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PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN CONSERVATION AND WELFARE in action Vol. 12 No. 4 November 2000

New Director Parrot Welfare & Rescue Jewels of Nature Project Echo The WPT 12

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

C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y WPT appoints

Editor Rosemary Low, P.O. Box 100, new Direc t o r by MICHAEL REYNOLDS Mansfield, Notts., In PsittaScene for May 2000 we advertised our need for a new director to take over from me by the end of 2000. We received a large number of applications fr om well qualified people in NG20 9NZ countries across the globe. We finally chose somebody with excellent experience and talents relevant to the job, and this is James D. Gilardi PhD from . James - known to all as ‘Jamie’ - ¥ To provide expertise in so. He will use his field CONTENTS was one of the four joint authors response to all media and other experience to supervise our of the recently published Parrot enquiries. projects around the world, and WPT appoints new Action Plan, and helped will report to you, our members, Director ...... 2 orchestrate the meeting arranged ¥ To communicate with WPT's in PsittaScene. in London by WPT in 1995 that membership, primarily through Parr ot Welfare & Rescue ..3-8 set the preparation of the new ‘PsittaScene’. I am sur e you will all welcome Jamie, and he can be r eached on email at: Jewels of Nature ...... 9-12 plan into action. He has since Quite a tall , no doubt you completed his PhD at University gilardi@worldpar rottrust.org. He will agree. But Jamie has what it will be at the Gabriel Foundation WPT Visits Fiji ...... 13-15 of California, Davis working under will take, and is gr eatly looking Dr Cathy Toft, and went on to Symposium to be held at Tampa, Psitta News ...... 16 for ward to taking on what must , from 5 to 7 January 2001. work for the Pr eservation be one of the most exciting jobs Trust International and the See page 16 for details of Update ...... 17 available to someone in his area this impor tant event. Oceanic Society. His par rot work of expertise. He will work out of The WPT 12 ...... 18 includes running the St. Lucia Davis, Califor nia, but will visit our I will become chairman of WPT-UK parrot project for a , three UK base as frequently as is and WPT-USA, and will continue to WPT Info Page ...... 19 field seasons in southeastern necessar y, and will aim to visit contribute to our trust Parr ots in the Wild ...... 20 studying wild , working our branches when practical to do wher ever practical. with captive to better understand soil-eating in parrots, and shor ter field-stints in St. Vincent, and Guatemala. In our ad for the job we listed the following requir ements: ¥ To understand the particular threats relating to the 330 of parrot. ¥ To be able to work effectively with individuals and organisations in parrot range countries. ¥ To design, implement, supervise and report scientifically sound Cover Picture conservation programmes. Kula Eco Park Education ¥ To work co-operatively with Officer Merewairita Senivula other organisations with similar holding a Kadavu Shining aims. Par rot. This photo was taken ¥ To initiate and bring to fruition by Kirsty Swinnerton whilst a range of fund-raising activities. in Fiji and you can read her ¥ To publicise the work of WPT report on pages 13-15. and its achievements. ¥ To prepare and distribute educational material, for general The World Parr ot Trust does not public consumption, and for necessarily endorse any views or statements made by contributors owners of captive parr ots. to PsittaScene. ¥ To represent WPT at all levels It will of course consider articles and on all occasions. or letters from any contributors on their merits. ¥ To deal promptly and creatively All contents © World Parr ot Tr ust with the extensive communications received by the trust. Jamie Gilardi Photo: Chris Huxley , Caribbean Images

2 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 4, November 2000

M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K Pa r rot Wel f a r e & Rescue The World Parrot Trust has written about these critical matters in past PsittaScenes, notably our issue for May 1998, and also in our previous issue for August 2000. In 1998 we commented that perhaps as many as 50% of all parrots were kept in cramped and inadequate conditions, and we went on to propose the following action: Support a complete ban on the discussion, based on infor mation total commitment on the par t Supervision at all stages by an , trading and export of supplied by rescue groups. We of the people involved, plus avian is strongly wild-caught par rots from their invite further input fr om all reasonable financial status. A recommended. countries of origin, unless for sources of exper tise and opinion. business plan is 6 Re-homing of rehabilitated approved breeding programmes. 1 Any gr oup engaged in this task r ecommended. birds is a key element in the Voluntarily r educe the numbers should ensure it has suf ficient 4 Some expertise in public work of most rescue of parr ots being bred in funding, wide experience of relations is important, to operations. This requir es captivity. The aim should be working with parrots, suitable maximise publicity about inspection of would-be foster quality, not quantity. accommodation, exper t par rots in difficulty, the homes, the education of those Educate potential new pet par rot veterinary support and sound r escue service available and taking on responsibility for owners, so that they properly methods of assessing foster the need for funds and other the , a document understand the commitment they homes. for ms of support. It is also recording the precise ar e making. impor tant to work effectively commitment being undertaken 2 The motivation must be with local par rot people, clubs Help r escue groups wher ever and effective follow-up to nothing other than the r escue, and authorities. ensure that all is well. possible, with funding and r ehabilitation and longterm facilities. 5 The quality and range of Integration of rehabilitated welfare of the bir ds. The facilities must be adequate. birds of endangered species We also proposed the following profit motive has no place in Separate quarantine, hospital, into an EEP or other approved Guidelines for Parrot Rescue: parrot rescue. rehabilitation and pr e-release breeding project is These are simply a draft for 3 Stability is vital. This means a sections ar e essential. recommended. Recent Developments have the $15,000 to spend either. In the August 2000 PsittaScene we In addition to what we see as over- picked up on the question raised breeding of some of the birds who by Peter Them of Denmark: are "high maintenance" and ‘should aviculture continue to perhaps are not suitable for most mass-produce parrots?’ Rosemary pet homes (Example: we have over Low wrote an article on this, 30 including numerous answering the question with a "mate-killers", mutilators etc.), we resounding ‘NO!’. are now receiving many 15-20+ year old birds, whose owners are We have now re-visited Peter undergoing life-changes: having Them’s ‘Parrot Data Email Club’, families, career changes, r etiring and selected the following quotes and whose members, from a variety of correspondents: friends etc do not want the “I really believe there are too . The market is so many parrots. I’ve been in bird saturated that plucked or more rescue for four now, and I’m hormonal birds cannot always find amazed at how many babies are good homes. They end up here… being pr oduced. It really saddens …If breeders insist that they me to know that most of them will NOT A PRETTY SIGHT Ð As seen in earlier PsittaScene. should continue unrestricted end up in rescue. I think it’s very much like the dog-breeding scene in 1990. By 1996 the numbers after our move to larger facilities. breeding, then we believe it is time now. There are some good were 40 million in 5.5 million (A 71 acre ranch in Southern Az.). that they give good and long respectively. We have extrapolated, thought to supporting the long- breeders who will take Most frighteningly we have turned r esponsibility for all the lives they at the continuing rate of growth term care often two or three that today, in 2000 ther e are away over 100 birds in the past generations of humans per bird, produce for the rest of their lives, two months. These birds, without and there are others who just approx. 60 million exotic birds in costing tens of thousands only 6 million homes in the US. exception, were the “left-overs” the ($36,000+ for 50 years is our want money, and they produce so non-breedable or pet quality birds conservative estimate) of dollars. many babies that there end up Apparently, based on what your writers have said, in parts of from large “collections” whose being not enough homes for them owners were either unable or There are no simple solutions. Europe ther e is a “glut” as well. Legislation certainly only creates all.” unwilling to pay the $150+ per Robinn, USA The Oasis Sanctuary Foundation, bird that their vets would charge more problems. Education, self- Ltd. incorporated in early 1997 for the medical testing we require. examination and introspection with 68 birds. By the time we (In individual emergency cases we leading to a larger more holistic “I took time to read some of the view of the birds and their place in r esponses to your original query received our 501(c)(3) in Dec. of will pay for this but cannot do it, the world and in our lives is a goal before responding. There wer e, by the same year we had over 90 at this time, for large numbers of PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisor y birds. Today we have over 260 birds.) Who knows what will happen more in keeping with our views.” Council) statistics 14 million exotic birds and a waiting list of approx to these birds? It keeps us up Sybil Erden, Director birds in 5 million homes (in the US) 20 birds due to ar rive this fall nights with worry but we do not The Oasis Sanctuary, USA

