Australia: Land of Parrots – 2020
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Eastern Rosella (Platycercus Eximius)
Eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius) Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae Characteristics: The Eastern rosella averages 30 cm (12 in) in length and 99gm (3.5oz) in weight. With a red head and white cheeks, the upper breast is red and the lower breast is yellow fading to pale green over the abdomen. The feathers of the back and shoulders are black, and have yellowish or greenish margins giving rise to a scalloped appearance that varies slightly between three subspecies and the sexes. The wings and lateral tail feathers are bluish while the tail is dark green. Range & Habitat: Behavior: Like most parrots, Eastern rosellas are cavity nesters, generally Eastern Australia down to nesting high in older large trees in forested areas. They enjoy bathing in Tasmania in wooded country, puddles of water in the wild and in captivity and frequently scratch their open forests, woodlands and heads with the foot behind the wing. Typical behavior also includes an parks. Nests in tree cavities, undulating flight, strutting by the male, and tail wagging during various stumps or posts. displays such as courting, and a high-pitched whistle consisting of sharp notes repeated rapidly in quick succession. Reproduction: Breeding season is influenced by rain and location. Courting male bows while sounding out mating call followed by mutual feeding and then mating. Female alone incubates eggs while male bring food. 2-9 eggs will hatch in 18 - 20 days. Hatchlings are ready to leave the nest in about 5 weeks but may stay with their parents for several months unless there is another mating. -
TAG Operational Structure
PARROT TAXON ADVISORY GROUP (TAG) Regional Collection Plan 5th Edition 2020-2025 Sustainability of Parrot Populations in AZA Facilities ...................................................................... 1 Mission/Objectives/Strategies......................................................................................................... 2 TAG Operational Structure .............................................................................................................. 3 Steering Committee .................................................................................................................... 3 TAG Advisors ............................................................................................................................... 4 SSP Coordinators ......................................................................................................................... 5 Hot Topics: TAG Recommendations ................................................................................................ 8 Parrots as Ambassador Animals .................................................................................................. 9 Interactive Aviaries Housing Psittaciformes .............................................................................. 10 Private Aviculture ...................................................................................................................... 13 Communication ........................................................................................................................ -
Beak and Feather Disease Viru
Fact sheet Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is the causative agent of psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), an endemic disease in Australia’s wild parrot populations. Descriptions of parrots with feather loss consistent with the disease date back to the late 1800s (Ashby 1907). The virus is believed to have originated in Australia sometime following the separation of the continent from Gondwanaland, with spread to other parts of the world with modern movement of parrots as pet and aviary species . It has the potential to impact on several endangered Australian and non-Australian parrot populations and is listed as a key threatening process by the Australian government. Of late, the virus also has been identified in various non-psittacine species . Beak and feather disease virus is a 14 to 16 nm non-enveloped icosahedral DNA virus belonging to the family Circoviridae. Formerly, it was believed that the circoviruses recovered from a diverse range of psittacines were all antigenically similar. Doubt was cast on this theory when a virus that appeared to be serologically and genetically different was isolated from cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) (Shearer et al. 2008). More recent research appears to indicate that psittacine circoviruses can be divided into two species and multiple viral strains. Based on work by Varsani et al. (2011), BFDV contains 14 strains, while budgerigar circovirus (BCV), a newly defined species to date only found in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulates), contains three strains. However, it is likely that this number will continue to increase as shown by the discovery of two new distinct BFDV lineages in orange-bellied parrots (Neophema chrysogaster) (Peters et al. -
Hollow Using Species List & Nest Box Designs for the High Country Bushfire Zones
