE ROBERTS ARIZONA SEED CRACKERS SOCIETY NANCY LEE & DERWIN SKIPP SOUTHERN MARYLAND BIRD CLUB TENNESSE VALLEY EXOTIC BIRD MARIA GRAY NARROWSBURG TEACHERS ASS. ARLENE ROTH LISA PORTER BOB WARBURTON GLEEDSVILLE ART PUBLISHERS LEESBURG, VA PAULA ROTHWELL SANDRA COTT Hyacinth Macaw Great Green Fund Macaw MARIA GRAY PIP ROWE M & M STAFFORD C L GODSALVE Fund PARROT SOCIETY OF LOS ANGELES STEVE MARTIN NATURAL ENCOUNTERS INC PARADISE PARK ADELAIDE ZOO ZOO DE DOUE ANNE MORRISON Palm AVRIL BARTON TIM BENNETTS MADELEINE ROCHOLL ROSEMARY LOW NOTTS PARROT CLUB PARK LANE COLLEGE Cockatoo MIKE GAMMOND TOMASI DI LAMPEDUSA GRETA JOHN SMITHS OF SMITHFIELD LONDON ZOO P SHARP Fund MARK JEFFCOTE F E COLE DOUGLAS WINKFIELD WHITE OAKS FOUNDATION J D SCHOFIELD BOB EDGERLY ELSA AGLOW EUGENE KLINEDINST TOM MARSHALL ALAN LURIE EVERETT BUTLER OLIVIER ARNOULT LEE GARDINER ANN MICHELS LESLIE REISSNER MARIA GRAY

14 ■ PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 Winning Bid for Elizabeth Butterworth’s Study of the New World Parrot Trust Great Green (Buffon’s) Macaw Logo T-shirt (Ara ambigua)

Spanish Artist Tony Sanchez (tonysanchezart.com) has graciously allowed us use of his brilliant head study of a Palm Cockatoo for a new 'Logo T-shirt.' A graphic artist in San Francisco who happens to be our Director Jamie Gilardi’s brother-in-law created the design, and Cyd Riley at Firefly will produce the final product (order from WPT- UK or WPT-USA offices, price £15, US$20 or 23 inc. postage and packing). We'd like to extend a warm thank you to all these contributions of assistance and hope you'll all Congratulations and Many Thanks: find a big need for these in the various stockings you'll have to Lee Gardiner, UK stuff in a few weeks. £1,250

New Opportunity - Silent Bidding Framed Original painting of Golden Conure (Guaruba guarouba) - by Grant Hacking GLENN REYNOLDS writes: The prints of the Golden Conure Lately we have been receiving painting by Grant Hacking have inquiries about the original oil provided a steady source of income painting. All along I knew this time for the Golden Conure Survival would eventually come, but I am Fund. It seems that everyone who really going to miss it hanging on has purchased one, has had my fireplace. I compare it to something positive to say about it. spending eight or nine months We have sold over forty of the 250 raising a baby Hyacinth Macaw and limited editions since this time last then watching its new owners walk year. Because of this and the out the door with it. It has been very generous contributions from all of inspirational for me. Every time I the bird clubs and concerned look at it, it makes me realise why I individuals, the fund is doing well, am doing this, which in itself, is but to accomplish all of our goals why we have decided to put it up we will need continued support over for auction. Over the last year it has the next several years. become the Icon of the Golden My personal goal is to raise Conure Survival Fund. It is world- whatever is needed to see this renowned and has recently been project through to its completion; featured on the cover of the Journal therefore, I am announcing the availability of twenty enhanced artist's of Avian Medicine and Surgery. The proofs. To produce them the artist is adding brushstrokes of oil paint original is a 20" x 30" oil painting on canvas. It will be sold framed. The over the canvas prints. He selects the objects in the foreground and frame was hand-made by the artist, and as you can see, it is quite creates additional depth and details by adding thick brushstrokes of rich impressive itself. colour. To further enrich the colours and increase the depth of the entire We will be holding a silent auction from November 15, 2001 through print, he then adds a heavy, glossy coat of varnish. All of these factors December 31, 2001. Only bids in excess of US$8,000.00 (£5,505) that are combined give the proofs a very three-dimensional look and is why they postmarked prior to January 1, 2002 will be considered. Bids may be sent are referred to as enhanced; furthermore, each one is unique. In the to our USA or UK offices by mail, fax or email. The appropriate addresses words of Jamie Gilardi, "they are very impressive". The artists proofs are can be found on page 19 of this issue. available for US$330 (£230) plus US$10 (£8) shipping. Please send silent bids before 31st December 2001

PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 ■ 15 Quality of life in a pet store By MONICA ENGEBRETSON While visiting a Petco in Vacaville Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (C.s. parvula), female. a few months ago I decided to Photo: Rosemary Low Red-fronted Kakariki in New Zealand. Photo: Rosemary Low satisfy my curiosity and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo however this may not be possible. investigate what types of birds (Cacatua sulphurea sulphurea) has Pacific island I hope that the WPT will not they were selling and how the suffered massive declines in compromise its position in support birds were housed. In this Cyanoramphus recent years due to trapping for of parrot welfare in the home in particular store the birds are kept order to keep the AFA in its folds. in a separate ‘bird room’ and are trade. It was formerly common Parakeets held in rather barren cages under throughout the Indonesian Ruth Mannich. islands, from Bali to Timor. It is DNA analysis is increasingly florescent lights. Many smaller throwing light on parrot now extinct on many islands and The World Parrot Trust is parrots, such as pionus and and systematics. The committed to improving the conures had only a single small approaching extinction on most Red-fronted group of ‘Kakarikis’, others. The most significant welfare of parrots kept in the toy in their cages and most the distinctive green parakeets home and, of course, to the parrots were housed individually populations are on Komodo, including the well known Sulawesi, Buton and Moyo. conservation of parrots in the so they begged for attention when nominate race from New Zealand, wild. The views of other customers came in. That is except A report in the September 2001 has a number of island forms. organisations which do not share for one small conure who lay at issue of World Birdwatch (Birdlife These were previously thought to these commitments, do not the bottom of his cage with eyes International) brings good news as be sub-species. DNA research has influence us in any way. half closed, beak open, feathers recently shown that the Norfolk the result of a survey in the World Rosemary Low. ruffled and one leg splayed out to Heritage Komodo National Park. Island Parakeet, previously the side. I took a closer look and An estimated 600 Lesser Sulphur- Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae First breeding of seeing no movement, I called to crested Cockatoos (C.s. parvula) cookii, and the New Caledonian the bird, ‘hey sweetie, are you were found there, making this the Red-fronted Parakeet, previously introduced macaws O.K.?’ No response. I immediately largest known population of any C.n.saisetti, are highly divergent went to the checkout counter and sub-species outside of Sumba, from all other members of the in Trinidad told the first employee I saw that where the Citron-crest . They should be treated as By ROSEMARY LOW separate species (Emu, volume 101). I thought there was a problem (C.s.citrinocristata) occurs. On The story of the release of the Blue with one of their birds. She Komodo one flock of 136 The Norfolk Island species is now and Yellow macaws from Guyana promptly came to investigate, cockatoos was seen. confined to the National Park of into Trinidad’s Nariva swamp was tapped on the bars of the cage Aviculturists do not usually have that name and to adjacent related in the August issue of and called ‘hey buddy,’ but to no forested areas and orchards. In PsittaScene. This can now be avail. ‘Oh no,’ she exclaimed and the opportunity to work with critically endangered parrot 1996 the population was as low as considered as a real success story. left to get the store’s bird 13 pairs in the wild. It was In October two pairs were flying caretaker. When the caretaker species. (The definition of critically endangered is that the estimated at 100 breeding birds in with newly fledged young, one arrived and saw the bird in 2000 and was rapidly increasing species has a 80% chance of with each pair. This development question she sighed, ‘oh him (Threatened Birds of the World, was reported to Bernadette Plair again, he does this all the time.’ becoming extinct within the next published by Lynx Edicions and ten years or within three by Bim Pampaul, one of the To my surprise the moment she BirdLife International). Rat-proof ‘macaw guardians’. He said “The approached the cage the little generations.) Sadly, breeders have nesting hollows are being totally wasted their opportunities young macaws looked vibrant and conure perked right up and stood installed in the park for this kept up well in flight with the expectantly at the cage door. His with the Lesser and Citron-crested parakeet and on adjacent private Cockatoos. Almost all captive- parents”. Everyone concerned with little act paid off as he was land. All known nest sites are the project is delighted. allowed to leave the cage with the hatched young are hand-reared protected and monitored. There is caretaker and ride around the for the pet trade. This happens an in-situ captive breeding Bernadette Plair has received store on her shoulder for a while. despite the fact that it is well programme that produced 58 US$5,000 in funding from This incident speaks both to the known that hand-reared male young between 1985 and 1999. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical intelligence of these birds as well white cockatoos are usually a Garden to assist with paying as the pitiful lives they are forced useless proposition for breeding Response to Tom stipends and to organise to lead when displayed and sold purposes and worse still are often workshops for the communities like mere merchandise in pet stores. serial killers of females. (PS 13.3) that help to monitor the macaws. Marshall letter In addition, she has received a So, cockatoo breeders who like to Thank you, Rosemary, for grant of $5,000 from the Scott Good news from think that they are conservationists, publishing both the article by Tom Neotropical Fund of Cleveland will ensure that they allow a Marshall and your reply. I agree Zoological Society. It will be used Komodo number of their young birds to be wholeheartedly with the reply. I to study availability and use of Classified as a critically parent-reared as potential would hope that the AFA would nesting sites for macaws in the endangered species, the Lesser members of future breeding pairs. continue to support the WPT, Nariva swamp.