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C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y “…Speaking for myself, I am not “I read this post/request with in their home because they have r ealization hits home and the “mass-producing” birds, and so far, bewilderment and a sense of suddenly realized that these problems begin, the majority of I have been able to sell youngstock astonishment. creatures are not so easily cared these people (whose original within a few weeks, or Here in the U.S. all parrots remain for and live a long long time! intentions were probably good) are occasionally months, at moderate, in high demand. Even the common The number of rescue ready to bail out… get rid of the but to me quite satisfactory prices. has seen a resurgence of organizations continues to grow bird! To conclude, we will have to adjust demand. It is true that r esearch and many are already bursting at It is my opinion that there are far to changes r esulting from and import restrictions have made the seams and turning birds away too many people in the US advances in aviculture, but bird- the business self-sufficient as you because they just cannot br eeding parr ots for one reason breeding remains a wonderful and say. But the idea that we are able accommodate all the ones needing only and that is to MAKE MONEY! rewarding hobby.” to “Mass Produce” parr ot babies is placement. And these are just the Some raise their babies in a caring highly laughable… ones who are at least fortunate manner, others don’ t, many sell Sue Embury, UK We have waiting lists for our enough to have an owner who is unweaned babies (misleading “We have not noticed any lessoning babies and almost all have willing to “place” them in a rescue buyers by telling them the of demand for our birds. We have deposits placed on them prior to or sanctuary situation. handfeeding will pr ovide that over a hundred pairs of larger weaning. We deliver only weaned, This does not include the parrots ultimate bond), and YES many birds. African greys and amazons healthy, vet checked, banded and that have been relegated to the mass produce as many babies as make up most of them but we do guaranteed babies… basement or the garage or other possible by pulling the , have some pairs of macaws and incubator hatching, gavage some pairs of and feeding the babies. moustache sized birds. We sell all It is my opinion that in the US we we hatch, primarily to qualified absolutely DO have situations with hand feeders at 2 to 4 weeks of parrots that are nearly identical to age. We don’t seem to be able to the PUPPY MILLS that have been hatch enough to lessen the exposed as being breeding pits of demand. The only thing that we horror run by unscrupulous, have had a problem selling this money hungr y, thoughtless people. year was some cheek Have I seen this first hand? The amazons. They tell me that large answer is YES!… numbers of them are still being My conclusion is that there are far smuggled into the U.S. and too many parrots being bred in destroying the market.” the US for sale into the pet trade Bob, Golden Oak by far too many breeders whose only goal is to make money. If one r ealistically looks at the plight of “…I’ll send you now some of my the companion parr ot in the US, it thoughts about “Are there too is hard not to think that we will many parr ots...”. eventually see these magnificent Perhaps you know that I’m writing A tame Scarlet is a companion for life. creatures facing the same fate as some articles for German- Like any business, there ar e those secluded place where they will not the millions of dogs & cats that language bird-magazines. enter shelters and never again live that do not advertise, have poor be a bother to the people. in someone's home as the So I have many contacts to people skills, lack any marketing Where they will have little human companion they were once breeders and owners of neotropic talent, or are just lousy business contact, be fed only as needed, the intended to be.” (and other parr ots, too) people… meagerest of diet, where they will Judy, USA all over the “German-speaking In conclusion, the term mass never be bathed or talked to or world” and the neighbouring production and serious Aviculture held or know companionship of “YES, YES, YES. There are too countries. in the U.S. do not mix. The price any kind. Where they will live out many br eeder birds, baby birds, So I can give you some structure and demand are their life basically abandoned and people who breed birds, in the information about the situation of r emaining stable, and we see because the owners not only could pet trade today. I know that in the parr ots in captivity here in many more families owning not cope with the parrot, but also US, many healthy bir ds as well as Germany. numerous pet birds. Pet quality is could not face the guilt of knowing sick, injur ed, handicapped birds of high importance to most buyers. they made a big mistake and take are being deliberately killed at an The last few years the “parrot As is health certificates and DNA positive action to cor rect it by alar ming rate. market” has collapsed completely. sexing. A sweet, gentle hand fed trying to find an appropriate As the US’s first and largest parrot The prices for the most parrot baby bir d is what the pet market is home. They think pushing it into demanding, there is no market for a dark corner they can forget sanctuary, we are against the species are at the lowest point. Even euthanasia of healthy birds, but the rarest species you cannot deal. young wild caught or parent about it... and they will! And the raised birds any longer. I see an parrot will suffer and die someday. fear that because of a lack of So a little group of parrot breeders up turn in demand in our future, places for these unwanted birds, Do you think I'm kidding? If you the nightmare has already begun. (like myself) have decided to stop not the dumping of unsold stock as do, you need a reality check the breeding for a certain time. you suggest.” because this happens all the Br eeders and their advocates, are Some br eeders (I hope it will Take Care and God Bless, time!… butting heads with the advocates become more and more) want to of sensible par rot care. Most of the John, It is a crime beyond my birds we get into our sanctuary reach a “really good life” for their The Shop Out Back , USA understanding and tolerance. birds; they want to have less birds (we house them all here in the same room, that means Bottom line is that so many permanently... no adoptions...no more r oom for flying. I think this “…The Cleveland Zoo receives up parrots are impulse purchases sales) are coming fr om pet bird is a good development, isn’t it?…” to 200 calls a year from people made by people who do not have a owners who ar e just now finding wanting to “dump” the parrot/s clue as to how to meet their needs out for themselves that these Volker Würth, Germany that they no longer want to keep and r equirements and once that animals are WILD, yet very human

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M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K like creatures. This mix of I heard that BirdTalk was serves me right, generally they the salaries of the PhDs that work wildness, beauty, ability to talk undertaking a survey of all the were being sent to zoos or back to on many projects. If we cannot and to understand human r escuers in the country trying to breeders. There are always “profit” from all we do, then the language on some level, coupled inventory the birds in their care to companion or livestock animals whole system breaks down again with their ability to think, reason, get some sort of reliable figure of being “recycled”, it is nothing new. and we might as well just eat the and make decisions (if allowed) is the actual number of discarded parrots. A little “profit” is actually what makes them so attractive to parrots and the species. I I have interviewed a few owners of some of the better known “rescue” what is needed to support the pet trade. anxiously await their results. I am conservation of wild parrots etc. not looking forward to their operations in the . It We are on the brink of a disaster turns out that a greater Without it, there is no incentive to here in the US, and I would revelations, however. It is my hope conserve the animals or the that all who breed birds will also percentage of the owners that are imagine worldwide, of where are offering birds to these people habitat. Emotion, and the “warm all of these unwanted birds to go. look at those figures, acquired in and fuzzy feeling” only goes so far, one to possibly two decades of actually want money for them. The market is already dropping, Therefore, they are being sold, not after that, someone better have and so ar e prices. Many who have concerted br eeding efforts in the some money or the end result will US. Then decide whether or not rescued-or at best, they are being pur chased parrots are now rescued from owners that want be disaster.” warning their friends NOT to you are serving the birds or yourself when you produce more.” some money. But there are also the indulge in getting one, ther efore, owners that have valid reasons to My Opinion… Rick Jordan, the tr end to euthanising these Eileen Michaels, USA give up a pet bird to these USA nearly extinct creatures crawls nearer every day. I have some ideas as to the solution to the pr oblem, one of By this greeting from which (that tops the list) is to STOP Denmark I have the breeding these birds IMMEDIATELY. pleasure to introduce the So much for the excuse that they worldwide: ar e bred to pr eserve the species. They are being br ed for PROFIT PARROT DATA and nothing less. If not one more E-MAIL-CLUB baby bir d were to hatch out in this world, we already have more in The aim of Parrot Data E- captivity that humankind can Mail-Club is to collect and manage.” report data and news Mary Bradford, about the Parrots - The Exotic Bird Refuge, Psittaculture in the wild as USA well as in the aviculture “I recently heard of one parrot protected environment. rescuer with 85 unwanted birds. She struggled to care for them as BUT please note: Parrot long as she could. Her heart was Two bright eyed and stimulated Y ellow-fronted pet amazons. Data E-Mail-Club will not simply too big for her pocket book. “As par rots are br ed for the US pet operations. They will donate them deal with Pet Birds or Now why she did not tur n to the market they will enter into the for a tax write off (if the Cage Birds. community and ask for help I do same realm as dogs and cats. organization is a not-for-profit not know. However, her solution Every week thousands of dogs and organization). This is almost as You and your friends are for her rescued flock as she faced cats are killed in shelters good as selling your parrot if you welcome to subscribe to what I assume was imminent in ever y significant city. Millions need the tax write off. Even if a this free Parrot Data E- bankruptcy, was to have all 85 of are killed each year. Refuge and rescue operation receives a parr ot Mail-Club. them killed with the aid of a sanctuary will not be able to cope for free, many many of them then veterinarian. She found this with the problem. We will have to charge an “adoption fee” or All mails will be sent as preferable to seeing them suffer a humanely destroy parr ots. “placement fee” complete with a BCC (blind copy holders), miserable existence in the hands of This will be fact if parr ots continue sad story about how this bird was to avoid spammers getting humans. It was her way of being to be marketed as ... they will found “in a small cage in a dark hold of the list of responsible for them. I do not fault garage”...there could not possibly receive no better treatment than addresses. her. I weep for her, for it must man’s best friend.” be that many birds in dark have taken incredible courage to Jack C Eitniear, USA garages in the United States!!! You are most welcome to endure such a thing. She was after send me news about or all a rescuer of the unwanted. That’s right folks, many of the “I would like to make comment rescue operations in the United related to Parrots. In 1988 I found parrots. I wanted States are nothing more than “sob to do my part for conservation of brought up by several readers. But, please note: Do Not Some are of the opinion that the story pet stores with ‘used’ the species to keep them on the equipment for sale”. They have send large mails, pictures, planet. We were still importing mere existence of a business that claims its primary purpose is to created a huge market and hype sound-files or attachments birds. I selected 2 species of over “unwanted parrots” that amazon not common or curr ently “rescue” unwanted parrots, really do not exist. If you think for Best wishes from suppor ts the idea that there are being bred in the US. By the time I one minute that there are Denmark had 2 pair of juvenile Panama too many parrots. I could not disagree mor e strongly. My unwanted parrots that breeders Peter H Them Amazons and my pair of Mealies will not take back and put into in 1991 - 92, things were disagreement is based on many breeding situations, just ask a Parrot Data beginning to change. My birds are different facts about many of just now of an age to breed. Guess these “operations”. For example, few… Email: who will not be breeding her birds. befor e we saw the advent of these In closing, I’d also like to say that [email protected] I cannot bear the thought of my operations, wher e were unwanted “profit” is not a bad word. Pr ofit, babies ending up discarded… par rots being sent? If memory as you call it, also helps to pay for

