lady's handbag until diplomatic rela­ The tions made such trips impossible. Not Withstanding, U.S. Customs confis­ cated 48 Cuban Amazons when they Cuban Amazon seized a cigar boat in the Keys in 1988. There were few drugs found and its on the boat, but many requests for prescription medicines, letters, and by Ramon Noegel and Greg Moss the destined for Cuban peo­ ute Fellowship Sanctuary ple in Miami. Greg Moss and I were Seffner, Florida called to testify on behalf of U.S. law enforcement. We were shown the Considered one of the mo t beau­ insular speciation can occur more parrots which were being housed at tiful Amazons, the Cuban has always rapidly than previously thought. The Miami Metro Zoo during the trial. All fascinated the selective aviculturist. It laudable research in progress with were five years to above 20 years of is thought to be the first neotropical DNA should presently disclose the age. Each cried out for attention brought to Europe by Chris­ history of all living things. Captive when we spoke to them in the topher Columbus, and the Lucaya breeding various leucocephala into language they were accustomed to Indians, inhabiting , the fourth generation, coupled with hear. This incident demonstrates the were the first" ew World" people nearly two decades of field research Cuban people's continued interest in encountered by Columbus. They kept of West Indian , has placed us this parrot from the "Pearl of the A. leucocephala bahamensis both for in a rather unique position to observe Antilles ~' The case was won by our food and for pets. Carbon dating of how rapidly morphology can change. bones of this Amazon found in caves Q5 on ew Providence, place its arrival The Cuban People OJ (l) o there as recent as 2,000 years ago. It and Their Parrot Z c has long been our opinion that Growing up in Tampa exposed the o E Arawak, Caribe and Lucaya Indians senior writer to the many Cuban "- "! co a: may have played an important role in Amazons kept by Cuban immigrants .6 o the distribution of psittacine and rep­ who comprised a large segment of (5 ..c tile fauna throughout the . Tampa's multiculture. These people 0.. There is ample evidence in sixteenth brought their dearest possessions century records of early Europeans with them when they left the Island. that these original islanders kept both The parrot represented a link with reptiles and parrots. their beloved homeland. When When the Spanish arrived in Puerto traveling through the Latin quarter of Rico, they found the Tiano Indian Ybor City in the 1940s, it was not using boats that measured up to 150 unusual to see this Amazon in cages feet in length and they exhibited hanging on porches and balconies. As expert seamanship. Recent mud slides the original owner passed away, the in have revealed a stone parrot became a legacy to his heirs. -ball court and jade artifacts identical The younger generation, being born to those fashioned by the Maya of in Tampa, did not always appreciate Central America. There can be little the significance of their parents' pet. doubt these seafarers of the extreme Consequently, the only pet shop in eastern Caribbean engaged in com­ Tampa often had this Amazon for sale merce with their mainland counter­ at reasonable prices due to its com­ parts. If they traded for jade it is mon availability. Because of this, my highly possible they returned home mother purchased one of thse cast­ with and reptiles, seeing that offs when I was age 14 (1946). Thus such fauna played an important func­ began an ongoing romance with this tion among the Maya. The latter's species and all the Caribbean Ama­ advanced civilization would certainly zons, which has now lasted 44 years. have impressed the Tianos to the From the Cuban people of Tampa, point of emulation of these more Miami and Key West, I learned much affluent people. We discovered semi­ of the lore and history of leuco­ fo silized bird bones in a cave (1976) cephala. This data has been faithfully on the southern coast of Cayman reported to aviculturists since 1967. Brae in conjunction with kitchen Some of the Cuban immigrants made middens left by early Indians. When regular trips back to the island of Compositepicture ofall representatives of analyzed by the Cayman Museum via the ferry boat that sailed Amazona leucocephala. The nominate race, known as the Cuban Amazon (A.l. leuco­ (now under development), they will three times a week between Key West cephala), is at the upper right. The main perhaps disclose orne parrot bones and Havana, until the revolution of difference between the subspecies is the ofA. leucocephala hesterna. 1959. Upon returning to the United amount ofred coloration on neck and throat. If we consider the implications of States, quite often a parrot had some­ An unrelated island species Hispaniolan our theory, we may be inclined to say how managed to stowaway in a Amazon is shown at the upper left.

