Stitchbirds: of bee pollen and Pronutro, hlended into 1 litre of water. The pollen is a an Avicultural Challenge valuable nutritional supplement that is by Rose Collen, Glen Holland, Caroline Twentyman, Jerry Pauli, Betty Watt now a popular supplement with necti­ Masterson, New Zealand vores and species such as lorikeets. Pronutro is a cereal-based South he Stitchbird Notiomystis cinc­ plan uses a captive breeding program African product (22% protein) that GH ta, a New Zealand endemic, in order to (1) develop effective hus­ has used to raise species ranging from T belongs to the order bandry techniques to be used in the estridlids to psittacines. Passeriformes, family Meliphagidae event of a disaster affecting the only • Wombaroo lorikeet nectar: a (honeyeaters) and are the sole member viable wild population and (2) trial milk by-product-based product with of the genus Notiomystis. The techniques that could assist in establish­ <0.5% lactose, produced in Australia Meliphagidae include over 170 species ing new self-sustaining populations. • A fruit/vegetable puree (finely of honeyeaters, miners, friarbirds, and The plan also acknowledges the blended) which includes sweetcom, sugarbirds. They are distributed primar­ environmental education role the carrot, grapes, apple, pear, and orange ily through Australia, New Guinea, species can play. While Stitchbirds is made in a large batch and stored Timor and the Pacific Islands. The Bell­ have been held and bred in captivity frozen in the amounts required daily. bird Anthornis melanura and Tui for over a 14 years, there remain sev­ Captive Stitchbirds are also offered a Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae are the eral challenges to their husbandry, variety of natural food items. In addition only other members of the family including further disease research, to the natural plantings in the aviaries, occurring in New Zealand. development of hand-rearing proto­ the birds receive an almost daily supply Stitchbirds, known also by the cols and trialing new aviary designs of nectar-bearing flowers or bunch of Maori name Hihi, are one of only two that will reduce disease risk. In the wild fruits (e.g. Coprosma sp.). These honeyeater species known to nest in wild, naturally bad fruiting and flower­ natural foods are placed strategically so tree cavities. The name Stitchbird orig­ ing seasons can cause low productivi­ as to enhance public viewing of forag­ inates from the contact call, which ty. In poor years, many second and ing birds. Live food, particularly moths, resembles the word "stitch." Both third clutches are deserted. This phe­ is readily caught using two fan/light sexes also have a soft warbling song nomenon could, in future provide a insect traps. Live insects are mainly pro­ and an excited alarm call, and males source of birds for hand rearing if vided during the breeding season, and have a three-note whistle as well as deserted clutches could be salvaged priority is given to the females with mimicking other species. while still viable. In addition, disease­ young. Small crickets, waxmoth larvae, In pre-European times (it is believed free hand-raised birds for further and mealworms have also been offered that the Europeans introduced rodents research could be sourced from eggs without success. In the future, we and mustelids) Stitchbirds were distrib­ from the captive population, which intend introducing these to hand-raised uted throughout the North Island and a currently stands at 2:5. birds at an early age. number of the surrounding islands. By There have been nine male and six 1885 Stitchbirds had disappeared from female Stitchbirds brought in to Mt Causes of Death in the mainland, possibly as a result of Bruce since 1985. Captive Stitchbirds ship rat predation at nest sites. Currently Aspergillosis the only self-sustaining population Diet A fungal disease caused most fre­ resides on Little Barrier Island in the In the wild, Stitchbirds feed on a quently by Aspergillus Jumigatus and outer Hauraki Gulf. The Department of variety of nectar plants, fruit and inver­ seen most commonly in its chronic Conservation has recently re-introduced tebrates. The current artificiaVcaptive form at the NWC. This is characterized them to a further three islands where diet is modeled on this variety, and is by rapid respiration, lethargy, anorexia intensive management and monitoring offered daily in three separate bowls, and weight loss. Aspergillus is a ubiq­ is still underway; none of these three with a top up as required when rearing uitous fungus that grows well in soil populations is considered to be suc­ chicks. The diet provided consists of: and organic matter; transmission cessfully established to date. • Jam water: 250 ml of apple & occurs by inhaling spores. Damp The Mt Bruce National Wildlife raspberry jam and a tablespoon each organic litter encourages production of Centre (NWC) is the only facility hold­ ing captive Stitchbirds. The NWC is Reasons for fledged juvenile and adult deaths over the past 10 years. operated by the New Zealand 89 '1 90 : 91 i 92 : 93 • 94 i 95 I 96 -~98: Department of Conservation and is !-A-Spe--~-i-II~--iS-ir-1~1 -1~!-3~1--~-1+1--~,--1+!--1~!--1~-1~: dedicated to the breeding and restora­ ICoccidiosis : i 1 tion of rare and endangered New :Asphyxiation : 1 I 1 1 Zealand bird species. The Department Stress 2 1 of Conservation Stitchbird recovery :Other 3 2'--_._---- 1 3 2 24 January/February 2000 PRESENTING PARROT SPECIALTV FOODS For Breeders & Hobbyists