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 4, November 2000 ■ 5

C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y veterinary organizations) and an approach is deemed would complement, rather than unacceptable or unethical, A Parrot Wel f a r e Prop o s a l : replace, the local teaching and denunciation of it, and of any outr each efforts of each PWO using it, should be individual member PWO. unbending and unequivocal, until the problem is corrected. Hands Across the Wat e r 2. INCLUSIVE Ð It should allow for a Therefore, some form of by STEWART METZ range of views and approaches inspection and accreditation I do not personally direct a parrot rescue and adoption center, a foster to be expressed during open, process will be needed. home or a parrot sanctuary . However, I do have a deep and abiding face-to-face discussion, and for the contributions of anyone 6. FUNDED Ð Activities of such an concern about the welfare of parrots; therefore, I offer one person’s vision oversight committee will require for the cr eation of an international organization overseeing the seriously devoted to the welfare funding, and therefore, in all stewardship of abused or abandoned parrots. of psittacines. likelihood, an initial Parrot Welfare Organizations or clout in this approach lies in the 3. INTERNATIONAL Ð Despite the accreditation fee plus smaller PWOs (as I will combine them) are fact that failure of a particular PWO tendency of those of us in the annual dues (perhaps pro-rated springing up all over. Some have to satisfy the standards developed United States to see ourselves as based on size) would be heroically rescued many parr ots by such an organization would the center of the universe, assessed. However, the banding fr om horrid abuse at the hands of result in the international parrot welfare issues (and together into a single, respected man, at considerable personal disapproval or even outright solutions!) involve many other inter national body should sacrifice. Unfortunately, others are condemnation of that countries as well. facilitate application to large more interested in their own national and international aggrandizement. Others simply do agencies and philanthropies for not have the means to do the job support, which can then be re- well. Money is scarce and different distributed (in part) to member sanctuaries may even be PWOs. Furthermore, a competing for some of the same percentage of dues can be held donors or sponsors. Thus, an back in an emer gency fund individual trying to donate or designated for use by member acquire a rescue bird faces a or ganizations as a safety net quagmire having to choose from during crises such as sudden among all the listings. It quickly illness or death of a major became clear to me, after caregiver at a member PWO. examining those web sites Some funds could also be purporting to provide links to donated for avian research. PWOs in the U.S., that none has a 7. SCHOLARLY Ð One shortcoming complete, up-to-date list or can which ensues when each provide sufficient information Sanctuary acts in a virtual required to guarantee the quality All the best par rots read PsittaScene. Photo: Rosemary Low vacuum is the failure to of each PWO. I concluded that a systematically analyze and single, united organization is Organization; consequently, 4. FLEXIBLE Ð There is often more disseminate experience (and needed which can set minimum donations of both parrots and than one way to deal with each hopefully, formal scientific acceptable standards and ethical money to it would be restricted. issue. For example, an excellent practices for sanctuaries, as well as studies) accrued from dealing A working committee Ð a summit, sanctuar y might be non-profit; with the unique problems of provide a readily accessible non-profit with 501(c)3 status, “international clearinghouse” to if you will Ð should be convened to rescue birds. Which approaches deal with these issues. I propose or for-profit. The key is that the worked? Which didn’t? Until whom others can turn for approach taken must be clearly information not only on the most that the following be among the such information is gathered distinquishing characteristics of identifiable and, above all, it and disseminated, PWOs will proximate Sanctuary, but on its must be clear that the only standing in the “parrot community” the Organization arising out of the continue to act empirically, deliberations of such a working critical outcome will be to rather than using systematic at large. Until that happens, PWOs safeguard the welfare of its will remain like a quilt whose committee. It should be: approaches based on parrots. I know of Sanctuaries experiences worldwide. The patches have not yet been sewn 1. IMPARTIAL Ð It should be which are limited in funds and together. oversight Organization itself overseen by an independent, resources and perhaps cannot might periodically release (via e- Several small versions of such an respected authority which can do everything as “finely” as they mail and, where desired, - oversight organization have been disseminate the principles might like; yet they provide mail) a non-glossy, non-‘slick’ established by leaders of a few adopted by the Committee great love and an improved newsletter, addressing practical respected PWOs. In my opinion, under its aegis. The World Parrot quality of life to those parr ots and ethical issues involved in however, this can create an Trust would be the logical under their stewardship. Sam the treatment of sanctuary birds. appearance of a conflict of interest, choice. It has branches in many Foster has suggested that, added tantamount to asking the owner of countries and an official together, the total number of We all SAY we love parr ots. I the Yankees to become publication (PsittaScene) edited parrots helped by such “Mom thr ow down a gauntlet and ask: Commissioner of Baseball! by Rosemary Low, indisputably and Pop” PWOs may exceed the Do we love them enough to work However these efforts may one of the most respected and number of parrots aided by the TOGETHER for their betterment? therefore prove divisive, no matter compassionate leaders of the more polished, but less Can an international body be how well-intentioned. The time has parrot community. WPT has numerous, or ganizations. convened to hash out the come for all those concerned about years of expertise in psittacine 5. ENFORCIBLE, ENFORCED AND specifics for a truly global parrot welfare to come together to matters, a selfless dedication to UNBENDING Ð Once acceptable appr oach to parr ot abuse, and to objectively and dispassionately improving the lot of parrots, and standards are worked out, fight on their behalf? Look into develop and implement a single set the knowledge and participation means must be established to the eyes of any mistreated par rot of common ethical and practical of some of the most respected determine where they are or are who has had the look of trust and guidelines applicable to all PWOs. minds in the field. Of course, not being met. As indicated joy replaced by one of fear and They must be willing to toss ego such oversight should work above, there is need for some withdrawal. Y ou’ll find a clear aside and work together with hand-in-hand with other actively flexibility in determining answer ther e: for “the birds of the others for the parrots’ sake. The involved organizations (ie, acceptable approaches, but once air...they will tell you”

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M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K standards of biosecurity and birds, and former pets can be veterinary protocol for humane substantial when the numbers are An insider’s look at societies and sanctuary groups factored in. Often, the caring pet specializing in parrots? Is there a owner with a heart of gold in his need to establish standards of or her desire to help displaced Rescue and Sanctuary care for individuals and groups birds becomes overwhelmed. By Julie Weiss Murad, Founder and President that are perfor ming rescue Time involved in the birds’ care is The Gabriel Foundation, Post Of fice Box 11477, Aspen, Colorado 81612 USA functions and creating permanent twenty-four/seven with a high rate sanctuary for the rising number of of burnout. With no standardized It is clear that the parrot is a substantially different than parrots entering such facilities? criteria for the care and provision creatur e generally admired, originally per ceived. Parrots are Keeping parrots can be costly. for birds in a sanctuary, rescue or coveted and sought after by man. essentially loud, messy and Many sanctuaries with bare bones rehabilitative parrot facility, the Today’s parrots in captivity have destr uctive. Proper housing, diet paid staff or volunteers close for necessity of establishing a healthy virtually no say or control in the and veterinary car e can be costly. a variety of reasons. We must be prototype and database is critical manner of their being kept. The If well educated prior to a responsible for standards and to the longevity, success and small amount of “commentary” pur chase, the prospective parrot protocol established for long-term reputation of all of these they have is usually demonstrated “owner” has some clue about the flock health of the avian organizations and the birds. in a negative manner that may responsibility that he/she is about population. Observation of this cost them their home. Parrots can to under take. The purchaser emerging field in aviculture Where do the monies come from? bite, act aggressively and develop needs valuable support suggests that this type of facility Some funding sources are other types of behavior related memberships, donations, grants pr oblems that label them as and potential corporate undesirable. Parrots may fail to underwriting and gifting resultant thrive and die as a result of their from estate planning, captive situation when the keeper endowments and trusts. fails to meet the critical needs of Fiduciary responsibility to the the bird. Where do our financial contributors of these responsibilities as keepers organizations is imperative. The belong? Unwanted parrots and parr ots are forever our sanctuary efforts are considerable responsibility. This type of in countries where parrots are organization is a fledgling and commonly kept captive. needs your help with education, Observation suggests that reasons support, and liaison. If rescue and for “getting rid of the bird” are sanctuary organizations are to universal. We are failing the succeed and continue to provide creatures that we profess to this invaluable service to the respect, love, admire and protect. public and to the birds, we must become an integral part of Serious attention must be given to Birds will sometimes pluck one another Ð as seen with these r escued . aviculture. A protocol for the numbers of organizations concer ning their bird regarding must follow a strict and standards and accountability emerging to cope with the from each rescue and sanctuar y problem of discarded parrots. the environmental, psychological conscientious biosecurity protocol and physical factors that must be to avoid potential disaster. organization is imperative if the According to a colleague, “A basic number of birds entering these truth is that many of the behavior created to satisfy some of the Working with immune parrot’s natural, instinctive compromised bir ds presents a facilities is to have the quality of problems which cause a parrot to unique set of problems. Medical life that they deserve. Community lose its home ar e the result of a behaviors to pre-empt the “behavior problems” often the care can be costly due to involvement, strong veterinary really bad environment and poor contacts, assistance from bir d nutrition. Simply providing advice factor which costs the bird its unknown bird histories. Daily home. The human individual or upkeep and housing require clubs, humane organizations, regar ding a healthful diet, school systems, rotary and exercise, adequate light, proper family essentially becomes a substantial financial support. substitute flock for the highly Many persons and organizations retirement organizations, pet caging as well as mental and stores, retailers, br eeders and the physical stimulation will resolve social psittacine bir d, whether a have suffered repercussions from budgie or a macaw Committing to the financial and emotional drain media are imperative. Passion and many problems.” To improve the good intentions are not enough; parrot-human relationship, a long-ter m relationship with a caused by providing for displaced parrot is not unlike living with birds. If thousands of birds keep they do not pay the bills. How do consider how does one evaluate pouring into the “recycle and we make our concern YOUR the substantial commitment, cost another human being. Learning how to have and maintain a rescue” market from homes and concern? How do we spread the and quality of life required by the message that “this living fragment provider to appropriately care for compatible relationship with one’s breeders, mass depopulation pet bird begins by having a might be the management tool of the rainforest” needs our help, an animal that may potentially now more than ever? live for decades? How does the healthy respect for who and what used for several reasons: cost concerned aviculturist, it is, as well as a willingness to effectiveness, ease of application, The Gabriel Foundation’s motto veterinarian, conservationist or accept complete responsibility for and a dearth of alternatives to from The Little Prince by Antoine breeder tackle the plight of birds its emotional and physical well- house the unwanted populations. de St. Exupery reminds us, “Many “owned” by uninformed caretakers being. Incompatibility usually No business, whether for profit, have forgotten this truth, but you or those living in uncaring, begins with the human’s non-profit or philanthropic, can must not forget it. You remain unrealistic expectations of the responsible, forever, for what you neglectful and/or abusive survive for long in the situations? animal. This can be the result of have tamed.” lack of knowledge or complicated business and legal Living with an animal that is misinfor mation. The person who world without a strong base. Most For further information contact essentially not domesticated chooses a parr ot as a pet must emerging organizations are The Gabriel Foundation at provides a challenge to acquir e many useful skills to live responding out of need, a deep www.thegabrielfoundation.org or supplement the needs of a successfully with that animal if sense of love and commitment. Sam Foster, Symposium creatur e removed from its natural the relationship is to thrive. The costs associated with keeping coordinator at 352.686.8955 environment. The reality of living ex-breeder birds, unwanted or (ph/fax) or e-mail at with a parrot might be Is there a need to establish unsold physically challenged [email protected]

