Breeding the

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The Great-billed Parrot (Tanygna­ porated) collection show little interest thus megalorhynchos) is, without a or behavior between each other for doubt, a visually striking, yet neg­ most ofthe year. In the case ofthe pair lected avicultural species. Of the three which has now bred at the Center, the species that are avicul­ first indication of breeding behavior turally known (others being the Blue­ was the disappearance of the hen naped and the Blue-backed ), from the main aviary into the nest box. the Great-billed Parrot is the largest The Great-billed Parrot has been and most physically impressive. In known in aviculture since the start of appearance, the Great-billed Parrot is the century, but only in relatively typical of Tanygnathus, being pre­ snlall numbers. The late 1980's did see dominantly green in plumage except an increase in their availability but for the back and rump which are light this, to date, has not led to the species The Great-billed Parrot is aptly namedfrom blue, and the wings, of which the becoming established in captivity. its large headand mandibles. Along with its short tail, this species often appears top­ median coverts are black with delicate There is little debate that it is consid­ heavy. golden edges. The most striking visual ered to be an extremely difficult avian feature is, however, the proportion­ species to breed in captive condition. ately large and bright orange bill. Sex­ At the Research and Breeding Center ual dimorphism can be seen in the lar­ that is operated by B.I.I. in the Philip­ ger size of the male's bill, but with pines, a number of pairs have been eight sub-species being recognized, captively established in the collection the aviculturists seeking to distinguish for a period of six years or longer the sex of this species by this method with, until recently, no breeding activ­ must ensure that the in question ity being initiated by any of the pairs. are ofthe same race. This, in spite of the near perfect cli­ The natural range of the Great-billed matic conditions and exceptional hus­ Parrot extends across several Indone­ bandry facilities which have been pro­ sian Island groups including the vided by the center. Now, at last, suc­ Moluccas, Tanumbar, Lesser Sunda cess has been achieved with the suc­ and Papuan Islands. While still cessful breeding and rearing of the recorded as being locally common in Great-billed Parrot having taken many areas of its natural range, as place. with many psittacine species from this The adult pairs of Great-billed Par­ region of the world, concern needs to rots maintained at the Research and be expressed about its future pros­ Breeding Center are housed in a series pects and the establishment of a via­ of individual, free standing portable ble self-sustaning captive population aviaries. These aviaries measure must, of course, be considered advan­ approximately 150 cm x 90 cm x tageous. 120 cm (5' x 3' x 4') in their internal Successful reproduction ofthe Great-billed In its behavior, the Great-billed Par­ dimensions. These aviaries are known Parrot is still uncommon in captivity. The rot is normally a nervous and secretive as "portable" aviaries because the Birds International, Inc. Research and although particularly tame birds base of the aviary is situated above Breeding Centre in the Philippines was can be encountered as an exception ground level, being comprised ofwire successful as seen by this 1 7-day-old to this rule. The pairs accommodated sides, top and bottom, with the aviary Great-billed Parrot chick. in the B.LL (Birds International Incor- being supported above the ground by

afa WATCHBIRD 37 four legs, one in each corner. The diameter of 14 cm. Nesting medium is 1 cm in length. The whole of the bill principal advantage ofthese aviaries is supplied inside the box by a deep had now turned into a deep reddish­ that they can eliminate the risk of con­ layer of wood shavings. Courtship orange in coloration. Secondary down tamination to the aviary inhabitant behavior between pairs is rarely noted had now appeared over much of the from the feces of wild birds or as these birds, nervous and seclusive body. rodents. Perching is provided within by their nature, are given as much pri­ On the 2nd of April, with the chicks the aviary by natural wooden tree vacy as possible. In the case of the aged 33 and 31 days of age, the pin branches. Other types of accommoda­ breeding pair, the first indications of feathers on the wing had started to tion have been used at the center over breeding activity were the hen bird's break their quilling to reveal green the course of the last six years to increased interest in the nest box and plumage. Tail pin feathers had not house this species, such as more tradi­ subsequently their excavation inside started to break through their quilling tional flight aviaries, but because of to make a scrape in the wood shav­ yet but were now over 2 cm in length. the nervous nature of these birds and ings. When the female began to stay Toenails were still gray. Some of the their high susceptibility to stress inside for prolonged periods of time, pin feathers on the thighs were just related problems, the portable aviaries the nest box was inspected and one starting to break their quilling. Pin have proved to be the most successful egg was seen. feathers on the head had gained green accommodation that heclectus parrot chicks we also now breaking through, as well. A few pressure hose from the outside and currently have at the center was very days later, on the 9th of April, the the nest box can also be inspected clear. The skin was pale pink and vir­ wings were extensively feathered and from the outside with no need for the tually devoid of natal down other than feathering was breaking through on aviary to be physically entered on a a few short wisps on the lower back the head, breast, abdomen and thighs. regular basis. region. One noticeable feature of On the 15th of April, with the chicks The diet of Great-billed Parrots at these chicks was the loudness of their being 46 and 44 days old, the wings the Research and Breeding Center vocalization at this early age; their were fully feathered with the distinc­ consists of three feedings daily which cries could easily be heard from tive golden edge markings being are given at 7:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. and outside the nest box before actual clearly defined upon the black 1:00 p.m. Pairs which are rearing inspection. medium coverts. The head was nearly young are also proVided with addi­ On the 11th of March, when the fully feathered with just a few pins on tional feeding periods at 6:00 a.m. and chicks were 11 and nine days of age, the crown still to break their quilling. 