40 December / January 1991 government and two of the four first documented breeding occurred defendants fled the country before in England under the supervision of sentencing. However, the disposition the distinguished aviculturist Edward of the Amazons in question seems to J. Boosey in 1956 (Boosey, 1962). In be clouded in uncertainty (Ron 1959, a pair of the offspring from Johnson, 1990, per. comm.). Boosey's two breeding pairs was For the most part, the average imported into California by Herb Cuban Amazon kept in Tampa as a pet Melvin. About 1963, this pair pro­ ~' was treated as a favored member of duced fertile eggs while on loan to the family and had table privileges at another aviculturist. For some rea­ LORIIDAE mealtimes. These parrots thrived on son, a disagreement ensued, resulting PRODUCTION the same food as eaten by their in Melvin removing both his birds and NETWORK owners. When we began collecting the four partially incubated eggs. He offers: these birds in 1965 (and for the next placed the eggs in the capable hands decade), their excellent health gave of Velma Hart (McDaniels) who Lories Delight Dry Diet - in powder evidence of the nutritional value of hatched them in her Lyons incubator form which is natural to Lories. black beans, red beans, garbanzo and hand reared the chicks. This May be used in three forms: nectar, beans, gandules (peas), northern caused Melvin to place the pair with dry, and hand feeding. beans, English peas, rice, plantains, Velma, who continued to breed from ***** fish, pork and chicken, not to men­ the pair until 1967, when Melvin 30 species of Lories available - tion Cuban bread and butter topped decided to move the pair to his home handfed babies and adults. off with Cuban coffee. Since much (Hart, 1967; Melvin 1968, per. ado over the avian nutritional value comm.). A total of 17 birds was reared ***** of beans (pulses) was forthcoming in from this pair in five breeding "Lories and Lorikeets In " the eighties, this bit of lore might be seasons. Book by John Vanderhoof of interest. Actually, senior avicultur­ Two years after my first Cuban Comprehensive information on ists from California tried to turn us on parrot arrived (1946), we were able to breeding and maintenance of Lories. to sprouted beans for our parrots as purchase another. The two were a early as 1965 (Hart, per. comm.). pair. At the time (1949) no one bred John Vanderhoof The majority of the Amazons we large parrots in the Tampa Bay area, P.O. Box 575, Woodlake, CA 93286 collected from the Cuban people in consequently no attempt was made to (209) 564-3610 Tampa, Miami and Key West (1965 ­ breed our pets. This did not keep 1975) were above 20 years of age. them from creating a nest from the They were in good health but they newspapers on the bottom of their still had to be conditioned to accept a homemade cage and producing two mate, something they had been eggs. Never dreaming they were fer­ deprived of since juveniles and they tile, my mother and I indulged their also had to learn how to breed, a determination, which prohibited the behavior that begins in the first year cage from being cleaned. This, in with our many captive-reared young. turn, caused a foul odor to emanate In some cases, it required several from the cage, and after two weeks years to bring these old pets into my father (whose word had to be Computer fun .. for litlle ones breeding condition, but once they obeyed) insisted it be cleaned. In began they proved the best of parents attempting to comply, coupled with Unique and continued to produce offspring the pair defending their most unlikely Business Opportunity until the last year of their lives. The nest, both eggs were broken, dis­ greater number of these original closing two very viable embryos. Don't miss this exciting educational Cuban parrots have died but three Although we did not hatch these franchise opportunity to own still remain, representing 25 percent eggs, the incident taught me a valu­ your own home-based business. of the great-great-grandparents of the able lesson which I have sought to fourth generation having been bred at pass on to aviculturists for over 22 WE PROVIDE - YOU PROVIDE Life Fellowship for the past three years, i.e., if birds are happy in their • training • dedication seasons. 