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 4, November 2000 ■ 7

C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y on behalf of the bir ds we all care the wild, to thrive in our homes’. about so deeply, is the following: We consider that this statement is The Parrots of the World - Stop breeding so many birds. Back still very r elevant and if parr ot in 1989 I wrote a piece in organizations, publications, bir d 'PsittaScene' about how our hobby clubs, zoos and conser vation and a critical question for us all was one of the few in which one welfar e activists wer e to get behind this campaign, it could by MICHAEL REYNOLDS might be able to ear n a little money and thus pay for our open many doors to cr eate It is now nearly twelve years since we launched the W orld Parrot Trust, interest. In our furiously publicity for the plight of the dedicated to the sur vival of parrot species in the wild and the welfar e of commer cial western societies this parrots. captive birds. Despite our effor ts, however, during that time the position has been taken to extr emes and One of our assets is the video of both wild and captive birds has continued to deteriorate sever ely. the time has come to call a halt. made for us by John Cleese. In The birds in the wild are subjected to accelerating habitat loss and Aviculturists of all kinds should this, John explains the impor tance trapping for the pet trade. If we make a global estimate that half a consider reducing their br eeding of our PARROTS NEED HELP slogan. million young par rots are stolen from the wild each year, that's six activity, going for quality rather This video was shown twice on UK million birds lost to the wild and condemned to a variety of levels of than quantity. television, but not in the USA or distress as captives. other countries. It could well be Educate the ignorant. W e need to used globally, supported by ever y A small number of parrots kept as have to hope that many of the reach the kind of people who buy kind of publicity ar ranged by our pets in the developed world may deprived 90% of par rots will a par rot on a whim, find it associates and suppor ters in the be fortunate. Their owners may eventually encounter adequate interesting for a week or two, then par rot community. It will be have the financial resources and standards of care, but in reality just neglect it or move it on to essential to distribute a simple the and understanding leaflet that explains our concer ns to give their birds adequate and is suitable for r eproduction in accommodation, food and print media generally . We should veterinary care. Even so, such aim for a 'World Par rot Week', to conditions cannot possibly be be held towar ds the end of the equated to the freedom and year 2001. fulfillment that a wild bir d will experience, fr om enjoying a glut The W orld Parrot Tr ust and its 13 of figs, to producing young, even branches ar ound the world are to the drama of sudden death willing to coor dinate this activity. inflicted by a pr edator. Pet parrots So who would like to join us in in the parrot range countries this endeavour? number many millions, and again, This brings me to the critical only a minority of these will enjoy question mentioned above: do you a decent quality of life. If we say care most about the par rots that perhaps ten percent of all ...to survive in the wild themselves, or more about the captive parrots are kept in money you make fr om them? This satisfactor y conditions, that would ...to thrive in our homes is the crunch question. Do you be a generous assessment. support the r eduction of mass, A WO RLD PARRO T TRUST CAM P AI G N abusive, sub-standar d par rot What can we, the 'caring par rot ww w .w o r l d p a r r o t t r u s t . o r g keeping, or would this objective community', do to help the be unwelcome to you for financial remaining 90% of pet par rots, only a tiny fraction will be so somebody equally un-infor med. r easons? We hope you will decide denied space, stimulation, a fortunate. The main message should be that the welfar e of these pr oper diet, veterinary care and something like: 'A parrot is for Let us speculate that in the USA marvelous birds has to be the sensitive concern for their life. Cost of par rot, say $500, cost priority . welfar e? Estimates vary, but the five hundr ed capable par rot of keeping parrot pr operly for 25 Five years ago in our 'Manifesto World Parr ot Trust believes ther e sanctuaries are each looking after years, $50,000.' We wish them to may be between fifty and sixty an average of one hundr ed reach the conclusion that a pet for Aviculture' we introduced the million captive parr ots worldwide. rescued parr ots. That adds up to par rot is not for them, too much concept of 'r esponsible aviculture', In the USA there are thought to be 50,000 birds, or around one trouble, too much expense, too which encouraged 'high standar ds over 5 million parrots, not per cent of all captive parrots in long-term. in avicultural practice and the surprising in a nation that is a the USA. Frankly , my opinion is need to accept a degr ee of hotbed of parrot keeping and that the total of bir ds in Inform ever ybody. What the r esponsibility for the conservation breeding. Even with the r estricted sanctuaries is far less than 50,000. parrots need is a global of wild populations, fr om which inflow of parr ots from wild At any rate, we still have ar ound information campaign to let all captive bir ds have sprung.' sources br ought about by the Wild five million parr ots in the United everyone know that these fabulous This concept has been taken up Act, the ease birds are threatened with and r epeated by many parrot States suf fering miserable lives. in the wild, and often with which parr ots are now aviary We simply have to accept that all gr oups and individuals, but bred means constant pr essure of treated badly in captivity . We per haps now we should make it this misery cannot be eliminated should say that a par rot can be a clear that the conscientious an excessive supply of young by the caring parrot community birds at ever lower prices. The fine household pet, but only if the keeping of pet par rots is a vital taking over responsibility fr om the pet owner has the right par t of the whole. result is a vast population, uncaring people. perhaps in the millions, of par rots temperament, adequate funds and In this issue of ' PsittaScene' we in transit fr om one home to Trouble is, writing about this in is willing to learn. We should also have inser ted a new print of our another, or to a shop, or some 'PsittaScene', 'Pet Bird Report', 'Bir d make the point that anyone who PARROTS NEED HELP car sticker , kind of 'sanctuar y'. It is a Talk', 'Par rots' or other specialist keeps a par rot in captivity has a and a copy of our 'Happy, Healthy testament to the genuine publications, is pr eaching to the responsibility to help the Parr ot' leaflet. Please take a look at commitment of so many converted. The people who ar e threatened parrots in the wild. these and consider how we can all hundreds, perhaps thousands, of mistreating the par rots are most A year ago the World Parrot Trust work together to improve the concerned parrot people, that all unlikely to read anything that introduced a campaign theme, quality of life for our friends, the over the developed world par rot might impr ove their knowledge or car ried on a car sticker that said: parrots. If you want to take par t, sanctuaries are being opened. We understanding. What we propose, ‘PARROTS NEED HELP to sur vive in please write dir ectly to me.

8 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 4, November 2000

M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K Jewels of Nature - The Parrot s

Rainbow Lorikeets

Jewels of Nature The Parrots Volume 1 An artistic and publishing triumph, and a generous innovation in funding parrot conservation

Two Inspirational Australians are attempting to raise A$20 million to Okko Boer points out, "If they do it wisely, the perpetual fund will be help rescue the world's endangered parrots through the sale of their delivering results long after we're all gone. It's the only way to look lavish limited-edition art books. after these matters because you can't continually knock on doors asking for money". Hanley and Boer acknowledge that at first sight Well known Australian artist Gordon Hanley and business partner A$20,000 is a lot to ask for a couple of books, but buyers will receive Okko Boer, a Sydney art dealer and publisher, are putting together a something that is an absolutely unique and valuable investment: in unique and audacious publishing project that plans to contribute fact, it's a bargain. Put simply, there has been nothing quite like this $A20 million to parr ot preservation around the world ever published before. No one artist has ever attempted to portray Okko Boer, who has marketed Australian art ar ound the world for parrots as they actually are, in their natural habitat. This is not a bird more than 30 years, says the process is transparent from star t to identification book. It is a portrayal of these beautiful birds as objects finish. "The reason we chose the WPT is that they have already spent a of art in their own right. Every page in the book seems to pose the lot of time and effort on preserving 37 parrot species. They have the question "Is this what we could lose forever?" expertise to direct the money to where it will do the most good." Many individuals, corporations, and public collections appear willing If all goes to plan, the A$20 million will end up in the fund that will to invest. With marketing now gaining pace, over one third of the roll on year after year, with the annual interest earned going into Australian allocation has already been sold, with buyers ranging from preser vation projects. An important point to r ealise is that with the National Library in Canberra to individual lovers of avian art who funding of this nature, it becomes possible to ensure a continuous see an opportunity to purchase something rare and beautiful for a flow of money into vital projects. Put another way, critical pr ojects do very worthwhile cause. International marketing has just commenced not fall over as they have in the past when vital funds dried up. As in the United States with strong interest from Europe and Asia.

