PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN PARROT CONSERVATION AVICULTURE AND WELFARE World Parrot Trust in action Vol. 10 No.4 November 1998

Lear’s Macaw African Parrot Review Visit to Pantanal

psittacine (sit’a sin) belonging or allied to the parrots; parrot-like Le a r ’s Macaw Some history, the current situation,and

A Repor t by MICHAEL REYNOLDS Editor proposals for its preservation Rosemary Low, P.O. Box 100, Mansfield, Notts., Background United Kingdom The World Par rot Trust (WPT) has taken a special NG20 9NZ interest in this species for the last eight years, working with Dr. Charles A. Munn III and his Brazilian associates, notably Dr. Carlos Yamashita CONTENTS and Dr. Pedr o Lima. After attending the important ‘Blue Macaws’ meeting in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in Lear’s Macaw...... 2-7 1992, WPT pursued the long-term objective of Inspirational Speakers in gr owing and transplanting Licuri palm trees to boost Tenerife ...... 8-9 the food supply for Lear ’s Macaws at their Rasa da Caterina location. A mor e immediate and ur gent The Conservation of requirement was, and remains, to provide adequate African Parrots ...... 10-12 protection at this first known site to pr event the illegal capture of Lear’s Macaws for collectors within The ‘Pet Bird Report’ Brazil, and also in other countries. Dr. Charles Munn Convention ...... 13 A degree of protection has been No.4 November 1995 ‘Lear’s parrot species cur rently under Visit to the Pantanal Area in place for several years, with Macaw: a second population pressure fr om international of Western Brazil ....14-15 guards ar ranged by IBAMA (the confirmed’, and Vol. 9 no.2 May trading activities. official Brazilian conservation 1997 ‘Lear’ s Macaw - next in line Book Review ...... 16 The confiscation of two young agency), and Biodiversitas, a for extinction?’). Lear’s Macaws at the Paris Orly An Ultramarine Lory Nest conservation non-governmental airport last July was repor ted in the Marquesas Islands organisation (NGO). It is WPT Proposal globally, and we believe it is difficult to know how constant, generally agreed that at least 19 & Big Lory Book In our May 1997 article we Competition...... 17 reliable and ef fective these birds were stolen from the wild guards may be, faced as they are included an extract from a letter sent to IBAMA in March 1997, population in 1996. With an Psitta News ...... 18-19 by a difficult task in a lar ge and estimate of ar ound 120 birds in challenging terrain, but it is and it is relevant to re-print this here: the wild, it is obvious that, Parr ots in the Wild...... 20 generally accepted that macaws without a solution being found, are still being removed from the “In our opinion this is the most this species could follow the wild population at a rate of as prominent and thr eatened of all pattern of Spix’s Macaw and be many as twenty birds each year. Obviously this loss is totally unacceptable, since it could lead to the extinction of Lear’s Macaw in the wild within six years or so. WPT has highlighted this appalling prospect in previous issues of PsittaScene (see Vol.7

COVER PICTURE We are most grateful to Roland and Julia Seitre for providing us with a set of The World Parrot Trust does photographs of Lear’s not necessarily endorse any Macaw. This striking head views or statements made by shot of Lear’s has captured contributors to PsittaScene. the slight green tinge that It will of course consider is sometimes seen in the articles or letters from any plumage of this bird, and contributors on their merits. clearly distinguishes if from the Hyacinth Macaw. Lear’s Macaw Photo: Roland Seitr e

2 trade in Lear’s Macaw at the destruction. According to this forthcoming CITES Confer ence of IBAMA Press law, it is considered illegal to the Parties in Harare, Zimbabwe Release keep Lear’s Macaws in in June 1997. Your gover nment captivity. It is important to could ask for stronger Brazil repor ts that the note that since the legislation enforcement measur es from all endangered Lear’s Macaw is came into effect, Brazil has CITES signatories, especially threatened by illegal bir d never issued any permits for those that may have been - no collectors the export of this species. 14 July 1998. doubt without their knowledge - In 1992, the Brazilian involved in illegal movements of Brasilia - The Lear’ s Macaw Government created a Working this macaw. (Anodorhynchus leari) is one of Group today called Committee If Brazil were to ask its fellow the world’s most endangered for the Preser vation of Lear’s CITES members at the COP to species. Occurring only in the Macaw. This Committee is pay especial attention to traf fic semi-arid northeastern r egion responsible for the in this species, we think it would of Bahia in Brazil, its ar ea of development and improve vigilance by all occupation was only located in implementation of the Dr. Carlos Yamashita checking countries and agencies. It might 1978 by a team led by Dr conservation management plan Hyacinth Macaw Chicks. also have the effect of Helmut Sick (who was one of for this species, which Brazil’s best known includes habitat protection, effectively extinct in the wild generating funds from major or nithologists). Due to habitat international conser vation anti-poaching efforts, field within a very few years. alteration, hunting and capture conservation, resear ch and foundations for the in-country for the illegal trade, the We have a copy of an excellent proposals made in your Action educational programs. ‘Action Plan for Conservation of species is facing a ver y critical Plan. At the same time, you situation - the populations of Legal protection and the Lear’s Macaw’ compiled by the might want to make it clear that involvement of a number of Special Working Gr oup in 1994. Lear’s Macaw have been there is no possibility of an reduced to less than 130 institutions have contributed The Action Plan states on page amnesty being declared for to the conservation of the 10: ‘Capturing wild animals is individuals in the wild. The illegal holders of Lear’s Macaw, illegal capture of these bir ds Lear’s Macaw in Brazil. also quite common in the region; but that all diplomatic and legal for trade has been recognised Contributing organizations they are smuggled to zoos, means would be used to secure as one of the most important have included the Brazilian collectors and aviculturists all the r eturn to Brazil of illegally factors in the species’ decline. Institute for Environment and over the world. A. leari is held birds. Natural Renewable Resources certainly one of the most coveted The rarity and precarious (IBAMA), National Fund for the species, since it is ver y rare This proposal aimed at choking status of the Lear’s Macaw in Environment - FNMA, Sao Paulo today. It is believed that with the off international demand for the wild has accorded it the Zoological Foundation, sharp decline in the natural Lear’s Macaw is given extra highest level of protection Biodiversitas Foundation, population of Cyanopsitta spixii, significance by a repor t from provided under the Busch Gardens (USA), Houston hunters will turn to A. leari, today’s pr ess which quotes your Convention on International Zoological Gar dens (USA). which will require an increased President Fer nando Henrique Trade in Endanger ed Species of Other groups that have inspection effort in its area of Cardoso as saying at the ‘Rio Wild Fauna and Flora - CITES. supported conservation efforts occurrence on the part of the Plus Five’ Conference: ‘We don’ t Brazil has been a par ty of the include the World Parrot Trust appropriate agencies’. have the means to stop CITES Treaty since 1975. (UK), the Wildlife Conservation deforestation. In those r egions, In addition to being a par ty of Society - WCS (USA) , CETREL There are no proposals in the there’s hardly any presence of S.A. and PETROBRAS - the Action Plan on how to deal with CITES, Brazil has strict Brazilian Oil Company. government capable of imposing domestic legislation the root cause of this loss of the law’. birds from the wild populations, prohibiting the export of The Brazilian wildlife which as we all know, is the With these difficulties to contend wildlife species. The Brazilian authorities of IBAMA, in continuing demand by with inside Brazil, would it not Wildlife Protection Act of 1967 collaboration with state and unprincipled collectors, both be a good idea to make every prohibits the commerce of local municipal agencies have outside Brazil and within. effort to attack the ‘demand’ side wildlife and products or been conducting a major of the equation as well as the objects that implicate their campaign against the poaching We realise that our organisation ‘supply’ side? We hope you may capture, pursuit or in the region. Successes has no official mandate to make find our comments of some proposals relating to what is interest. clearly primarily a national concern for Brazil, but Please be assured that our desire nevertheless, our eight years of to help par rot conser vation is involvement in global parrot closely followed by our wish to conservation, and our work with the appropriate substantial financial authorities in all countries.” commitments to work with We received no reply to that Brazilian experts to help six letter, but in July this year an par rot species, encourage us to international press r elease was offer what we think could be a issued by IBAMA. It seems likely suggestion to assist the survival that our 1997 proposal may of Lear’s Macaw. have helped stimulate this That is that Brazil might bring useful action. Here is the press up the question of international release in full: Guard at Rara de Caterina Photo: Roland Seitre