1990 should see our fifth captive environment and in good • materials • desire to generation of A. l. leueoeephala health, they will breed under the • methods succeed being realized. To my knowledge, this most adverse conditions imaginable. Total investment - under $20,000 is an unparalleled achievement in the We could relate many stories to bear Amazona. We reported that out this truth but the following one is For in/ormation, contact: old cage pet Amazons do make good my favorite: breeders, something thought impos­ In 1983, we achieved the first COMPUTERTOTS@ sible only a few years ago (Noegel, world captive breeding of the Dusky Great Falls, Virginia 1979). Pionus (Pionus fuseus). The year (703) 759-2556 before, an eminent pionus breeder History in Aviculture complimented us with a visit and Rutgers (1965) mentions a captive informed us our nest boxes for our Keep aviculture as your avocation breeding of the Cuban Amazon as three pairs offuseus were too shallow but make Computertots your vocation! early as 1922 in Japan. However, the and we should never expect to breed

afa WATeRBIRD 41 them. Fortunately, the pionus didn't opportunity to examine all the five develop or burst forth about every know this and all three pairs bred, representatives still extant in live five years after the individual reaches two in 1983 and the third pair in condition as we have. ten years of age. This often manifests 1984. They were happy and content, If one observes Amazona leuco­ as a dappling of red across the mantle did not feel threatened and therefore cephala leucocephala in its eastern or on the back of the head, nape and could not see any reason not to nest range of Cuba, say in Oriente Prov­ sometimes on the breast. With age, and rear their young in these boxes. ince, and then specimens from the such specimens perplex the uninten­ It should be pointed out that Greg extreme western range of Cuba, Pinar tioned into believing the bird to be of Moss and the senior writer spent del Rio (or the adjacent Isle of Pines), a different subspecies. The problem is three months in Central America one is confronted with an extreme compounded by the occasional (1978 - 79) researching parrots. This morphologeny (Barbour, 1923). hatching ofan individual that feathers trip was funded by Dr. Bernard M. Kenneth C. Parkes agreed with out in this profusion of red. One of Levine for the purpose of a census of Barbour's assessment of there being the original great-great-grandmothers the juvenile parrots being sent to for­ two representatives: "Comparison of of some of our palmarum offspring eign countries, and to report the con­ a total of 26 Isle of Pines specimens had a heavy line of red down from ditions under which these birds were with 13 from the mainland of Cuba the throat to the vent and a red man­ being kept (Noegel, 1979). Our prior indicates that Barbour was essentially tle on the back. Some ofher offspring field work in the Caribbean made correct in his division of Amazona twice removed are showing signs of certain observations possible. We leucocephala, except that I would this extensive red color. We've only learned that parrots choose the most place birds from central Cuba (Las noted this in a specimen ofA.l. baha­ unlikely places to nest, which are Villas eastward) with the nominate mensis photographed in the wild by determined by the various extreme race. Two specimens from Pinar del Rosemary Gnam; the photo was environments they inhabit. Amazons Rio (Peabody Museum) closely resem­ recently sent by her to us (1990). will conform to almost any condi­ ble the Isle of Pines series except that Such birds are not the norm and are tion. On the barren west coast of the abdominal patch is slightly paler. indeed quite striking to behold. Central America, they nest from The two series would certainly be Again, nature often goes rampant October through December. On the considered separable by most cur­ when painting these parrots. lush green east coast, they nest from rent subspecific standards. The size We have a total of 14 first breeding January through April. These seasons and depth of color of the abdominal awards issued by the American Feder­ vary with the area, rain, food avail­ patch (larger and darker in pal­ tion of Aviculture. Thefirst of these ability, etc. Parrots are adapters. marum) is the best character; the was for the Isle of Pines Amazon We examined nests on the Cayman deeper throat color attributed to (1979). Five of the 14 awards are for Islands that were so small a man's Todd to palmarum seems also to be island Amazons: A.l. palmarum fist could not be extracted. Still, valid but difficult to assess in worn (1975); Jamaican Black-hilled chicks were fledged from such nests birds (skins). The darker green, sup­ Amazon, A. agilis (1978); Cayman (Noegel, 1976). Therefore, when posedly typical of the Isle of Pines Brac Amazon, A.l. hesterna (1981); learned visitors shake their heads in birds, is only an average character; Rothschild's Yellow-shouldered wonder that we use