16 ■ PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 endangered island species. I am Proceedings of the aiming to sequence DNA from the two extinct museum species of Cape Parrot the Seychelles and Rodrigues and Workshop add these on to the phylogeny, and study the evolution of the whole genus by looking at morphometric characters across the different phylogenetic clades, thereby revealing patterns of extinction and evolutionary processes. Psittacula species such as the Longtailed and Moustached parakeets have many different subspecies from different geographical locations. I realise that some of the subspecies will be difficult to get hold of. Hyacinth Macaws. Photo: Mark Stafford I was wondering if anyone could limiting breeding success. (thegabrielfoundation.org) will be suggest any good contacts/collectors/suppliers The second half of this 47 page holding its third meeting in (in/out of UK) that deal with booklet covers avicultural aspects, California from the 7th-10th Psittacula parakeets who I might including Psittacine beak and February 2002; please see their be able to obtain blood samples feather disease, which has had website for additional details. A Published by the Research Centre from. Fresh (i.e. not museum) disastrous consequences for the great collection of speakers and for African Parrot Conservation, samples will be much easier to University of Natal captive population in South . panelists will again be assembled and we encourage all WPT obtain DNA from. So. I am aiming The Cape Parrot is South Africa's The Proceedings are dedicated to members who can possibly make to accumulate about 10-15 only endemic parrot. It is also the the memory of the late Olaf it to attend this event. The World unrelated samples of each species most endangered. Fieldwork Wirminghaus who sadly died Parrot Trust will be well and if possible, subspecies as commenced nearly a decade ago. before completing his study of represented as we were last year well. I have one or two samples Many of the resulting conclusions this species. in Tampa with several keynote from the majority of species are published in Proceedings of speakers. As we did last time, the already, but to accomplish what I the Cape Parrot Workshop. This Parrot Society of WPT-USA will be holding a World want to do, I need to extend meeting was held in December Parrot Trust meeting for members sample sizes and fill in the 2000 at the University of Natal Los Angeles funds only just before the Gabriel event. taxonomic gaps. and has previously been referred Hyacinths ... Again! We have currently scheduled this Any help/advice/suggestions you to in PsittaScene. event for 3:30-5:30 PM on the 7th may have would be great After speaking to the PSLA in late In the opening paper Prof. Mike of February - beverages, snacks, regarding contacts that may have October, the Society handed Jamie and a lively discussion with WPT large/small/diverse Psittacula Perrin mentions that there are an another check for US$4,500 for estimated 500 Cape Parrots in the staff and members will be on tap collections and may be able to the Hyacinth Fund! This generous ... see you there! provide fresh (feather or - wild today. They mature late and donation will complete the recruit few chicks in a lifetime, preferably- blood) samples would funding for a new generator and be much appreciated. thus their capacity to recover well, which will provide much Request for from disaster (such as loss of needed power and water to the kindest regards, Jim. their habitat, yellowwood forest, field site. You'll recall that two of Feedback which has been reduced and the founders of the PSLA fragmented) is questionable. By DR JIM GROOMBRIDGE, Project Request for (www.parrotsocietyoflosangeles.org), Coordinator, Maui Forest Bird David Johnson contributes a Marie and Mark Stafford, Recovery Project, 2465 Olinda Feedback paper on upgrading this species contributed this same impressive Road, Makawo, HI 96768, USA to Appendix I of CITES. Mike amount a few months back, so the By ALLEN FRIIS, 3 Nichols Street, Perrin discusses the evidence that PSLA has now donated a total of I am currently working on a Lorn, NSW 2320, Australia publication of a cytochrome-b the Cape Parrot is a separate species $9000 to the Hyacinth Fund. I have recently joined the World from suahelicus (now called the phylogeny of the Psittacula parakeets, which deals with the Parrot Trust and had my first Grey-headed Parrot) and from magazine delivered. After reading fuscicollis, now called the Brown- The Gabriel evolutionary origin of the rare Mauritius Parakeet. This work was it, I wished I had joined a long necked Parrot, and the implications Foundation holds time ago. I am concerned that so that this has for its survival. part of my PhD which dealt with its 3rd annual the rare avifauna of Mauritius, many of our wonderful parrots Distribution and abundance of the during which time I worked for and cockatoos are endangered, Cape Parrot is the subject of the symposium in San the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation. mainly through man’s paper by Colleen Downs. She intervention. I am now looking to set up some mentions shortage of food, Diego, California further additional work on the I would like to ask if you have any leading the parrots to congregate Psittacula parakeet phylogenetics, information on a book I in areas outside the forest, such and I would like to obtain samples purchased recently for $3. It is as plantations of fruit and pecan of all the Psittacula species and called The Natural History of Cage nuts. A table lists fruiting forest subspecies. The Psittacula genus Birds, written by J. M. Beechstein species which are utilised. is a good one to study extinction MD and published in 1899. This is Craig Symes writes about rates, because it includes the third edition. Can anyone tell breeding biology and describes Following on the great success of continental species, island me where the first edition was some nest sites. Lack of these their first two symposia, the species, extinct species and published, or anything about the might be one of the factors Gabriel Foundation recovering species, as well as non- author?

PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 ■ 17 WPT Members List - Please join WPWA - We Welcome Your Support Since we have a very impressive collection of researchers, World Parrot Welfare Alliance - we want to be inclusive. If aviculturists, educators, and all around committed parrot you care about parrots and want to help, we welcome your owners among our ranks, we thought it might be helpful to have a venue for: input and suggestions - whether you are involved with a large, incorporated sanctuary; a small, informal "Mom and • Asking and answering questions about parrots, parrot care, Pop" shelter; a parrot breeder, or are "just" a parrot lover and parrot conservation. not directly involved in parrot welfare. • Updating members on the latest news from the field, faster and with greater depth than in PsittaScene. WPWA was created to bring together people in all countries who are concerned about the current crisis in the welfare of • Providing information on upcoming meetings and events captive parrots, and to seek solutions. Our objectives are -- that might be of interest to members. in brief--to fight for the well-being of all parrots and against Signing up is easy. Just send a message to abusive predatory practices. [email protected] along with your name and member number (that's on your mailing label) and we'll Please Contact: Stewart Metz, M.D. , send you a welcome letter with the details on how the whole Chairperson (Steering Committee), thing works. Please give it a whirl, and we'll look forward to Email [email protected], e-Fax 208-445-0898, seeing you there! Web www.worldparrottrust.org/WPWA/wpwahome.html