3 include the arr est in 1995 of a laws and jurisdiction against smuggler called Paraiba, who the infractors. Reactions to the Press Release was caught with a Lear ’s The position of the Brazilian Macaw in his possession. In This initiative by Brazil was well r eported in the UK pr ess, and Government and the Lear ’s the following extract fr om a national paper is typical: early 1998 the field team was Macaw Committee is that all able to obser ve a poaching undocumented and illegal Brazil wants rar e Macaws seized in British raids attempt and appr ehend the bir ds should be confiscated by Brazil is demanding the r etur n of three of the world’ s rarest bir ds, infractors in the act of placing the authorities of the country which ar e being held at a secr et location in northern England. the nets for the capture of the in which they are found, and birds. In May of 1998, eight be returned to Brazil as par t of The Lear ’s macaws were seized in raids by Customs and Excise more bir ds were confiscated the conser vation program. As investigators on houses in Nor thaller ton and Driffield, in fr om an aviculturist called there have been no official Yorkshir e, four months ago. Zezao in nor thern Brazil. permissions for legal export of In an attempt to save them fr om extinction, Brazilian authorities Despite incr eased security and Lear’ s Macaws from Brazil. All ar e attempting to track down and repatriate all rare native ongoing efforts to control r epatriated birds, as well as parr ots smuggled out of the country and sold to private collectors poaching, the Lear ’s Macaw those confiscated in Brazil, and pet dealers. The campaign r eflects efforts by wildlife-rich populations are still will be evaluated for possible developing nations to get back the rar e and endangered animals threatened. Many birds are r eturn to the wild or for and plants that have been taken fr om the wild over recent years. still taken fr om the wild by par ticipation in a coordinated The Lear ’s Macaws in Britain wer e found after an investigation into trappers going to a few illicit captive management pr ogram. collectors of rar e species. an inter national network of bird dealers that cover ed Belgium, Ther e is a strong national Ger many, the Czech Republic, Bosnia and Britain. Thr ee men were Unfortunately , Lear’s Macaws commitment to the ar rested in the raids and r eleased on police bail while the haul is are also being smuggled pr eservation of the Lear ’s being evaluated. internationally from Brazil. In Macaw in Brazil, as has been 1996 two birds that did not This UK case is still under investigation, and will be r eported in demonstrated by a r ecent PsittaScene as it develops. The situation of the two birds held by have any legal documentation grant of $200,000 to the or per mits were confiscated the Singapor ean authorities seems unlikely to be r esolved soon. pr oject by the National Fund We understand that the person who imported them claims they fr om Mr Lawrence Kuah Kok for the Envir onment - FNMA. Choon at an airpor t in France. wer e brought out of Brazil before 1967. The authorities ther efore In conjunction with pr oject need to prove that the bir ds are less than 31 years old. WPT has The French gover nmental collaborators, this major grant authorities collaborated fully of fered its exper tise to try to settle this issue, but progr ess has facilitated the pr otection seems slow . The return of these bir ds to Brazil - which the World with the Brazilian of the ar ea against poaching, conservation effort by Parrot Trust suppor ts unequivocally - is likely to be delayed for supported field resear ch, some time. r epatriating the birds to Brazil. habitat r estoration, Sadly, one of the birds died at conservation and educational the French airport befor e it pr ograms. could be retur ned to Brazil. hear nothing fr om IBAMA, and The conser vation of Questions for receive only negative responses In an international ef fort to endanger ed species and the Brazil from a spokesperson on conser ve this species, the pr eservation of the world’s Brazilian wildlife issues who authorities in Singapor e biodiversity is a r esponsibility We have asked for updated works in the USA. It seems that, confiscated two Lear ’s Macaws that all gover nments must information from Brazilian despite the substantial funds fr om a private collection, of take seriously. The illegal sources but have not received provided by WPT for the Mr Lawr ence Kuah Kok Choon, trade in rar e and endangered anything in time for this issue. conservation of parrots in Brazil the same infractor of the species is a pr oblem that has It would be helpful to have the (over $60,000), there are those episode in France. This issue cr ossed national boundaries answers to a number of who are more inter ested in and the eventual disposition and can only be addr essed questions, for example: perpetuating political of the bir ds is now being thr ough cooperation and disagreements than pursuing addr essed by the Singaporean suppor t of all parties. ¥ What facilities are available in Brazil for any returned Lear’s conservation. Fortunately it is legal system. Also this year, quite practicable, and indeed the British gover nment Contacts in Brazil: Macaws? confiscated thr ee birds from a Maria Iolita Bampi enjoyable, for WPT to work collector in Yorkshire. The Chief, Department of Wildlife ¥ How many Lear’s have been directly with Fundacao BioBrasil, Brazilian Gover nment has Dir etoria de Ecossistemas confiscated in Brazil? a recently established SAIN - Av. L-4 Norte conservation NGO based in r equested the repatriation of ¥ Have any prosecutions all of these birds. Edificlo Sede - IBAMA Salvador, Bahia. This city is 70800-200 - Brasilla/DF - Brazil resulted? only a few hours drive away Ther e is an expectation that (Phone): 55-61-225 8150 ¥ How is the FNMA funding of from the location of Lear ’s both the Singapor ean and the Macaw, and is better placed to (Fax): 55 61-316 1067 $200,000 being used? British governments will (e-mail): provide suppor t for this macaw support the conser vation of mbampi@ibama,sede.gov .br ¥ What is IBAMA’s evaluation of than groups based more than a this species by acting quickly the effectiveness of the thousand kilometres away. to r epatriate the confiscated Luiz Francisco Sanfilippo birds to Brazil, following the Chair of the Committee for the guarding activities? This brings me to the latest example of the French Preser vation of Lear’s Macaw ¥ Are IBAMA and Biodiversitas news, repor ting the discovery of a third population of Lear’s government and according to Av. Miguel Estefano 4241, willing to work with other the CITES regulations. It is 04301-905 - Sao Paulo/SP - Brazil Brazilian and international Macaw. Here is a report and a (Phone): 55-11-276 0811 request for funding from hoped that these governments organisations? will access the heaviest (Fax): 55-11-276 0564 Richard Hartley, a volunteer with penalties possible under their (e-mail): [email protected] Sadly, we have to report that we BioBrasil:

4 Request for funding to protect newly discovered populations of Lear’s Macaw and exploratory missions to find other unknown populations by RICHARD HAR TLEY Background The dwindling population of the Lear’s Macaw (Anodorhynchus leari) has caused alarm in conser vation circles, particularly among groups concerned with the global well-being of psittacids. The gravity of the situation has galvanised conservation NGOs and government agencies to enact programs that assur e the continued protection of the known populations in the region known as the Ser tao in the Brazilian state of Bahia. Most of the attention has been focused on the population of appr oximately 119 Lear’s near the town of Canudos. A permanent staf f member of IBAMA, the federal government’s environmental protection wing, has been installed in the region and the planting of the licuri palm (Syagrus cor onata), whose nut serves as the primar y food source for the macaws, has recommenced. An agronomist has been contracted to oversee the transplanting of the palms. Supervision of the pr oject rests in the hands of the National Lear ’s Committee with Fundacao Biodiversitas The team enter ed this dirt r oad near Petrolina and travelled on it for four hours, acting as the non-governmental caretaker. leading them to the site of the Lear ’s Photo: Gil Serique Informants in the area, however, the Canudos population. This concentrate its protection specialised ecotourism pr ogram have alerted Fundacao BioBrasil area contains some of the most effor ts on the 30 birds in the that offers as a guaranteed newly discovered population. attraction one of the world’ s to the potential of further preser ved Caatinga vegetation, This would entail the significant populations of these typical Lear’s habitat, and there rarest parrots. BioBrasil’s constr uction of lodging for successful ecotourism efforts macaws. A population of 30 has is a strong likelihood that guards contracted to pr otect the been confirmed in a pr eviously additional populations of birds with the Hyacinth Macaw in the birds and the installation of a state of Piaui, where over 60 undocumented ar ea, east of live in the immediate vicinity. short wave radio system for Canudos. Rumours, Hyacinths are lur ed to one spot daily contact between the site for observation fr om a hide less corroborated by physical and BioBrasil’s pr esident in evidence (the remains of the Plan of Action than 15 meters away, were Salvador, Pedro Lima. Trapping inaugurated last year. Small shredded palm nuts) point to BioBrasil Foundation has activity would be immediately the strong possibility of a r ustic lodges have been embarked on a two-pronged relayed to Dr. Lima who in turn constr ucted as accommodation population of 50 birds in the strategy aimed at protecting would infor m IBAMA. and two birding groups from the western Sertao and an existing known populations and United States have alr eady unspecified number in Bahia’ s launching a vigorous search in A team from BioBrasil is due to undertake an expeditionar y field visited the site. The idea would neighbouring state of the field for new populations. be to r eplicate that experience Pernambuco to the north. research trip to an ar ea west of The 120 birds in the Canudos Canudos where strong evidence in the areas with Lear’s The confirmed newly discover ed area ar e curr ently the exclusive of the bird’s pr esence exists. populations. population is still extremely target for conser vation by the Spearheading the research will The success of such an vulnerable to trappers given that National Lear’s Committee. The be Dr. Lima who will be endeavour would ensure the all official efforts are focused on foundation intends, ther efore, to accompanied by Luiz Carlos self-sustainability of the Lear ’s Lima (no relation to Pedro), a protection ef forts and thereby reformed trapper and BioBrasil embody the principles consultant whose inside underlying BioBrasil’s mission in information is pivotal to the environmental pr otection. success of the project. Mr. C. Lima is consider ed to harbour extensive knowledge about and Budget contacts in the bird trade but is Construction of lodging for keen to share this knowledge Guards in new locality: US$ 1000 with the foundation for the sake of the bird’s conser vation and Two expeditionary trips to find improvement of his image. new populations (car r ental, gas, and miscellaneous costs for Long Term Outlook food etc): US$ 2500 Purchase of two short wave Once more populations of Lear’s radios and solar panel:US$ 2500 Macaw are found and subsequently protected, Total funds solicited US$ 6000 Bahia, Northeast Brazil: Lear’s nesting sites. Photo: Roland Seitre BioBrasil plans to implement a (alr eady funded by WPT)

5 LEAR’S MACAW (Anodorhynchus leari) by ROLAND SEITRE The story of Lear’s Macaw has been one of the great ornithological mysteries. First painted from a captive bird by the famous British illustrator Edward Lear, the species was described a few years later (in 1858) by Charles Lucien Bonaparte, Napoleon’s nephew. The scientist had recognised, from Lear’s painting and from a specimen at the Museum d’Histoire Natur elle in Paris, a different bird from the regular (in those times) Hyacinth and Glaucous Macaws. All these birds were coming through the trade and, if the origins of Glaucous and Hyacinth were rather clear, that of Lear’s was a total mystery. The unusual bir d appeared from time to time in a shipment of blue parrots from Brazil and that was it. The situation remained the same months but got stuck because of during all the 19th and most of the war. After five years in South the 20th century, except that America, he could not come back A group of Lear’s Macaws at one of the ‘new’ locations. Photo: Pedro Lima Glaucous Macaw, in the meantime, any more, in love with fabulous mor e to inform you about in became extinct. Brazil had then Brazil, its diverse flora and 1600 Accounting the Febr uary 1999 PsittaScene. been reasonably explored and it species of birds. He stayed there Responsibility for accounting was unbelievable, at least thinking all his life. and monthly pr ogress reports from outside this country, that Fascinating such a large, vocal and He joined, as a naturalist, the first is entir ely in the hands of expedition to cross Central Brazil BioBrasil Foundation. In conspicuous bird, as macaws are history generally known to be, could have from Amazonia to the Cerrado, by addition, following completion the Roncador-Xingu-Tapajos river of the expeditionar y trip We have had the good fortune remained unfound. Therefore, it was either suggested that the Systems. It was quite an occur ring this week, BioBrasil to r eceive some photographs adventure from deep swampy of Lear’s Macaw fr om Roland ‘species’ was made of aberrant will pr ovide photographs and birds or, eventually, that they jungles to the forested savannahs first hand accounts and and Julia Seitre, distinguished of the high plateau. He also wildlife photographers, were only hybrids between recommendations of future Glaucous and Hyacinths. An accomplished other expeditions. strategies fr om the trip’s conservationists, and Wildlife, in those times, was veterinarians. It is their shot ornithologist had already been participants. looking for the unknown blue bird abundant and, as far as blue To add to this good news, we on the front cover of this since 1954. This hybrid theory, macaws were concerned, can say that a fur ther PsittaScene. They also sent us printed in 1965, only stimulated Hyacinths were often to be seen. expedition, funded by a new a most inter esting article him as he could not believe it for Gradually, Helmut Sick got donation fr om World Par rot describing some of the histor y a second. His name, Helmut Sick, himself involved in tracking the Trust UK, is about to explore of Lear’s Macaw and its will be attached to the story of Lear’s especially after 1950, when an area in Per nambuco, the discovery by Professor Helmut the Lear’s forever. Prof. Sick another famous Brazilian state just nor th of Bahia. Sick. Although written in studied ornithology in the Berlin ornithologist told him he had Ther e have been strong 1992, this article is a useful Museum with Prof Str esemann found a pet specimen in a fazenda r eports of further populations addition to these notes on this and was sent to Brazil in 1939 to of Pernambucco state. But this there, and we expect to have critically endanger ed macaw. look for Crax blumenbachii, the bird had apparently been bought curassow of the Atlantic forest in Bahia. Other information was and for a ground cuckoo collected and analysed: an restricted to Espiritu Santo. He aviculturist of Treresopolis had a was supposed to stay only three live bird he claimed being from

Lear’s feed off the palm right in front this house, despite the fact that ther e ar e six children running around. Photo: Gil Serique Prof. Helmut Sick Photo: Roland Seitr e

