zinc for her edwardsii, based on the Breeding the similarity of the fig parrots with the pygmy parrots that eat lichen con taining very large amounts of miner als? Most of the people feed fig par Salvadori's Fig Parrot rots figs, lory nectar, live food such as mealworms and fruit. Although I by Ubaldo Leli, M.D. have a mixed collection containing Boston, Massachusetts softbills, I rarely resort to live food. I feel we do not really understand a Fig parrots are an interesting group desmarestii, so there was no prob species if we cannot proVide a bal of birds ofwhich very little is known. lem of sexing. However, I was told anced, artificial diet scientifically for They belong to the family Psittaci that there was uncertainty about the mulated that allows a species to com dae and are, therefore, true parrots. gender of the female at the time of plete all stages of its life cycle includ "Fig parrot" is, in fact, a conven acquisition because it had not as ing breeding. So I discarded, at least tional name without scientific basis. much blue as Forshaw describesl and initially, the idea of feeding mea The group includes two genera, the it had some red in the breast. It is lworms. My birds also had a word Opopsitta and the Psittaculirostris. possible that there may be variability about their diet, because they The two groups are very similar in in coloration or that she was still a seemed to be very conservative in their biology and have many com juvenile. The birds had laid eggs on their taste. After long trials and many mon features. The Opopsitta are three occasions, but the only time errors, I ended up feeding my birds smaller birds and were known in avi they hatched a chick, it had died after regular parrot mix supplemented culture, though as a rarity, since the three days or so. with buckwheat and millet, millet beginning of the century. The Psitta I was well aware of the difficulties spray, a fresh fruit and vegetable plat culirsotris were virtually unknown encountered in breeding these birds, ter every morning, containing (in until the beginning of the '70s. The and even in keeping them alive when order of preference of the birds) information about both genera is the species started to reach the mar sliced banana and carrots, apple, a very scant. In Parrots ofthe World~ ket, so I researched as much informa rice and bean mix, corn on the cob Forshaw gives some basic informa tion as possible about previous (they also love it hanging from the tion about their habits, but nothing breedings of the salvadorii and cage wall), dry prunes or mission figs about breeding. Rosemary Low has a related species. I know now that the (cut in half), green cabbage and some detailed chapter in one ofher books; species has been bred at least once in spongecake, cheese bread or crac written with the aviculturist's point the U.S. byJan Van Oosten, but at the kers (these three items are generally of view, and reports whatever was time I acquired my pair I did not ignored). The cooked bean and rice known in 1983. However, even that know ofany breeding except the one mix contains mostly beans and len does not totally reassure the avicul ofWeise~ I had read with much atten tils, as many varieties as I can find. turist challenged by the keeping of tion the articles on the breeding of Generally, I mix green and pink len these species. the edwardsii by Elsa Aglow4 and of tils, chick peas, pinto beans, kidney Among the Psittaculirostris, the the desmarestii by Bill Lasarzig5 in beans, and about one third of the dry salvadorii is the rarest. Its range of the AFA Watchbird. The articles con volume of the beans in rice, soak distribution is a limited area of the tained interesting information. How them overnight and boil them for 10 northwest part ofWest Irian (Indone ever, I could only apply some of the minutes, so that the mix does not sia), in the island ofNew Guinea. The knowledge acquired by reading these become a shapeless blob but still other two species are distributed in articles because my avicultural situa resembles something like seeds. The the southern lowlands of the island tion presents some peculiarities, in food is laced with Nekton Tonic-K and on the extreme western tip of that I live in an apartment in down (Nekton USA, Inc., Clearwater, FL), West Irian (the desmaresti with its town Boston and, therefore, my birds 1/4 teaspoon Nekton Q (Nekton), six subspecies), and on the northern are in my bird room under totally arti and purified soybean protein (Bread coastal areas (the edwardsit). The ficial conditions of light cycling and and Circus, Brighton, MA). The range of these birds overlaps that of spectrum, humidity and tempera Nekton Tonic-K is a food supplement the Yellow Streaked Lory (Chalcop ture. Of course, this makes breeding and contains primarily free amino sitta sintillata) and the Yellow more difficult than outdoors but has acids in a blend designed to comple capped Pygmy Parrot (Micmpsitta the advantage of enabling me