Genuinely Balanced Formulas of Vital & Pure Ingredients, Resulting in Foods with High Biological Value, to Help Ensure an Active, Healthy Life for your Bird. lrillOIPllCANm NOW AVAILABLE! FORMULATED FOOD TROPICAN FOOD STICKS Special Hand Feeding Formula for Same Premium Tropican Formulas Babies A~~~'\I Micro-ground Extruded Formula B-2661, 1kg (2.2 Ib) B-2262, 5kg (11Ib) Natural Extruded Granules Comes in two granule sizes: Cockatiel and Parrot. Tropican contains seven different grains and nuts with natural colors and fruit flavors for maximum nutrition and palatability. Less powder waste, along with higher caloric Tropican value, making it very economical to / life-Time feed. ~ Maintenance Life-TimelMaintenance Granules Parrot Food Sticks Cockatiel: B-2527,3.6 kg (8 Ib) Parrot B-2627, 3.6 kg (8 Ib) B-2611, 3.6 kg (8 Ib) B-2528, 9.1 kg (20 Ib) B-2628, 9.1 kg (20 Ib) B-2612, 9.1 kg (20 Ib) B-2529, 18.2 kg (40 Ib) B·2629, 18.2 kg (40Ib) B-2613, 18.2 kg (40 Ib) High-Performance/Breeding Granules Cockatiel: B-2532, 3.6 kg (8 It) Parrot B-2622, 3.6 kg (8 Ib) B·2533, 9.1 kg (20 Ib) B-2533, 9.1 kg (20 Ib) B-2534, 18.2 kg (40 Ib) B-2624, 18.2 kg (40 Ib) Gourmet *Note New smaller bu. sizes SEED, FRUIT, NUT & VEGETABLE MIX Fortified with Tropican Rich variety for fun, Parrot food can be soaked with warm water to rehydrate fruits and vegetables. Cockatiel: B-2804, 5 kg (11lb) Parrot B-2809, 4.5 kg (10 Ib) CONCENTRATED FULL Parrot Gounnet is 100% edible fruits, veggies, and nuts, no messy SPECTRUM VITAMIN, MINERAL AND shells LIMITING AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENT Sprinkle over fruit and veggies for birds on seed/legume based diets. • * All foods are packed in Gas-Flushed Air Barrier Bags * with B-2105 - Screw top jar, 70g the exception of 40 Ib sizes which have no fruit flavor or C02 gas. B-2106 - Screw top jar, 0.45 kg (1Ib) • Protects package from environmental deterioration. Carbon B-2110 - Bucket, 2.2 kg (Sib) dioxide gas slows oxidation of nutrients and prevents bug infestation. Distributed by: CANADA: Rolf C. Hagen Inc., Montreal, Qc H4R 1 E8 • Exceptional Quality Control. Each batch is tested for quality U.S.A.: Rolf C. Hagen (U.S.A.) Corp., Mansfield MA 02048 and guaranteed analysis. In U.S.A. call: Tel.: 1-888-BY-HAGEN for local distributor • Fed to HARI's birds before being released. HARI'S WEB SITE: • Smaller Consumer Sizes Also HAGEN. Available. http://www.pubnix.net/-mhagen/ J large number of spores. Problem sites ~ preventative program for coccidiosis to include damp nest box material, dusty 8 enable successful breeding to take

