1995 Convention Proceedings Pyrrhura onure: tatus in Aviculture

by Rick Jordan, Kutztown, PA

GENERAL he genus Pyrrhura is com­ Tprised of 18 different species and 29 subspecific fOlms. They are all New World birds and range from as far north as Costa Rica, in Central America, southward to northern Argentina. TIle majority ofthe species being concentrat­ ed in the north-central region of the South American continent. Joseph Forshaw in Parrots of the World (3rd rev. edition, 1989) ·states the following with regard to this genus: "Pyrrhura Conures are small to medi­ um sized birds with long graduated tails. The bill is rather broad and there is a notch in the upper mandible. The naked cere is prominent, and in many species there is a very prominent ring of bare skin around the eye. In the skull there is a complete orbital ring. Sexual dimorphism is ahsent and young birds mostly resemble adults."

STATUS Deforestation is a major problem in many countries ofSouth America, hav­ ing a detrimental affect on many species of Pyrrhura conures. Several species are already listed as endan­ gered and control of these species is strictly controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It is interesting to note that many of the species listed as 111featened or Endangered originate in Brazil which has prohibited their export for over 30 years. This fact seems to imply that other pressures within the habitat itself are the major contribut.ing factors to the decline of these species and that trade had little to do with the dwinpling numbers in the wild. Many Pyrrhura conures frequent The painted Conure (Pyrrhura pictapicta) is one ofthe most colorful conuresfound in isolated areas pf the South American aviculture.· This excellentpainting was done specificallyfor this issue by Susie Christian.

8 MarchiApril 1996 rain forest. Accessibility is a major con­ breed in the spring season. Pairs . Th~re are an estimated 20-25 pairs tributing factor for the lack of informa­ housed out of doors, where the sum­ In UOited States collections. Since the tion about these birds. A new species, mer is not too hot, may lay second countries of origin do not allow its the EI Oro Conure Pyrrhura orcesi clutches as late as June or even July. export, aviculturists are working hard was not even discovered or recorded Indoor accommodations and the to establish a self-sustaining, genetical­ until 1985, demonstrating how little is manipulation of light, water and food ly diverse captive population in the known of the members of this genus supplies may result in breeding at U.S. Under the strict constraints of the or their habitat. almost any time of year. However, Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992, even under artificial conditions, most imports of importation of wild caught AVICULTURE pairs breed in mid to late spring. or captive bred birds for increased via­ Approximately a third of the known bility ofblood lines may be impossible. taxa of Pyrrhura conures are well rep­ TIIE SPECIES resented in aviculture around the White-eared Conure Blue-throated Conure world. Many species are kept by avi­ Pyrrhura leucotis Pyrrhura cmentata culturists but are rarely available due to Range: Northern Venezuela and Range: Eastern Brazil limited breeding results and poorly Eastern Brazil. Status: Deforestation is being blamed crafted trade restrictions. Due to this Status: Little is known of the status of for the endangered status of the Blue­ limited availability of stock, the com­ this species. It must be assumed that throated Conure. It is now listed on monly kept species will become more the population is stable as it has not CITES Appendix I and on the United common and the rare will disappear been uplisted to CITES Appendix I but States Endangered Species Act. from aviculture-and possibly the still remains on Appendix II with all Avicu.lture: The Blue-throated Conure wild-in the future. the other parrots. is rare in aviculture as well. There are As most representatives of the Avicu.lture: The White-eared Conure a few successful breeders in the United genus are rather small, they are easy to is an avicultural rarity. It is being bred Kingdom, Germany and Spain. This accommodate in captivity. Pyrrhura in Europe and the United States but species is not well established in the conures have been produced in many blood lines are limited and inbreeding United States. The total U.S. population collections, even those with very limit­ will undoubtedly take place in the near consists of two females and approxi­ ed space to offer. Their willingness to future. Rumors of its arrival in South mately seven males. The outlook for adapt to small accommodations has Africa have not been confirmed. this bird is not good unless the breed- made them a favorite with indoor breeders as well as those who can cage the birds outdoors. Most of the commonly kept species have been bred to multiple generations and a majority of the available stock is cap­ Judge us by the company we keep tive bred. Pyrrhura conures can be very prolif­ I ic in the caged environment. Clutch sizes vary but are usually three to five eggs with some species being known to produce seven or eight. Fertility rates are generally very high in the com­ monly kept species. Parental habits are probably the most significant hindrance to captive breeding. Some pairs will destroy eggs or chicks in the nest. As with any "lUle" in aviculture, there are many excep­ tions and many pairs will raise any and all of the chicks they produce. Artificial USDA • u.s. Center for Disease Control • Mayo Clinic • Saudi Royal Family incubation and hand rearing from the Sloan-Kettering Institute • Walt Disney World • Busch Gardens • Opryland first day is to be avoided at all costs. Six Flags • Lion Country Safari • U.S. Army • U.S. Air Force • VA Hospitals The average weight of a newly Countless Zoos • Universities and Game Preserves throughout the Free World hatched Pyrrhura chick is only about 4 grams. This small size necessitates Write for our free catalog! around the clock feedings and a very labor intensive nursery regimen. Survival rates are high in collections The Humidaire Incubator Company where the keeper is very attentive to Department W, P.O. Box 9, New Madison, OH 45346-0009 handfeeding. (800) 410-6925 * FAX (513) 996-3633 BREEDING SEASON 1996 -Our65th Anniversary The majority of Pyrrhura conures

afa WATCHBIRD 9 ers in the United States join together Pyrrhura perlata perlata (formerly P 1996 COMMITTEES and import more captive bred stock rodogaster). AVIAN RESEARCH from Europe. The main obstacle to Range: Northern Brazil. William Sager, D.V.M. (508) 486-3101 overcome would be the laws that pro­ Status: In the wild the Crimson-bellied AFA IN BRIEF (monthly newsletter) hibit the commercial use ofthis species Cheryl Jones (509) 226-0611 Conure is quite common throughout fax (509) 326-6725 due to its endangered status. its range. It is listed on Appendix II of AVY AWARDS the CITES treaty only as a vehicle to Dale Thompson (805) 252-4871 Maroon-bellied Conure prevent trade in the species. Brazil CAPTIVE BREEDING SURVEY pyrrhurafrontalis does not consider this species endan­ Starr Kirkchoff (616) 327-3399 Range: BraZil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and gered or threatened and claims that CITES Argentina. over 100,000 of them remain in the AI McNabney (510) 945-1785 Status: Common throughout its range. wild. It is probably the most common and Avicu1ture: Brazil has prohibited the CONSERVATION/SMALL GRANTS Widespread of the genus Pyrrhura. legal export of wild caught Crimson­ Benny Gallaway (409) 775-2000 FAX (409) 775-2002 Aviculture: The Maroon-bellied bellied Conures for over 30 years. CONVENTION COORDINATOR Conure is quite common in aviculture However, either by legal or illegal Mary Perry (801 )582-6445 throughout the world. Exports from commercial trade, this species is repre­ fax (801)486-0757 Paraguay and Argentina have helped sented in European aviculture as well COOPERATIVE BREEDING PGM