Australian Parakeets by Warwick Remington Ballarat, Victoria, Australia j ohn Gould is regarded by many as Unlike American and English avi­ hobby in Australia. the father of ornithology in Australia. culturists, Australians are fortunate to be Intestinal worms have been a prob­ In 1839 he wrote of our parrots "no able to keep native species in captivi­ lem with aviary birds for many years. The group of birds gives Australia so foreign ty under license. high susceptibility of Australian par­ an air as the numerous species of this Many species are now bred in such rots to this problem was first recognized great family each and all of which are numbers that disposal of excess birds in the 1960s. Most Australian species, with very abundant." can be difficult. Some aviculturists now the exception oflorikeets and some cock­ This statement is largely true today choose not to breed from the com­ atoos, are ground feeding birds. When with most parrot species being found mon species as there is no demand for kept in confinement (often in damp in good numbers in the wild. However youngsters bred. Ironically, species aviaries) the likelihood ofworm infes­ two species, the Night Parrot and the such as the Princess Parrot and the tation is very high. The popularity of Paradise Parrot, do verge on the brink Scarlet-chested Parrot, which are two of Australian parrots worldwide in the ofextinction. Some would argue that the Australia's rarest species in the wild, fit 1960s and the 1970s probably stimulated Paradise Parrot has already gone the way into this category. the early veterinary research into this of the Dodo. Many of our Australian With the large numbers of birds prevalent aviary disease. species have adapted well to European being bred in certain species the Housing settlement and can now be found in and inevitable production of mutations has Traditionally Australian parrots have around our cities and towns. occurred. Many Australian avicultur­ been kept in open flighted aviaries Of the 330 parrot species found ists are now specialiZing in the breed­ with an attached shelter section. throughout the world, 60 or so occur in ing of color mutations in their various Fortunately the climate in Australia is mild Australia. This diversity ofspecies is not forms. In recent times, however, there enough to allow parrots to be kept matched by the parrots from any other seems to be more aviculturists express­ out of doors. country. From our Cockatoos, both ing concern that some species are In recent times lorikeet breeders black and white, to the tiny fig parrots beginning to lose genetic integrity. realized the merits of housing their ofthe Queensland rain forest, the range A concerted effort is also being made birds in suspended flights. Despite the ofspecies is incredibly diverse. Habitat by some breeders to keep both species fact that lorikeet breeders seem to be uti­ obviously plays an important role when and subspecies genetically pure. For liZing dry diets to a greater extent, it comes to the diversity ofour many par­ example, in recent years those keeping these birds still have liquid droppings rot species. species such as the Port Lincoln Parrot which are best suited to suspended It should be noted that there is obvi­ or its subspecies, the Twenty Eight aviary floors. ouslya close affinity between the cock­ Parrot, have begun to carefully select Apart from some ofthe smalllorikeets atoos, Eclectus parrot, lorikeets and birds that are true to type. In my opin­ and grass parakeets, an all-steel aviary fig parrots of New Guinea and the ion this augers well for the future ofour is recommended to avoid the prob- Islands to Australia's north and our own endemic species. However, many ofthe other Austalian species are unique members of the parrot family. DESPERATELY NEEDED The history ofaviculture in Australia shows that parrots have been kept and Professional Videographer&Video Film Editing bred in captivity for at least 150 years. In the early days stocks of birds were for ShortAvicultural Video easily replenished by trapping, however, Ifyou have professional level video skills in the last 30 years stocks have been maintained and increased by success­ and/orvideo editing skills, ful captive breeding. Wild-trapped birds your services are neededASAP were usually more difficult to establish Please contact: Laurella Desborough in captivity than those that are (now) aviary-bred. The keeping ofnon-domes­ via fax: (510) 372-0306 ticated pet birds in single cages has ormail: L. Desborough decreased dramatically over this same PO. Box273112, Concord, CA 94527 period oftime due to the implementa­ tion of wildlife protection laws. afa WATCHBIRD 45 lem of birds chewing aviary wood by breeders. work. Double wire between flights is also Trlchoglossus - Psitteuteles ­ The Varied Lorikeet on the other required as most Australian