News about parrot conservation, aviculture and welfare from QfjfliFWurld0Orrot~t

TUBPARROTPORTFOLIOA report on the first five years of the World Parrot Trust By Michael Reynolds

Any new enterprise sets out in a once again by her generosity in review of our projects during our spirit of faith and hope. When that donating half her royalties from first five years. Also enclosed is a new enterprise is a charity, with her new book 'Endangered Parrots' leaflet designed to promote sales limited funds and without paid to this Trust (see page 11). of our shirts and prints, and to staff, this is particularly so. To pile It is a remarkable fact that the encourage the enrolment of new on the agony, when the fledgling Trust has only one part time paid members. I would like to appeal charity intends to work in the member of staff. This is Judith personally to every member and highly contentious fields of parrot Venning, our UK administrator, every reader to use these print conservation, aviculture and who also coordinates the voluntary items to spread the word about welfare, it could safely be work of our branches, ancillary what we have achieved, predicted that the founders would trusts and support groups in together, in five rewarding regret their initiative. Australia, Belgium, Canada, years. If you can make good It has not turned out that way. Denmark, France, Germany, use of more copies, just let The founders - Andrew Holland, South Africa, Switzerland us know. If you have any Greenwood, David Woolcock, and the USA. Our sincere thanks comments or advice on Rosemary Low, Audrey and are due to all those who have so how we might approach Michael Reynolds - have seen their generously given their time and the next phase of our creation blossom into an expertise to the Trust. From time development, please international organisation which to time the Trust pays for writein. has achieved a great deal. Half a professional work on its projects, I am only too aware that when millionpounds (about $800000) but 1think it would be I write about the plight of the has been raised and spent to help extraordinarily difficult to find any parrots I sound like an unwelcome and the world the survival of parrot species in other wildlife conservation body 'conscience' repeating well-known of conservation to join the wild: to be exact, twenty-five which is as cost-effective as The facts, and in any case I know I am our exciting adventure, our CITESAppendixOnespecies in World Parrot Trust. speaking to the converted in the crusade to preserve these eighteen countries. The support Paradise Park, in Cornwall, UK, pages of this newsletter. Let us all wonderful birds which have so and development of responsible where the Trust was founded and aim to win new members and new much to contribute to our psittacine aviculture has also been is based, provides substantial free financial support for the Trust by recognition and enjoyment of all an objective, together with the facilities including office space, inviting our friends in aviculture the wonders of the natural world. difficult task of trying to improve computers and other equipment, relations between aviculture and telephone service, mail costs, the conservation community. transport, and much donated staff This newsletter 'PsittaScene' - time. Paradise Park also gave the 21st quarterly issue - is read £11000 ($18000) to start the Trust by over 6000individualsand off, and Martin Ballam and David organisations interested in parrot Woolcock have raised £72000 conservation and aviculture. The ($117000) in donations from t;ditorship of Rosemary Low has visitors at their eagle flying been an important factor in the demonstrations. The World Parrot successful expansion of the World Trust greatly appreciates the Parrot Trust's membership and volunteer spirit that motivates its influence. Rosemary's total and membership and especially its selfless commitment to the many active supporters, and wellbeing of parrots is beyond intends to continue its programme question, and is demonstrated in that manner so far as it is practical. The complexity and volume of its work is growing rapidly, however, and the time will "psittacine come when it will need a paid Director. (sWasin) Belonging In this issue of 'PsittaScene' is or allied to the included a copy of 'The Parrot parrots; parrot-like" Portfolio', which gives a brief Moluccan Cockatoo - one of the endangered speciesin our 'Parrot Portfolio' Photo:Bonniejay. TWOPOINTSOFVIEW ByRosemaryLow