establish this species in captivity. A as in the Philippines and South Africa. Sharon Garsee (916) 784-1314 large population exists in the United In the United States it is virtually DRAWING COORDINATOR States in both the breeder trade and the unknown except for a few representa­ Cathy Ford (805) 684-0752 pet trade. A lutino form has developed tives that have been illegally imported EDUCATION AND MEDIA SERVICES but to my knowledge is not readily in the last few years. ETHICS available to aviculturists. Breeders in Spain and the rest of Larry Ring (916) 885-7868 Europe and in South Africa report that EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Robert J. Berry (713) 434-8076 Pearly Conure this species is very prolific in a caged fax (713) 433-3731 Pyrrhura perlata environment. Clutch size seems to FINANCE Range: Northern Brazil. average three to six eggs and fertility is Jim Hawley bus (602) 838-4770 Status: Deforestation of the Brazilian very high. Females are at a premium as res (602) 987-9206 fax (602) 987-3389 rain forest is the main pressure and sex ratios are often skewed towards cause of decline in the Pearly Conure. the male gender. New blood lines are FUND RAISING Tom Marshall (703) 777-3252 Most subspecies are still quite common needed in the stock that exists outside ILLEGAL BIRD TRADE in areas of virgin forest but they are of Brazil. The Brazilian government Marty Muschinske (619) 468-3201 receding farther into the forest as bull­ has expressed interest in allowing a LEGAL COUNSEL dozers clear the land to make room for commercial export of captive reared Gary Ulienthal (617) 345-0770 increased agriculture. The nominate representatives to aviculturists already LEGISLATION race, listed below, seems to be the holding this species. Dwight Greenberg (407) 631-9800 fax (407) 632-4338 most common and widespread of the Janet Ulienthal (617) 345-0770 four recognized subspecies. Green-<:heeked Conure MEMBERSHIP Avicu1ture: Excluding the nominate Pyrrhura molinae Paddy Lambert (314) 926-8186 form (the Crimson-bellied Conure), Range: Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS Pearly Conures are uncommon in avi­ Paraguay. PARLIAMENTARIAN culture.The supply of new blood lines Status: In the wild the Green-cheeked Gary Clifton (602) 830-4920 into Europe and the United States has Conure is very common throughout its PUBLIC RELATIONS been very limited, therefore avicultur­ entire range. It can be found in a vari­ Cheryle Jones (509)226-0611 ists have paid little attention to subspe­ ety of habitats according to Joseph fax (509) 326-6725 cific descriptions. What has resulted is Forshaw's Parrots ofthe World. PUBLICATIONS Sheldon Dingle phlfax (213) 223-7449 the establishment of just one Pearly Avicu1ture: In captivity the Green­ Dale R. Thompson (805) 252-4871 Conure in aviculture that is probably a cheeked Conure is probably the most fax (805) 252-5861 mixture of blood lines from all avail­ common of the Pyrrhura conures. M. Jean Hessler (714) 548-3133 fax (714) 548-0420 able subspecies. Once again, the differences in the sub­ PHOENIX BUSINESS OFFICE In the United states as few as 16 species was considered less important Carollnderrieden (602) 484-0931 original birds were imported. From than the actual establishment of this fax (602)484-0109 these original imports, a population of bird in captivity. As a result, the captive WATCHBIRD STAFF over 400 Pearly Conures now exists. population of Green-cheeked Conures Dale ThompsonlEditor- (805) 252-4871 in Chief fax (805) 252-5861 Genetic 'problems have surfaced and is largely a mixture of all different Sheldon DingleJManaging many of the captive bred females are blood lines and subspecific differentia­ Editor pMax (213) 223-7449 Eb Cravens/Assistant Editor incapable of laying eggs. This species tion is difficult to impossible. M. Jean Hessler/Art (714) 548-3133 is in need ofnew blood lines from for­ Probably the most prolific of the Director, Production fax (714) 548-0420 eign captive bred stock if it is to sur­ Sharon Rosenblatt (703) 255-3399 genus Pyrrhura, Green-cheeked Advertising fax (703) 281-3140 vive in American aviculture. Conures have been bred to multiple or Phoenix Office generations. The greater percentage of Crimson-bellied Conure available birds in the United States are