parrots will Glossopsitta hand is considered by most breeders to squabble through the wire and in some Australia has seven members ofthe be the most difficult ofthe Australian lori­ cases injuries can occur. Half inch lorikeets family and all are reasonably keets to breed. As this species inhabits weldmesh is the most common wire well established in aviculture. They northern Australia it has not adapted eas­ used in aviary construction for all are nomadic birds in the wild and can ily to the colder conditions provided to Australian parrots, as distinct from the often be seen in large numbers where it in southern aviaries. cockatoos, which require heavy gauge nectar producing blossoms are found. Although numerous color mutations wire. In my home city ofBallarat we have the ofAustralian lorikeets have been bred Some aviculturists have been suc­ pleasure of seeing three species, the over the years, the Olive Scaly-breasted cessful in breeding certain parrot species Musk Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet and the Lorikeet is the only established muta­ on a colony system. I have seen the Purple-crowned Lorikeet when the tion in Australian aviaries. The Olive neophemas, lorikeets and the Princess eucalyptus are flowering. Scaly-breasted has been hybridized Parrot bred on the colony system. There is obViously a close affinity with other lorikeet species in an attempt Rarely have I seen colonies work suc­ between the Australian lorikeets and to introduce the olive mutation. I have cessfully when species are mixed. It is those from New Guinea and Indonesia. grave reservations regarding the breed­ generally accepted that one pair to an The Rainbow Lorikeet and Red-col­ ing of mutations by this method. aviary will produce better breeding lared Lorikeet are but two ofthe 21 sub­ A number of hybrids have been results. species of haematodus recognized by recorded within the Lorikeet family. Forshaw. These 21 subspecies range from One of the most unusual hybrids Feeding Tanzania through Australia's eastern occurred in Victoria where a Rainbow The key to maintaining in good and northern coastal forests to New Lorikeet hybridized with an Australian health the birds in your care is the Guinea, Indonesia and South West King Parrot. supply of a well balanced diet. Pacific Islands. All Australian lorikeet species can be Most Australian parrots in the wild eat Our Varied Lorikeet also shows many difficult to sex by observation, so sur­ a wide variety of food which includes similarities to Goldie's Lorikeet ofNew gical sexing is advisable. Lorikeet breed­ fruits, seeds and berries. Their diet is Guinea. ing has benefitted greatly from the largely seasonal which can be duplicated In the early days of Australian avi­ introduction of this method ofsexing. to some extent in the aviary. Different culture lorikeets were kept on poor forms of green food, berries and fruits diets, often being fed seed only. This of Cyclopsitta are available for limited times through­ course led to the lorikeets being diffi­ Australia has three of the eight sub­ out the year and can be fed when'they cult to maintain and breed in captivity. species ofthe Double-eyed Fig Parrot, are in season. Over the past 15 years lorikeet breed­ which are found in northeastern Australia. Prior to the breeding season it is ers have begun to improve the dietary The other members ofthis species are important to increase the supply of requirements of these birds. found in New Guinea and its sur­ green food, seeding grasses and soaked As aviary birds the lorikeets are both rounding islands. seed. When feeding green food and active and noisy inmates. They are also Australia's three subspecies are the seeding grasses it is always wise to aggressive towards other species but will Red-browed Fig Parrot Cd. macleayana, check that it is uncontaminated by ani­ live and breed in colonies with their own the Blue-browed Fig Parrot Cd. coxeni mals or chemical sprays. Soaked seed kind. and the Marshall's Fig Parrot Cd. mar­ should be soaked in water treated with The advantages ofcleanliness and dis­ shalli. Ofthe three only the Red-browed an antibacterial solution. Fruit in the form ease control make suspended aviaries Fig Parrot is currently found in avicul­ of apples, oranges and grapes is also the best choice in housing lorikeets. For ture. Whilst stocks ofthese lovely little appreciated. those keeping lorikeets in other than sus­ birds are low, a few breeders are now These additions will help stimulate pended aviaries, concrete floors are a beginning to have some success with pairs into breeding, as the extra foods necessity. As lorikeets are active birds them. Those who have bred them rec­ given mirrors conditions in the wild prior I recommend a minimum aviary size of ommend they not be fed an oily or fat­ to breeding. When youngsters hatch it 9 ft. x 2.5 ft.