C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y News about the artist, Gordon Hanley Gor don Hanley, a biologist turned professional lively, all done in watercolour, a difficult artist, likes to use every available source of medium to work in because unlike oils or material in creating these stunning images. acrylics, it is essentially non-correctable. “But “Museum skins are important because you can once you have mastery of the medium, it’s get individual detail in the etc., (he is excellent for doing this sort of work. It’s easy to Wildlife Artist-In-Residence at the Queensland use in the field, it can lend itself to high Museum). Sketches of live birds captur e precision and hard-edged clarity, but is also character, poses, pr oportions, and accurate capable of producing subtle and unpredictable colour. Photographs are extremely useful in effects. So it’s a medium that has great confirming these, and in obtaining quick flexibility.” It’s why Gould, Le Valliant, Audubon records. Often you don't get very good material and half a dozen others used watercolours. at all and that's where the artist takes over”. The authors for the book include Dr. Charles Gordon Hanley points out he is creating fine art, Munn, (Macaws) Prof. Mike Perrin (African not a field guide. “What I've got to keep in mind par rots and Ringnecks), Dr. Paul Reillo and is all those qualities that make a painting Howard Vor en (sharing the amazons, desirable to look at - composition, colour and remaining South American parrots), Neville balance, the painting process. I’m not about Biologist tur ned artist Gordon Hanley Connors (cockatoos) Dr. Stephen Garnett photo-realism. If that was important, we might (Australian parrots) and the world’s most as well do a book of photos. This is personal, prolific parrot author, Rosemary Low, (lories and and I'm trying to convey the impression these Indonesian/Papua species). wonderful birds have had on me.” The inter net is used extensively, paintings are It is also important to portray each bird in the digitally photographed and emailed to experts correct habitat. The particular plant species who check them for accuracy and provide swift depicted in each image is carefully researched: feedback. The need for detail, accuracy, and work that would be very difficult without the realism is paramount, but good fine art can still invaluable assistance of Dr. Phil Cameron, be cr eated within these parameters. curator of the Brisbane Botanical Gardens. This ambitious project has already consumed Backgrounds unify the entire painting and work over 2 years of the artist’s life, with a further in harmony with the subject. Of course this two years to go and Okko Boer, having initially involves a lot of travelling, both to access devised the plan, and now in control of specimens which are not available in Australian production and marketing, will be involved for collections and to experience at first hand their even longer. Yet the only goal that really respective habitats. matters, after completion of the paintings, and So far Gordon has completed 78 major paintings sale of the books, is that the JON Fund can and 76 life-sized studies, more than enough for reach its full potential in helping to save the the first volume. The paintings are bold and par rots of the world.

Imperial Amazon

White-tailed Cockatoos White-bellied Caiques

Mealy Amazons

M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K Hawk-headed Parrots Parrots, as a group, possess the lar gest number of thr eatened species attack on a number of fronts - , introduced of all of the bird families. Ther e are around 350 extant species, with predators, the illegal live bird trade and simple persecution. There 90 of these listed by CITES as threatened. We have lost some 20 are a dozen endanger ed parrots in , a situation worsened by parr ot species, worldwide, since the year 1500. Parrots ar e under lack of adequate funding.

C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y In t e r es t e d ? He r e’ s what to do next:

First - visit the website www.jewelsofnature.com.au

Second - register your interest on the website Or use the reply form below

Wherever you are in the world, arrangements can be made to show you the actual books

Jewels of Nature, The Parrots comprises two lar ge books, each measuring 660mm Mike Reynolds has seen by 510mm. Each leather-bound volume will contain 60 full-page paintings and 62 life-size studies Volume One of ‘Jewels of of parrots, many of them in danger of extinction. In addition to Gor don Hanley's artwork ther e will Natur e - The Parrots’, and be detailed text on each par rot species by seven of the world's for emost par rot exper ts. says: “You will be overwhelmed by this Made in Australia from the finest materials available, each hand-crafted volume will be deliver ed in fantastic publication. its own protective car ry case; an essential featur e, as each book weighs an impr essive 16.5 kg. Painting after painting sets The first volume is expected to be available early in 2001 with the second to follow at the end of new standards for the the year. Only 2000 of the individually signed and number ed sets will be printed, and the number dramatic representation of to be sold in Australia has been limited to just 200. After pr oduction, all of the plates will be parrots in the wild. Every destroyed, thus ensuring the integrity of the limited edition. parrot lover will be thrilled At a pr e-publication price of US$12,400 a set it isn't exactly cheap, but then again, nothing about by this outstanding work these volumes could be described as cheap. Seeing is believing. No expense has been spar ed in the and will find it to be a production of these exquisite books. The paper for example, is the same stock as that specified by superb investment. the Louvre Museum in Paris for their published ar tworks. The production cost, using the finest Moreover, your pur chase materials will r un into millions. On top of this, there are the r esearch trips and a worldwide will help save the birds we marketing campaign that will cover over 100 countries. love.” Tell me more! For more information, phone Australia (61) (2) 45 75 5299 OR visit the website www.jewelsofnature.com.au

Please complete and return this form to:- Okko Boer , Fine Art Collectables Pty. Ltd, "Hillside" River Road, Lower Por tland, NSW 2756 Australia Please Send me More Information about ‘Jewels of Nature’:

Name: ...... Address: ......

Tel: ......

Email: ......

......

M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K discovered in 1979. They have help from many overseas organisations such as Taronga Zoo and the Brehm Foundation who advise on species recovery programmes. In addition to WPT visits Fiji species work, the NTF manage by KIRSTY SWINNERTON Wildlife Preser vation Tr ust Canada (WPTC) the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park and the Yaduataba At the beginning of the year, the National Tr ust for Fiji (NTF) contacted the World Parr ot Iguana Sanctuary. At the Trust on the advice of Mr Michael Dibben, the British High Commissioner in Fiji. Mr headquar ters in Suva I met a Dibben was instr umental in the World Parrot Trust's education work in Paraguay and had group of very dedicated and suggested that WPT might support NTF's parrot conser vation programme. Thus I found enthusiastic staf f including local myself on a 26-hour flight via Los Angeles and Hawaii, on behalf of the WPT to spend 12 and overseas volunteers working days in Fiji as a guest of the NTF. My trip in May was to coincide with the launch of a on many aspects of parrot conservation poster pr oduced by the NTF but I was also to investigate the conservation. During the week I problems facing Fijian parr ots and look at ways in which the WPT could become also met NTF Park staff, Deputy involved. Director Elisabeth Erasito and I was fairly used to tr opical Vice Chair man Robin Yarrow . islands, having lived in Through them I was able to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean make some assessment of the for 12 years, but Fiji was nearly priority problems facing Fiji's ten times the size with half the parrots and glean some ideas of population, mor e forest and a how WPT could contribute. lot mor e wildlife. Fiji comprises over 300 volcanic and coral islands covering a total land Finding wild parrots mass of 18,300km2. Ther e are 4 But so far I had not seen a main islands of which Viti Levu parrot. Asesela W aqairoba, a is the largest at 10,390 km2 and venerable volunteer for the NTF, Kadavu is the smallest at 411 suggested that we visit Colo-i- km2. Fiji ranks thir d for Suva, a small reserve only 20 numbers of r estricted-range bird minutes from Suva, where we species in the Pacific and 26 might find some. Within 10 species are endemic. Fiji has 6 minutes of arriving and despite parr ot species, the most the rain a flock of 4 to 5 Yellow- charismatic of which are the breasted Musk parrots P. Shining par rots, Prosopeia sp. In personata (known locally as the Fiji Shining parr ots are known as Viti Levu par rot) flew into the Musk parrots on account of their tree above us and squawked. musky smell and are also A pair of Collar ed Lories (Phygis solitarius) Photo: K. Swinnerton Unlike the other 2 species, these refer red to by the island on birds are bright gr een with a which each species or sub- awareness pr ogramme to National Trust, UK and has the large splash of yellow and species lives. The Collar ed Lory educate the Kadavu people same responsibilities for orange on their breast. They Phygis solitarius is the most about their unique wildlife. On cultural and natural heritage. were ver y noisy, constantly common parr ot and the Red- our way back fr om the airport The NTF had already under taken calling to each other and after throated Lorikeet we stopped at a print shop several endangered species 10 minutes flew off with a amabilis is the rarest with less wher e the final changes were awareness campaigns, peculiar gliding flight. Inspired, than 2,500 restricted to being made to the parr ot poster specifically for the Fiji Flying the next day I visited the mountainous areas. The Blue- due to be launched that week. A Fox, the Fiji Peregrine Falcon neighbouring Wailoku Forest crowned Lor y australis is cer emony was to be held in and the endangered endemic Reserve. Although the tall tr ees found only in the souther n Kadavu to coincide with the Crested Iguana which was only obscured good views over the islands of Fiji but also on Provincial Administration Samoa, and several other meeting and several thousand islands in central Polynesia. The people wer e due to attend. Red-thr oated Lorikeet and the However all that week heavy Vini lorikeets wer e identified in rain flooded the r unway which the r ecent Parr ot Action Plan as pr evented us from landing and priority species for the ceremony was cancelled. My conservation. first week was ther efore spent I flew in to Viti Levu and was meeting Gover nment officers greeted by the Director of the and local or ganisations involved NTF, Birandra Singh, who drove in conser vation and getting to me to the capital city Suva know the NTF. where I would be based. Birandra told me about r ecent National Trust for news of illegal trafficking in the Kadavu Musk parrot P. splendens Fiji and how NTF had begun an The NTF is affiliated to the Habitat degration in Nausori Highlands, Western Viti Levu. Photo: K. Swinnerton