standard nest the darkest green individuals are pal­ Amazon, A. barbadensis rothschildsi boxes and still have excellent success marum and the palest leucocephala, (1982); and the Grand Cayman with all types ofpsittacines kept here, but there is more overlap than in the Amazon, A.l. caymanensis (1974). I marvel that Mother Nature doesn't other characters mentioned. In sum­ recognize the rules set up by these mary, I advocate the reinstatement of The Grand Cayman Parrot authorities. Amazona leucocephala palmarum (Amazona leucocephala caymanensis) (Todd) for the birds of western Cuba Our initial field survey of this sub­ The Isle ofPines and the Isle of Pines" (Parkes, 1963). species occurred in April 1971 (now Isle ofYouth) Amazon In 1988, we closely examined the (Noegel, 1974). With the aid of Dr. J. Amazona leucocephala palmarum 48 birds being kept at Miami Metro Lear Grimmer, former director of the (Todd, 1916) Zoo. They had obviously been col­ National Zoo, we agreed that the total Ifvisitors ask what is the difference lected from eastern and western population of this endemic parrot did between the Isle of Pines Amazon and Cuba. Some had patches of vinaceous not exceed 200 birds. We were per­ the nominate species, I quickly reply but none approached the extent of mitted to remove eight juveniles for a $25. In 1946, the going rate for a this color that ours display, whose captive breeding program, and first parrot from Cuba was $50. One ancestors are known to have origi­ bred this Amazon as already refer­ from the Isle of Pines commanded natedfrom the Isle ofPines. enced in 1974. The study we made $75. The Cuban people recognized The nominate species from eastern located the parrots in the central and the latter as being more beautiful in Cuba, as might be expected, closely eastern districts of the island. They color. They were willing to pay halfas resemble A.l. bahamensis. The white were difficult to see, even in the back much again for palmarum. I am per­ on the crown is more pure and exten­ country. In canvassing the human fectly aware there were ornithologists sive, the throat red is pink or rose population, we found only 18 parrots (Peters, 1928) who argued that there color and uniform, lacking the green kept as pets. At this time, the mosqui­ is no difference between the two but flecking seen in western birds. In tos were unbearable, but a few years they, no doubt, never saw living spe­ both birds, there are variations to be later a mosquito control program neu­ cimens to compare. Neither were found. Morphology seldom conforms tralized these bloodthirsty insects, they acquainted with these parrots as to man-made standards. which resulted in a population explo­ the senior writer has been for over'40 To add to the confusion, the red sion of the parrots. Today they num­ years, and they may not have had the factor in this parrot continues to ber above 1,000 and about 200 are 42 December I January 1991 kept as pets. We were the first avicul­ turists to report chick mortality caused by mosquito bites. Hence, our reason for removing chicks for hand feeding during the rain season when mosquitos multiply. These flying pests seek the cool interior of nest boxes or nest holes in the wild when the sun is bright. Unfeathered chicks Experience can succumb to multiple bites within 24 hours. Due to the opening of two pet "EKTO"! shops on Grand Cayman, there has been a rash of escaped exotics. The most Benefits. Among these is the Indian Parakeet per Dollar. (Psittacula eupatria) which has mul­ tiplied and may be seen in flocks up to ten or more. We fear this free breeder will soon invade the limited FOR INFORMATION ON nesting habitat of the endemic Ama­ NEKTON·S AND OUR OTHER FINE PRODUCTS CALL... zon. Their size and agression could easily drive the more mild mannered NEKTON U.S.A. 14405· 80th SI. North· Clearwater, FL 34820 caymanensis from its nest. We have, (813) 530·3500 for over a year, been working very IN CANADA closely with the National Trust of the Canavlax Producta·41 Links Rd.· Wlllowdale (Toronto) Ontario to reintroduce some M2P 1T7 Canada. (416) 223·1185 of the seriously endangered Grand Cayman Blue Iguanas (Cyclura nubila lewisi) now only being cap­ tive bred here at Life Fellowship. Through the director, we learned that the Grand Cayman Parrot has just this year (1990) been removed from the ., gamebird list which allowed it to be .. . shot along with doves and White­ ~ crowned Pigeons. We have sent ·14 pairs ofour captive bred A.l. caymanensis to avicul­ turists and zoos but none have, to • date, been able to captive breed this ~ difficult subspecies. Visitors who are allowed to see Life Fellowship's collection think it all seems so very easy until they try to duplicate our