6 WHAT FUTURE FOR LEAR’S MACAW? We have some notes from Dr. Charles A. Munn, the leading authority on macaws in the wild. He writes as follows: ‘There are between 100 and 200 confirmed sightings of Lear’s Macaw in the wild. The main thr eat to the survival of this species is continual illegal trapping from the location of the first known population at Toca cliffs. This is a vulnerable site, and many Lear’s macaws have been netted over the past two or three years and sent to Rio or Sao Paulo for specialist Lear’s Macaw in flight. Photo: Roland Seitr e collectors. Some birds are Amazonia, in the Rio Negro it. This is a common attitude palm trees are said to be traded on to international region; in Joazeiro, a bor der city among natives in macaw’s necessary for each bird which also destinations. The second, more between the states of Piaui and country. Boosted by this finding, feed on numerous fr uits of trees remote population has also been Bahia, ‘black’ macaws coming the team found the energy to and shrubs. Bird distribution raided, and climbing ropes have from the north or the south were continue and was rewar ded on certainly used to be much wider, been found there. sometimes sold. Nevertheless, all 31st December, by the sight of a as indicated by their presence To take control of this situation this was quite puzzling due to the few birds flying. For the first time forty years ago on the other side and ensure the survival of the confusion with Hyacinths and ever, ornithologists had seen the of the Rio Sao Francisco, in macaw, we need to pursue two even Spix’s. bird in the wild and the locality of Pernambucco. It is also difficult to priorities: understand why they were not the rare bird had been discover ed. First, work co-operatively to Prof Sick decided to explore this A mystery had been unfolded found in other parts of the range immense region of Nor th-East make sure the macaws are after more than 120 years of of the licuri palm, which is huge, effectively guarded. Brazil, still a large ‘white spot’ on puzzling. basically from the Nordeste states the vast ornithological map, as no down to Minas Cerais. Although It is high time the various one had ever collected there. This Contrary to what might have been deforestation has been very interested parties resolved their is a place of extreme pover ty, very said or written, this was not a severe, licuris are usually kept in differ ences and set about different from the general image ‘rediscovery’, but a genuine the pastur es as shade for cattle providing reliable and co- of Brazil, with few roads or tracks. ‘discovery’. For the scientist, it and eventually food for humans. ordinated guarding for all Lear’s The land is dry and holds a short, also initiated an intellectual fight Therefore, plenty of feeding populations. bushy and thorny vegetation. that was to end only with its own habitat appears to be left but Second, put in hand essential Trees grow only in dry river beds. life: to prove his finding he had to maybe not as many nesting sites, biological studies. Rains can be totally absent for shoot one of these birds, an act although stone cliffs are not so Knowledge is strength, and we months or even years. People which the scientist in him rare either. speak a basic Portuguese and understood but which the are woefully short of the have suffered deeply from civil conservationist and extr emely Hunting was also a problem but essential information about all wars, revolutionaries and bandits life-attached man he had always now that the bird is a state biological aspects of Lear’s up to the 20th century. Moreover, been deeply abhored. All the monument, people are aware of Macaw, for example: nesting the Sertao has been a place of same, he had to publish the its rarity and proud of it. ecology, ranging patterns, food chronic famine at all times. locality of the collection but then Unfortunately, so far numbers do requirements, population this was vital information for the not appear to have risen and dynamics. If we could secure Five expeditions lead by Prof. Sick genetic abnormality such as this information we would be explored localities where blue poachers. Only a few tens of birds better able to evaluate were found. Not only was it time crooked bills or tails have been macaws had been reported. On reported as a consequence of management techniques, such (maybe already too late!) to locate as those employed with the Echo some occasions, Hyacinths were the colony, but it was then very inbreeding. In captivity, about 15 found, nesting in rock cavities birds are legally kept but most are Parakeet in Mauritius, that among cliffs. The last expedition, urgent to give it local protection might help accelerate rapidly enforced by local very old and captive breeding has during summer l978-l979, was the been very poor so far. Ther efore, recruitment to the threatened most tenuous. At the height of the authorities in the Reserva do Raso and dwindling population of da Catarina. maintaining the free population is warm and dr y season, in the more than essential. Prof. Helmut Lear ’s Macaw. suffocating heat, lacking water Today the population is estimated Sick left us in 1991, just as the I have high hopes that the new and almost stuck in the sand, to number about 60 birds divided English version of his excellent Committee for the Preservation Prof. Sick and his companions into two colonies which inhabit book on the birds of Brazil was of Lear’s Macaw, under its were offered by a hunter, on 29th large sandstone cliffs where they ready for printing. This will also chairman Luiz Francisco December, a few feathers. The roost every night, away from keep his name for posterity but Sanfilippo, will have the wisdom unmistakable blue colour of these pr edators Arriving at dusk, they no doubt that he would be more and determination to use all was the first authentic proof that leave at dawn and their raucous satisfied to know that the bird to available resources and skills to the species still existed in the calls echo among the stones. which he dedicated most of his save this remarkable bird from wild, and in this region of Brazil. Their main diet consists of the life still roams and will keep on extinction.’ The man said he had killed the small nuts of the licuri palm roaming free in the vast expanses Charlie Munn bird only few weeks earlier to eat (Syagrus cor onata). 450 producing of North-East Brazil.

7 In s p i r a t i o n a l

Paul Butler - he always walks away with Speakers in Ten e r i f e the “best speaker” award. Photo: R. Low Rosemary Low reports on the 4th International Parrot Convention

EVERY four years there is a gathering of importance which dwarfs all which is devoted totally to free- others in the parrot world - the convention hosted by Loro Parque. It range cattle ranching. The brings together parr ot enthusiasts from all over the world. In September estimated wild population is of the fourth meeting in the series was attended by 750 people from 36 only 50 to 100 birds. There are countries - a truly inter national affair. They gathered to enjoy the five different sites, each with a unparalleled collection at Loro Parque, the company of like-minded population of fewer than 20 birds. enthusiasts (especially during the excellent social programme), and of The macaws live in scattered course, to listen to the papers presented by experts in their field. forest islands which are Twenty speakers from 12 countries read papers on aviculture, veterinary surrounded by seasonally flooded medicine, field work and conservation. savannah. In this report I will not describe The only hope for the macaw’s the papers on avicultural subjects survival is co-operation by the farmers who own the land. In Mar c Boussekey spoke on the Red- as most of the authors have vented Cockatoo. Photo: R. Low alr eady published articles which October 1997 an agreement was describe their topics in various made with them, to help protect cages connected by a long welded magazines. Here I will give credit the species. However, too much mesh tunnel. to the work of those researchers publicity could be detrimental to As soon as a pair starts to show who ar e involved with endangered the macaw’s sur vival, so local nesting behaviour the pair is shut species. All confined themselves people are educated and asked to in a small outdoor aviary. In 1997 to the single species with which watch over all the fauna in the two pairs laid five fertile eggs, they work. area. Illegal trapping is the main three of which hatched. At the threat to the macaw. Alan Hesse end of the breeding season, the Especially memorable was the told me that steps are curr ently paper by Niels Krabbe of the being taken to make sure that birds were housed together again. Ecuador and Zoology Museum of confiscated birds will not re-enter Armin Br ockner from Germany the University of Copenhagen. He the illegal trade. Contrary to spoke on a species which is spoke on the status and The critically endangered Yellow- earlier opinion, there is no unknown in aviculture, the Rusty- conservation of the Yellow-ear ed eared Conur e. evidence that it was loss of faced Parrot (Hapalopsittaca Conure (Ognor hynchus icterotis) . decline. A confiding species, it habitat which caused the amazonina). Found in the Andes, One of the least known of roosts communally, rendering it catastrophic decline. it is believed to be one of the neotropical parrots, it was vulnerable to persecution. Most most endangered of neotropical for merly widespread in Colombia A proposal will shortly be made to families near a traditional roost in the director general of parrots. Recent research indicates and western Ecuador. At least four Ecuador had shot these conures that this species is, in fact, three populations existed until recently, Biodiversidad to pass a law which for food. Despite this, the birds would result in the prosecution of species. It is feared that one of but two of these are now believed continue to use traditional roosts, them (H.fuertesi) has recently to be extinct. The remaining two anyone holding CITES 1 species in typically a wax palm with an Bolivia, except those birds already become extinct in the wild. All the have undergone a severe decline extensive view. identified (by micro-chipping or Hapalopsittaca parrots are rar e or and curr ently may number no extremely rare and occur in very more than 24 and 19 birds. At the end of his presentation Mr closed ringing) as being legally Krabbe showed a short film of held. This lar ge conure is closely Yellow-eared Conures in a wax Marc Boussekey from the zoo of associated with wax palms, using palm. It brought a lump to my St Martin-la-Plaine in France is a them for roosting and nesting. throat - knowing that I was speaker who always holds the Earlier reports that it feeds on the looking at a species which may be audience’s attention. His work fruits were appar ently incorrect. extinct in a few years. with the endangered Red-vented Its food includes various seeds Alan Hesse (of dual British and Cockatoo in the Philippines is and flowers. The frequent widely known and has been movements of the small flocks French nationality) who is based in Bolivia, works with the featured in these pages on several between different valleys during occasions. In Tenerife he spoke the year make this a difficult endangered Blue-throated Macaw (Ara glaucogularis). It was almost also of the experimental colony species to study. unknown in the wild until 1992 breeding aviary for this cockatoo According to Niels Krabbe, unlike when a small population was which was constructed at the zoo most birds thr eatened with discovered by Charles Munn. This in 1997. It is a huge enclosure extinction, loss of habitat may not macaw is found in an area of only built over ten outdoor aviaries be the primary cause of its 7,000 sq miles (18,000 sq km) which communicate to ten indoor Armin Br ockner Photo: R. Low