to ment the diet of seed-eating birds. keiensis) for the desmaresti, and the determine the complete require The precise compOSition is proprie Duyvenbode's Lory (Chalcopsitta ments of a species once it breeds for tary, but the label states that it con dUivenbodei) and Buff-faced Pygmy me. tains lysine and other amino acids Parrot (Micropsitta pusio) for the The first problem with the fig par that are scarece in seed protein. It other two species. Biologically, fig rots was the diet. I had talked to also contains vitamin A, zinc and Vita parrots are very close to the pygmies, many people about it, and I had min K. The Nekton Q is a pure vita somewhat reminiscent of lorikeets in received contrasting information. It min preparation containing high their behavior~ seemed that the only thing every amounts of vitamin K, A and (note!) I acquired my pair of salvadorii body agreed upon was the high no calcium. It is designed for birds from an aviculturist who had tried to requirement for vitamin K and zinc in during quarantine (thence Q) when breed them unsuccessfully for about this species. In fact, I was impressed birds are under antibiotic therapy. one year. The species is dimorphic, by the line of reasoning that led Elsa Calcium is omitted because it inter as are all fig parrots except for the Aglow to discover the requirement of feres with the absorption of tetracyc- 38 August / September 1991 line used to treat quarantined birds. and a half inches on the top. The is highest. A ladder of welded wire is The birds have also fresh water every cage roof is half covered. The birds nailed inside the nest for the birds to day and they drink and bathe in it, like this cover and spend most of climb, but I had problems with it and and a hanging cuttlebone that they their time under it when they are not I do not think it is necessary. Perhaps devour when they are ready to lay in the nest, because it gives them a glued pieces of wood as recom eggs. I felt that the protein was nec sense of security, I believe. Also, the mended by Bill Lasarzig5 could work essary, at least when the birds were hummingbirds that I keep free flying better and be safer. I had a problem raising chicks, although I do not have in the room cannot scare the fig par once with a chick that got its leg scientific proofof it. rots by landing on the roof of the band caught under the wire. It Psittaculirostris salvadorii are cage. injured itself and was bleeding a little. very beautiful, active, little parrots The nest box has a door canTed in it It was stuck in there for hours during with shiny feathers, who like to for the daily inspection, and is filled an attempt to climb out of the nest. bathe and chew a lot. Their drop with about two inches of orchid qual Fortunately, I finally checked pings are more liquid than those of ity firbark, the variety that comes in because it was crying a lot. These regular parrots such as the Amazons, large pieces about one to one and a chicks really cry a lot, but this was and have very little white urate depo half inches (Tropical Plant Florida too much, so I looked inside and I sits, possibly because of the high Products, Inc., Orlando, FL). I also saved it. It healed in a few days With amounts of liquid in their diet. How add some rotting or soft wood for out consequences. ever, they are perfectly manageable them to chew. The hen chews a lot My birds came in on June 4, 1990 in a domestic environment. They both when sitting and when not by airplane from Tennessee. I had tend to be messy with food, with a lit breeding. Overgrown beak h:1S been them examined by my avian veterin tle splattering of the banana. Clean reported as a very common occur arian, Dr. Alexandra Kilgore, who ing the perches every three or four rence in this species2 :ll1d, in fact, my recommended fecal examination for days is imperative. They have several male had a half-inch too much beak parasites, a gram-stain, a culture to calls, all nice, melodious warblings, when I acquired it. However, I found detect possible gram-negative bacte and one high-pitched, shrill call that the beak does not need to be ria, blood cytology and biochemical when they are disturbed. They also trimmed. If the birds have chewing profile. It may be of interest to have have a peculiar, vibrating, low material, the beak gets back to these data for future reference, so I pitched sound that they emit when proper size in a few days, and the risk give them in Table 1. The birds were copulating. of bleeding from trimming is elimi judged in very good health, but they My birds live in a cage 36" in nated, especially when the birds are had a double infection with gram length, 24" in depth and 22" in initially acqUired, when bleeding risk negative bacteria, which were identi- height, made of welded wire 1/2 by 1 inch. My birdroom is a rather small enclosure without windows. It com municates with my living room with a large door opening, which is cov ered with a black, heavy curtain and