breeding success. We have bred A.l. caymanensis into the third gen­ SPECIALIZING IN eration. DOMESTIC .CLOSED-BAND BABY BIRDS The Cayman Brae Amazon ...from PARROTS to PUPPIES! Amazona leucocephala hesterna Alwa!Js Available: MACAWS Not only is this parrot the Lillipu­ *Caninde * H~acinths * Olue & Golds * Scarlets tian of the leucocephala series, but its * Red fronts * Green Winged *Miniatures habitat is considered the smallest known area to support an Amazon. AMAZONS & ArnlCAN GREYS The entire island is about 20 km. in * Yellow Napes * Double Yellow Heads length and 4 km. at its widest point. * Orange Winged *Mexican Red H~ *Olue fronts There are no native parrots found on COCKATOOS Little Cayman with the exception of * Moluccans * Umbrellas * Goffins two escapees, which were released by * Sulphur Crested * Rose Oreasted * Major Mitchells two of the 15 human inhabitants. Both have survived for three years *TOUCANS*LORIES*CONURES *ADULT BREEDING PAIRS and we do not know if they are, in SHOW AND PET COCKER PUPPIES ALSO AVAILAOLE fact, a pair. They are supposed to have for prices and information call: We Accept VISA/MASTERCARD been purchased on Cayman Brae. ~. ~ ~ There is also a Grand Cayman parrot CheI1JJ(CHARLlE) Forker. (.305)257-1616. Miami, FL .. ~~·~IeS··~~~~~~~~~~51:Sif;W~~at~~~i·~ ~·t'~·x·~·t'~·x·~.~.m~iI'"'~ II~· kept at liberty at the Pirates Point I""4 .Jt .. J,; ". *". afa WATCHBIRD 43 Resort. This may lead to the possibil­ little success. We offered them our even owned a bird but are capitalizing ity ofa breeding pair being formed on findings, techniques, and even on the growing interest of the masses Little Cayman. These two islands are accepted and sent out specimens on involved in bird keeping, which is an separated by only seven miles ofsea. loan, which resulted in a waste ofour honorable and therapeutic hobby, The Brac parrot has the red con­ proven birds. In order to save face, and also a means of saving threatened fined (in the majority of specimens) slander and invective innuendos species. to the cheeks and a spot under the began to be circulated after our In 1975, we returned from Cayman beak. The white is restricted to the refusal to sign over our ownership of Brac to Grand Cayman with a brother/ frontal part ofthe crown. In our opin­ these rare Amazons to the consor­ sister pair of A.i. besterna. ion, this bird has the most fixed char­ tium. In 1988, a proposal by the Con­ Though Dr. J. Lear Grimmer was then acters in morphology of this group. It sortium was to send all captive St. acting in official capacity for the Cay­ also appears to be the most endan­ Vincent parrots back to the island. man Island's government and had gered. We estimate less than 50 sur­ This would have been a convenient lived in the islands for some years, he viving in the wild and seven kept as face-saver for those who had failed to had never seen this subspecies. This is pets. Due to the inbreeding in this breed this species. By December understandable because we found subspecies, we have only been able to 1988, no less than 82 of these birds only a few people living on "The breed it into the second generation. were registered on St. Vincent, kept Brac" who had ever seen it and some Chicks are readily hatched but appear as pets, with an additional 17 being were not even aware of its existence. to be weak and difficult to rear. We housed at the Botanical Garden for a Lear, in turn, took us to a hotel where, brought out a total of three pairs in breeding program. There are compar­ after a short wait, the principal ofour 1975 and 1976. Of these, only two atively few kept outside the island. visit arrived from field research. He pairs have successfully bred here. The largest collection and the most was none other than the legendary Because of the steady decline in the successful breeding program is here at Dr. Alexander Wetmore, whose writ­ wild and the fact we have the only Life Fellowship. ings on Caribbean avian fauna date breeding besterna outside their habi­ This lends credence to the charge back to the early twenties. These tat, we have begun to pair offspring we have made that there are a few in were the first besterna he had ever with specimens of the nominate spe­ conservation more intent on keeping seen and he spent a full hour examin­ cies to save this distinctly defined their jobs intact than in saving ser­ ing them. At the time, Dr. Wetmore subspecies. This is a common prac­ iously endangered species; the only was 89 years of age and still very tice among zoos possessing limited way their positions have any rele­ active in the Smithsonian Institute. bloodlines and is not considered vance or serve any purpose is for the He was a true conservationist and hybridization in the