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 4, November 2000 ■ 13

C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y Musk par rots fr om several islands, with a large pr oportion of the Kadavu species. Some of the parr ots were in a huge planted fr ee-flight which must have been like home for them. Many of the bir ds had been rescued and birds had not yet bred but a captive-br eeding pr ogramme was their next goal. Judy and Ramesh showed me their plans for an Endangered Species Br eeding and Resear ch Centre which included ar tificial incubation and hand-r earing r ooms and off-show breeding enclosures for Musk par rots. I was ver y impressed with the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff at Kula and with the facilities they had built. I knew fr om experience that running such a centr e in the tropics, wher e supplies are hard to get, Red- (Prosopeia tabuensis) Photo: K. Swinnerton electricity is er ratic, food rots within a day and ants live in the valley, once I recognised the Musk find. As we were nearing strong emphasis on fridge is ver y hard work. Par rot’s calls I seemed to hear Tomanivi or Mt Victoria, the environmental education. I was them constantly and watched highest point of the island, a interested to visit the centre as I Kadavu several small groups perched by bright green bird shot across the had spent the last five years as The highlight of my trip was a the path. One particularly windscr een, possibly a Red- Manager of the Gerald Dur rell visit to Kadavu, the four th inquisitive individual sat just 20 throated Lorikeet as we wer e in Endemic Wildlife Sanctuary in largest island which sits 100km feet from me. the right place, but it Mauritius and was keen to see south of Viti Levu. Kadavu is disappear ed. When we reached similar pr ojects. Judy and the about 75% cover ed in forest with I needed to see first-hand some the peak it was cold and wet as Park Manager, Ramesh, gave me of the problems facing the only 8,000 inhabitants. In we were in cloud; the tr ees had a guided tour and explained addition to 20 native species of parr ots in the wild and I also gone and wer e replaced with wanted to see the terrain in what they were trying to birds, 4 of which are endemic, stunted bushes and tr ee ferns. achieve. Kula is curr ently Kadavu boasts one of the which the Red-thr oated Lorikeet We descended to Tavua on the lived so that I could assess the involved in captive-br eeding world's largest coral reefs, the northern coast wher e we spent programmes for the Cr ested 50km long Gr eat Astrolabe Reef. potential for fieldwork. I the night before heading the recr uited 2 Australian Iguana and the Fiji Per egrine As Asesela and I appr oached the next day for the Nausori Falcon, working with the NTF, r unway in our colour ful 20- volunteers and we set off for a Highlands in the west. The west two-day trip acr oss Viti Levu via Taronga Zoo and the Brehm seater plane, I could see why we of the island was in total Foundation. Ramesh showed me had not been able to land the central highlands. I was told contrast to the east, which gets there was only one road across ar ound their state-of-the-art before. The r unway was as wide much more rainfall. We drove all falcon br eeding facility which as the island, str etched across the island, it was not tarred and day through a sea of sugar cane I had no idea what conditions to housed several pairs of an isthmus separating the and grassland where the only Peregrines as well as the eastern fr om the western half expect, but getting lost did not forest was in tiny sheltered seem likely. However, we found endemic Fiji Goshawk. The Park and ver y exposed. I thought I pockets or on remote mountain has a collection of about 25 was pretty blasé about tr opical ourselves in a maze of small tops. The grasslands ar e burnt village roads with no signposts every year which prevents any and the mountains far ahead. forest r egeneration. There was Fortunately, villagers spoke certainly little habitat for excellent English and after a few parr ots left, although we saw wrong turns we were on the flocks of Collared Lories which 'main road'. As we climbed into seem to live anywhere, even in the highlands, immaculate the centr e of Suva. villages with manicured gardens appeared in between peaks and valleys cascading with lianas Kula Eco-Park and lush with trees. We stopped Kula Eco-Park is a small and watched Golden doves, privately funded wildlife park Many coloured doves, owned by Philip and Judy Vanikoro flycatchers and Fr uit Felstead on the south coast of Bats but surprisingly few Musk Fiji. The Felsteads r escued the parr ots. I had expected to see Park from r uin in 1997 and have more as the for est seemed ideal restored it into a centr e for habitat, but they were hard to native Fijian wildlife with a Red-shining Parrot in Kula Eco-Park, Fiji . Photo: K. Swinnerton

14 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 4, November 2000

M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K breeding programme had been reduced to only 40%. suggested for the Kadavu Musk Unfortunately it is often in these parrot and the Red-throated situations that wildlife needs Lorikeet. The lorikeet is even more help. As peace breaks unknown in captivity and the down, lawlessness may result in Musk parrots breed poorly illegal poaching, wood-cutting outside of the Pacific. I did not and wildlife trafficking with think that an international everyone tr ying to survive. breeding programme was a high Fortunately, the situation in Fiji priority for these species at the has now largely been r esolved moment, and firstly information and we hope that stability will was needed about their status in return and WPT can continue the wild. If a breeding programme their efforts to support the NTF was necessary in the future, Kula and Fiji’s parrots. Eco-Park would be an ideal site particularly if reintroduction I would like to thank Birandra was a long-term aim. Singh, Asesela Waqairoba and all the staff at the NTF for welcoming me so warmly to Fiji Asesla Waqiroba handing over a WPT T-shirt to the Namuana, Kaduva Island, Politics and making my trip so Fiji. Photo: K. Swinnerton On my r eturn to the UK, I was successful. Thanks to Jo island paradises but Kadavu r ed-vented bulbuls which are so quite optimistic that funding for Andrews for all her suppor t and took my br eath away. Turquoise abundant on other islands. parrot conservation in Fiji was to Dick Watling for advice and seas, lush gr een forests, palm- However, the potential for these available from the South Pacific hospitality. Many thanks to Judy tree lined beaches and bir ds pests to disperse between Regional Environment Felstead and Ramesh Chand at everywher e! Kadavu parrots islands has increased in recent Programme (SPREP). However a few days later, Fiji went into Kula for an inspiring visit and to wer e sitting in the trees behind years owing to better transpor t, Michael Dibben for his help. our guesthouse and the landlady and they ar e a constant threat to political turmoil. The Prime Minister and his cabinet were Thanks to William Cross, Dieter said that they fed early mor ning wildlife in Fiji. Leaving the Rinke and Greg Sherley for help in the cassava plantations. That island I had a bir ds-eye view and held to ransom and civil unrest broke out. Consequently, and advice. My grateful thanks after noon, Asesela and I were realised how much of the interior go to my employer Elaine invited to meet the 'Tui seemed untouched. Most overseas donors wer e reluctant to invest in any new Williams and WPTC who Namuana' who was the headman villagers travel ar ound the island conservation initiatives and the continue to support me and to of the nearby village. W e were by boat and ther e were few WPT also felt it prudent to wait. Andrew Gr eenwood and the welcomed into the meeting paths. Kadavu was a tr ue jewel I subsequently heard that the World Par rot Tr ust for house and offered 'Yaqona', a in this fantastic ar chipelago. NTF's already small budget was making the trip possible. mildly narcotic drink made from the root of a pepper plant. I Problems and found that it numbed my and it also appar ently numbs solutions the legs, but fortunately being a One of the pr oblems facing woman I was not expected to wildlife conser vation in Fiji drink a lot. Asesela pr esented seemed to be a lack of local and the Tui with some par rot posters scientific knowledge and little is and I pr esented him a WPT T- known about species' status, shirt. Asesela was well r espected ecology and cur rent thr eats. in Kadavu having been the Obtaining this basic information Provincial Administrator ther e means that we could anticipate for 16 years, and discussed the population declines caused by NTF's project and my trip with habitat degradation and trade. the villagers. We left worse the Much traditional wildlife wear for mosquitos but happy knowledge seems to have been that the villagers wer e very lost through the generations and interested in the information we ther e is little concept of had given them. sustainable land-use. The NTF's The Kadavu par rot is brilliant education campaign is a step red with blue-and-gr een wings towards pr oviding information and tail and a blue nape. The to villagers but fur ther support females are slightly smaller than is needed. In Fiji the indigenous the males with daintier heads. I people retain ownership of 83% watched them flying around the of the land which could make slopes above the villages, them ideal wildlife protectors. appar ently using native and Captive-breeding can be a exotic habitats and feeding in valuable component of an vegetable patches. The high endanger ed species recovery number of endemic species still pr ogramme, to safe-guard wild remaining on Kadavu may be populations, to aid in r ecovery due to the lack of intr oduced of depleted populations and as mongooses, mynah bir ds and an educational tool. A captive- National Trust for Fiji Team at HQ in Suva. Photo: K. Swinner ton

