The Keeping and Breeding of the Great--billed Parrot

Beth & Dwight Greenberg Avian Entities, Cocoa, Florida

LARGE-BILLED PARROTS (TANYGNATHUs) Genus Description The species in this genus are n1ediun1 to larg parrot with very large heavy bills and proportionate­ The Great-hilled Parrot aviaries of Dwight and Beth Greenberg. ly short slightly rounded tails, giving them a "top­ heavy" appearance, especially in flight. exual dimor­ ahnost white. Inw1ature birds re luble the female.The phism is slight; young birds are duller than adults. Sp cies also includ. s the Rufus-tailed Parrot which is based on a single specilnen (according to Parrots of The Black-Iored Parrot the World) and that this sp cill1en was probably an (Tanygnathus gralnineus) aberrant T sUlnalranus. Thi' bird had a reddish brown Little is known about the Black-lored Parrot bib and also reddish brown coloring of the under tail except that its habits are generally nocturnal and that coverts. it is heard n10re at night than during the day. The Rf!ferences: Forshaw (973), Juniper & Parr (1998), Black-lored is found only on the island of Buru, just Hahitat: lowland forest, especially forest edges and tree west, north west of Ceran1. Its call is sin1ilar to that of in cultivation; they tend to avoid dense forest. the Great-billed Parrot but is 1110re drawn out and SuJ?~pecies: There are five knovvn sub-species: T s. san­ higher in pitch. Like the MOller's, the ll1ale has a rose girensis, T s. hurbidgii, T s. eueretti, T s. duponti, T s. freeri. colored bill and the fe111ale " bill is horn colored. Indigenous areas: The Mliller's parrot inhabits the Habitat: They inhabit 1110untainou areas but islands around the Philippines and the I lands of have been occasionally observed along the lower Taulaud and Sangir. They also are found on the island coastal regions. of Sulawesi and related islands in Indonesia. These birds are relatively quiet during the day but can have The Milller's Parrot a harsh voice and are active and noisy at night. As with (Tanygnathus sun1atranus) lnost parrots, they can be velY destructive. Also called the Blue-bad ed-Panot, this species is basically a dOlninant green. The blue on its back and Philippine Blue-naped flln1p is its n10st distinctive feature. The luale's blue is (Tanygnathus lucionensis) normally n10re extensive than the fen1ale's. The tail is The Philippine Blue-naped closely resembles the tipped with a greenish yellow. In adults the sexes are Great-billed Parrot, more so than th other species in easy to identify as the male's bill is a rose red color and the Tanygnathus genus. One of the striking sin1ilari­ the feluale s is horn colored. The iris is pale yellow to ties is the wing lnarking. Although noticeably smaller

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A pair of Great-hilled Parrots. Their name becomes ohvious when A color studJ of the Great-hilled ParTot. The Bllle-naped looking at their great bills. Males andfel17ales look much alike. Parrot looks l'ery ')imilar hut is _<·;maller. 22 Fourth Quarter 2002 in size, the overall color is green viridipen n is, T m. djampeae, T m. move to the opposite side of the with variations on the wing that floris, T m. sumhensis cage while we are feeding. The closely emulate those of the Great­ small door greatly reduces the pos­ billed Parrot. The nape of the neck AVIARY CONSTRUCTION sibility of escape. The feeding sta­ has a light shade of blue and the tip Racks/Cages tions also keeps the food and water on the tail is not yellow. The rump We chose suspended caging bowls where you put them and not is brilliant green and there is black system to allow easier maintenance, where the bird would like them to on the bend of the wing. cleaning and feeding of our collec­ be. Subspecies: There are two tion, thus greatly reducing the man­ All access doors, with the known sub-species: T I. hybridus~' T hours needed to run our operation. exception of the feeding station I. talautensis. We feel the birds are more secure door, are hogringed closed. Use of when they can look down at you steel hog rings allows the removal Great-billed Parrot while you are feeding them or of the rings so new perches may be CTanygnathus megalorynchos) cleaning the cages. added or birds may be netted. Huge red bill. Bright green General construction of the Cages are secured to the rails head, upper mantle, and upper-tail­ racks that hold the cages are 4in X with tie-down wire. One of the coverts. The feathers of the lower 4in X 12ft pressure-treated posts great advantages of this