sense that it is species to remain on the brink of encouraged our captive breeding pro­ not tbe crossing of two different extinction. Successful captive breed­ gram. In the many years he spent in species. However, a well known ing relieves this necessity. This has the field, he had seen countless zoologist/ornithologist, upon being also been borne out with our success­ species disappear. His confidence in told by us of our plans to save this ful captive breeding of the Galapagos our captive endeavors has been an unique bird by this method, sallied Tortoise (we hatched 85 in 1989) and inspiration remembered over the past forth to broadcast it to the extent that with the Caribbean Ground Iguanas 15 years (Noegel, 1976). we have had calls inquiring if we were (72 in 1989). producing hybrids. We can only con­ I have spent some time elaborating The Bahaman Parrot clude that our meager achievement on this because the private avicultur­ Amazona ieucocepbaia babamensis has caused him some discomfort or ists should come to realize that while In 1977 and 1978, we sponsored the man is ignorant of common prac­ such ornithologists and, sad to say, two of our staff to research the repre­ tices in husbandry to save seri­ even a few zoologists, often appear to sentative found on Abaco (Carraways, ously endangered species. It is also support avian functions when they 1979). At the time, little existed doubtful that he or anyone else apart are afforded a large audience that regarding this largest of the race, from the writers could even identify they would never have had in their The extraordinary contribution of by sight the various subspecies of this own field, they are behind the scenes Rosemarie Gnam over the past three race. We have had many Amazona doing all in their power to outlaw the years has filled in data of unanswered specialists visit us and we have had to private sector from keeping endan­ questions and has raised new ones. point out each of the subspecies to gered species. The accomplishment Her visit here to Life Fellowship in them. Certainly, the party in question of the private sector is, in fact, often February 1989 was a rewarding one was unable during two separate visits an embarrassment to them. Fre­ to us and gave Rosemarie a chance to to distinguish one from the other. quently, we have been confronted see the other subspecies in live condi­ Such opposition is met with by the with this deceit and bitterness against tion. We were deeply impressed with successful aviculturist who has our favorable breeding of so many her sincere dedication and her find­ flourished where self-appointed endangered species. We have readily ings. We can only hope she will go on "experts" have failed. shared our findings and endeavored to research the parrot of Great We met with this opposition when to assist with our expertise in other Inagua. It has always been our opin­ Life Fellowship began to breed the St. programs, but the results too often ion that there were, no doubt, at least Vincent Parrot (Amazona guildingii) have fallen short of that witnessed in three subspecies scattered throughout in 1982. Annual breedings have the private sector. The true avicultur­ the Bahama chain. For instance, the become an almost common occur­ ist is not a nine-to-five employee. His parrot from Acklins Island existed rencli, much to the consternation and birds are a deeply meaningful part of until the 1940s and was reported to dismay of other facilities that have his life. There are too many avian be larger than any of the extant series. tried for nearly two decades with authorities today who have never The single picture we have seen of the 44 December/January 1991 i parrot of Inagua would indicate it as ciate the marvels expressed in crea­ somewhat different from that of tion of insular species. Only in such Reliable Precision Tools Abaco. Allowing the extreme varia­ habitats do the unusual and unique for the. Avicullurist tion in the two Cayman subspecies evolve and seem to capture the full Candlelux Lights $24.00 separated by only 80 miles of ocean, potential of nature's powerful images. Gen1.lc, egg-safe lK:ad cover -2500 candle power Zenon bulb State-of-the-art Optics 'tIl'ith focusing head. Aircraft-grade imagine the evolution afforded birds Fed by the bounty of oceans that Aluminwn body with wiping action, push bunoo switch in the Bahamas separated by hun­ pound our shorelines, each of us Feather Shears $18.00 dreds of miles and adapting to their should feel a kinship with island life Serrated blades for clean. controlled trimming extremeley different habitats. One of forms. Their existence is somehow Thermometers the unique differences in the Abaco interwoven with ours. Those who Di.l calibratablc, scalcd.w/cupelip 25.125° F $22.50 parrot and the one from Great Inagua have loved liVing things can best Gl.ss ASTM 18F 94-108° F $20.50 is that the former nest in limestone appreciate the fragile environments Wavicide-01 quarts $ 7.00 gallons $22.00 fissures on the ground due to the lack of these parrots. It becomes a neces­ of large trees with suitable cavities. It sary part of our own destiny to see Phoenix Unlimited sm Ig Calciwn Can:· (40gm, 360gm) $6 525 is interesting to note that the Puerto that they continue for future poster­ Nutrition Plu.