8 million hectares of forest were burnt during the drought of 1982/83. Mr Lambert said that in the long-term, the establishment of new protected areas, and better management of existing ones, will provide a sound basis for the conservation of Indonesia’s parrots. But one wonders how many species will be lost before this occurs. As part of a full pr ogramme of social events, those attending the convention were Dr Frank Lambert - senior conservation Participants at this meeting were treated to a trip around Tenerife on the ferry Banaderos. Photo: R. Low adviser for BirdLife’s Indonesia fortunate to be able to listen to Parrot Tr ust’s Carolina Medal for insecticide and changed every Programme Photo: R. Low two of the most charismatic isolated regions. Widespr ead people in bird conservation. conser vation and a founder and three days. Early interception destruction of habitat is the main director of the Mauritius occurs should the nest show Coincidentally, both are British: Wildlife Foundation) deserves signs of failure, resulting in the threat to their existence. Carl Jones and Paul Butler. Paul is special mention. He has been removal of eggs for hatching or Dr Frank Lambert is an a very har d act to follow. It is a working with the Echo Parakeet chicks for hand-rearing. internationally recognised foregone conclusion that the “best and other critically endangered Alternatively, chicks are placed ecologist specialising in tropical speaker” vote (a feature of this birds on Mauritius since 1979. in the nest of a pair incubating ornithology. He currently works convention) will go to him. He The Echo population had at that infertile eggs. This has been for BirdLife International as senior holds the audience spellbound time crashed to only three successfully carried out with conservation advisor for the with a mixture of wit, enthusiasm known pairs. Today there ar e in chicks of six and seven days. and dynamic personality. As Indonesia and Asia Programme. the region of one hundred Echo In his paper on Information and He spoke on conservation director of RARE Centr e he re- Parakeets. priorities for parrots in Indonesia. created his campaign on the Ignorance concerning the Hours of observation have world’s parrots, Dr Nigel Collar Seventy seven species occur islands of St Vincent and there, including some of the least Dominica, with the endangered revealed that the breeding unit commented on “the highly known in the world (eg, Black- parrots there, and has gone on to consists of one female with up depauperate state of biological lored Parrot and Wallace’s Hanging repeat his innovative work in nine to three males; the additional knowledge of parrots at the end Parrot). There are 14 threatened more Caribbean countries and, males are subservient. Eggs ar e of the twentieth century”. He species - all endemic. Trade and more r ecently, in the Pacific. laid between September and said the reasons were that these December in r elatively large birds are slow-breeding (slow to habitat loss have caused their Paul created the concept that tree cavities. Clutch size is decline. In much of Indonesia, conservation can be fun. He and generate data), wide-ranging normally one to three. At (dif ficult to follow, to study most areas outside of protected his team go to the schools hatching chicks weigh 8.5g to forests have been logged or are dressed as the rare parrot (or them), unpredictable, 11g. They grow to a peak of nonter ritorial (difficult to due to be logged in the next ten other species), give out badges about 170g at about 45 days years. and posters and find countless identify individually) and highly and fledge at about 63 days, cr yptic when perched (most of One of the threatened forms is ways of generating national pride weighing approximately 150g. in the flagship species. the day). “Par rots behave in a the Citron-crested Cockatoo from Usually one or two young way that is calculated to defy Sumba. Mr Lambert mentioned Paul Butler uses song and dance fledge. the scientific investigator and that in the recently published to bring home his message. Those Nesting success of non-managed they represent everything that Species Action Plan for Yellow- attending the convention heard birds is poor; only half or less is anathema to the fast-track crested Cockatoo (PHPA/BirdLife snatches of typical songs, some of than half of pairs which lay academic resear ch study.” 1998) taxonomic investigation them composed and sung by eggs fledge young. Chicks have was recommended as a priority. It leading rap or rock artists. Paul been taken by rats, killed by This reminder should have may be that the Citron-crested provides a conservation manual tropical nest fly larvae and by made us even more indebted to Cockatoo is sufficiently distinct to (Pr omoting Protection through heavy rain flooding the nest those individuals who shared warrant treatment as a separate Pride) so that local counterparts cavity. Therefor e intensive their often hard-won knowledge. species. In this case, both it and throughout the world can follow management has been It was a privilege to listen to the Lesser Sulphur-crest would be his highly successful education necessary to ensure increased people who have made such a considered threatened. A recently- programme. A fictitious target survival rates. This includes positive and personal declared national park should species is featured in a number of enhancing or modifying existing contribution in the sphere of help to protect the Citron-cr est. sample exercises. (Conservation nest sites. Nest linings are bird conservation. However, in Indonesia (as workers can obtain this through treated with fungicide and elsewhere) even national parks RARE Center for Tropical have been logged! Reduced Conser vation in Philadelphia). populations of parrots survive in logged areas, but the main Fifteen or 20 years ago the problem is that the large trees are outlook for most of the parrots of selectively removed, leaving the the Caribbean was “very bleak”. One researcher said that the St larger parrots without nesting Lucia Parrot would be extinct by sites. Another problem is that logged forests are mor e the year 2000. If Paul Butler had susceptible to fire. There are not gone to St Lucia in 1977 as a massive and widespread fires in member of a research expedition many parts of the archipelago, not that researcher might have been only in Borneo where the fires right. Paul stayed - and made headlines throughout the revolutionised conservation world this year. Yet this is nothing education. new. In Borneo, at least 4.5 Carl Jones (winner of the World Carl Jones with a valued member of his team - Kirsty Swinnerton Photo: R. Low

9 The Conserva t i o n Status of African Parrot s Part 2 Ð Lovebirds and Psittacula Parakeets by ROGER WILKINSON (Photographs by ROSEMARY LOW) Grey-headed Lovebir d or for Madagascar at 3500 birds. Madagascar Lovebir d Although apparently still Agapornis cana common it would be prudent to The Gr ey-headed Lovebird is monitor whether this regular endemic to Madagascar . harvest is having any effect on Forshaw (1989) indicates these population levels. lovebir ds have also been intr oduced to Mauritius, Red-faced Lovebird or Rodrigues, Comor o Islands, Red-headed Lovebird Mahe in the Seychelles, Zanzibar Agapornis pullaria The Red-faced Lovebird is and Mafia Islands. Mor e recently Black-winged or Abyssinian lovebird. Dowsett and Dowsett-Lemair e widespread but often patchily distributed in moist savannah Photo taken by kind permission of R. Low (1993) have r ejected some of & R.& V. Moat fr om Parrots in Aviculture these records indicating and secondar y forest in Sierra established introductions only Leone, Ivory Coast, all countries Ethiopia for 1995 to 1997 but in the Seychelles and the from Ghana to Camer oon then the species is trapped for local Comoros (see also Dowsett and south to Angola and east to Red-faced Lovebirds markets and does appear in Forbes- W atson 1993). Uganda and Tanzania. It also termite nests and terrestrial inter national trade. Both Collar occurs in Ethiopia. Red-faced termite mounds the Red-faced and (1997) Juniper and Par r On Madagascar Grey-headed Lovebirds are generally frequent Lovebird is biologically (1998) note that Black-winged Lovebirds ar e found over much and locally abundant in Congo interesting but appears not to be Lovebir ds are regarded as minor of the island but ar e absent and Ethiopia but may be of immediate conservation crop pests and may become from the central plateau, rare in uncommon elsewhere. Grimes concern. However with its targets for chemical sprays used the east and commonest near (1987) reports this lovebird to patchy and localised against bird pests. This was also the coast (Juniper and Par r be now uncommon in Ghana distribution any information on noted for Yellow-fronted Par rots. 1998). The nominate Agapornis whereas last century it was areas of occur rence and Being a restricted range species c. cana occurs commonly over common in coastal villages. population sizes, especially it would be useful to have much of the island intergrading Similarly it is noted as from those countries where it estimates of the current with the darker A. c. ablectanea uncommon in Nigeria (Elgood et continues to be traded or has distribution and population size which occurs in the arid south- al 1994). Two subspecies are recently declined, would for m a of Black-winged Lovebirds to west. recognised (White 1970, Fry et al useful baseline against which assist future monitoring. 1988) with the eastern A. p. any future changes could be Surveys of this species may be The 1997, 1996 and 1995 expor t ugandae having a paler rump. quotas for A. cana were each set assessed. conducted together with those for Yellow-fronted Parrots. Although no exports were listed Black-winged Lovebird for 1989 or 1990 some 2000 Agapornis taranta Black-collared Lovebird Red-faced Lovebirds were The Black-winged Lovebird is Agapornis swinder niana reported to be exported from endemic to highland Ethiopia The main populations of Black- Tanzania between 1983 and collared Lovebirds occur in 1988 (Edwards and Broad 1992). including the Rift Valley. It is reported to be frequent to primary and secondary The annual export quotas for rainforests from Camer oon and Togo for 1995, 1996 and 1997 common from 1800-3800 m in Olive, Juniperus and Podocarpus Gabon east through Congo and were set at 1000 bir ds. In forest, sharing its range with the Zaire to extreme west Uganda. Nigeria where field r ecords are more restricted Yellow-fr onted This distribution includes A. s. not numerous caged birds are Parrot Poicephalus flavifr ons. zenkeri and the eastern A. s. surprisingly offered for sale in Black-winged Lovebirds are emini both of which have red main towns (Elgood et al 1994). uncommon in lower altitude suffusion (stronger in zenkeri) There is no official inter national behind the black collar of the trade from Nigeria. grasslands and ar e rarely found below 1400 m. Trade levels ar e nape in contrast to this ar ea Because of its behaviour of uncertain. None are listed under being buffy yellow in A. s. Gr ey-headed or Madagascar Lovebird nesting in arboreal ant and the CITES export quotas for swinder niana. The status of

10 Black-collared Lovebirds is Juniper and Parr (1998) suggest sufficient concern to sometimes considered incompletely known but they Yellow-collared Lovebirds may recommend a ban on expor ts conspecific (see next account) it are considered frequent in be declining in numbers as a from Tanzania and merited the is lar gely restricted to ar eas of Gabon, eastern Zaire and result of over exploitation for bir ds inclusion as “near- Colophospermum mopane Uganda (Fry et al 1988). The the wild bird trade. threatened” in Birds to Watch 2 woodland, avoiding the moister nominate A. s. swinderniana is Feral populations of these and (Inskipp and Corrigan 1992, adjacent Brachystegia woodland. restricted to three isolated Fischer ’s Lovebirds have existed cited in Rosser and Milliken Loss of habitat, as for example pockets in West Africa; for over fifty years in Dar es 1995, Collar et al 1994). in the Kariba basin is pr obably knowledge of population sizes Salaam, Tanga and Mombasa. Recent sur veys (Moyer 1995) resulting in an overall and the status of this subspecies More recently East African indicate that there has been no diminution in this species range and its forest habitats in Liberia, aviculturists are reported to range r eduction but that and numbers (Juniper and Par r Ivory Coast and Ghana is have released hundreds of perhaps only ca 50,000 sq km of 1998). Fr y et al (1988) note that needed. Thiollay (1985) in his captive-bred hybrids into the its 136,000 sq km range may although some populations ar e review of the birds of the Ivor y wild; the feral lovebirds, offer suitable habitat. There has locally ver y abundant that Nyasa Coast records Black-collar ed estimated at Lake Naivasha as however been a drastic Lovebir ds are popular as cage- Lovebirds in Tai National Park over 6000 bir ds in 1986, now reduction in population as bir ds and their numbers can be (seen twice!) and notes “may seriously compete with native evidenced by low densities drastically reduced by trapping. also be on Nimba”. hole nesting birds. Although outside pr otected areas and Collar (1997) also considers that some of the lovebirds at Lake some incursions into pr otected overall the species total Rosy-faced Lovebird or numbers ar e not large and the Peach-faced Lovebir d Naivasha appear to be nearly areas by illegal trappers. The pure personatus most of them total population is now population is susceptible to Agapornis r oseicollis trapping. Rosy-faced Lovebir ds are found are hybrid (Zimmer man et al estimated at about 290,000 - in dry woodland and sub-deser t 1996). Hybridisation may in the 1,000,000, perhaps a tenth of its The 1997 CITES expor t quota for from south west Angola south future pose a greater threat to historical population (Moyer Nyasa Lovebirds was set for through Namibia and into South wild lovebirds than did the 1995). Mozambique at 100 “ranched” previous trade. This would Africa. The Angolan subspecies Pr ovided that the approximately specimens. As noted earlier A. r. catumbella is smaller and deserve serious study with the when discussing the licensing of aim of producing 100,000 Fischer ’s Lovebirds in more brightly coloured than the protected reserves r emain trade in “ranched” Br own-headed nominate form. These lovebirds recommendations for Parrots Poicephalus management if this was adequately pr otected Agapornis nest colonially and r oost in the fischeri is in no danger of cryptoxanthus fr om Mozambique communal nests of Sociable determined to be desirable or this new development for trade feasible. extinction. Sustainable Weavers Philetairus socius and harvesting may be consider ed in wild-taken parrots deser ves White-browed Spar row W eavers Fischer’s Lovebird after 2001 if the pr esent trade further investigation. Trade Plocepasser mahali; as well as in Agapornis fischeri moratorium results in should continue to be holes including those in walls Fischer’s Lovebird is another population r ecovery. Moyer monitored. and the eaves of buildings, even East African restricted range (1995) suggests this will requir e Black-cheeked Lovebir d in large towns. Ther e is a feral endemic centred in Tanzania but further research into the population of Rosy-faced Agapornis nigrigenis with an apparently recent ecology, population biology and The Black-cheeked Lovebir d is Lovebirds on the Cape expansion west into Rwanda and distribution of A. fischeri in Peninsula, South Africa. Rosy- endemic or near-endemic to Burundi (Fry et al 1988). Feral order to determine captur e souther n Zambia where it is faced Lovebirds are reported to populations often hybridising quotas as well as periodic be locally common and, near restricted to Colophosper mum with Yellow-collared Lovebirds monitoring of population levels. mopane woodland. Fr y et al water, even abundant (Fry et al Agapornis personatus occur in a 1988). Nyasa Lovebird (1988) also include Zimbabwe number of locations including (Victoria Falls) and north-east Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Mombasa, Agapor nis lilianae Yellow-collar ed Lovebird or The Nyasa Lovebird occurs as Namibia within this species Masked Lovebird Nairobi, Athi River, Naivasha and range. Dowsett and Forbes- Isiolo. isolated populations in souther n Agapornis personatus Malawi, Zambia and nor thern Watson (1993) regard the Black- This is an East African endemic Reported relatively recently as Zimbabwe (Fry et al 1988) and is cheeked Lovebir d as a Zambian naturally restricted to central common, often abundant (Fr y et also r ecorded for Tanzania and endemic with the species now Tanzania but with feral and al 1988) the volume of trade in Mozambique (Dowsett and locally extinct in Zimbabwe and hybrid populations elsewhere in A. fischeri (averaging over 5000 Forbes-Watson 1993). Like the previous r eports from Namibia Tanzania and also in Kenya. per year in recor ded exports closely r elated Black-cheeked and Botswana r equiring Yellow-collared Lovebir ds are from 1983-1990) caused Lovebird, with which it is confirmation. Dodman (1995) locally common in central Tanzania from wher e they have been trapped for export since the 1920s. Over 5000 A. personatus were reported as exported from Tanzania in 1983 but only 700 from then until 1990 (Edwards and Broad 1992). Although this species was banned from trade in 1991 by the Tanzanian authorities some 112 were exported from Dar es Salaam in 1994 (Rosser and Milliken 1995). Fischer’s Lovebirds Black-cheeked Lovebirds