type of con­ mantle are dull green and tipped buried four feet into the ground. struction, is when threatened with pale blue. Back and rump are pale Pressure treated 2in X 6in X 16ft hurricanes, the tie-down wire is cut, blue. Under-parts greenish-yellow; rails fastened five feet off the the cages are removed from the rails thighs green. Under-wing-coverts ground provide the support that the and placed under them, affording and sides of breast are yellow; yel­ cages rest on. This structure is tied some protection from falling pine low across underside of flight feath­ together with double 2in X 12in X and oak limbs. Once the emergency ers. Scapulars and lesser wing­ 16ft headers fastened to the 4in X has passed, the area is cleaned the coverts are black with broadly mar­ 4in X 12ft posts. Two racks are tied cages placed on the rails, secured, gined yellow; greater wing-coverts together with 2in X 4in X 5ft braces and then pressure washed. The green edged with greenish-yellow; in the middle. The dual sets of racks birds are then placed back in their primaries and secondaries are blue, run in parallel with a 6ft walkway respective cages. outer webs are narrowly edged between the racks. 10ft by 26in V­ Having an abundance of oaks green. Tail above green, tipped with grooved tin roofing completes the in our area allows us to use natural green-yellow, below dusky yellow. rack structure providing shade and perches. The hangers consist of 2in In flight narrow wings are bright protection from the elements. All yellow with thin tapered tail. Iris rails are covered with galvanized Our 78th Bird Mart yellow-white; legs green-gray. drip stripping that prevents the birds Immature: have little or no black on from chewing on the pressure-treat­ EVERYBODY'S wings. ed timber used in construction. BIRD MART Habitat: favors coastal forests Overall dimensions of one rack are including mangroves; far less com­ 32ft long by 16ft wide by 11ft tall at 16 March 2003 mon than MUller's Parrot; coastal the peak of the roof. LOS ANGELES COUNTY areas only. Three 15 watt light fixtures FAIRPLEX BUILDING #4 Characteristics: Given that spaced 14 feet apart provide night POMONACA much information on parrot distri­ lights for the birds. Water is run to bution and population levels has the rack for watering and cleaning 9:30 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. been inferred from studies of par­ purposes. Admission- $5.00 rots in flight, very little is known Cages are built using liz in X Children under 12 free about the Great-billed Parrots. 3in X 4ft 12-gauge hot dipped gal­ While studying large parrots in-situ, vanized wire. Stainless steel "]" clips The Bird Mart has become two factors were studied - flight or hog rings are used as fasteners. the market place for frequency and flight duration. The cages for the Great-billed Buyers and Sellers During watches from vantage-points Parrots are 10ft to 12ft long. Dual overlooking forest patches on the cages have privacy partition con­ Use White Ave parking lot. Parking $4.00 Tram service from parking lot to building island of Sumba, Indonesia. Great­ structed of "U" channel tin and "V" billed Parrots T megalorhynchus groove tin. This privacy partition is • Birds' Cages' Feeders flew most often in the early morning protected by liz in X lin 16-gauge • Nest Boxes' Vitamins and late afternoon. Compared to hot dipped galvanized wire. • Bird Books • Perches the other psitticine species inhabit­ Each cage has a custom built • Seed' Gift Items ing the same area the Great-billed feeding station that contains com­ flights were some of the most fre­ partments for food and water. The The Original #1 Bird Mart quent and longest. feeding station has a small access P.O. Box 1485 Subspecies: There are seven door in the middle of the cage back known sub species: T m. aJlinis~ T located along the walkway between Thousand Oaks, CA 91358 m. suhaffinis, T m. hellmayri, T m. the racks. Most of the breeders Phone 805-494-1499 the afa WATCHBIRD 23 X 6in hanger mounted on the chini SUlnlner squash, broccoli, ting the pine seeds from the e cages with fender washers and pop ronlaine lettuce kale, collard cones. rivets. Once in plac , it is a simple green, carrots, corn on the cob When our Great-billed Parrots matter to cut an oak branch to size peas green beans, and sweet potato. go into a rnolt or while preparing and simply set it into the hanger. Along with their daily diet we for breeding season, we offer CeDe A vertical grandfather style also offer peanut, Brazil nuts, egg-food