10 MarchiApril 1996 of captive bred origin. In support of this fact, several color mutations have surfaced and are now being estab­ lished in U.S. aviculture. To date, a fal­ ~ ~ low mutation, a blue mutation, a cin­ Commercial Members namon mutation and possibly a lutino form have been produced in captivity in the United States. Inbreeding coeffi­ cients are high and give credence to Aardvark Imports, Santa Monica, CA Just Parrots, lexington, SC the suspicion that inbreeding can lead About Birds, Hebron, IL Kaytee Products, Inc., Chilton, WI to the production of mutations. Alan P. Friedman, Gahanna, OH Kellogg, Inc. Seeds & Supplies, WI American Bird Center, Goulds, FL Kookaburra Pets, Carrolton, TX And Feathers Bird Studio, Chicago, IL Lafeber Company, Cornell, IL Yellow-sided Conure Animal Crackers, Greendale, WI UM Animal Farms, Pleasant Plain, OH Pyrrhura hypoxantha Ark Animal Hospital, A1amagordo, NM lGl Animal Care Products, Inc. Bryan, TX Range: Brazil Avian Kingdom Supply, Inc., Dallas, TX l'Avian Plus Pet Products, Stephen, MN Status: If hypoxantha is a valid Avian Resources, San Dimas, CA lima's Exotic Birds, Woodland Hills, CA species, it is extinct or nearly extinct in Avitech, Inc., Frazier Park, CA little Peeker's Bird Farm, Martinez, CA Banish, Theresa, Pinole, CA loriidae Production Network, Woodlake, CA the wild. In my opinion, aviculture has Bird Bank News, Felton, CA luv Them Birds, Goulds, FL proven beyond any doubt, that hypox­ Bird Country, Lewistown, MT Maggie & Me, Franklin, KY antha is a color mutation of molinae. Bird Depot, Inc., Hallandale, FL Magnolia Bird Farm, Anaheim, CA Aviculture: The original imports of Birdlady's Babes, Atascadero, CA Mandy Wagner Davidson,Roatan Island, hypoxantha into the United States Bird-on-a-Stick, Merrillville, IN Honduras Birds, Etc., AK Max Sharpe, Plant City, Fl were imported as part of a group of P Bird's Haven, Inc., Elmhurst, IL Mid-west Homes For Pets, Muncie, IN molinae. All imported specimens were Birdzerk Aviary, Marshallville, GA Mireille C. Santillo, Ft. Lauderdale, FL female, as previously described by Blue Skies Aviary, Whitwell, TN Neotropic Aviaries, Myakka City, FL Forshaw. These females bred with Boston Exotics, Action, MA 'po Patch, The, Benton, MS male molinae and produced normal C& FParrot Farm, Corpus Christi, TX P& J, Marshalltown, IA Paradise for Birds Rehab, Cary NC looking male and female molinae as C& J Parrot Pals, Phoenix, AZ. Caged Bird Hobbiest, Miami, FL Parrot Jungle & Gardens, Miami, FL well as several females showing the Cedar Hill Aviary, Northbranch, NY Patty's Parrots, Booneville, MS color mutation known as hypoxantha. Cock-a-Doodle Too, Richmond, VA Penn-Plax Inc., Garden City, NY After several years ofinbreeding, males Corners Ltd., Inc., Kalamazoo, MI Pet-iatric Supply, Wichita, KS carrying the color mutation have been Country Critters, Ltd., Medford, NY Pets NSuch, Inc., Erlanger, KY produced and pairs have been formed. Creative Bird Accessories, Darien, CT Premium Nutritional Products-ZuPreem, Cuttlebone Plus, Fallbrook, CA Topeka, KS These "color" pairs produce 1000/0 color Dan McCormic, Wildwood, FL Prevue/Hendryx Co, Chicago, IL, (Corp) mutations ofboth males and females. Dean Parrot Farm, Dripping Springs, TX Rain Forest Exotics, Soquel, CA The species known as P hypoxan­ Di Vinci Ltd., Las Vegas, NV Rain Forest Exotics, Inc., Conroe, TX tha is not a valid species. In the United Double "M" Feed Co., Terry Town, LA Raintree Publications, Fort Bragg, CA States, where it is now established, it is Dr. Gregory Alan Rich, DVM, Metairie, LA R.B. Exotic Birds, Thousand Oaks, CA Santa Barbara Bird Farm, Santa Barbara, CA known as the "yellow-sided mutation" Earthrise, Bright & Healthy,Tolihouse, CA Eden's Nestbox, Eden, MD Scarlet Orchard Aviaries, Otis Orchards, WA of the Green-cheeked Conure. The Edie's Bird Farm, Glendale, AZ. Skyline Garden, Martin Muschinske, mutation has proven to be a sex linked Enchanted Wings Aviary, Grand Prairie, TX Jamul, CA trait as seemingly normal looking Exotic Birds, Richard Gilmore, Graham, TX Teri's Pets, Corpus Christi, TX males can produce mutation females. F& 0 Exotics, Princeton, FL Teri's Pets, Asheboro, NC Fabulous Feathers Aviary, Texarkana, TX The Bird Shop, Sacramento, CA Top Right Aviary, Inc., Redding, CA Painted Conure Fantastic Feathers, Port St. Lucie, FL Feather Fantasy, Inc., Miami, FL Topp Rock Aviary, Inc., Loxahatchee, FL Pyrrhura pieta Featherhaven Phase III, Four Oaks, NC Torrey's Parrot Place, 'Spokane, WA Range: Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Feathering Heights, Scotts Valley, CA Touch of Grey Aviary, Marlboro, MA Bolivia, Columbia and Panama. Rrethorn Supply, Salt Lake City, UT Bebe Turck, West Hurley, NY Status: The Painted Conure is fairly Rrst Flight, Belleville, IL Up At Six Aviaries, Bosque, NM Verde Squirts Aviary, Long Beach, CA common throughout most of its range. Greenfield Bird Farm, Solvang, CA Goldenfeast Pet Foods, Pottstown, PA Waterloo,Wings Stained Glass, Chelsea, MI As with most South American Heartland Pets, Eagan, MN Waylyn Enterprises, Onyx, CA psittacines, deforestation is threatening Hookbill Heaven, Mohawk, NY Wildwood Seed & Specialties, Monroe, OR its existence in some areas. Little infor­ JERBirds, Inc., Ocean Grove, NJ Wyld's WingdonMoyock, NC mation is available about each of the Jake & Guillermina McCauley, Newburgh, IN Yvonne's Swings and Things, Rochester, NY Julie Weiss Murad, Aspen, CO Zeigler Bros. Inc., Gardners, PA nine valid subspecies. Zoogen, Inc., Davis Aviculture: Although quite common Jungle Enterprises, Homestead, FL Jungle Ginny's, Andover, NJ in aviculture, the Painted Conure is not a prolific breeder and is available only on occasion. Some pairs have been very productive but, generally, they are nervous and not good parents. In the United States, only the nomi­ nate form Pyrrhura pietapieta, is com- afa WATCHBIRD 11 monly available. Breeders of this Range: Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. in the United States. Within the conure often complain about its ner­ Status: Little is known of this species European community it is extremely vous habits and propensity to feather­ in many parts ofits natural habitat. It is rare and demands a high price. A few pluck in a caged environment. reported as locally common in some pairs have been reported in Holland In Europe, Pyrrburapieta roseifrons areas and quite rare in others. The and Spain and captive bred young are is available on occasion. This form of range countries have not listed this offered only occasionally. The outlook the Painted Conure is quite beautiful species with the Cites convention so for this species in captivity is poor. and demands a very high price. To we must assume that populations are Limited bloodlines and international date only a few pairs are established in stable-at least for the time being. trade laws will probably destroy its Spain and Holland. Aviculture: The Black-capped Conure captive potential. is a popular cage bird. It is fairly com­ Fiery-shouldered Conure mon in aviculture throughout the Red-eared Conure Pyrrbura egregia United States, Europe and in South Pyrrbura boematosis Range: Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil. Africa. Blood lines in the United States Range: Venezuela. Status: Little recorded data on the sta­ may be inbred as this species is quite Brown-breasted Conure tus of this species is available. This is prolific and there are limited records as Pyrrbura caliptera probably due to its preference for to the number ofimported wild caught Range: Columbia. mountain areas that have made its birds. As evidence of a possible White-necked Conure study very difficult. inbreeding problem, a color mutation