ROSEMARYLOWtookadvantageof indirectlyfor causingtheirdemise, to conservationmanagementof thepresenceofspeakerson surelyhehasa moralobligationto endangeredspecies.Fortunately,I conservationtopicsat the atleastattemptaremedy!Itis wasableto dothis through conventiontoasktwo of themto untenablethata life-formshould, employmentwiththeNewZealand answervariousquestionsrelating asaconsequenceofour actions- WildlifeServiceand,morerecently, to their work. or ourindifference-slideto theNewZealandDepartmentof DONMERTONisworldfamous extinctionduringour life time(a Conservation.Mycareerbeganin for themajorroleheplayedin meresecondingeologicaltime). thelate1950'sandis still going savingwhatwasthentheworld's Wemustdo allwecanto avertthis strong!At that time endangered mostcriticallyendangeredbird,the for, oncegone,suchtreasurescan speciesconservationwashardly ChathamIslandBlackRobin neverberestored. knownandsupportfor it was Petroicatraversi,whichwas RolandSeitre:Myworkis public almostzero.Workingeffectivelyin reducedtoa singlebreedingpair. relationsbetweenwildlife this field wasthereforeextremely Nowtherearemorethan 150.For difficult and,throughnecessity, zoologistsandthepublic:I ama almostsubversive. manyyearshehasheadedtheteam freelancephotojournalist. workingto saveoneof themost RL:Youhavehadaninterestin RS:I amnot interestedinbirds criticallyendangeredofall parrots, naturalhistorysincechildhood? exclusively.Myfirst interestwasin theKakapoStrigopshabroptilus.He mammalsbut,birdsbeingeasierto wasawardedtheQueen'sService Wasthis stimulatedbyaparticular happening? see,Iwentbirding.Myfatherwasa medalfor servicestoconservation, pilot andI benefitedfromcheap DM:It wasanaturalinterest- or andin October1994theRoyal airfares,ofwhichI tookgreat SocietyfortheProtectionofBirds shouldI sayobsession?- advantage.Thatis whyI wentto (RSPB)(UK)grantedhimits medal stimulatedbytwofactors.My lookfor wildlife in Africaor South for his "internationalcontribution grandmotherkepta CanarywhenI AmericabeforeEuropeandeven to speciessurvival". wasonlyfour or fiveyearsold.She France.Ibasicallyknownothing ROLANDSEIIREisa allowedmeto carefor it andlater aboutwhereto seerarebirdsin my to fosterGoldfinchnestlingstoit! photojournalistwhotravelsthe owncountry. Secondly,Iwasbroughtup in a world,particularlythetropics,in RL:Whatis yourparticularinterest searchofconservationstories rural settingandkept andbred birdsof variouskinds,ie,I was today? whichwill appealtothepublic.He DM:Managementofcritically is extremelyknowledgeableabouta stronglyinfluencedbyobservation widerangeof life forms,after of wild birdsandby aviculture! endangeredbirds.Thisis often RS:Iwouldtrackmyinterestto throughdevisingandapplying graduatingasavet,managinga close-ordermanagement breedingstationandworkingin the earlyimprintingin childhood.A field asa zoologist. familyfriend,with whomI spenta techniquestofree-living lot of time asababy,hada flat full individualsand/orthroughhabitat ROSEMARYLOW:Howwouldyou of wild animals. restoration.Suchprogrammes describetheworkyoudo? oftenrequirea captivecomponent. DonMerton:Attemptingto DM:Mainlybirds-but in all things In factmostmethodsIhaveused addressoneof themost natural.Thissoonbecamefocused havebeenadaptationsofclassic fundamentalproblemsofour time, onbirdsnativeto mycountry(New aviculturaltechniquesappliedto "theglobalspeciescrisis":the Zealand),andsoonafterthat to free-livingindividualsor crucialchallengeofaverting thosefacingendangermentand populations. extinctionandfacilitatingrecovery extinction.Thisallhapppenedby theageof 12years,atwhichpoint I RS:Mymaininterestis in birdsand in uniquelife forms.Wheremanis mammals,occasionallyreptilesor responsible,eitherdirectlyor wasdeterminedtodevotemylife

Don & Margaret Merton on Maud Island, New Zealand. Photo:Rosemary Low