environments and accumulations of a:2 place. This progralTI involves: 1)

moldy food scraps. Aspergillosis is 0 hygiene, 2) preventative treatlnent, acquired from environmental sources ~ and 3) fecal monitoring. and is not an infectious disease. At present, treatment is based on Factors that we decided were impor­ Toltrazuril (Baycox) which unfortu­ tant in the epidemiology of the disea~e nately is only active against the gut in the species in captivity were: forms of AtoxoplaslTIa. We are also tri­ Environmental: aling a coccidiostat and a Primequin - Cage set-up (malarial treatment) in combination - Access to leaf litter with Baycox. We are keen to hear of - Local weather effects any other treatments that aviculturists - Food hygiene have used successfully in the treat­ Bird factors: ment/control of atoxoplasmosis. - Species susceptibility - Diet Passil 'C captllre trap IIsed/ur Slitch/)irds. Stress - Stress Stress related deaths have been Management changes were imple­ isms. These produce isospora-like attributed to aggression froiTI a male ITIented that we hoped would lessen oocysts that are passed in feces and towards females and birds recently the impact of the above factors and are indistinguishable from other brought into captivity from the wild. control this condition. When the dis­ isosporan species. We have estab­ Handling for transmitter fitting prior to ease is suspected, we treat affected lished the times when deaths from transfer/ release is also suspected to birds with a combination of Ancotil coccidiosis at Mt Bruce are most likely have caused stress-related death in one and Diflucan. to occur. These are: bird. In the another case, two 6-month­ - In very young birds where a old males died following a severe ter­ A tox oplasmosis whole clutch has been lost. In one ritorial dispute. Some of these birds The first diagnosed case of coc­ case the entire second brood for a pair had concurrent aspergillosis cidiosis in Stitchbirds at NWC occurred was lost at 16 days of age. There was in 1994. Analysis of mortalities show a concurrent severe red mite infection Asphyxia that it is now the most important dis­ and capillaria was also present. Since 1990 there have been three ease problem in Stitchbirds at Mt - In fledged birds separated into a deaths from asphyxia, all in birds less Bruce, causing deaths of young birds. flocking aviary. The stress of move­ than a year old. Two involved arthro­ We are reasonably certain that the coc­ ment can allow a low-level coccidial pods, and in the other case a whole cidial infections in .stitch birds at the infection to flourish. kernel of corn was stuck in the phar­ NWC ar~ due to Atoxoplasma organ- We l:lave endeavored to establish a ynx.

c Other ~ (5 o There have been a number of other Q) oCI) causes of Stitchbird mortality at the a: >­ .0 NWC most of which have appeared as o (5 ..c. isolated cases and hopefully will not c.. become bigger problems.

Coccidial Research Because of the importance of coc­ cidiosis as a cause of death in captive juvenile Stitchbirds, a group at Mas ey University, Palmerston North, has been carrying out research on this disease. It is believed that the organisn1 responsi­ ble is a type of coccidia known as A toxoplasma, however the exact iden­ tification and the life cycle are unknown. There are many questions that need answering: How does infec­ tion occur and when? How does infec­ Dosing and weighing ch icks with coccidia. tion with this parasite cause disease? At