1 Hollow Using Species List & Nest Box Designs For the High Country Bushfire Zones Compiled by Alice McGlashan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nestboxtales/ Website: www.nestboxtales.com Sharing stories and knowledge about nest boxes for Australian native animals to encourage everyone to improve habitat for wildlife. 2 Background Studies across Australia have found that fire tends to reduce the number of hollows in an ecosystem for the short to medium term (0-50+ years). The hotter and more damaging the fire, the greater the loss of tree hollows. Consider an old, large, wizened, partially dead tree with many small to large sized hollows, being somewhat of an apartment block for hollow using wildlife. Trees such as these do not tend to survive very destructive bushfires, such as those that have occurred during this bushfire season (summer 2019-20) These same studies have found that hollow using species don’t initially return to badly burnt areas, and when they do, the numbers are extremely low compared to before the fire. By comparison, non-hollow using species generally bounce back relatively quickly and in a few years are similar in numbers to those pre-fire. This provides an indication that it is likely to be the lack of hollows, rather than food sources and habitat other than tree hollows, that are the limiting factor for the return of hollow using species to recently burnt areas. Aside: the studies to date have been on smaller patch burns or areas that are dwarfed in size by the vast expanses of forests burnt, particularly in the Eastern states of Australia during the bushfire season of 2019-20. -
The Northern Rosella on the Has Violet-Blue Cheek Patches Instead Bedford
Australian states and extending into a ROSELLASj third. From the Kimberley Division of AN AUSTRALIAN VIEWPOINT Western Australia across the northern by Ken Kleesh, Eltham, parts of the Northern Territory into Victoria, Australia Queensland, where it occupies a small area of that state near the bottom of the Gulf of Carpentaria eastwards to Burketown" (Hutchins & Lovell). It also inhabits some islands such as Melville, Bathurst, and Milengimbi off the northern coast of Australia. Their habitat varies from coastal v the mangrove and pandanus thickets to Northern Rosella Platycercus venustus Preamble travelled with Matthew Flinders on the In addition to the nominate species, ship the Investigator. Platycercus venustus venustus, there is It was first bred in the United a subspecies P. vensutus hilli which Kingdom in 1928 by (the late) Duke of Distribution ofthe Northern Rosella on the has violet-blue cheek patches instead Bedford. The first official breeding in Australian mainland. of white and underparts that differ captivity in South Australia was by slightly to venustus. The nominate race Alan H. Lendon in 1939. is the one kept in captivity in Australia savannah woodlands in the vicinity of (Hutchins & Lovell). However, Barry Introduction watercourses. The birds feed on the Hutchins advises me there are a few I first saw the Northern Rosella in pollen, nectar, and seeds of many Northern Rosellas held in captivity in the wild at Turkey Creek, Western native trees. They also take many Australia with violet cheek feathers Australia, in 1989 where my wife, species of grubs, beetles and other instead of white and the several (liv Audrey, and I were camped prior to insects, in addition to seed from native ing) specimens he has studied do not visiting the Bungle Bungles in the grasses. -
Darwin and Northern Territory (06/22/2019 – 07/06/2019) – Birding Report
Darwin and Northern Territory (06/22/2019 – 07/06/2019) – Birding Report Participants: Corey Callaghan and Diane Callaghan Email: [email protected] Overview: At an Australasian Ornithological Conference in Geelong, November 2017, they announced that the next conference would be in Darwin in 2019. I immediately booked it in the calendar that that is when I would do the typical Darwin birding trip. Diane was on board, and so we decided to do a solid birding trip before the conference in early July. There are some tricky ‘must-get’ birds here, and overall we did pretty well. We ended with 198 species for the trip, and got pretty much all the critical top end birds. Didn’t get any of the mangrove specialties (e.g., whistlers, and fantail), but I was still pleased with how we did. Highlights included all the finches that we saw, and the great spread of waterbirds. Chestnut Rail was also a highlight. When I went to the conference, I dropped Diane off to go hiking at Litchfield National Park, but before that we did a 10 day trip, driving out to Timber Creek and then back. Read below for day- by-day highlights, some photos, and various birding locations. Any hyperlinks should take you to the associated location and/or eBird checklists, which would provide precise coordinates and sometimes more detailed location notes. *Note: I follow the eBird/clements taxonomy, which differs in bird names from IOC. Blue-faced Honeyeater Day 1 (June 22nd, 2019): Flight from Sydney to Darwin We had an early flight from Sydney and got into Darwin at about 2:00 PM. -
Parrots in the London Area a London Bird Atlas Supplement