2 invertebrates. Earlier I would go It is hard work and you have to be RL:You are an excellent RL:What role has your wife played where my goalled me but now I open-minded. Basically this is in photographer. Is there anyone in supporting your work? must be able to financemy contradiction with being a collector species or photograph which has DM: Margaret's role has been assignments with pictures or where you always want to have provided a particular challenge or pivotal. Without her (at times features so I have to target more. But the skills and the people produced photographs of which super-human level of) support, "marketable" (Ihate the word!) are there and the old mentality is you are particularly proud? tolerance and personal sacrifice at species. I really enjoy having an changing, so things should get DM: Certainly; the Kakapo is my absences from home (on field "unattractive" species published: organised. particularly difficult to photograph expeditions) for six to eight months that is where the challenge resides. RL:If you had a very large sum of in the wild since it is very rare, Recently it was a feature on each year for the past 30 years or money to spend on one particular nocturnal, inhabits very dense more, I would not have been able to comparative evolution of macaques conservation project which one cover and is extremely difficult to have been involved to the level I (monkeys). That scares any would it be and how would you see. In 1981, I had the good luck to have been, or to have achieved publisher - but it was published in spendit? obtain a photograph of a female success. In order to be effective in Figaro because it was genuinely feeding its nestling. This was the interesting.I have chosen to write DM: I would spend it on education species recovery I believe that it is first (and last) nest ever observed about aspects of conservation of young people in an appreciation essential to develop an intimate closely (from a hide) and the first understanding - an empathy with which I feel are interesting. of naturaljbiological values. Without an appreciation of and (and only) time a female and chick the animal with which one is Although freelancing ip a difficult had been seen together and wayof makinga living,I enjoy my commitment to biological working. This can only be gained photographed. The female fed the by the devotion of considerable freedom and being able to choose conservation by the next chick only once or twice in 24 my stories.The downfallis that a generation, virtually all of our good time to observation - by literally lot are never published. work could be in vain! Protected hours - always at night! The photo living with one's subject for long areas, national parks, protective was taken at 1 am. I had set up the periods. Margaret's support and RL:You have travelled widely legislation, etc, that are today camera nine hours earlier and encouragement made this possible throughout tropical countries. critical to the survival of the could only guess what was going for me. What do you see as the main threat majority of the more sensitive on at the nest by the sounds since RS: I am glad you finally asked this to the survival of parrots in the in the excitement of the female's wild? plant and animal species, as well as question! My wife, Julia, does not to the natural systems they arrival at the nest my night-vision support my work: we share DM: Habitat destruction, comprise, could be undone with scope had fogged up entirely! everything. For more than ten years degradation and fragmentation. 'On little more than the stroke of a pen RS: I am a zoologist who takes we have shared all our experiences. isolated oceanic islands, predation if future generations do not decent pictures: I do not have the We slowed down on travelling by introduced carnivores is often appreciate and value them. If my technical skills of an excellent together after our daughter and the major threat. And in specific answer should relate to a specific photographer. Yours is a difficult son were born in 1991 and 1993 situations, the pet trade has had a conservation project, then I would question. When I first "bagged" the but will go again as a family, devastating effect on wild use the money to eradicate Pacific Ultramarine Lory in 1980 the starting in Australia later this year. populations and species. rats from Codfish and Little Barrier pictures were appalling but I was Children also enjoy wildlife. In RS:If we are talking planet-wise, it Islands, in order to permit Kakapo very happy! Lear's Macaw was also 1993 Ariane was 16 months old is nothing new to say deforestation. to breed effectively on those very challenging but the late when we travelled to Amazonia and If we focus a little, other aspects islands which are their final refuge. Professor Helmut Sick had given us Venezuela. We spent a week at a appear: on islands, habitat changes RS:After our Polynesian birds directions and guidances so it reintroduction centre in Manaus caused