gauze. In the same room are housed a pair of African Grey Parrots, a pair of Double Yellow-headed Amazons, two pairs of Fischer's Lovebirds, two Sparkling Violet-eared Humming birds, two male Yellow-legged Hon eycreepers and a pair of Gouldian Finches with their three pairs of Zebra foster parenting pairs. The lights (fluorescent Vita-Lights) are timed to go on at 6:30 a.m. and go off at 8:00 p.m. There are two periods of tWilight of 30 minutes morning and evening to allow for the humming birds and honeycreepers to find their roosting places for the night (gener ally the chandelier). The humming birds and the honeycreepers are kept free-flying. Temperature oscillates between 68 :ll1d 75°F. Humidity levels vary between 60 and 75%. The nest box is a hollow log that I was fortunate enough to find, mea suring about three feet in length, with an internal cavity of six to six and a half inches in diameter. It is placed slanting at 45° and the entrance is a crack of three to three afa WATCH BIRD 39 a solution to this puzzle. It was not monella sp. These are gram-negative diet, as documented by the excellent bacteria that are not natural guests of blood chemistry of the parents. It the digestive tract of birds (except was not parent-inflicted injury or neg for E. coli for raptors, perhaps? E. coli lect because the chick was closely is a non-pathogen guest of the mam brooded and fed, and it did not mal digestive tract, and Salmonella is present with any injury. A genetic a family of bacteria that cause incompatibility of the parents (for typhoid and several forms of diges exatnple, if they were siblings carry tive diseases in humans and animals. ing genes for some genetic disease) Both these bacteria are common would have probably resulted in causes of late death in the shell? Also, early embryonic death or some the description of the early death of detectable malformation or mon chicks that hatch, caused by these strosity of the chicks, so it did not organisms, fit very well with my case? seem a highly probable diagnosis. The ,problem was that we could not The only remaining possibilities were isolate any Salmonella, and the chronic infection with E. coli or Sal- second culture of the parent birds
Q) ---.J The Salvadol"i's Fig Parrot is sexually ~ •••••~:;5I~ dimolphic as an adult. The male has a § red bal" aCl"OSS the bl·east and thefemale ~ has much mOl"e blue on the head. ~ ..c Cl. fied as E. coli and Klebsiella oxyto cica and were sensitive to a variety of antibiotics. With Dr. Kilgore, we decided to treat the birds with chlor amphenicol in the food for a week, then culture them again. The culture came back negative, so on June 19 I decided to introduce the nest box. The birds used it immediately, and from that night they always slept in there. Atday 38, theyoung Salvadori's Fig Parrot was beginning to show coloration. Their first clutch (see Table 2 for It was still being handfed. information on eggs and incubation) was two eggs laid on July 3 and 5, which the female incubated tightly. They were candled every three days, and their growth was normal. The eggs were rather soiled, but no attempt to clean them was made. One chick hatched after 23 days. It was covered in yellow-'Y"hite down and was left with the parents. After three days, it died. Both the unhatched egg and the chick were sent for autopsy and pathology, but nothing relevant was found. The chick had food in the crop and gram negative bacteria in the gut. I started to analyze the pOSSible causes of this failure, and I talked again with a lot of people. Most of the people who had chicks from the salvadorii had lost them anytime between birth and four weeks of age, both if they had hand-fed them or if they had left them with the parents. Many people had also lost the hen by haemorrhagia including Wise? The nestbox used to f'eproduce the Salvadori's Fig PalTot was a natuTalhollow log Together with my veterinarian, we measuring about threefeet in length, with an internalchantbe1" approxbnately 6 to tried to use our knowledge of human 6-1/2 inches in diameter. It wasplacedata 45° angle within the cage andhada 3 and animal diseases combined to find to 3-1/2 inch entrance cl1 ack at the top. 40 August / September 1991 was negative. However, in humans Salmonella can exist without caus ing disease in individuals called TABLE 2 healthy carriers. The bacterium lives Egg Characteristics and Breeding Schedule of in the biliary tract, particularly the Salvadori's Fig Parrots gallbladder, and this makes it extremely difficult to eradicate. Also, Eggs: White, 27 x 33 mm, laid at about 38 - 40 hours interval. the bacterium is shed at unpredict Incubation: Female sits continuously for 24 days. The male feeds the female and she able intervals, and can be very diffi feeds the chicks. The hen bathes if air is dry (relative humidity less than cult to culture~ This, taken together 55%). with the fact that tendency to bleed is a normal symptom present during Clutch size: Two the