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 4, November 2000 ■ 15

C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y Conservationist , Soshi Matsumoto TSUBASA Avian Rescue Japan and Eb Cravens Aviculturist and Author Hawaii. Book Reviewby ROSEMARY LOW For complete and updated Symposium information, registration or a vendor package, International Zoo Year Book Vol 37 visit The latest volume of the zoo world’s www.thegabrielfoundation.org, or bible, The International Zoo Year Book, phone or fax Symposium will be of greater interest to coordinator Sam Foster in Tampa, aviculturists than is usually the case. Florida USA at 352 686 8955, Every volume contains a special The Gabriel email [email protected] section: in this volume it is devoted to Foundation - Psittacines. As it covers 316 pages of Lear’s Painting the volume’s total of 440 pages, it is Symposium 2001 evident that this is a book which Members will be pleased to hear should be on the shelf of every The Gabriel Foundation is proud that we have just sold the original to host its second annual ‘Parrots serious student of parrots. There ar e painting of Lear ’s Macaw, by the 32 papers on parrots, all of rare depth in the New Millenium: Symposium distinguished wildlife artist David 2001’. This year’s event will be Johnston, for the excellent sum of and quality. held in Tampa, Florida at the £5000. This amount will go The section star ts with Nigel Collar’s review of globally threatened Radisson Riverwalk Hotel on towards the work carried out to species. Nearly 26% of parrots ar e threatened with extinction and January 5, 6 and 7, 2001. help Lear’s Macaw by BioBrasil, another 11% of the 350 or so are listed as near-threatened. He Join us for this informative the Brazilian NGO that is studying describes criteria, characteristics and remedies. In the latter international event to address the the biology of this threatened category are research, site and habitat conservation, control of trade issues of providing for the parr ots bird, and helping to protect it and awareness. He concludes that captive-breeding is unlikely to in our care and for making from bird thieves. play a significant r ole in the conservation of most endangered provisions for them when we are species. For certain forms, eg, , Echo Parakeet, Spix’s Macaw no longer able to do so. Over This sale reminds me to r emind and the Puer to Rican Amazon, there is a role. thirty speakers and panelists will readers that we still have a few He writes: ‘Ironically, there is a wealth of books, magazines and participate in the 2001 prints left from the original societies concerned exclusively with par rots, but their focus is on symposium, including leading limited edition, and these are the superficial matters of identity, captive maintenance and members of the avicultural available for a mere £38 or $65. breeding, not the elucidation (so necessary for their long-term in industry, avian veterinary This would make a great situ management) of the complex environmental and social communities, conservation and Christmas present for macaw interrelationships of the birds.’ (This is true -except for the existence wildlife or ganisations and rescue lovers, and the price includes of The World Parrot Trust in the UK and its branches worldwide). and sanctuary groups from post and packing. Simply place Other papers include Roger Wilkinson’s overview of captive around the world. your order with our UK or USA management programmes and regional planning for parrot Keynote speakers to date include offices. collections, reviews of EEPs for Hyacinthine and Buffon’s Macaws, Mike Reynolds World Parrot Trust, Once again we must thank David Lilacine and Red-tailed Amazons (Amazona autumnalis lilacina and Ray Dorge Author and Aviculturist Johnston, whose generosity A.brasiliensis), environmental enrichment for parrots at Edinburgh British Columbia, Charles Munn towards WPT has brought us Zoo and at the Max-Planck Institut in Germany and very important in Bio Brasil South America, Klaus many thousands of pounds from the era, a review of common viruses in parrots. Uhlenhut Kirrama Wildlife Tours limited edition prints, plates and Papers which focus on individual species cover the Australia, Gil Serique statues. and the Blue-crowned Lory at San Diego Zoo, the Palm at Rotterdam Zoo, (Black) Cockatoos, Blue-eyed Cockatoos at Chester Zoo, breeding Moluccan Cockatoos at Loro Par que, Philippine Cockatoo Conservation and management at Paradise Park, UK. Lesser known species ar e covered in a paper on breeding the Red-browed Fig Par rot at Curr umbin, breeding Pesquet’s Par rot at Jurong Bir dPark and another on the same species at San Diego Zoo and Orange-bellied Parrot breeding and reintroduction in Australia. Conservation papers include one by Neils Krabbe on the critically endangered Y ellow-eared Parrot, the work of Fundacion and of course, Paul Butler’s Promoting Protection thr ough Pride. The scope is very wide and the amount of solid information is enor mous. This volume of the Yearbook is unusual in that it omits two r eference sections: zoos and aquaria of the world and the records of species born and hatched in the relevant years in zoo’s worldwide. It does contain the international studbooks for rare species. This volume follows volume 36 in 1998, which contained the zoo r eference section and births and hatchings for 1995 and 1996. The rest of volume 37 contains ar ticles on The Developing Zoo World and includes information on the California Condor, the Black Stilt (himantopus novaezelandiae) and the Writhe-billed Hornbill (Aceros leucocephalus). This volume of the yearbook costs £67 post paid in the UK from The Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, A £5,000 pictur e - yours for £38. Surface postage to the rest of the world costs £6 extra.

16 ■ PsittaScene Volume 12, No 4, November 2000

M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K the off season all of the known cavities were Tr opicbird proofed by making their entrance holes smaller. Echoes are quite First use of an arti f i c i a l tolerant of changes to their nest cavities as long as they are given some time to adjust to these changes. Despite the loss of these thr ee chicks to Tr opicbirds and another four by an Echo chicks lost to nestfly infestation, the 1999/2000 season was a resounding success with a record total of 19 youngsters fledging in the wild! The Parakeet in the wild! upcoming season is also progressing very smoothly. We by LANCE WOOLAVER already have two pairs with We’ve just star ted the healthy chicks and another four 2000/2001 Echo Parakeet season pairs incubating eggs. Seven here in Mauritius and already more pairs are pr ospecting have a new and exciting advance cavities, four of which are in the conservation program. release females. One of our r eleased females, We have been pleasantly 'Txiki" has laid eggs in an surprised with the level of artificial nest box in the wild. interest that many of our one One of these eggs has hatched year old females have been and she is pr esently rearing a showing in nesting. Most of healthy 4 day old chick. 'Txiki' these youngsters have been was released at Plaine Lievr e in observed copulating and looking April of 1998. in nest cavities. We were She was seen with a wild male expecting this from the two year early this season and began old females but are encouraged prospecting one of the eight by the interest shown by the nest boxes soon after it had one year olds. This gives us been put up in August of this great hope that within a few year. Txiki and others at a food hopper years the Echo will be even closer to being removed from Three other r elease Echoes have population over the shor t term. our main problems last season. the list of critically endangered been seen prospecting in nest W e are able to choose the nest species here in Mauritius. We boxes but have not yet chosen sites which ar e easier to access Three Echo chicks were killed in would like to thank Mike their nest site for the season so and are also easier to protect a nest cavity which had been Reynolds and all of the members we are hoping for mor e. This is fr om rats and nest competitors taken over by a pair of and staff of the World Parrot an important step for us as it is such as Indian Mynahs and Tropicbir ds. This was Tr ust for helping us as we another technique we can use to White-tailed Tr opicbirds. White- fortunately a pr oblem easily get closer and closer to quickly increase the Echo tailed Tr opicbirds wer e one of solved for this season. During that goal.

Txiki in her ar tificial nest box Lance at an artificial nest site

PsittaScene Volume 12, No 4, November 2000 ■ 17

C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y ...to surv ive in the wild ...to thrive in o ur h o mes A WORLD PAR R OT TR UST C AM P AI GN Twelve parrot species ww w . w o r l d p a r r o t t r u s t . o r g that highlight the threats to all parrots and all of nature In its twelve year history the World Parr ot Tr ust has been able to help Conservation Union. This global plan was progressed and lar gely fund conservation work for 37 species in 22 ‘parrot range’ countries funded by the World Parrot Trust. such as Australia, Brazil, Mauritius, South . It has formed Please study these twelve birds, each of which has a brief status support groups in 13 countries and won thousands of members report. Ever y one of these parrots has received support from WPT, among thoughtful people in the global ‘parrot community’. In all its but much more is needed. We suggest that individual members, bird activities the interests of parrots Ð not people Ð are paramount. clubs or zoos might like to select a particular favourite and raise WPT has now chosen twelve species to illustrate the reasons why funding to help ensure its survival in the wild. This is a golden PARROTS NEED HELP to survive in the wild. With one exception, the opportunity for WPT members to participate directly in the future parrots shown here are included in the 90 species given priority in prospects of a particular parrot species. PsittaScene will list all the Parrot Action Plan, a vital document published by IUCN, the World donations received for The WPT 12. Lear’ s Macaw Photo: M. Reynolds Echo Parakeet Photo: L. Woolover Numbers r educed to around 150 by At last, a success story! This Mauritian trapping for the pet trade. Also species was r educed to about 12 threatened by shor tage of palm , its individuals, but Carl Jones and his team primary food source, and shooting by have used their exceptional skills to bring farmers. WPT funds research and numbers back to over 100. WPT has protection activities by BioBrasil, an funded this work since 1990, pr oviding effective Brazilian NGO over £90,000.

African Grey Parr ot Photo: R. Low Golden Photo: K. Ewart Unlike the other 11 birds, this par rot is Threatened by loss of habitat and not listed as CITES Appendix 1 (most trapping. Its nesting and roosting trees threatened). But WPT believes its r uthless are being logged, it needs the purchase of trapping and expor ting from West Africa key areas to help it sur vive. WPT working could lead to its sudden disappearance with Dr. Carlos Yamashita, aided by the from the wild in a few years time. 'Golden Conure Survival Fund'. Research is urgently needed.

Great Gr een Macaw Photo: S. W inter Photo: R. Low Much sought after in aviculture, this Numbers reduced to double figures in remarkable bird is heavily trapped and Costa Rica. This bir d relies on the large traded in and ar ound New Guinea, both Almendro tree for nesting, these vital for illegal expor t, and for internal trees are being logged out. Much good Indonesian markets. WPT is funding basic work being supervised by Dr. Geor ge biological research into this little known Powell, WPT helping to fund. species in Cape York, Australia.