by man, introduced survey, we thought it would be proved reasonably easy. It is more among monkeys and macaws. vegetation, mammals and birds good to establish an island the situation and the contact you When we got back to town, Ariane acting as competitors or, worse, as sanctuary in the Marquesas for the have with the bird that is of saw a poster of a macaw. She was predators. That is true for small Ultramarine Lory and all other importance. Getting a shot of not speaking at the time but she islands (Polynesia, of course) and endemics. Mohotani is ship rat-free Hyacinthine Macaws that you joyfully pointed to the bird and for large ones such as Australia. but cats and sheep need urgent persuaded to land in a nearby tree said "ARRRAAA"! Trade, legal as in Indonesia, and eradication. To do that you need an by mimicking their call as they RL:I am indebted to Don and to passed by does not show in the illegal (everywhere) has takenits unspeakable amount of money or Roland for this fascinating insight toll of parrots - more than in other the goodwill of armed forces or picture! But each time I see that into their work. I hope members groups of birds. Man is responsible. local politicans. At the time, slide it means a lot to me. I can get enjoy reading it as much as I Everywhere, people like to keep nothing could be done with the great pictures in captivity but they enjoyed preparing it. birds. But those who have money politicans... have no special meaning to me. (Westerners) have contributed more than their share to this problem. RL:Do you believe that captive breeding has a role to play in saving endangered parrots? DM: Yes, it can be a very valuable and important tool, provided that the goals are clearly identified beforehand and that all involved work together in achieving them. Too often this has not been so- and aviculture has been little more than a commercially driven consumer, rather than a producer of diminishing species! RS: Certainly, but usually where aviculturists are concerned, more is said than done. Of course it would be good if-people understood the needs, goals and techniques before using this as a neat justification for their hobby. You have to breed pure sub-species of species, you have to move birds around to other breeders to mix bloodliness and you must not produce tame birds. Ra/and&julia Seitre Photo:Rosemary Low

3 INTBRNATIONALLOKOPAKQUBPARROT CONVBNTI0 N

The Convention satisfiedwith threepackeddays. helpersaregivena pair of conures attendedthedinnerfor Weallhavedifferentopinions andshownhowto carefor them. participantsoutsidetheCasino . asI sawit andareasofinterestbut asone Thesebirdsarethesourceofmuch Taoro,will everforgetthe supreme whois involvedwith avicultureand ByRosemaryLow pride. sacrificemadeby theconvention's conservation,oneaspect Othershelpingin conservation chairmanJanvanOosten?Hegave impressedmemorethanany projectsalsostressedthe awayhishair in thenameof Theconvergence onTenerifeof other.I left themeetingwithmore importanceofinvolvingthelocal conservation!AnAmericanlady morethan700peoplefrom 36 hopein myheartregardingthe people,includingthoseworkingin paid $1000 for theprivilegeof countries,fromtheoften future of threatenedparrotsthan eco-tourism.Theyarefiercely cuttingoff his pony-tail,in orderto separatedworldsof avicultureand at anyothertimesincethe guardingthelocalbirdlife which, donatethesumto theLoroParque conservation,willbenefitthe emergenceofthemassivescaleof only threeor four yearsbefore Foundation! parrotsfor manyyearsto come. theproblemstheyface.What wereitemsfor thetableor for Duringthethreedaysof the Breederswereexposed,forthe impressedmesomuchwasthis: trade!CharlesMuun,involvedwith meeting,it wasgoodto seethat first time,in manyinstances,toa thoseactivelyworkingin thefield macawresearchandeco-tourismin theWPTstandwasahiveof barrageoffactsandfiguresabout areinvolvingthelocalpeopleto a Peru,showedpartof thewidely activity,with T-shirtssellingvery theplightof parrotsin thewild. degreepreviouslyunknown.Only acclaimedfilm"Spiritsof the fastindeed.Ourthanksto Mr Andworkersin thesphereof by educatingthem- andespecially Forest",featuringthemacawsat KiesslingforallowingtheTrustto conservation,inthefield and their children- to theimportance theTambopataclaylick in Peru. participatein this way,andto him decision-makers,wereableto learn of protectingparrots(especially Theflight of dozensofmacaws,as andhis wonderfulteamof