infection by certain strains ofSal Note: Parents sleep in nest box all year round. They copulate outside the nest monella,8 and many very virulent box with a typical low-pitched Vibrating call. Birds are continuous nesters strains of this microorganism are with an interval of seven to ten weeks between clutches. endemic in southeastern Asia, led me to consider a covert infection by this bacterium of my birds as the possible liter of ciprofloxacine in the drinking thought that in this way I would have water}O the birds went to nest again. the best chance to raise at least one This time the hen laid only one egg ofthem successfully. TABLE 1 which failed to hatch, but was fertile. The first problem was to decide Blood Chemistry and Cytology At this point, I took out the nest box what formula to use. A diet for hand of Normal and decided to go heavier on the rearing Oesmarest's Fig Parrots has Salvadori's Fig Parrots treatment, and make sure that the been published by Bill Lasarzig~ but it birds absorbed the proper amount of contained ingredients that I could Test Name Male Female Units medication. I was sure that, because not obtain, and nectar, which my fig of their watery, fruit-rich diet, my fig parrots have refused in any form. Total Protein 4.3 3.9 91100 mL parrots had totally avoided drinking Two commercial brands of lory nec Glucose 292 365 mg/100 mL the strange tasting water. tar were untouched both when Thus the birds were treated with served liqUid, or when served with Calcium 9.5 9.7 mg/100 mL two injections a day of thrimotho parrot pellets, mynah bird pellets, SGOT 318 295 IU 1L prim-sulfametoxazole, for 14 days. monkey chow, spongecake, bread or Lactate This way I was sure that they would dogfood soaked in them. Therefore, I Oehydrogenase 307 365 IU 1L absorb the right amount ofantibiotic. decided to design a hand-rearing diet Creatinine 0.5 QNS mg/100mL After the therapy, I let the birds rest for my parrots without preconceived for about a month, and then I put the ideas. For this, my research on the Uric Acid 2.2 3.9 mg/100mL nest box back. This time the hen laid species' range, habitat, and biology Sodium 156 QNS MEq/L two eggs which hatched on January became invaluable. If the fig parrots Potassium 4.0 QNS mEq/L 3, 1991. I took one chick for hand are similar to lorikeets, as suggested feeding and left the other with the PCV 50 46 by certain authors; then their for parents to compare the results. I mula should be similar to the one Total Heterophils & Eos 3,555 4,118 Psittaculirostris Salvadori TotalWBC 4,232 4,733 (Hatched January 3,1991) DiffH & E 84 87 ...... Lymph 16 13 100 ...... · ...... '" ~..~ ....f ...... "".,- --..._A cause ofbreeding failure. ..../ The treatment of the carrier status .., .. .A '"a for Salmonella in humans is very dif 75 ....f t ~., 'a' ficult, because many antibiotics are I a~ inactivated or do not reach effective ..." a ,ta~ concentrations in the biliary tract to l 50 l A ...6 A kill the bacteria. Therefore, long term .. & .AAAAr ....66 .a: treatments with ampicillin or thri ,.1 ,.aa .. aa metoprim-sulfametoxazole are nor l" / .. -.. Hand-fed mally necessary to sterilize a Salmon 25 ...... AI/;, a····· a Parent-raised ella carrier? Traditional veterinarians ...... AA~A' will advise to destroy infected bird ..a~.1lIl * Bird flew stock? Although I could not docu ~.. ment this diagnosis, together 0+--+--+++1f+++-+++t++++-t-+f-l>+++-Hf+++++-+f+i>+++-tf++++++~>+++-~+++i with Dr. Kilgore we decided to inten o 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56 63 70 sivelv treat the birds for both E. coli and Salmonella anyway. After a ten Days after hatch day flock-type treatment (750 mg/ afa WATCHBIRD 41 used for lories. On the other hand, if used to raise both softbills and par digest for tiny chicks. It also contains they are like other parrots who have rots, Nutri-start Baby Bird Food highly digestible components, such a mixed fruit and seed diet, a basic (Lafebre Company, Odell, IL). I have as rice flour and egg. To it I added parrot diet could be used, supple hand-fed many species of birds strained chick food in the propor mented with fruit. Ifthese birds, con including grey parrots, lovebirds, tions indicated in Table 3, according versely, have to be considered close finches, crows, mockingbirds, hawks to the period of development of the in their habits to softbills, then a high and blue-jays on a variety offormulas. chicks. I also added Nekton Tonic-K, protein and fat diet should be used. I I have used Nutri-start successfully in order to be sure the birds would decided to go simple and take into with lovebirds, mockingbirds, blue absorb some amino acids even ifthey consideration the parents' behavior jays and finches. This diet has the dis could not digest the proteins initially. in the choice of foods. I also chose a advantage of having to be cooked, The diet was diluted dUring the first formula that has been successfully but this makes it much easier to week with