A Proposal to Ban the Importation of Wild-caught Birds into the European Union A Campaign of the World Parrot Trust One of the strongest messages we can send to the European Union is the fact that there are thousands of people from Europe and around the world who feel that it's time to stop this unacceptable exploitation of the natural resources of developing countries. The EU has now become the largest importer of wild-caught birds and the existing legislation in Europe is ineffective at stopping the inhumane and unsustainable harvesting of these wild birds. Although we plan to take several approaches to see this campaign through to its rightful conclusion, you can help a great deal by simply signing the petition below to add your voice to thousands of others in support of our goal of allowing wild birds to remain where they belong ... in the wild. Please take a moment to fill out the petition at http://www.worldparrottrust.org/trade.html or complete the tear off section below and return to WPT UK and let your voice be heard. Thank you very much for your support on this critical issue.

Petition Signature Total so far: 980 ✂

I support the proposal to ban the importation of wild-caught birds into the European Union

First Name* ...... Principal Interest* ❏ Aviculturist Last Name* ...... ❏ Bird Collector ❏ Environmentalist Street Address ...... ❏ Animal Welfare Advocate ❏ Animal Rights Advocate City ...... ❏ Conservation Biologist State/County/Province ...... ❏ Biologist / Scientific Researcher ❏ Behaviourist Zip/Postcode ...... ❏ Birdwatcher / Birder ❏ Other (please specify) ...... Country* ...... Comments ...... Age ...... Email ...... An asterisk * denotes fields that are required Please tear off and return to: WPT, Glanmor House, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 4HB, UK. If you would like additional copies of this or the actual Proposal to Ban the Importation of Wild-caught Birds into the European Union (PS Vol 13 No 3) then please do not hesitate to contact me on Tel: 01736 751026