Pyrrbura albipectus Aviculture: The Fiery-shouldered has been established in the United Range: Ecuador. Conure is very rare in captivity. Only a States similar to that of the yellow­ El Oro Conure few pairs have been imported into the sided mutation of the Green-cheeked Pyrrhura orcesi United States and there have been only Conure. Range: Ecuador. a couple of reports of this bird in Santa Marta Conure European aviculture. It was bred in the Hoffman's Conure Pyrrbura viridicata U.S. for the first time back in the 1980's Pyrrbura boffmanni Range: Columbia. but breeding results do not seem to be Range: Costa Rica and western Blaze-winged Conure consistent and this species is currently Panama Pyrrhura devillei not available. This is yet another Status: The wild populations seem to Range: Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. species that will require new blood be fairly stable. Small flocks of lines if .it is to become established in Hoffman's Conure are seen on a regu­ With the exception of the EI Oro aviculture. lar basis even though they appear to and White-necked Conures, the be somewhat nomadic, moving from species on the above list are still con­ Maroon-tailed Conure one habitat to another. sidered common within their known Pyrrbura melanura Aviculture: A special breeding con­ ranges. The White-necked Conure may Range: Columbia, Venezuela, Ecuador sortium has been formed to save this actually be a color mutation of the and northern Peru. bird in captivity within the United Maroon-tailed Conure as it has been Status: Except in remote areas of its States. Breeding success has been sighted flying with flocks of P mela­ range, the Maroon-tailed Conure good but new blood lines will be nura. remains plentiful in the wild. Forshaw imperative. In Europe and South Africa Aviculture: The six Pyrrbura species reports that this species is another that this species is still very rare, if it is rep­ noted above are virtually unknown in frequents several different types of resented at all. Details ofits captive sta­ aviculture. habitat, from mountainous areas to tus are difficult to acquire as avicultur­ lowland scrub forests. The populations ists are hesitant to discuss the birds' Conclusion seem to be stable and flocks have even whereabouts. Probably fewer than five Pyrrbura Conures, in general, make been known to frequent areas that pairs exist outside the United States. good avicultural subjects. Most species have been deforested. are still plentiful in the wild with only Aviculture: In the United States, only Rose-erowned Conure a few exceptions that have been one of the five known subspecies Pyrrbura rbodocepbala pushed to a threatened status by defor­ could be considered established. Range: Venezuela. estation. There is a need for more sci­ Pyrrbura melanura souancei is being Status: The Rose-crowned Conure has entific studies of this genus, if not to bred by several aviculturists and is fre­ a very restricted range and occurs only establish their status in the wild, at least quently available as captive bred rep­ in the extreme north-western part of to establish the validity of the taxo­ resentatives within the U.S. This sub­ Venezuela. This area of the country is nomic categorization of certain birds. species seems to adapt well to captivi­ prone to vast deforestation and the The future of most species in cap­ ty and will readily breed in the caged only saving grace for this species could tivity seems to be good. As deforesta­ environment. DNA studies should take be the reserve wildlife areas that have tion further thre~Hens those species place on the captive population to been established. Venezuela has not with very limited ranges, captive establish how many different blood listed this species as endangered but it breeding has an opportunity to con­ lines exist within the country. must be threatened due to its limited tribute to the survival of many range and the deforestation that has Pyrrbura conure species-and many, BJack

12 March!April 1996