11 Black-cheeked Lovebir ds were frequent to abundant over most pr eviously heavily trapped for of their range and are found in a Acknowledgements the inter national trade with wide range of habitats. Flocks of I am particularly grateful to for example 16,000 caught hundreds or sometimes Mike Perrin for information on over four weeks in 1929 thousands may concentrate at current studies of par rots (Moreau 1948). Pr esently food sources including cr ops of supervised fr om the Research trapping is small scale and sorghum, millet and lentils. Centre for African Parrot only for local consumption The 1995 export quota for Conservation, University of (Dodman 1995) and would not Senegal was for 12,000 Natal, Stuart Taylor for pr esently appear to endanger individuals but those for 1996 information on Br own-headed this species. Louise Warbur ton and 1997 were each raised to Parrots, Clive Barlow for is curr ently r esearching the 25,000 birds. Although the information on parrots in The biology of Black-cheeked effect of this trade is unknown Gambia, Eric Hilton for r eports Lovebirds with the aim of given that this is a common pest on Yellow-faced Par rots in examining the feasibility of of cultivated crops it would be Ethiopia, Nigel Collar for sustainable har vesting (Perrin prepublication accounts for all African Ringneck, male unrealistic to oppose it on 1996). Studies of the biology conservation grounds. African Parrots and Phil suggests that between of this lovebird should be Nonetheless any information on McGowan for pr epublication February and June, Black- suppor ted in that information trade and its effects on local material from the Global Parrot cheeked Lovebir ds may spread gained would be useful should populations would be Action Plan. more widely in search of conser vation management be informative. ripening millet and sor ghum required in the future. possibly then visiting the However I have serious Echo Parakeet, Mauritius References Caprivi region of Namibia. Fr y r eservations about using this Parakeet or Mascarene These references are additional et al (1988) consider the infor mation to support Parakeet Psittacula echo to the composite list appended species to be local and international trade. Because of (Psittacula eques) to Par t 1. uncommon within its limited its small range and population Critically endangered (Collar and Stuart 1985, Collar et al 1994), Barlow, C, Wacher, T. and Disley, range and in the dr y season the Black-cheeked Lovebir d is T. (1997). A Field Guide to the the lovebirds wer e only the only mainland African the Echo Parakeet is endemic to Mauritius wher e it survives as a Birds of the Gambia and Senegal. observed close to rivers par rot included as endanger ed Sussex, U. K.: Pica Press. (Dodman 1995). The Black- or rar e in Birdlife/IUCN lists of tiny population in the upland cheeked Lovebird’s total range thr eatened birds (Collar et al forest in the south west of the Clancey, P. A. (1979). was pr eviously estimated as 1994, Collar and Stuart 1985). island. There is disagreement Miscellaneous taxonomic notes about 6,000 sq km (Collar and Black-cheeked Lovebir ds are over the relationship of the on African birds, 53-55. Durban Stuar t 1985) but more recent widely br ed in captivity and Mauritius population to the Mus. Novit. 12 (1): 1-17; (4): 1- surveys in south west Zambia relatively inexpensive. extinct Reunion form eques 46; (5): 47-61. suggest that although mopane Although heavily traded in the (Dowsett and Dowsett-Lemair e Gaymer, R., Blackman, R. A. A., woodland occupies some past ther e is no present thr eat 1993) but this debate is not Dawson, P. G., Penny, M. and 5,500 sq km the cor e area for from commercial trade and relevant to cur rent conservation Penny, M. C. (1969). The A. nigrigenis is only 2,500 sq reviving this trade, albeit for needs. endemic bir ds of Seychelles. Ibis km (Dodman 1995). The total sustainable yield, could itself From the 1970s to the middle 111:157-176. population is estimated at pr esent significant risks to 1980s the ten or so surviving Hilton, E. D. (1997). Ethiopia and about 10,000 with a nor thern this species sur vival. birds seemed to have little or no sub-population of about 3,800 the Yellow-faced Parr ot. The Ringneck or Rose-ringed breeding success (Collar and Parr ot Society Poicephalus and southern sub-population Stuart 1985, Jones 1987). of about 6,200 birds (Dodman Parakeet Psittacula krameri Section Newsletter 2 (4): 12-13. The Rose-ringed Parakeet is Suggested reasons for this loc.cit.). include habitat loss, hunting Jones, C. (1987). The larger land- widely distributed thr ough the birds of Mauritius. Pp 208 - 300 Some r ecent authors (e.g. Fr y savannah zone of sub-saharan pressures, competition from introduced bir ds (including in Diamond, A. W. (ed.) Studies et al 1988, Short et al 1990) Africa from Senegambia and of Mascarene Island Birds. treat nigrigenis as conspecific Guinea Bissau in the west Rose-ringed Parakeets Psittacula with lilianae but krameri), nest predation from Cambridge, U. K.: Cambridge thr ough Mali, Niger, Ivory University Press. morphological and ecological Coast, Ghana, Togo, Burkina introduced Crab-eating differences suggest these ar e Faso, Nigeria, Camer oon, Macaques Macaca fascicularis Lamber t, F., Wirth, R., Seal, U. S., better considered as full Chad, and the Central African and cyclones. Fr om about 1990 Thomsen, J. B. and Ellis-Joseph, species (Dowsett and Dowsett- Republic east through Sudan to 1997 the population S. (1992). Parrots. An Action Plan Lemair e 1980, 1993). Although to Uganda and northern increased from about 15 to for their Conservation and the Nyasa Lovebird is also Ethiopia. Most of this range is about 90 bir ds with thirteen Management. Draft 2. stenotopic in its association occupied by the nominate P. k. pairs then present in the wild Cambridge, U.K.: with Colophosper mum mopane krameri which intergrades (Greenwood 1997, Low 1997). ICBP/IUCN/CBSG/SSC Par rot the two allied species ar e with the eastern P. k. This recovery has been the Specialist Group. result of a concer ted pr esently kept apart by the parvir ostris of eastern Sudan Selman, R. and Hunter M. (1996). block of unsuitable miombo and Ethiopia. Intr oduced feral conservation pr ogramme, managed by Carl Jones, Ruppells Parrot - some early Brachystegia woodland populations of P. k. bor ealis results. PsittaScene 8 (4): 5. running along the Zambezi occur in Natal and of P. k. including captive breeding and escarpment. However ther e is manillensis in Egypt (Fr y et al release (Murray 1997). There can Shor t, L. L., Horne, J. F. M. and a possible thr eat of 1988). be no doubt that this Muringo-Gichuki, C. (1990). hybridisation with feral Nyasa programme should continue to ‘Annotated Check-list of the Lovebirds Agapornis lilianae These parakeets although retain priority funding and Birds of East Africa’. Proc. West. (Juniper and Parr 1998). popular as cage-birds remain support. Found. Vert. Zool. 4 (3), 61-246.