howimprovedhusbandryand from nestrobbers)will therebe theyapproachedandleft theclay organiserswhomadethis advancesinavianmedicine,have anyfutureat all for manyspecies. lick (accompaniedbymusicwhich conventionsuchanoutstanding resultedinmoreefficient WeheardOrAnnBricefrom the madethis a movingexperience) event. aviculturaltechniques. USAdescribehowshehasenlisted hasalreadybeenshownon Participantsfilledthelarge thehelpof peoplein Guatemalato televisionin theUSA.Such lecturehallfrom 8amto 2pmdaily. protecttheYellow-napedAmazon coveragecanonlygainmore Yes,despitetheearlystart(and andotherparrots.Formerlythey supportersfor theWPTandothers Comments on latenights),thethirst for werenest"predators";nowinstead workingfor thefuture of parrots knowledgewassustainedand of beingpaidby dealersforthe in thewild. the Convention nearlyallthoseattendingtookfull youngillegallytakenfrom nests, Thatwastheserioussideof the By GailWorth advantageofthat offeredby the theyprotectthesesamenests convention.Formany,thesocial speakers.Never,ata convention whentheycontaineggsandchicks. eventswerealsomemorable.They anywhere,haveI metpeoplefrom Foreachyoungsterthatfledges weresuperblyorganisedwith With 723 participants from forty- somanydifferentcountries;there theyaregiventhe"goingrate"plus excellentmeals(provingthe three nations representing four wasa truly internationalfeelto the 10%.Inthehopethat onedaythey wisdomof limiting numbersto continents, the gathering for the meeting.Everyonemadenew will beableto breedfrom birds 700).EachsucceedingInternational Third International Parrot friendsandcontacts,renewedold alreadyin captivity(including ParrotConventiongetsbetterand Convention hosted at Loro Parque friendshipsandleft thoroughly confiscatedbirds),themostable better!Howmanyof thosewho by Wolfgang Kiessling in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spainwas a diverse group of people with an avid interest in parrots. Noted aviculturists, ornithologists, veterinarians, conservationists, and researchers from around the globe gathered at the beautiful Semiramis Hotel in Puerto de la Cruz to speak to the assemblage on many topics relating to parrots. p The opening speech on September 14th by Rosemary Low * set the tone for the four day conference. She spoke of the many advances made in parrot aviculture and conservation since the first International Parrot Convention was held in Tenerife just eight years ago. Not only do we have a clearer idea of what parrot species are threatened or endangered in their native habitats, now we have three organisations formed since 1989 that work exclusively for the conservation of parrots. These organisations are the World Parrot Trust based in England, Fonds Fill bedrohte Papageien based in Germany, and the Fundacion Loro Parque based in Tenerife, Spain. Recent emphasis on captive Plenty of help, and lots of action on the WPTstand. Photo:Rosemary Low

4

.ii topics such as the keeping of Comments on parrots, breeding and diseases. 'Birds Discussions with the World ~ the Convention Parrot Trust also confirmed that we could make a small ByRalf Reinhardt contribution at the In October 1994, the time was "Papageienstation ARCHENOAH" againripe: in Germany. As announced everywhere in To sum up, I hope that more the press, the "International Parrot and more persons of like mind will take an active role as ambassadors Experts" again met on Tenerife and undertake educational work in after four years to talk shop. For me it was the first and accordance with the motto possibly last time. "Parrots need people's protection". If this conference has contributed I ask myself whether it would not be more effective if I or even to more new ambassadors being all the participants donated the found for the protection of conference fees to parrot parrots, this conference will have been worthwhile. protection projects. With approx. Rickjordan & RosemaryLow at the Convention Ralf Reinhardt 750 participants this year and a conference fee of DM 350, -, this Papageienstation ARCHENOAH propagation of parrots as opposed about the importance of protecting would make over DM 250,000,- [ to continued removal from the wild them. Many rare and endangered 27612 Loxstedt (£100,000/$150,000) available for is a cause of optimism. She ended species reside at the Parque protection projects. Telephone: 0 47 44 / 6014 the speech with the upbeat including the extremely Half of the participants