3:00 p.m. The content of the diet is they were both removed from the nest The tail feathers were now free of any made up principally from sprouted box and transferred to the nursery quilling but had not yet reached their seeds (such as rice, grain, alfalfa, department for handrearing. At this full length. Breast, abdomen and barley, wheat and safflower) and vari­ time, it was noted that the skin was thighs were all becoming extensively ous fruits and vegetables (such as light pink in coloration and, upon feathered. Four days later, on the 19th string beans, carrots, boiled corn, close examination, a few strands of of April, the chicks were well­ boiled garbanzos, boiled kidney light yellow natal down were present, feathered all over their bodies except beans, steamed sweet potato, coco­ but only upon the lower back region. for the flank regions which had yet to nut, chiCO, , , leafy The bill was already starting to turn become extensively feathered. vegetables and steamed rice). A small orange in color. The toenails were By the 1st of May, with the chicks amount of dry sunflower seed is also gray. The older chick had both eyes aged 62 and 60 days, the oldest chick provided at the 3:00 p.m. feeding each slitting with one eye half open. had just achieved full feathering with day. Occasion foods which are only On the 15th of March, with the the younger chick to achieve this given a few times each week include chicks now aged 15 and 13 days, the within a day or two. Both chicks were small amounts of cheese, ground beef older chick had both of its eyes open, feeding upon soft fruits and soaked and hard-boiled egg. the younger chick still had both eyes seeds that were being provided for The pair of birds which proVided slitting. The bill of the older chick had them and weaning had begun and our breeding of this species in 1993 is now developed a deep reddish­ was proceeding well. Some of the situated in a secluded and rarely dis­ orange coloration towards the tip of chicks' weights recorded from their turbed region of the breeding area, a the upper mandible. early period in the nursery are illu­ factor of obvious importance when By the 30th of March, when the strated in the accompanying table of working with the Great-billed Parrot. chicks were 30 and 28 days of age, daily weight gain. The nest box used is of conventional pins had started to emerge extensively The current captive status of the design and measures approximately on the wings, with smaller pins also Great-billed Parrot should be the 90 cm x 45 cm x 45 cm in its external completely covering the head. Tail cause of some concern. Birds have I dimensions. The entrance hole has a pins had also appeared and were now been available to aviculture, partiClI- 38 January / February 1994 l Weight Gain of Great-billed Parrots (Tanygnathus megalorhynchos) Judge us by the company we keep Age in Days Weight of Weight of Chick 1 Chick2 9 10 11 12 13 91 grams 14 91 grams 15 104 grams 108 grams 16 130 grams 123 grams 17 147 grams 142 grams 18 168 grams 156 grams 19 189 grams 175 grams 20 205 grams 196 grams USDA • US. Center for Disease Control • Mayo Clinic • Saudi Royal Family 21 226 grams 215 grams Sloan-Kettering Institute • Walt Disney World • Busch Gardens • Opryland 22 247 grams 227 grams Six Flags • Lion Country Safari • US. Army • US. Air Force • VA Hospitals 23 271 grams 252 grams Countless Zoos • Universities and Game Preserves throughout the Free World 24 277 grams 274 grams 25 303 grams 296 grams Write for our free catalog! 26 323 grams 306 grams 27 340 grams 350 grams 28 346 grams 359 grams The Humidaire Incubator Company 29 372 grams 367 grams Department W, P.O. Box 9, New Madison, OH 45346-0009 30 384 grams 391 grams 31 394 grams 402 grams (513) 996-3001 • FAX (513) 996-3633 32 406 grams 428 grams Serving the world for 61 years lady over the course of the last ten years, but despite this, the Great-bil1ed Parrot cannot be described as being established in a captive population to any degree of significance. This is undoubtedly a species which is chal­ lenging to maintain and breed and it will require long-term commitment from those aviculturists keeping it before success may eventual1y fol1ow. Although this bird can be considered among the more difficult species of avicultural psittacines, it does, how­ ever, have many qualities in its favor to encourage increased avicultural attention. The physical appearance of the bird is striking with its proportion­ ately large head and bill. The voice can be loud, but Great-bil1ed Parrots rarely create much noise, making them suitable for aviculturists who are constrained in their choice of species by the presence of neighbors in close proximity. Added to this, the Great­ billed Parrot can definitely be regarded as a species desperately in need of the attention of experienced aviculturists to safeguard its future status, in the short-term as a captive population, but also looking ahead to ensure the ultimate survival of this bird in its wild population, too.• afa WATCH BIRD 39