12 The ‘Pet Bird Re p o r t’ Convention by MICHAEL REYNOLDS The Pet Bird Repor t

This is my thir d attempt at writing a r eport on this convention, thousands of pet parr ots in many as 5 Million. Unlike this which took place in Oakland, Califor nia on 9th to 11th October 1998. America. publication PsittaScene, which is The reason why it’s difficult to get star ted is that I find myself That does not mean, however, not interested in carr ying looking thr ough copies of the ‘Pet Bird Report’ so that I can tr y to that there is any sense of adver tisements, the Pet Bird convey to r eaders the unique quality of this publication, and the complacency at PBR. On the Report carries many, for such organisation behind it. I then get caught up in r eading the ar ticles, contrary, there is a clear products as cages, toys, books, and two hours later I r ealise I’ve run out of time. So first let me tell understanding of the misery videos and other publications, you about the ‘Pet Bird Report’ (PBR) and its editor, Sally Blanchard, experienced by a substantial the services of behaviourists, and then we’ll get ar ound to the recent convention. percentage of pet or companion foods, bird breeders, lighting birds. At the PBR convention I etc. Especially interesting is The PBR is now subtitled ‘The outside the United States, but it the fact that every adver tised Companion Par rot Magazine’ and is well established as an was given the opportunity (as a member of a panel of speakers product must be specifically this describes it well. Owned important par t of keeping pet tested and approved by PBR. and edited by Sally Blanchar d, it parrots in the US. which included leading ‘parrot rescuers’ Julie Murad of the was launched eight years ago Sally Blanchard is the The articles and features cover a and has now r eached issue No. undisputed queen of Gabriel Foundation, Bonnie Kenk wide range of interests, and 41. In its 92 pages it covers a behaviourists, and anyone who of PEAC, and Sybil Erdin of recent subjects included: ‘Avian wide range of subjects likely to has heard her speak at a Oasis) to talk about the work of adolescence’, ‘Hyacinth Macaw be of inter est to its subscribers, the World Parrot Trust, and I Conservation’, ‘Aggression and convention or bird club meeting concentrated on our concer n for who now number in excess of will understand why. She really Parrots’, ‘Give your parrot a job’, 10000. The emphasis is on does have a total grasp of what the many poorly kept bir ds and ‘No more Perch Potatoes’, ‘Great- how to achieve successful par rot is going on in the complex and the need for ‘parr ot rescue’. billed Parr ots: breeding and pet ownership, wher e the pet bird fertile brains of those birds, and (See our edition of PsittaScene potential’, ‘Stalking the Wild and the pet owner both enjoy a her skills as a teacher enable her for May 1998). When I said that Amazons’, ‘Creative Par rot satisfactor y quality of life. No to put across her solutions in a for every knowledgeable par rot Keeping’. PBR also prints some stone is left unturned in pursuit manner full of impact, common owner in the US there must be a articles from PsittaScene, for of this ideal, and the sense, and humour. I am certain thousand who have little idea of example our May 1998 article cor nerstone of the process is the that Sally, together with her the needs of their bir d, I was suggesting ‘Guidelines for Parrot corr ect analysis of ‘parrot associated behaviourists and quickly corrected by the Rescue.’ audience and panel, who behaviour ’. This may be a new staff, has done a great deal to The PBR Convention was a great concept to some bir d keepers make life better for many thought that 10,000 or even 100,000 would be a more success, and I was especially accurate figure. struck by the friendly, enthusiastic and non-political It is sad to hear this, especially atmosphere. I am grateful to since the same statistics are Sally Blanchard for the likely to apply globally. All the opportunity to speak about the more reason why our new World aims of The World Par rot Trust, Parr ot Tr ust campaign ‘PARROTS which seemed to be well NEED HELP to survive in the accepted and understood by the wild, to thrive in our homes’ audience. With the help of should be supported and widely Yvette de Leon who set up our promoted in order to educate booth in the well suppor ted those who need to know much sales area, we signed up mor e more about par rots and their new members than at any other needs. convention. There is little doubt that the If you would like more 300+ delegates to the PBR information about the Pet Bird Convention are the elite of the Report, or to become a companion parrot world in the subscriber, visit their web site at: United States. They really car e, http://www.petbirdr eport.com. not only about their own birds, You could also write to: The but also about the rest of the Pet Bird Repor t, 2236 Mariner Sally Blanchard and her friend Spikey le Bec at the PBR Convention. parrots in the US, which wer e Square Drive, Number 35, Photo: The Amazona Society informally thought to number as Alameda CA 94501-1071, USA.

13 Visit to the Pantanal

Ar ea of Wes t e r n Brazil An eye-catching telephone kiosk in by HAROLD ARMITAGE Corumba Photo: H. Armitage Matto Grosso do Sul Following our trip to Peru my wife and I decided to go to the Pantanal ar ea of Western Brazil in order to Fazenda Alegria, which is quite see the Hyacinth Macaw (locally known as “arara azul”). W e first went to the Southern end - remote but extremely palatial, Corumba/Campo Grande/Miranda. It is possible to stay at a couple of expensive “pousadas” (countr y we asked through our guide hotels) in the area, the most costly being the “Caiman” or slightly cheaper the “Arara Azul” but this isn’ t about any facility used by Nieva our style or price bracket. Guedes. They knew Nieva and said she used to go there - but We contacted “Colibri Pantanal Safari”, a small tour/expedition fir m based in Corumba, and made some not recently. They knew nothing tentative arrangements explaining the situation and saying we wer e particularly interested in seeing the about any facility she had there. “arara azul”. They said ther e was absolutely no problem in this, how many did we want to see? W e had r ead of the work of Nieva Guedes. She was known to them; they would contact her . They quoted a price We then went to a satellite of $700 for a thr ee day expedition to include 4x4 tr uck, driver/cook, mechanic and English speaking ranch, the Fazenda Manduve. guide. All accommodation (tents, hammocks, bunkhouse, mosquito nets and food) was included. W e They lent us a cowboy who agreed to this. showed us a nest hole about ten miles fr om the ranch. There was After a surprisingly agr eeable Claudine during which was carved up into vast fazendas a metal tag on the tr ee and jour ney, we arrived in Corumba mentioned the schoolhouse at (ranches) mostly owned by climbing ropes were still to be met at the bus station by the Fazenda Alegria referred to absentee landlords. There are attached. We saw the owners of one of the “Colibris” and in magazine articles and on an roads and tracks to all parts, the hole. Magnificent they were, shepher ded to a cheap hotel Internet web page. She and some of them are elevated rising into the sky when they they had ar ranged for us. We several of the guides pr esent making them theoretically all- saw ‘us’. They were a richer blue then went to make our detailed stated positively that there was weather. The many bridges are even than that, trumpeting their ar rangements with them. no schoolhouse at the Fazenda in a poor state. In the wet alarm call, ARA ARA ARA Argh. It Alegria. After much discussion season the Paraguay river rises Nieva Guedes and her work is would be a dreadful thing if we decided to include the and inundates hundreds of they were lost. We also saw four well known to “Colibri” as they Alegria on our trip. square miles. The fazenda r egularly take tourists to the near the ranch house feeding on buildings ar e located on patches the ground, going through the ar ea where she works. They had The Pantanal is an almost level of high ground. Cattle is the already been in touch with alluvial plain; the natural cow dung for seeds. We saw game and many hundreds of innumerable other birds, Nieva. However, she now vegetation varies from scr ubby square miles of the Pantanal refused to enter tain us, the forest to marshland. The soil is crocodiles, anteaters, cats and have been destroyed to provide deer, to mention just a few. r eason given being that we extremely poor and water is grazing. The process continues. didn’t speak Portuguese (which never far below the surface. On Fire is the tool; in the dr y On the last day ther e was heavy she knew fr om the start). We most maps it appears as a blank season fir es are set to improve rain and the most violent then had a long discussion with space however in reality it is the grassland and destroy the thunderstorms I have ever forest. There is a resident experienced. We beat a hasty manager and dozens of cowboys retr eat to escape the rising employed at each fazenda all Paraguay river. On the way back dressed like John Wayne (minus we called at the Pousada Arara the gun but plus large knife a la Azul, where in fine weather, Crocodile Dundee!) there are many Hyacinth Macaws to be seen, also nest holes. The expedition was well However, due to the rain we saw or ganized, not strenuous, but only a bedraggled pair. Once not for wimps. Many of the again the management said roads wer e just parallel ruts; the Nieva used to call r egularly. She owners of the fazenda are had no facility there. When we extremely wealthy and usually returned to Corumba, Claudine have their own helicopter or telephoned Nieva. Nieva agreed light aircraft. We visited five that there was no facility at nest sites and saw in total 19 Fazenda Alegria. Claudine had Hyacinth Macaws, several done further research and said Greenwings, Amazons and lots she could take us to sites that Hyacinth Macaws obser ved by the Armitages in the Pantanal ar ea of western of smaller parrots. At the Brazil Photo: H. Ar mitage even Nieva did not know of.

14 In conclusion I would say that I persuaded to snatch a fish from am extremely concer ned about the end of a ten foot pole. Giant the “arara azul” in the wild. river otters tried to climb in the Their nest holes are perfectly boat with us to get the fish we easy to find (they are such a were hand feeding them with. I noisy bird). Some of the nest swear it’s all true! Elsewhere if sites are quite remote but some you see a giant river otter at two are next to major highways. All hundred yards you can count are easily accessible. At present yourself lucky. Bird life was no-one is looking after their incredibly abundant (although interests. The local people no “arara azul”). The dawn The back gate to Fazenda Alegria Photo: H. Armitage consider them, along with the chorus would waken the dead, Jabiru Stork, to be the insignia unless you’ve been drinking allowed to frater nise with the Restaurants/grills ar e also of the Pantanal. Indeed there are cacheça the night before, in public, both inside and spotless and ver y cheap. In “arara azul” telephone kiosks which case you’re probably outside the aviaries. There fact the place r eminds me of and 20ft (6m) murals in better off dead. wer e a couple of “arara azul” Germany in that respect. (It’s and although they wer e in fine best for first worlders to drink Corumba. However the concer n The next day as we arrived at seems to be more with the condition, I could not help but only bottled water , easily and the Pousada do Pantanieros. The compare them with those I cheaply available.) exploitation of the tourist first thing we saw was a gr oup potential than with the macaws’ had seen in the Pantanal. It Requir ed reading:- Lonely of “arara azul” feeding noisily in will be a sad day indeed if the conservation. The people with the trees right next to it. We Planet’s book on Brazil. the power are the wealthy air no longer resounds to their abandoned the rest of the group wild calls. Tour operators: landlords who own the Pantanal. and remained at the Pantanieros and spent the time watching Visiting the ¥ Colibi Pantanal Safari Matto Grosso them thr ough our telescope. We (Claudine), Rua Joaquim saw at least 15. The owner, who Pantanal Murtino 971, Corumba, We had discover ed on the Matto Gr osso do Sul, Brazil. Internet that the “arara azul” was loves them dearly, said he It’s no big deal to visit the thought there were 60-70 birds Tel/Fax (067)231-3934 Most also to be seen at the Pousada Pantanal yourself and no gr eat Eur opean languages spoken. do Pantanieros on the in all and nine nest holes (we expense. Travelling from Wales saw two of them) on his it cost us £1500 in total per US$700 for thr ee day private Transpantaniera Highway in the expedition. North of the Pantanal. property. They were extr emely person (four weeks). This wary and ignor ed the locals; we included the cost of our ¥ Joel Safari Tours (Joel Sousa) After our visit to Corumba we could obser ve them private expedition and all Hotel Presidente, A v. Getulio caught buses to the capital of satisfactorily only with our airfar es. Vargas 155A, 78005-600, C Matto Grosso, Cuiaba, which lies telescope. Brazil has a bad pr ess in the Cuiaba, Matto Grosso, Brazil. immediately to the north of the first world, much of it Tel/Fax (065)623-4696 / Pantanal. Ther e we intended to On the way back fr om the Pousada Arara we saw a gr oup undeserved. We travelled by (065)624-1386. English is contact Joel Sousa, another bus. The buses are superb, as spoken. US$166 per person Pantanal tour operator. We of six in a tree right next to the road. They were extr emely bold, good or better than UK buses, for standard thr ee day needn’t have bothered! He found new, spotlessly clean, and well excursion, ever ything us within thirty seconds of our as interested in us as we wer e in them. They sat in the tree driven. They leave pr ecisely included. setting foot in the hotel. In ten on time. The main r oads are minutes we were booked on a eyeing us with beady eye, I found both of theses chor tling and gurgling to one excellent for example the main operators r eally excellent and standard trip which covered the road fr om Sao Paulo is a places we wanted to visit. Ther e another. When we left them, a tr emendous value for money. couple pursued the bus sixteen lane highway. Hotels were four other tourists with us. are good and cheap and On the other hand you can We travelled in a VW “combi”, “buzzing” it before sweeping of f into the trees. We did not have breakfast is often included at just turn up. These people can brand new. His tours are a quar ter of the UK price. fix anything! excellent; how he does it for the time to investigate the Pousada money, I don’t know. His br other Arara, it had large signs on the Josue conducts the trip and gate depicting the “arara azul”. speaks good English. Joel rounds up the tourists. Foz do Iguaçu Competition is totally cut-throat, We also visited the famous I now know what it feels like to waterfalls and the gigantic be a hunted man! It was a thr ee Itaipu dam project both of them day trip, staying at the Pousada stunning in their magnitude. On Pixiam and the Pousada do the way back fr om the cataract Pantanieros. we visited the “Jardin dos Aves”. The northern part of the They have about two hundr ed Pantanal is far wilder than the parrots there including many of south. Fazendas are smaller and the large macaws. Some ar e kept some at least are run by in enor mous aviaries (about resident farmers. Once again 200ft x 50ft and 30ft high) cattle is king. The Pousada which the public can enter Pixiam had lots of small par rots. through double doors. Some of We went on a river trip during the large macaws ar e extremely which a wild fish eagle was tame and the “tr usties” are Cowboy with transport Photo: H. Armitage