26 Tanuary/February 2000 (moths for example) are an important Summary of Nest Record Cards for the Past 10 Years component of Stitchbird diet, and they 10 spend much of their time foraging amongst the vegetation for them, 8 +------.. - - ---.~-~--- --.... ~------I~.-----... -----.--- .NESTS especially when rearing chicks. The 6 +------~-- .---~------.HATCHED large size of the aviary allows the .FLEDGED many plant species inside to grow to 4 +0.-- I ,raSURVIVED maturity, providing some of the fruits 2 and flowers that the Stitch birds would o utilize in the wild. The large volume of 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 vegetation also provides good habitat for an abundance of invertebrate life. what age does the bird become resis­ sourced from other Stitchbird popula­ tant? How common is this organism in tions. Further work is required in order Aggression free-living Stitchbirds and does it cause to understand the mechanisms of infec­ Adult birds have to be held in sepa­ disease? Is the same organism found in tion and disease and minimize the rate flights for most of the year, as they other species of birds or does it infect effects of this parasite. are very aggressive and engage in com­ only the Stitchbird? What treatments petitive behavior, not only between the are effective? Captive Husbandry same sex, but also male towards The research group has been pro­ Aviaries female. This aggressive behavior is vided with tissues from all the Mt Stitch birds at Mount Bruce are held compounded in the captive situation, as Bruce Stitchbirds that have died from in large bush aviaries, measuring at subordinate birds in an aviary are this disease since 1994, and has been least 10 x 10 x 4 m high [33 x 33 x 13 unable to escape harassment by domi­ able to examine their pathology in feet]. Each aviary has an interior nant birds. This social stress has lead to detail. Regular examination of Stitch­ divider creating two flights. The aviary health problems (see chart). Some indi­ bird feces from the captive population floor is natural, with fresh leaf-litter viduals are compatible however - usu­ for evidence of the coccidial oocysts added regularly to boost insect num­ ally older, experienced males with has also been undertaken. In addition, bers. Insects, particularly winged females. Any pairs held together require feces from other bird species and from free-living Stitchbirds have been exam­ ined. So far, it has been found that free-living Stitchbirds carry similar coc­ cidia to those in captivity, but there has been no evidence of disease in wild birds. LIVE PET FOOD Transmission experiments using Zebra Finches are in progress at pre­ sent. In these experiments, which were MEALWORMS unsuccessful, oocysts from Stitchbirds SUPERWORMS were inoculated via the mouth into a number of parasite-free fmches and CRICKETS feces from these fmches were then test­ WAXWORMS ed twice daily for evidence of coccidia. At pre-determined times the finches FLY LARVAE were euthanized and necropsied, and the tissues examined microscopically in order to detect any sign of coccidia or Call for changes induced by them. It is neces­ FREE brochure sary to sporulate the coccidial oocysts in the laboratory (j.e. encourage them 1-800-222-3563 Orubc0 to change their form into their infective 24 hour fax INCORPORATED BOX 15001 stage) before identification can be 1-513-874-5878 attempted or transmission experiments HAMILTON, OHIO 45015-0001 undertaken. A major obstacle encoun­ tered is that the Stitchbird oocysts from Visit our WEB SITE at Mt. Bruce appear to be unresponsive to http://www.herp.com:80/grubco/ conventional methods used to stimulate sporulation, requiring oocysts to be