Parrots in the London Area A London Bird Atlas Supplement Richard Arnold, Ian Woodward, Neil Smith 2 3 Abstract species have been recorded (EASIN http://alien.jrc. Senegal Parrot and Blue-fronted Amazon remain between 2006 and 2015 (LBR). There are several ec.europa.eu/SpeciesMapper ). The populations of more or less readily available to buy from breeders, potential factors which may combine to explain the Parrots are widely introduced outside their native these birds are very often associated with towns while the smaller species can easily be bought in a lack of correlation. These may include (i) varying range, with non-native populations of several and cities (Lever, 2005; Butler, 2005). In Britain, pet shop. inclination or ability (identification skills) to report species occurring in Europe, including the UK. As there is just one parrot species, the Ring-necked (or Although deliberate release and further import of particular species by both communities; (ii) varying well as the well-established population of Ring- Rose-ringed) parakeet Psittacula krameri, which wild birds are both illegal, the captive populations lengths of time that different species survive after necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri), five or six is listed by the British Ornithologists’ Union (BOU) remain a potential source for feral populations. escaping/being released; (iii) the ease of re-capture; other species have bred in Britain and one of these, as a self-sustaining introduced species (Category Escapes or releases of several species are clearly a (iv) the low likelihood that deliberate releases will the Monk Parakeet, (Myiopsitta monachus) can form C). The other five or six¹ species which have bred regular event. -
Grand Australia Part Ii: Queensland, Victoria & Plains-Wanderer
GRAND AUSTRALIA PART II: QUEENSLAND, VICTORIA & PLAINS-WANDERER OCTOBER 15–NOVEMBER 1, 2018 Southern Cassowary LEADER: DION HOBCROFT LIST COMPILED BY: DION HOBCROFT VICTOR EMANUEL NATURE TOURS, INC. 2525 WALLINGWOOD DRIVE, SUITE 1003 AUSTIN, TEXAS 78746 WWW.VENTBIRD.COM GRAND AUSTRALIA PART II By Dion Hobcroft Few birds are as brilliant (in an opposite complementary fashion) as a male Australian King-parrot. On Part II of our Grand Australia tour, we were joined by six new participants. We had a magnificent start finding a handsome male Koala in near record time, and he posed well for us. With friend Duncan in the “monster bus” named “Vince,” we birded through the Kerry Valley and the country towns of Beaudesert and Canungra. Visiting several sites, we soon racked up a bird list of some 90 species with highlights including two Black-necked Storks, a Swamp Harrier, a Comb-crested Jacana male attending recently fledged chicks, a single Latham’s Snipe, colorful Scaly-breasted Lorikeets and Pale-headed Rosellas, a pair of obliging Speckled Warblers, beautiful Scarlet Myzomela and much more. It had been raining heavily at O’Reilly’s for nearly a fortnight, and our arrival was exquisitely timed for a break in the gloom as blue sky started to dominate. Pretty-faced Wallaby was a good marsupial, and at lunch we were joined by a spectacular male Eastern Water Dragon. Before breakfast we wandered along the trail system adjacent to the lodge and were joined by many new birds providing unbelievable close views and photographic chances. Wonga Pigeon and Bassian Thrush were two immediate good sightings followed closely by Albert’s Lyrebird, female Paradise Riflebird, Green Catbird, Regent Bowerbird, Australian Logrunner, three species of scrubwren, and a male Rose Robin amongst others. -
Pest Risk Assessment
PEST RISK ASSESSMENT Quaker parrot Myiopsitta monachus Photo: Flickr 2008. Image from Wikimedia Commons licenced under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. May 2011 This publication should be cited as: Latitude 42 (2011) Pest Risk Assessment: Quaker parrot (Myiopsitta monachus). Latitude 42 Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd. Hobart, Tasmania. About this Pest Risk Assessment This pest risk assessment is developed in accordance with the Policy and Procedures for the Import, Movement and Keeping of Vertebrate Wildlife in Tasmania (DPIPWE 2011). The policy and procedures set out conditions and restrictions for the importation of controlled animals pursuant to s32 of the Nature Conservation Act 2002. For more information about this Pest Risk Assessment, please contact: Wildlife Management Branch Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Address: GPO Box 44, Hobart, TAS. 7001, Australia. Phone: 1300 386 550 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au Disclaimer The information provided in this Pest Risk Assessment is provided in good faith. The Crown, its officers, employees and agents do not accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence, for any loss resulting from the use of or reliance upon the information in this Pest Risk Assessment and/or reliance on its availability at any time. Pest Risk Assessment: Quaker Parrot Myiopsitta monachus 2/18 1. Summary The Quaker parrot, Myiopsitta monachus, is a medium-sized bird, mostly green and grey with a blue- grey forehead. It is unique among psittaciformes in that it builds a stick nest rather than breeding in a cavity. These stick nests are often communal, with multiple pairs breeding in the same large stick structure. -
Brain Size Associated with Foot Preferences in Australian Parrots