15 Personal help from conservation status, threats, and captive ornithologists and br eeding are particular valuable and thought- aviculturists was provoking. welcome but I The text for each species covers always felt that I identification, voice, distribution and status, ought to have been ecology, description, sex/age differ ences, Book Review able to make my biometric measurements, geographical Review by Peter J.S. Olney own judgements. My dented confidence variations, and references. There are notes Senior Editor of the International Zoo Yearbook, for mer where there r emain uncertainties in Curator of Birds, Zoological Society of London and for mer bounced back when taxonomic standing. Each species account has Director of the Federation of Zoos of Gr eat Britain & Ireland. in 1973, Joseph Forshaw and the an excellent, clear distribution map, though talented artist this needs to be read and checked with the William Cooper, published their splendid species ecology section. Parrots of the World, a comprehensive survey Each account is a useful and concise of the current knowledge of the family with, distillation of available information (which for the first time, illustrations of all the has grown considerably in the last twenty species and the mor e divergent subspecies. years). Often, however, the short reference list Now in its 3rd edition (1989) it remains an at the end of the account shows how little is invaluable and highly respected work. A joy to still known about many species. The decision possess, but for identification purposes the to have the source references at the end of size, weight and layout, are definite each account rather than citing authors within disadvantages. the text is, I think, a mistake and annoyingly What was needed in the 1970s, and not only frustrating. Full references are collected into by me, was a book specifically designed to an impressive bibliography at the end of the assist in the identification of the 352 species book. contained within the family and one which The colour plates and the short caption texts included at least a summary of the available which summarise distribution and highlight information. A book which would enable diagnostic features will certainly be a great bir dwatchers, field-workers and those help in identification. Birds are shown involved with parrots in captivity or in trade, perched and in some cases also flying, and on including wildlife trade law enforcement the same plate are drawn to the same scale in personnel, to identify accurately species and relation to one another. A useful addition for subspecies/races. In 1989, two ICBP (now relating the bird to its actual size is a line PARROTS : A GUIDE TO THE PARROTS OF Birdlife International) workers, Tony Juniper drawing of the familiar budgerigar at the THE WORLD and Mike Parr, proposed such a book and bottom of the text page drawn to the same TONY JUNIPER AND MIKE PARR. 1998. Pp. though it has had a long gestation they have scale as those birds on the facing coloured 584, 88 colour plates, distribution maps, text now pr oduced exactly what was needed - a plate. Five talented artists have produced figures. Robertsbridge: Pica Press. £35.00. compr ehensive, concise, up-to-date (to 1997) excellent paintings, and though most are ISBN 1-873403-40-2 and r eadily usable identification guide. somewhat static, all are fine for the task of When I became Curator of Birds for the The book follows the now familiar contents identification. Those birds with some Zoological Society of London nearly 30 years for mat adopted by Pica Press in its deservedly background of habitat are, to my mind, the ago, parrots formed a substantial part of its popular series of family monographs. most successful and I wish there had been large and varied collection. Some of the birds Introductory sections cover topography, more. were rare in the wild or rarely seen in origins and evolutionary relationships, This book lives up to our expectations and captivity, some were very old with aged classification, natural history, conservation hopes and all concerned are to be plumage, but all, thank goodness, had been status, threats, and captive breeding and congratulated, particularly the authors and identified by my able predecessor, John these are followed by condensed accounts of artists for their skilful use of material, and Yealland. I can now confess that at that stage the 352 species. One thousand colour Pica Press and those responsible for the of my curatorial career I was not always illustrations on 88 plates depict all species; production and design. Editors are rarely completely confident in my identification of adults, sex dif ferences if any, immatures and acknowledged but it gives me particular some of the new arrivals, especially those the majority of what are considered in the pleasure to recognise the characteristic thought to be subspecies. I imagined text to be valid subspecies/races. proficiency of Nigel Collar. somewhat naively that parrots, being such Scientific names follow Sibley and Monroe familiar birds, would be relatively easy to (1990,1993), with minor modifications which References identify but I soon found out that there was are in line with several recent authors. Many Finsch, O.(1867-68). Die Papageien. 2 vols. E.J.Brill, no easy and comprehensive identification species of parrot are known by a number of Leiden. manual or, at that time, apart from Otto differ ent English names and some of those Forshaw, J.M.(1989). Parrots of the World. Lansdowne Finsch’s Die Papageien (1867-68), no used in this book are not always easily Editions, Melbourne. authoritative and up-to-date work devoted to recognisable. Some of the alternative names Gould, J.(1840-69). The Birds of Australia. 8 vols, the natural history of the entire parrot family. (including supplement). London. There were a number of folio productions, are listed but it would be a good thing if ever yone used a standardised set of common del Hoyo, J., Elliot, A. & Sargatal, J. eds.(1997) such as Gould’s Birds of Australia (1840-69), and scientific names and I would recommend Handbook of the Birds of the World. 4. Lynx Edicions, which provided beautiful but not always this book as the one to follow. Barcelona. accurate pictures with minimal text; there Sibley, C.G. & Monroe, B.L.(1990). Distribution and were a number of useful field guides and The introductory sections though shorter and Taxonomy of the Birds of the World. Yale University avicultural books, though many were, for with less coverage than this book’s only Press, New Haven and London. identification purposes, inadequate and badly possible rival, volume 4 of the Handbook of Sibley, C.G. & Monroe, B.L.(1993). A Supplement to illustrated; museum skins and photographs the Birds of the World (1997), are well written Distribution and Taxonomy of the Birds of the World. were often difficult to locate and use. digests of current knowledge. The sections on Yale University Press, New Haven and London.

16 An Ultramarine Lory Nest in the Marquesas Islands by MIGUEL A. GÓMEZ-GARZA and CARLA ELIZOND / Fundación ARA, México The Marquesas Lory (Vini On September 28, 1993, while ultramarina) is one of the most walking in the Hane Valley, in Ua beautiful parrots in existence. Huka, we stopped in an area Unfortunately, it is also one of the densely covered by coconut most endangered. Although palms, 2 km from the shor e and Vini ultramarina in the wild. Ua Huka. The nest is on the left side of the bir ds apparently in the past its close to the sea level. In this Photo: Miguel A. Gómez-Garza geographic distribution was place, from the distance we heard broad, today the range of this the soft and repetitive avoid disturbing the birds and of this species to the island of species is extremely limited, monosyllabic sound made by the considering the fragility of the Fatu Hiva has been in place since restricted to several islands of the lories, until finally 20 birds of nest, we refrained from 1992, sponsored by the Marquesas archipelago, in the this species appeared. During 30 approaching further. Delegation of the Environment for French Polynesia. minutes they remained in Not far away, the birds wer e seen French Polynesia and the couples, feeding on the nectar eating ripe mangoes (Mangifera Zoological Society of San Diego, in According to Forshaw (1989) the and flowers of the palms. One of species is found in the Nuku Hiva, indica) and the flowers of an hopes of establishing the these couples entered into their Acacia sp. tree, probably Marquesas Lor y in its new habitat Ua Pou and Ua Huka islands. nest, formed by a channel in the When we visited Nuku Hiva in introduced. Local inhabitants are in the neighbouring island. This base and sheath of a palm leaf. familiar with the lories, which effort will increase the chances September 1993, we were told by Fortunately, the palm was small local residents that this species they call “Vitti”, and they seem to for survival of one of the most and located in a lower level of enjoy the presence of the birds. beautiful and interesting birds of had not been seen for two or land, allowing us to approach and three years, coinciding with Collar stand in front of the tree. Soon we The program for the translocation the South Pacific. (et al 1994) who mentions that heard the typical sound of chicks this species is possibly extinct on being fed. One of the birds that that island. Although had entered into the nest came unfortunately we did not spot this out and remained outside, while bird on Ua Pou, according to local the other continued feeding the residents it is very rare and is chicks. After 5 minutes, the other seldom seen on the hillsides. The bird came out of the nest to meet dramatic situation of this species its partner and receive food by on the two islands is undoubtedly regurgitation. a result of the introduction of rats Although all the other lories (Rattus rattus) unknowingly dispersed, this couple remained carried by ships fr om one place to in the palm for approximately 2 another. hours. During this period of time, However, the lory population is one of the birds entered and came relatively stable on Ua Huka, out of the nest another three perhaps because rats have not times, feeding the chicks for settled on that island. about 5 minutes at a time. To Ua Huka, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia Photo: Miguel A. Gómez-Gar za COMPETITION Ð Win the big lory book! The long-awaited Encyclopaedia of the Lories by Rosemary Low was Glanmor House, Hayle, Cornwall, TR27 4HY, U.K. by 6 January 1999. The published last month. It is a mine of information - the largest study of winners will be the first two correct answers pulled out on that date. one group of par rots ever made by a single person. An exciting and The answers to the questions and the names of the prize winners will be colourful book, it contains 175 colour photographs in its 432 pages. published in the February issue. There ar e maps, diagrams and dozens of tables showing the weight development of chicks. We have two copies to give away to members. Encyclopaedia of the Lories is available For a chance to win one, just name the species depicted below (Bird A in the UK from Insignis Publications, and Bird B). Send your answers on a postcard, please, with your name P.O.Box 100, Mansfield, Notts NG2O 9NZ, and full postal address to: Lory Quiz, PsittaScene, World Parrot Tr ust, UK. Fax: +44 (0)1623 846430. The price is £46.50 post free in the UK and £51 post paid in Europe. Airmail postage outside Eur ope is extra.