the afa WATCHBIRD 27 careful monitoring to ensure social rhizomes and leaf skeletons. The cup out incubation and to assist with chick problems don't develop. Juveniles are of the nest is lined thickly with tree fern rearing. Females are capable of rearing housed together until they are approxi­ scales. In the wild, some nest bases are chicks on their own, but if a male is mately two months old, when aggres­ up to 30 cm high [12 inches]. present he can contribute up to one sion levels amongst them gradually Each aviary has three nestboxes set third of the feeds. escalate and they need to be separated. up in the female's flight for her to Stitchbirds at Mt. Bruce usually lay 3 The requirement to house all birds sep­ choose from, and one in the male's - 4 eggs in a clutch. On occasions five arately has limited our ability to hold flight close to the dividing wall. In an eggs have been laid, but in these cases many birds and has also compromised effort to "impress" the female, the male no more than four hatched. The small, research into captive husbandry and will begin a small nest in his box (in white eggs are incubated for 15 days. disease. the wild they try to lead the female to At around 10 days it is possible to see nest sites). This behavior sometimes the embryo developing inside the Breeding helps stimulate nest building in the translucent shell without touching or The Stitchbird breeding season female next door. The nestboxes we candling the eggs so that they can be begins in October and final clutches provide measure 30 x 25 x 40 cm high easily checked for fertility by opening can be laid as late as February. [12 x 10 x 16 inches]. the nestbox while the female is off the During this time, captive females can The breeding season can be a very nest. When the eggs are due to hatch, rear two to three clutches of up to four stressful time for Stitchbirds. The the nest is checked twice daily to mon­ chicks per brood. They can make up males have high testosterone levels itor the progress of the hatch, and any to four nesting attempts depending and will pursue the female and mate eggs that do not hatch within a day of upon circumstances. with her many more times than is nec­ the first are candled. Dead-in-shell or Stitchbirds are unusual cavity nesters essary for fertilization. When the infertile eggs are removed immediate­ - usually entering a cavity and build­ female, with soft calls and tail up, solic­ ly, as nests have been abandoned ing a platform upwards. We therefore its mating, the male will usually copu­ when dead-in-shell eggs were left with provide nestboxes that have the late with her in the normal manner. young chicks. entrance hole at the base. The nest base However copulation is often forced, The nestling period is 28 days, dur­ consists of a tower of coarse twigs, with the male chasing the female ing which time the chicks are checked grading into finer material such as fern down to the ground and mating with daily. Fortunately the parents tolerate a her in a face-to-face position (unique fairly high level of disturbance at the among birds) - claws locked and nest. By Day 6 the chicks are passing wings spread over her to prevent relatively solid feces, which are col­ escape. The repeated chasing and lected daily for disease screening. The "rape" by the male is a cause of much feces are screened for capillaria and stress for the female. If such attacks coccidia loadings each day, so that persist for too many days the female treatment can begin immediately infec­ resorts to hiding from the male. In the tion occurs. If left untreated, chicks captive situation she may even be infected with coccidia usually die near unable to feed sufficiently or get fledging and this disease has been the opportunities to build a nest. main killer of young chicks since the We now hold the male and female captive program began. of a pair in adjacent flights during the To guard against mites and fecal season, thus stimulating the female to build-up in the nest, the nestbox is nest-build without harassment by the often replaced with a clean one, which male. When she has nearly finished also provides an opportunity to weigh LEG BAND nest building, her weight is carefully and dose the chicks as required. The ELECTRONIC CUTTER SCALES & PERCH STAND monitored with an automatic scale at chicks become used to human contact THERMOMETERS HEATING the feeding station to determine when and therefore are quite tame and CLOACAL & MOUfH PLATFORMS she is ready to lay. We then introduce inquisitive as adults, making manage­ SPECULUM CORDLESS the male to her flight. Depending on ment (catching and moving between FEEDING TUBES DREMEL the degree of aggression shown by the aviaries) and public viewing easier. AND MORE male, we either separate the pair after Inside the clean nestbox, the chicks LOOK IN OUR CATALOG copulation has been observed, at the are placed in an artificial nest once the end of each day, or, if little aggression natural nest becomes soiled. The arti­ is observed, the male is left in the ficial nest consists of a sieve (with the female's flight for a week until egg lay­ handle removed) lined with polar ing is complete. One male was so fleece fabric and placed inside a raised peaceful towards his mate that we wooden platform in the nestbox. The allowed him to stay with her through- first time the natural nest is replaced,

28 Tanuary/February 2000 "0 Q) U) '5 (j) .0o a: >­ .0 o (5 .r:. a.

Female Stitcbbird / eediJlg on copros)J1.a berries.

c o.!!! o o3l a: >­ .0 o (5 .r:. a.

Adult male Stitcbbird-note ear-tl (fts raised a1ld cocked tail as pm1 q{ bis display the feluale typically appears confused can be separated from their parents at all ages are screened monthly. The past on re-entering the nest and hesitates at around 40 days. Daily fecal sampling of two breeding seasons have, in terms of the door. Eventually the calls of the each chick continues (where possible) long term juvenile survival, been the hungry chicks lure her in and she until they are three months old. We most successful to date. Four chicks readily accepts the nest changes from assume that by this age they have fledged in 1997/98 and five fledged in then on. acquired resistance to coccidia, which 1998/99. Of these juveniles, the females The chicks fledge at 28 days and are very rarely kills adult birds. Sampling is have been retained for captive breeding fed by their parents for a further 1-2 then conducted twice weekly until their and four males were transferred and weeks. They learn to use the artificial feces are consistently clear of coccidia. released onto Tiritiri Matangi Island in feed stations after about a week and Throughout the winter months, birds of the Hauraki Gulf. ~

the afa WATeHBIRD 29