18 ■ PsittaScene Volume 13, No 4, November 2001 WPT NATIONAL CONTACTS United Kingdom Karen Whitley, Administrator, Glanmor House, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4HB Tel: (44) 01736 751026 Fax: (44) 01736 751028 Email: [email protected] Aims of Chairman: [email protected] Africa V. Dennison, PO Box 1758, Link Hills, Natal 3652, S. Africa Tel: (27) 31 763 4054 Fax: (27) 31 763 3811 Email: [email protected] Asia Catherine Carlton, Hong Kong Tel: (1) 415 430 2160 ext 6445 Email: [email protected] the Trust Australia Mike Owen, 7 Monteray St., Mooloolaba, Queensland 4557. With thousands of members in 54 countries, our branches work cooperatively to Tel: (61) 7 54780454 Email: [email protected] achieve the stated aims of the World Parrot Trust, which are: Benelux Peter de Vries (Membership Sec.), Jagershof 91, The survival of parrot species in the wild 7064 DG Silvolde, Tel: (31) 315327418 Email:[email protected] The welfare of captive birds enquiries: Romain Bejstrup (32) 32526773 Netherlands enquiries: Ruud Vonk (31) 168472715 These aims are pursued by: Canada Sandra Metzger, PO Box 29, Mount Hope, Ontario, L0R 1W0 • Preserving and restoring wild parrot • Encouraging the production of healthy Tel: (1) 519 823 8941 Fax: (1) 519823 8941 populations and their habitats aviary-bred parrots to end the demand Email: [email protected] • Educating the general public on the for wild birds Denmark (Scandinavia) Representative needed – threats to all parrots, captive and wild • Supporting research on nutrition, Call WPT-UK • Opposing trade in wild-caught parrots disease, and other parrot health issues France J. & G. Prin, 55 Rue de la Fassiere, 45140, Ingre. • Promoting high standards for the care • Creating links between aviculture and Tel: (33) 2 38 43 62 87 Fax: (33) 2 38 43 97 18 conservation Olivier Arnoult, 16 Chemin du Peyronnet, 06500 Menton, France. of captive parrots Mobile: 33 62 026 1957 Email: [email protected] Germany Representative needed – A note from the Director Call WPT-UK As I’ve become familiar with all the Trust’s activities over the past year, without question the most impressive feature of the World Parrot Trust is the commitment and dedication of the huge number of people Cristiana Senni, Email: [email protected] who volunteer their time, energy, and money to help us save the parrots. It is a pleasure to spend much of Freddi Virili, via Matarus 10, 33045 Nimis, Udine my workday communicating with all these people from around the world who help with our projects, run the Trust branches, represent the Trust at parrot meetings, and in some cases help manage the species funds Ana Matesanz and Andrés Marin, that we’ve set up for many of the WPT-12. Even our PsittaScene Editor, Rosemary Low, generously donates C/Cambados No1, 2°Dcha, 28925 Alcorcon (Madrid), Spain her time on each issue to bring us all informative and beautifully illustrated updates on the Trust’s activities. Tel: (34) 91 6425130 Email: [email protected] It is the work of these committed volunteers that creates the foundation of the World Parrot Trust, and I just Switzerland want to underscore what these efforts mean to us, and ultimately to the parrots. Lars Lepperhoff, Lutschenstrasse 15, 3063 Ittigen Tel: (41) 31 922 3902 In a category all it’s own, is the special support we receive from Paradise Park in Cornwall, UK. Since spawning USA the World Parrot Trust 12 years ago, Paradise Park has been contributing office space and all the expensive Joanna Eckles, PO Box 353, Stillwater, MN 55082 goodies that fill the modern office: phones, faxes, colour copiers, you name it, we use it. But more important Tel: (1) 651 275 1877 Fax: (1) 651 275 1891 still has been the never-ending help of the Park staff on every aspect of the Trust’s work. Whether that is the Email: [email protected] contributions of our founders Mike and Audrey Reynolds with their enduring support of the Trust everywhere Director: [email protected] we work, David Woolcock who pursues every opportunity to link the Paradise Park operation to our conservation WPT Web Sites: work, or Nick Reynolds and Alison Hales who have now joined Mike, Audrey, and David as Trustees of WPT, Central: http://www.worldparrottrust.org and manage to find time in their days (and travel schedule!) to help the Trust save parrots worldwide. Canada: http://www.canadianparrottrust.org Italy: http://www.worldparrottrust.org/italy

Thank you one and all! Denmark: http://www.image.dk/fpewpt

Jamie Gilardi ✂ YES, I WANT TO HELP SAVE THE PARROTS OF THE WORLD SUBSCRIPTION RATES (please tick) Name ...... Please charge my Mastercard / Visa No.

❏ Student membership £10 / US$15 Address ...... Expiry date ...... /...... ❏ Single membership £20 / US$30 ...... Name on Card ...... ❏ Joint membership £27 / US$40 Total Amount £/US$ ...... Zip/Postcode ...... ❏ Club membership £100 / US$150 Signature ...... Telephone ...... OR: ❏ Fellow (Life Member) £300 / US$500 Enclosed cheque made payable to World Parrot Trust ❏ Fax ...... ❏ Conservation membership (Life Member) Please send me some information on: £1,000 / US$1,500 Email ...... ❏ Bankers Orders ❏ Additional donation of ...... We heard about the World Parrot Trust from ❏ Legacies (or equivalent exchange currency, credit card payments by Visa/Mastercard only) ...... ❏ ‘The WPT 12’ projects

Join Us Now on our website or see our online sales items at: www.worldparrottrust.org Parrots in the Wild

Red-throated Lorikeet Charmosyna amabilis As a bird that has been seen only a few times in the last hundred enough to share this image for readers of the PsittaScene, but the years, and with no live birds in captivity, we thought for a time that shot is actually of a wild bird, so we are pleased to highlight it on the Red-throated Lorikeet might well have never been photographed, our Parrots in the Wild series. Dr. Swinnerton incidentally just left period. Then recently, Dr. Kirsty Swinnerton ran into a striking for the field launching the first field study of these Fijian jewels; a photograph of this bird on the internet of all places, shot by a project funded exclusively by the World Parrot Trust. researcher by the name of Dr. William Beckon. Not only was he kind

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