S S symmetry Article Brain Size Associated with Foot Preferences in Australian Parrots Gisela Kaplan * and Lesley J. Rogers * School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia * Correspondence: [email protected] (G.K.); [email protected] (L.J.R.) Abstract: Since foot preference of cockatoos and parrots to hold and manipulate food and other ob- jects has been associated with better ability to perform certain tasks, we predicted that either strength or direction of foot preference would correlate with brain size. Our study of 25 psittacine species of Australia found that species with larger absolute brain mass have stronger foot preferences and that percent left-footedness is correlated positively with brain mass. In a sub-sample of 11 species, we found an association between foot preference and size of the nidopallial region of the telencephalon, an area equivalent to the mammalian cortex and including regions with executive function and other higher-level functions. Our analysis showed that percent left-foot use correlates positively and significantly with size of the nidopallium relative to the whole brain, but not with the relative size of the optic tecta. Psittacine species with stronger left-foot preferences have larger brains, with the nidopallium making up a greater proportion of those brains. Our results are the first to show an asso- ciation between brain size and asymmetrical limb use by parrots and cockatoos. Our results support the hypothesis that limb preference enhances brain capacity and higher (nidopallial) functioning. Keywords: parrots; footedness; brain mass; body mass; nidopallium; optic tectum; optic tecta; Wulst; Citation: Kaplan, G.; Rogers, L.J. -
Oceania Species ID Sheets
Species Identification Sheets for Protected Wildlife in Trade - Oceania - 3 Mark O’Shea 1 Mike McCoy © Phil Bender 5 Tony Whitaker © 2 4 Tony Whitaker © 6 WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT GROUP (AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY · CONSERVATION · N. Z. CUSTOMS SERVICE) Numbered images above Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Photographers:1) Dick Veitch 1981, 2) Rod Morris 1984, 3) Gareth Rapley 2009, 4) Andrew Townsend 2000, 5) Paul Schilov 2001, 6) Dick Veitch 1979 Introduction Purpose of this resource: - Additional species that should be included in this booklet Wildlife trafficking is a large-scale multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. The illegal trade of - Sources of information, such as identification guides or reports, related to these wildlife has reached such prominence that it has the potential to devastate source populations species of wildlife, impacting on the integrity and productivity of ecosystems in providing food and - Domestic legislation regarding the regulation of trade in wildlife - Sources of photographs for identification purposes resources to the local economy. In order to protect these resources, legislation has been put in place to control the trade of wildlife in almost every country worldwide. Those assigned with - Details of wildlife seizures, including the smuggling methods enforcing these laws have the monumental task of identifying the exact species that are being traded, either as whole living plants or animals, as parts that are dried, fried or preserved, or as Any feedback can be provided directly to the Wildlife Enforcement Group: derivatives contained within commercial products. Stuart Williamson Senior Investigator, Wildlife Enforcement Group This booklet “Species Identification Sheets for Protected Species in Trade – Oceania” has been Customhouse, Level 6, 50 Anzac Avenue, Auckland, New Zealand developed to address the lack of resources, identified by customs agencies within Oceania, for Ph: +64 9 3596676, Fax: +64 9 3772534 identification of wildlife species in trade. -
Monitoring Indicates Greater Resilience for Birds Than for Mammals in Kakadu 8 National Park, Northern Australia
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Monitoring indicates greater resilience for birds than for mammals in Kakadu 8 National Park, northern Australia. 9 10 11 12 13 J.C.Z. WoinarskiA,B,C,D, A. FisherA,B, M. ArmstrongA,E, K. BrennanA, A.D. GriffithsA, B. HillA, J. Low ChoyA, 14 D. MilneA, A. StewartA,C, S. YoungA, S. WardA, S. WinderlichF, M. ZiembickiA,G. 15 16 17 18 A. Department of Natural Resources Environment, the Arts and Sport, PO Box 496, Palmerston, Northern 19 Territory, Australia, 0831. 20 21 B. National Environmental Research Program North Australian Hub, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, 22 Northern Territory, 0909. 23 24 C. Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern 25 Territory, 0909. 26 27 D. Current address: PO Box 148, Christmas Island, Western Australia, 6798. 28 29 E. Current address: tbc 30 31 F. Kakadu National Park, PO Box 71, Jabiru, Northern Territory, 0886. 32 33 G. Current address: School of Tropical and Marine Biology, James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns, 34 Queensland, 4870. 35 36 37 38 39 Corrssponding author: John Woinarski – [email protected], 08 9164 7905. 40 41 1 42 43 44 Abstract 45 46 Context. A previous study reported major declines for native mammal species from Kakadu National 47 Park, over the period 2001-2009. The extent to which this result may be symptomatic of more 48 pervasive biodiversity decline was unknown. 49 50 Aims. Our primary aim was to describe trends in the abundance of birds in Kakadu over the period 51 2001-2009.