Pedialyte, and calcium, vitamin K, A, D and zinc added as described in the table. The results TABLE 3 were extraordinary, as documented Hand-feeding Diet and Schedules for by the comparison of the growth Salvadori's Fig Parrots curves of the parent-raised versus the hand-fed chick. The parent-raised Base diet: 2 tablespoons Nutri-Start Baby Bird Food (Lafebre) chick weighed nearly twice as much 6 tablespoons cold water as its sibling at birth (7.7 g and 4.3 g for the parent-raised and the hand Cook in double boiler or according to the instructions of the manu facturer.) fed, respectively), but the hand-fed chick rapidly grew to be twice as big Add: 1 tablespoon Nekton Tonic-K as its brother (it weighed 34.4 g at 1/4 teaspoon Nekton Q two weeks, compared to 18.1 g of its Diet A, days 1 - 3: To the base diet above, add: sibling left with the parents). The chicks were cultured on day 1, 1/2 2-oz. jar of strained baby banana and they showed growth on McKon 1/2 2-oz. jar of strained baby carrot key agar (for gram negatives), but 1 tablespoon applesauce (all first or second foods) subsequent cultures were sterile. Diet B, days 4 - 14: To the base diet above, add: However, as advised by Dr. Kilgore, I treated them with chloramphenicol 1 tablespoon baby banana with tapioca succinate by mouth, twice a day (l 1 tablespoon baby creamed spinach 1 tablespoon baby carrot mg/ 109 bird), for four days. The chicks were banded at day 11 (the Diet C, days 15 hand-fed) and day 14 (the parent and thereafter: To Diet B, add 1 teaspoon of creamy peanut butter when still warm, raised) with a Society of Parrot Breed before the other ingredients are added. ers and Exhibitors closed band of 1990 (I did not have 1991 bands) of Diets can be stored refrigerated for three days. The formula must be served at 100° to 7/32" (cockatiel) size. A couple of 105°F (check with thermometer). The leftover is discarded. Depending on thickness, days later, it would not have been Pedialyte can be used to dilute the diet. possible to fit the bands on them. Immediately before feeding, after reheating, additions of minerals and vitamins are made Hand-raising the salvadorii chick as indicated in the following Schedule. was an unusual and interesting expe rience. I have discovered long ago Schedule: Feedings 1 - 3: only Pedialyte is fed. that chicks differ considerably from Days 1 - 3: Diet A plus a sprinkle (1/3 of a 1/4 teaspoon added one another, showing an individual to one tablespoon of formula) of Prime every other personality very early. However, I feeding plus sprinkle of Nekton MSA and vitamin K* never encountered chicks that once daily. behaved as strangely as these. My sal Days 4 - 14: Diet B plus a sprinkle of Prime every other feeding vadorii chicks were little bundles of plus sprinkle of Nekton MSA and vitamin K* once nerves. Compared to lovebirds, they daily. were much more nervous and hyper ! I This may be due to the high Days 14and thereafter: Diet C plus Prime, Nekton MSA and vitamin K* once amounts of vitamins in their diet. daily. Three drops cod liver oil and 1/4 teaspoon Velma Hart suggests not using any powdered cuttlefish bone every other day. vitamins during the first two weeks, because it makes the chicks hyper. Chicks are kept at 90° - 95°F in a brooder with 50% humidity through their fifth week. However, especially after the They are fed every two hours night and day for the first three days. Then every two hours feathers start to bloom out of the with a night pause between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Heat is progressively lowered and shafts, the chicks started to show feeding made less frequent with development. After the third week, five feedings a day some signs of intelligence. They rec are given, and the night interval is from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. ognized my mood, and were scared if I moved too fast. These chicks cry a • 1 teaspoonful Nekton MSA is finely powderized in a mortar with one 100 mg vitamin K and one 50 microgram zinc tablet added. lot, many times during the night. I have observed this both in the hand- 42 August / September 1991 fed and in the parent-raised chicks. good flora in the gut, in addition to They cry whether they have a full or calcium and other minerals. an empty crop, whether there is The chicks became much calmer noise, music, or quiet. The eyes start after feathering. They are confident, opening at day 8. The feather tracts beautiful, little parrots that move by appear at day 17, and the feathers hopping around in a strange way. ); start blooming out of the shaft at day They weaned easily with ripe banana o 28. It seems that the chicks tend to and spray millet. Their colore resem o ~ ;;: bleed easily very early in their devel bles that of their mother. I do not ~ Q opment, with pronounced improve know the sex of my chicks yet. They ?;('I 4-7 de enero ;.- "'0 del 1991 ,..~ ment after the first week. My hand are sweet, and they fly very skillfully, ~y