· (30gm, 360gm) 56 52S Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata) is ity. As I look back over the 25 inter­ Imt.an1 Ounces - (I40gm) oJ. 525 alleged to have, on occasion, nested vening years since our first attempt at BETTER BIRD PRODUCTS in limestone cliff crevasses within captive breeding island Amazons as a PO BOX 789 FAIRFAX, CA 94930 14151454-6979 historic times. Again, this certifies means of conservation, I am made to ORDERS ONLY: 1·800-487-6959 an Amazon's ability to adapt to its smile in gratitude and am filled with wholesale CUJtomers welcome == environment. wonderment. Indeed, "He hath founded it upon the sea:' Summary The mainland Cuban species of this References series has been captive-bred on a reg­ Barbour, T., 1923. The Birds of Cuba. Memoirs ular basis in recent years at various of the Nuttall Ornithological Society, V. 6. locations in Europe. Unfortunately, p. 141. American aviculturists and zoos have Boosey, E.J., 1962. Foreign Bird Keeping, Iliffe failed to do so, even when provided Books Ltd., London, pp. 161-163. Carraway, Patricia and Clarke. The Bahaman with captive bred pairs from Life Parrot. Aviculture Magazine, V. 85, No. Fellowship. 1, pp. 18-23. The aforementioned 48 leuco­ Noegel, R.P., 1974. Breeding the Cayman cepbala residing at Miami Metro Zoo Island Amazon, Avicu1ture Bulletin, Oct., pp. 17-28. since early 1988 may yield some Noegel, R.P., 1976. The Cayman Brac Amazon, hope for an additional captive breed­ Aviculture Magazine, V. 82, pp. 202-209. ing apart from that at Life Fellowship. oegel, R. P., 1977. Captive Breeding of Ama­ However, even if successful, it may be zona (leueoeephala), Aviculture Magazine, years before any offspring find their V. 83, pp. 126-130. 'oegel, R.P., 1979. World First Captive Breed­ way into the private sector. ing of the Jamaican Black-billed Amazon, Our examination of these 48 speci­ The Parrot Society, V. XIII, pp. 265-267. mens disclosed an almost equal sex Noegel, R.P., 1979. Amazon Husbandry, ratio and the majority were in the The A.FA. Watchbird, V. VI, No.4, pp. 10-21. prime of life, all essential requisites Noegel, R.P., 1979. The Isle of Pines Amazon, for a successful captive breeding pro­ Avicullure Magazine, V. 85, pp. 85-88. gram. Compare this with the old and 'oegel, R.P., 1979. The Vanishing Yellow­ LIVE sometimes sexually senile specimens napes, American Cage Bird Magazine. ov., we began our program with in 1965. pp.29-32. PET FOOD Noegel, R.P., 1980. Amazona leucoeephala: Even those in good health often Status in the Wild and Potential for Captive MEALWORMS required upwards of ten years before Breeding, Conservation of New World BULK OR PACKED producing fertile eggs. They had to be Parrots by Roger F. Pasquier, Smithsonian WAX WORMS conditioned to accept a mate, had to Institution Press, pp. 73-79. Noegel, R.P., 1981. World First Captive Breed­ FLY LARVAE be brought into potency, and by sev­ ing of the Cayman Brac Amazon, Aviculture eral seasons of trial and error, acquire Bulletin, Sept., p. 7. TOP QUALITY! the abiity to properly copulate. Such Parkes, K.C., 1963. otes on Some Birds from behavior is learned as evidenced by Cuba and the Isle of Pines, Ann. Carreg. LOWEST PRICES! our four generations of captive-bred Mus., V. 36, pp. 129-132. Peters, J.L., 1928. The Races of Amazona CALL OR WRITE birds. This learning process begins as leueoeephala, (Linn.), AUk, V. 85, pp. FOR BROCHURE early as five months of age and, no 342-344. doubt, plays an effective role in Rutgers, A., 1965. The Handbook of Foreign ORDER TOLL FREE breeding activity when maturity is Birds in Colour, Volume Two, Blandford 1-800-222-3563 ALL OTHER CALLS: 513-874-5881 roRl reached in three to five years. Age of Press, London, p. 179. Todd, W.E.C., 1916. The Birds of the Isle of ~ maturity varies with individuals Pines, Ann. Carreg. Muse., V. 10, pp. ( oegel, 1979). 146-296 ~ Our ongoing research of endan­ Editors' Note: The views and opinions ofthe ~ p.o. BOX 15Q01-HAMILTON, OH 4S015 gered species in the Caribbean and authors are theirs alone and do not reflect on Galapagos Islands causes us to appre- the Watchbird and its staff. KNOWN FOR DUALITYAND SERVICE! afa WATCHBIRD 45