Kakapo Photo: D. Merton St. Vincent Amazon Photo: M. Reynolds This spectacular bird, like all rare island Officially listed as ‘extinct in the wild’, the Kakapo is one of the most remarkable species, is regarded as threatened. Its numbers are up to ar ound 800, but much birds on earth. Only 62 remain, carefully tended and bred by the NZ Depar tment of support is needed. WPT has pr ovided veterinary help, funds to car ry out Conservation on off-shore islands. WPT has provided veterinary input to the surveys, and aviary constr uction. programme.

Imperial Amazon Photo:M. Reynolds Red-throated Lorikeet Pictur e: D. Watling Another island species from Dominica, This is a mysterious bir d from Fiji, har dly West Indies. Numbers ar e below 100. A new National Park has just been created, seen for a centur y, but with recent repor ts of flocks of 2 to 6 birds. WPT is and this will be a great help to the Imperial's survival. WPT contributed working with the Fiji National Trust to or ganise and fund research, and help to towards the land purchase cost of this new park. protect the five par rot species there.

Hyacinth Macaw Photo: WPT Moluccan Cockatoo Photo: WPT The most desired bir d in aviculture, this Threatened by its beauty and illegal beautiful macaw has been reduced in the trapping. This cockatoo was thought to be in very small numbers on its home wild from around 30,000 to no more than island, Ceram in Indonesia, but a recent 5,000 in thirty years. WPT’s Hyacinth report in PsittaScene suggests numbers Fund has helped but now needs new may not be as low as feared. More funding to continue. information needed.

All enquiries about ‘The WPT 12’ to: W orld Parrot Trust, Hayle, Cor nwall TR27 4HB ¥ Email: worldparrottrust@compuser ve.com Website: www.worldpar rottrust.or g

M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K WPT NATIONAL CONTACTS United Kingdom Kar en Whitley, Administrator, Glanmor House, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4HB Tel: (44) 01736 751026 Fax: (44) 01736 751028 email: [email protected] Director: gilar di@worldparr ottrust.org Chairman: reynolds@worldpar rottrust.org USA Aims of Joanna Eckles, PO Box 50733, St. Paul, MN 55150 Tel: 651 275 1877 Fax: 651 275 1891 Email: usa@worldparrottr ust.org Benelux Peter de Vries (Membership Sec.), Jagershof 91, 7064 DG Silvolde, Tel: (31) 315327418 email: peter [email protected] enquiries: Romain Bejstrup (32) 32526773 Netherlands enquiries: Ruud Vonk (31) 168472715 Canada the Trus t Mike Pearson, PO Box 29, Mount Hope, Ontario L0R 1W0 Tel: (1) 905 385 9500 Fax: (1) 905 385 7374 The survival of parrot species in the wild, and the welfare of captive birds. email: cwpar rot@canadianpar rottrust.org Denmark (Scandinavia) These aims are pursued by: ¥ Encouraging the production of aviary- Michael Iversen, Hyldevang 4 Ð Buresoe, 3550 Slanger up email: [email protected] ¥ Educating the public on the threats to bred birds. France J. & G. Prin, 55 Rue de la Fassier e, 45140, Ingre. parrots. ¥ Creating links between aviculture and Tel: (33) 2 38 43 62 87 Fax: (33) 2 38 43 97 18 conservation. Switzerland ¥ Opposing trade in wild-caught par rots. Lars Lepperhoff, Lutschenstrasse 15, 3063 Ittigen ¥ Preserving and restoring par rot habitat. ¥ Promoting high standards in the Tel: (41) 31 922 3902 keeping of parrots. Germany ¥ Studying the status of par rot Repr esentative needed Ð ¥ Supporting r esearch into veterinar y care Call WPT -UK populations. of parrots. Cristiana Senni, email: [email protected] Fr eddie Virili, via Matar us 10, 33045 Nimis, Udine. Australia Mike Owen, 7 Monteray St., Mooloolaba,Queensland 4557. Tel: (61) 7 54780454 email: [email protected] WILD PARROTS, CAPTIVE PARROTS.... Africa V. Dennison, PO Box 1758, Link Hills, Natal 3652, S. Africa Tel: (27) 31 763 4054 Fax: (27) 31 763 3811 WE WANT TO HELP THEM ALL Asia C. Carlton, Hong Kong Tel: (85) 29235 6300 Email: [email protected] Legacies Andrés Marin and Ana Matesanz, C/Cambados No1, 2¡Dcha, 28925 Alcor con (Madrid), Spain Money Matters Regular readers of PsittaScene will recall that Tel: (34) 91 6425130 email: [email protected] WPT has been fortunate enough to receive two WPT Web Sites: By MICHAEL REYNOLDS Central: http://www.worldparr ottrust.org substantial legacies in the last year or so. Canada: http://www .cwparrot@canadianpar rottrust.org First, we received a total of $73,000 (£50,000) Italy: http://www.worldparr ottrust.org/italy Cost of membership from the estate of David Kyle Brown, a US Denmark: http://www.image.dk/fpewpt It’s quite a while since we talked to WPT member. Then we received £94,000 ($140,000) members about financial matters, but there are from the estate of Leonard and Sheila Hodge, now some points that need to be raised. First, who lived near Paradise Park in Cornwall and it is a fact that our subscription remains the wer e WPT members. Last month we were YES, I WANT TO HELP SAVE same as when we started twelve years ago. At advised of a legacy due to come to WPT from a THE PARROTS OF THE WORLD only £15 or $25, it covers the cost of Fr ench aviculturist, M. Philippe Maisonneuf. publishing and distributing PsittaScene four This may amount to about £20,000 ($30,000). SUBSCRIPTION RATES (please tick) times a year (£8 or $13), and our very frugal So we have r eceived three large amounts from UK and Europe (Single) £15 basic operating costs (£4 or $6). But this leaves thr ee different countries. ❏ only £3 or $6 from each member to go towards It is worth pointing out that it is only because ❏ UK and Europe (Joint) £20 the main purpose of the World Parrot Trust, its of these legacies that WPT has been put in a work to help the survival of parrots in the wild ❏ Fellow (Life Member) £250/US$400 position wher e it can employ a new director, as Corporate (Annual) and their welfare in captivity. r eported on page 2. Legacies can be a vital part We feel sure that our members would like to of a charity’s income. I am a member of the ❏ All overseas Airmail £17/US$25 (or equivalent see PsittaScene continue, and we know for sure Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), exchange curr ency, payment by Visa/Mastercar d preferred) that it is well received and much appreciated a ver y strong or ganisation with over a million for its repor ting of parr ot news generally, and members. Their accounts show an increase of ❏ Plus donation of £/US$ ...... WPT’s projects in particular. So if we are going income in one year from £41m to £49m, and Name ...... to increase our funding of projects, we think of this latter sum no less than £15m came now is the right time to increase our from legacies. This suggests that people Address ...... subscription charges to an annual £20 or $30, interested in birds are likely to think of ...... or the equivalent in other currencies. All of helping the birds they care about in their wills, ...... and I am therefor e bold enough to suggest that this increase will go directly to add to our ...... Zip/Postcode ...... funding of projects, both for parrot leaving a legacy to the World Parrot Trust is a conservation and welfare. This increase will fine way of r emembering treasured pet Please charge my Mastercard/Visa No. apply as fr om January 1st 2001. It is still parrots, and providing help for threatened possible for anyone to become a Life Member species in the wild. Exp. date ...... Amount £/US$...... for a single payment of £250 or $400, and we Any member considering this request can write have added a new category for those able to be to WPT-UK for a form of wor ds suitable for Signature ...... even more generous. This is our ‘Conservation inclusion in a will. We very much hope that our OR: Member’ category, which requires a single members will see the merit of leaving funds to I enclose a cheque made payable to the WPT ❏ payment of £1000 or $1500. Details are on the WPT, as an organisation that has stood the test right, or otherwise contact our list of ‘National of time and done much good work for the Or join us on our website: Contacts’. parrots. Thank you. www.worldparrottrust.org Join Now! Price increase from January 2001

C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y K C M Y Parrots in the Wild

Rufous-fronted Parakeet ferrugineifrons by OTTO PFISTER, Bogota During our past visit into ‘Los Nevados’ Nationalpark, located between obser ving the surr ounding would utter a twittering call when 3,200 and 5,300m altitude in the Colombian Central Andes r egion, suspicious, the remaining members rejoining as a chorus, before the minimum four small flocks of the rare and endemic Rufous-fr onted entire group would take wing at once. Before dusk a flock was watched Parakeet Bolborhynchus fer rugineifrons were discovered. No pr evious flying into the clif fs of a nearby rock-face not to appear again - the record of this endanger ed species originated from the place of our exact location of the roost could not be discovered due to a fog-cloud encounter: the known areas of the species restricted distribution covering the section. include the Nevado El Ruiz-Nevado del Tolima - near Laguna Otun -, Since rar e and endemic, the Rufous-fronted Parakeet is extr emely plus Volcan Purace. Our obser vation took place west / south-west of El vulnerable to any changes in its confined distribution range. Ruiz, near the area called ‘Casa el Cisne’, and therefore would enlarge For tunately this expanse lays almost entirely in the National Park, the originally known species’ occurrence more towards the north / therefore no immediate threat to the species is observed. However, north-west. The park authority infor med was not aware of the existence increased potato growing activities resulting in clearing of shrub- of this little known parakeet in the described location. vegetation in the temperate zones destroy the species habitat especially The parakeets were observed at 3,950m in bush covered, dry slopes. in the lower sections of its distribution limits. Appr opriate research Usually a flock, consisting of 9-14 individuals, stayed closely together would cer tainly offer proposals for conservation and encourage better while feeding on in the crowns of shrubby trees. A single bir d understanding of these attractive bir ds listed under CITES Appendix II.

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