nlixture with additional 12in x 12in x 36in nest box has ahnonds, walnuts and pecans. One calcium and nlinerals. proven successful for us. The nest of the favorite food of the Great­ box is wired inside. The ne t box is billed Parrot is Kenari nuts or better BREEDING ecured to the cage by sliding it into known as lVlolucca nuts. These are Our Great-billed Parrot avialY a wire sleeve constructed of lin by difficult and expensive to obtain as faces the back of our house so we 2in 14 gauge wire. An access door they are shipped from Indonesia. can keep an eye on what's going in the wire sleeve opens to a lnall When breeding, th Great- on. This affords us the opportunity access door on the back of the next to observe our Great-billed Parrots box. The ne t box is prepared for Photo by Dwight Greenberg and theil- habits. Courting usually breeding eason by cleaning it out goes on for a month until they set­ then soaking in bleach. Once the tIe down to the serious business of box drie , a light coat of five-per­ nesting. cent sevin dust is applied, then During the couiting session about four inches of clean pine the Inale often flies to the feinale shaving are added. While interview­ and nlakes gestures and chatter to ing other breeders of Great-billed her. The n1ale sand fetnale's flash Parrots we hav found they have their irises (blaze their eyes) and been uccessful with many different they stretch out their neck ' as they styles of nest boxes including "L' face one another and sway to and type, "T" type and a horizontal fro slowly as if in a trance. This grandfather style. If the Great-billed behavior pattern is the prelude to Parrots are in the mood they are not the actual Inating. While the male is choosy about their nest boxes. nlounted he will continue this trance behavior and will slowly NummON sway back and forth near the To ensure a proper and well female s head and chatters at the balanced di t for Great-billed saIne tilne in a very low voice. Once Parrots there should be a variety of Inating is cOlnpleted, the n1ale will vegetables, fruit , nuts, grains, and fly off to the opposite end of the beans offered along with their basic aviary and the feinale proceeds to Beth Greenhergjeeding a young Geat-hilled. diet. Some Great-billed Parrots preen. ha ve a tendency toward vitalnin A In 1997 our founder pair went deficiency. They al 0 require a billed Parrot receive a soaked bean to nest for the first tinle . Great-billed higher oil and protein content con­ Inixture three tinles a week. The Parrots clutches vary between two tained in a variety of nuts and Inixture contains a combination of and three eggs. Incubation begins cheese. l1lixed pulses, such as navy beans with the first egg laid and continue Our ba ic diet consists of a half baby lima beans, lentils, garbanzo for twenty-eight days. seed mix which includes sunflower, beans and green split pea. We The female will sit tight on the safflower, punlpkin, buckwheat, soak these for eight to ten hours, eggs. She will come out when there groats, oats, cracked corn, peanuts, rinse well and then serve. is fresh food delivered or upon our biscuits, red chili peppers, dried Our birds are fed early in the inspection of the nest box. We have banana, almond , and a few other nl0rning so by mid nlorning nlost of never had to chase her off the nest. seeds. the fresh foods have been eaten. She has been velY good about let­ One qualter i made up of During spell of velY hot weather, ting us inspect. fruits consi ting of one or lnore of u ually nlid-June through Sept (our The Great-billed Parrots breed­ the following each day: Hced hurricane Inonths) we will offer ing season usually starts at the end apples, papaya coconut, melon, fresh water twice a day. At this tune of FebrualY and the first part of mango, oranges, grapefnlit, kiwi we check to see if any fre h food is March. The egg have a pearly fruit grapes, and other fruit when in left and if so we will reinove so as white coloring. When the babies season. We alternate these various to eli1llinate any l1l0ld or bacteria hatch they look velY pink in color food from day to day. We al 0 offer buildup. and will have just a few strands of grains such a rice, macaroni, and Great-billed Parrots are chew­ light yellow natal down on their wild rice. ers and to satisfy theu- need to triln backs. The bill is a pretty orange Rounding out the diet includ s their bills we often offer thein large color at this state. The toenails are a a variety of vegetable 'uch as zuc- pinecones. They seem to enjoy get- light gray.