Bird A Bir d B

17 earlier events, was a spectacular the Canadian World Parrot Trust success. The public (e.g., school have generously affor ded Xiomara children, hunters, citizens) and her team is greatly participated in the inventory of appreciated, as it has allowed her parakeet populations centred on to make tremendous gains in the north-central coast of Cuba, knowledge and to use that then enjoyed a community knowledge in developing an festival in celebration of ef fective management program conservation and the parakeet. for Cuba’s psittacines. Plans are moving ahead for re- introducing the parakeet in the Echo Parakeet Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Pines), Update Cuba where the species was exterminated nearly a century from Grant Harper (‘Harpo’), Dr. James Wiley of Grambling ago. We have laid the groundwork Project Leader, 1998/99 State University, Louisiana, USA, for such an effor t through at 8 October, 1998 reports as follows on the Cuban baseline studies of potential nest There are currently eight nests. Conure (Aratinga euops): cavity and food availability, Five have eight chicks at various Dale Jackson in Mauritius Xiomara Gálvez and her team of predator and competitor threats, stages of growth, and three have biologists are making tremendous and potential release sites. In eggs. Two wild chicks have The Echo Goes progress on the study of the addition, Xiomara has led a public already been transferr ed to the status and distribution of this education programme that began aviaries at Black River, where they Techno with Help parakeet. This year we in December 1995 with the first accompany the two chicks that from Panasonic concentrated on the little-studied Conservation Festival (a r eport of have been hatched from three area of Oriente, where we were which is in press in Bird harvested eggs. We expect at by Amber Delahooke and Rob able to assess parakeet and parrot Conservation International). That least four nests to produce Sullivan populations. In addition, Xiomara festival was founded on the clutches in the next week or two. The Echo Parakeet Project in and her group have been participation of the public and we The most interesting news thus Mauritius has taken on a new collecting good data on the had more than 300 local residents far has been pairing of a two year technical dimension with the biology of the parakeet, as needed manning survey stations during a old captive reared release bird introduction of a nest camera! to develop biologically sound one-day inventory of the parrot with a wild male. She (‘Gabriella’) The camera will be used to record conser vation programmes for the and crane population on the has produced an egg which every going-on in the nest cavity species. Of par ticular interest island. This year (November unfortunately, but not of a wild pair of Echo’s, (Corner during the study period has been 1998), we will have a follow-up surprisingly, is infertile. We hope Pair), throughout this breeding the parakeet’s diet and festival at the request of Isla to foster a chick to her in the season. It should hopefully lead reproductive biology. Also, we residents. All of this is quite immediate future. This nest is a to important discoveries about have made a special ef fort toward exciting, because now we are turning point for the Echo the problems facing the young understanding its position in getting tremendous public Parakeet project, showing that the chicks in the nest; revealing the Cuban ecological communities, interest in, and support of, local release birds can become extents to which they are begging especially those greatly altered by conservation programmes. functioning members of the wild for and r eceiving food, the role of man. The effor ts of the 1998 field population, and bodes well for the extra males in the population In 1998, as in 1997, we conducted season will be continued into the future of the release program or per haps the intrusion of exotic a Conservation Festival as part of 1999. We will be concentrating and the species as a whole. We competitors such as Indian Mynah our efforts to inform and our studies of parakeet biology in have also found a pairing between birds. We are hoping to set up “convert” the local public to the Belém National Ecology Area, a one year old female and a four another system in the Captive suppor ting the drive to conserve Camaguay, in east-central Cuba. year old male, both banded as Breeding Centre to compar e the the Cuban Parakeet and other Efforts there will be concentrating chicks on nests. This pairing may wild and captive Echos, the endangered species. This year’ s on characterising nest habitat, give us some baseline information results of which will be used as Festival was in Jaguajay and, like including nest cavity on sexual maturity, depending on the basis for Emma’s Masters characteristics, as well as the whether they produce a clutch or degree. behaviour and ecology or the not. We are ver y grateful to Panasonic parakeet. Additional areas will be The recent purchase of a portable for donating the heart of the surveyed to add to our pool of incubator has taken a lot of the system, a 12V Panasonic knowledge about the parakeet’s guesswork and uncertainty out of timelapse VCR (worth £895) which distribution and status in Cuba. chick transfers, and is a valuable can be programmed to stretch a 4 Another festival is planned for and long awaited addition to the hour tape over 24 hours. It is Februar y, this time to be centred team! nestled safely in a parrot proof in the Zapata Swamp, an area of Dale Jackson leaves us tomorrow case that is air and watertight and importance for many of Cuba’s to go back to Paradise Park after will be hidden away from the nest endangered species, including the tree. parakeet. his six week secondment here. The Echo team and Dale have Many thanks are also due to the Pending the outcome of the data both learnt a lot while he has New Zealand Department of collection in 1999, we may begin been here, and he’s been a Conservation for all their help and preparing manuscripts describing valuable, hard working and easy advice, especially Paul Jansen and our parakeet findings late next going member of the team. It Murray Douglas, who have year, but certainly by the would be good to see him out developed extensive field camera Cuban Conure Photo: R. Low following year. The support that here again at some stage. systems for monitoring the Visit our new website at: http://www:worldparrottrust.org

18 Kakapo among other endangered species. support of Steve Martin of Natural Following their lead, we have managed to Encounters Inc. Every year Steve and his put together a similar battery-powered field organisation stage a special bird show at the WPT NATIONAL system, which should stand up to the rigours Texas State Fair in Dallas, Texas, in October. of life in the field. This year we were chosen as the Earlier this year while working on the conservation group to receive a donation, CONTACTS Mauritian Wildlife Foundation’s Visitor Centre and a cheque for $10,000 has been received United Kingdom we produced a programme for Channel 5’s by World Parrot Trust USA. More details and Sarah Graham, Administrator , Eco-Warriors about the Echo project and the photos in the next issue. Glanmor House, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4HY World Parrot Trust. A compilation of three The artist David Johnston has been helping Tel: (44) 01736 753365 Fax: (44) 01736 756438 Eco-Warriors about the various Mauritius WPT for many years, notably with his superb email: uk@worldpar rottrust.org projects is now being shown to tourists in painting of Lear’s Macaw from which a few Mike Reynolds email: [email protected] the Ile Aux Aigrettes Visitor Centre. We signed, limited edition prints are still recently retur ned with Luke Gallie of Two available (£38 or $65 inc. postage, from WPT- USA Hand Productions to film a documentary UK office). Some of David’s work has been Cynthia Webb, PO Box 341141, Memphis TN 38184 about the experience of three UK and three used for a series of parrot plates and Tel/Fax: (1) 901 873 3616 Mauritian competition winners as they sculptures, and he generously arranged for email: [email protected] explore and take part in dif ferent aspects of WPT to receive a royalty payment on each the project. This will be shown on Boxing one. A recent payment of £1,000 has been Benelux Day afternoon on Channel 5 and will feature received, bringing the total from this source Peter de Vries (Membership Sec.), Jagershof 91, Pablo and his recently released friends flying to over £10,000. Readers may be interested 7064 DG Silvolde, Netherlands in to visit the visitors! As a result of this to know that David recently ceased his Tel: (31) 315327418 email: [email protected] film we were able to donate £500 towards teaching career at Blackpool School of Art, Belgium enquiries: Romain Bejstrup (32) 32526773 the system, camera and casings, etc, and put and will concentrate on his wildlife Netherlands enquiries: Ruud Vonk (31) 168472715 it together to take it out to Mauritius. WPT paintings. He actually drove a car to the have paid for the batteries. Tenerife convention (yes, a ferry was Canada involved), received much acclamation for his Mike Pearson, PO Box 29, Mount Hope, We believe that this resear ch tool will bring a Ontario L0R 1W0 new dimension to the cutting edge nature of remarkable work, and sold everything he took there. Tel: (1) 905 385 9500 Fax: (1) 905 385 7374 the work in Mauritius and will hopefully email: [email protected] serve as a model to other restoration projects ar ound the world. Cloudcuckooland Denmark (Scandinavia) Of all the parrot rescue places we have heard Michael Iversen, Hyldevang 4 Ð Bur esoe, New Zealand about, this one seems most seriously 3550 Slanger up deserving of help from the rest of the ‘parrot email: [email protected] Programme aims to lift community’. Here, Marcia Kolb maintains many damaged and traumatised parrots that France Kaka numbers might be regarded by some as not worth the J. & G. Prin, 35 Rue de la Fassier e, 45140, Ingre. Tel: (33) 2 38 43 62 87 Fax: (33) 2 38 65 90 60 Conservation Minister Nick Smith has trouble. Marcia, herself disabled, doesn’t announced a new captive breeding trial think so. Some help to meet her feed bills, or Switzerland programme for Kaka in the Nelson Lakes help from one of the big parrot food Lars Lepperhoff, Lutschenstrasse 15, 3063 Ittigen National Park. The programme was to start companies, would be a godsend. Visit their Tel: (41) 31 922 3902 in October and would see five female Kaka website at www.cloudcuckooland.com or moved from Codfish Island to the park plus write to Cloudcuckooland, P.O. Box 789, Germany other females held in captivity to breed. Castle Hayne, NC 28429-0789, USA. Jürgen Oertel, Einsiedel, Pappelweg 6, Once chicks had fledged they would be re- D-09123 Chemnitz released into the wild. Dr Smith said Car Sticker Italy surveys over recent years had shown female You will find a car sticker inside this Kaka numbers in particular to be Freddie Virili, via Matarus 10, 33045 Nimis, Udine. PsittaScene. Please use it inside your car Cristiana Senni, email: [email protected] plummeting, which had serious implications window. Let us know if you need more of the survival of the mainland enclave. stickers for friends, fellow club members, or Australia others who may want to join our WPT Mike Owen, 7 Monteray St., Mooloolaba, Donations campaign. Queensland 4557. The World Par rot Trust has received a Tel: (61) 7 54780454 email: [email protected] number of important and very helpful donations in the past month. These include Africa £10,000 ($16,500) from a member in V. Dennison, PO Box 1758, Link Hills, Switzerland who wishes to remain Natal 3652, S. Africa anonymous. This donation is a direct Tel: (27) 31 763 4054 Fax: (27) 31 763 3811 response to several funding requests in the Spain August 98 PsittaScene, and substantial Andrés Marin and Ana Matesanz, amounts are directed to helping our planned ...to survive in the wild ‘Parr ot Sanctuary and Education Centre’ at ...to thrive in our homes C/La Majadita no 16 Guinate, Maquez, Paradise Park, the Moluccan Cockatoo and A WO RLD PAR RO T TRUST C AM P AI G N 35541 Las Palmas, Spain Echo Parakeet projects, and the new ‘Happy www.worldparrottrust.org Tel: (34) 928 835745 email: [email protected] Parrot’ leaflet intended to advise new pet WPT Web Sites: parr ot owners on the special needs of OOPS! Central: http://www.worldparrottrust.org parr ots (this will be published soon, and we USA: http://www.funnyfarmexotics.com/WPT will include a copy in each PsittaScene for A printer’s err or occurred (twice) in the February 1999). August issue of PsittaScene. In the book Canada: http://www.worldchat.com/parrot/cwparr ot.htm review on page 19, in the second paragraph, Italy: http://www.mediavillage.it/wpt We have been very fortunate in having the please read ‘Cockatoos’ for ‘Cuckoos’. Denmark: http://www.image.dk/fpewpt

19 Parrots in the Wild

The Vasa Parrot Caracopsis vasa by KIRSTY SWINNERTON and CARL JONES In June 1995 and 1996 we visited the limestone outcr ops and gorges these tr ees which are clearly impor tant food sources. We even saw of Western Madagascar as members of scientific expeditions. Daily two birds in a low herbaceous T singaka feeding on the tiny seeds. we saw Vasa Par rots and took photographs on 17 June 1995 near the Late one afternoon we saw several dozen appar ently feeding and village of Bekopaka next to the Manambolo river . It was one of 12 roosting in the mangr oves at the mouth of the Tsiribihina river . This bir ds feeding on the unopened flowers of a Kapok tr ee. Several fairly is one of the most easily seen birds in Wester n Madagascar, and we large flocks were seen including one of 50-60 in a Zub-zub tr ee. They commonly saw them around villages, in secondar y forest and scrub, wer e feeding on the cher ry shaped fr uit, eating the fleshy fruit and in lightly wooded savannah and especially in riverine woodland. then br eaking the stones with a loud cracking noise to get at the Tame bir ds with clipped wings were kept by a few villagers as pets. seeds. In both years we had several obser vations of them feeding in

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