24 Fourth Quarter 2002 After re1110ving the chick fron1 should be starting their weaning group, we do not have the luxury of the nest box the ritual begins anew process. The babies like ch wing on waiting until all of the questions are and approxin1ately 26 days later (a nullet that we offer. After a few days an Vv'ered. As the captive wild full cycle) has pas ed the fen1ale we sta1t with soft food . They are caught population ages, the breed­ will go back to nest again. SOI11e attracted to color so we offer ing probabilities dU11inish and soon­ Great-billed Parrots will go to nest a chopped carrot, sun1ffier and zuc­ er than later all Fl tock will not be couple of day sooner. chini squash, and diced swe t pota­ viabl . If the genes from th se birds to along with broccoli. We call thi have not been renewed through N URSERY MANAGEMENT our vegetable medley. They will captive breeding efforts, they will be When the babies are two to pick at this at first and then they 10 ,t forever. We mu t weight our three weeks of age we will pull sta1t ea ting most of what is offered. options, and move fast cautiously to them for hand feeding. There are Rice is al 0 offered. It isn't long after ensure a large a pool of genetic several different forn1ulas offered this that th ba bie are well on their material fron1 Fl stock is secured. If on the market. When we pull the way of eating on their own. We till we, a a group, fail to do this, we babies we will weigh them and supplement in between with hand have no on to blame but ourselves. monitor their growth. We place feeding but they soon resist this and If thi on1e to pass, it could truly them in a brooder set for 96 d gre s just want to eat their seed and veg­ be said we helped with the extinc­ F. It i velY important to keep a gie and fruit mixes. tion of another parrot specie . weight chart and when weighing the babies it should be done first CONCLUSION REFERENCES thing in the morning when their Although the e birds have Juniper T; ParT 1: Pan'ots: A Guide to Parrots q( crops are empty. By doing thi we been in aviculture for just a few the 'X/arid. Yale ni\"" Press, ew can get an accurate weight. years, the Great-billed Parrot has not Haven, Conn. 1998 At three week of age the been established to any degr e in a ForshawJ; Pann/s q{LheWorld. 2nd edition. TF.H. babies' eyes are open and the bill of captive population. This is a species Publications. Inc., eptune J 197 the older chick ha now developed that is one of the n10st challenging ,trange M; Bird.:; qf Inc/one:ia, A Photographic a deep reddish-orange coloration to maintain and breed. It requires a Guide to the. Publisher; Eric Oey towards the tip of the upper long-term commitn1ent from those Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd . 2001 n1andible. At about a l110nth the aviculturists ke ping it. Aklerton D. Dr' The AILa.<. 0/ Pan'ots. TF.H. babies have started their pinfeathers The physical a ppearanc of Publication .. In . ptune, HJ 1991 on their wings, with sl11aller pins the bird is striking with its propor­ con1pletely covering their head. The tionately larg head and bill. The tail is approximate a half an inch to voice can be loud but Great-billed an inch long. Most of the bill has Parrots rarely create much noi 'e. turned to a deep reddish-orange For us, they are great watchdogs. If color and the secondary down has there is an intrud r of any SOlt in or now appeared over much of the near the aviary at night they will body. At this point in development make quite a fus' therefore alarm­ the bird is rung with an AFA alu­ ing us and the rest of the flock. minul11 size 14 clos d bane!. Other than this they are quiet and At about 33 days of age th because of thi they do n1ake ideal pinfeathers break through their aviary subjects. quilling to reveal their gre n Given that habitat los will plumage. At this time we remove continue at it present rate - or the chicks frol11 the brooder and accelerate - and the hun1an popula­ place them in pIa tic compa1tments tion that compete for the same and place these on a heating pad resources as the Great-billed Parrots with the con1partn1ents half on and will take precedence, it is rela tivel y half off the heat. This allow the easy to foresee the eventuality that Newly engineered in 20021 Operates on 12 volt dc chick to l110ve on and off the heat these strikingly gorgeous birds are 0 Accurate to 1.5 +/­ when he feels Uk it. predestined to extinction in the Microprocessor Technology The chick' will be fully feath­ wild. Digital temperature display ered on the wings at approximately Accepting the above statel11ent Over/Under temp alarm 44 days of age and the head will be as true, then it is a foregone conclu­ Control from 65 ° to 103 0 nearly fully feathered. The tail feath­ sion that avi ulturists must provide Has a fan only mode ers are now free of their quills but the stewardship required to fully uti­ Lift off acrylic lid will not yet have reached their full lize and protect those few peci­ 5 YEAR WARRANTY!! length. The breast abdol11en and mens that are currently held in avi­ thighs are all becoI11ing extensively culture. Medical problen1s encoun­ VISIT US ONLINE AT feathered. tered in the not too distant pa t have www.avianheat.com When the chicks reach slowed th distribution of tl1e e or call us at approximately 62 days of age, they birds to intere ted aviculturists. As a 317-933-9191 the afa WATCHBIRD 25