were viewpoint that parrot conservation endangered Spix Macaw. A German-speaking and many were will continue to thrive with reintroduction effort, partly funded there for the third time: "... the continued advances in aviculture, by the Fundacion Loro Parque, is first conference was super, the Convention avian veterinary medicine, and field underway to introduce a captive- second not bad, the third h'm .m" research projects. held Spix Macaw into the wild to was the general opinion. Proceedings With sumptuous banquets and hopefully join with the last Why? entertainment nightly, it was a bit remaining wild specimen in Curaca, No criticism could be made of The papers read at the Third International Parrot Convention difficult at times to rise early Brazil. This is planned to occur in Mr Kiesslingis successful enough to hear the eight AM late 1994 and the world parrot organisation. have been published in book form speakers but the topics were so community will be holding its The impressive Loro Parque and are available in English, compelling that the lecture hall collective breath awaiting the alone was an experience in itself. German and Spanish. outcome of this historic occasion. was full every morning! The next At the first conference many Of especial interest to three days featured over twenty The week was climaxed with yet practical tips were given for aviculturists will be such papers as speakers with topics ranging from another banquet at the Semiramis owners and breeders. At the care and breeding of Hyacinthine avicultural management, research Hotel where the speakers were second conference the protection Macaws by Gloria Alien, medical projects and studies of parrots in recognised for their contributions of parrots was one of several management of Macaws by Susan the wild, veterinary perspectives, to the event. The Speaker Award, important topics. This time the Clubb, breeding Keas by Robert conservation and rescue projects, which had been voted upon by all participants were overwhelmed Peters, managing a mixed attendees, was awarded to Charles and the importance of aviculture to with graphs and statistics (one psittacine collection by Kathleen conservation projects for parrots. Munn, Ph. D., who is the Senior notable exception being the Szabo, and whether hand-reared Knowledge of nutrition, including Conservation Biologist of the instructive lecture given by Dr M.£. parrots are suitable as breeding the study of Yellow-Naped Wildlife Conservation Society, Krautwald-Junghanns, University birds or as pets by Rick Jordan. An Amazons in Guatemala by Ann Bronx, New York, USA.He is of Giessen). excellent paper was that by Gail Worth who discussed disease Brice, Ph.D., the Kakapo Parrot working on the macaw Project in Whom does it serve if experts Recovery Program in New Zealand, Tambopata, Peru which is studying talk shop with experts about management in the psittacine lead by Don Merton, and the Macaw nutrition, behaviour, nesting, and parrot protection and constantly nursery. Project at Tambopata, Peru lead by other aspects of the daily life of the look, among other things, at In the conservation category Charles Munn, Ph.D., It is exciting macaws in this region. Attendees statistics and graphs? The was a co-authored paper on indeed to think that aviculture and were impressed with his worldwide protection of parrots is globally threatened parrots, ornithological studies can share talk, "Conserving parrots in the benefited only if experts pass on endangered parrots of the French mutually beneficial information world through locally-owned their knowledge to interested Pacific by Roland Seitre, how ecotourism initiatives". His slides towards the goal of conserving persons and convince them of the ecotourism is contributing to parrots both in captivity and in and video were quite wonderful necessity of protection. conservation in Peru by Charles their native habitats! and I thing we all would love to It was only the excellent lecture Munn, Don Merton on saving the Free access to the remarkable visit this project. given by Charles Munn that was a Kakapo and threats facing parrots Loro Parque was an added benefit In summary, a great time was powerful reminder that the in the wild by Rosemary Low. to the attendees of the Conference. had by all and a huge vote of protection of parrots costs money, Dr H Schifter described parrot This lovely park covers an area of thanks must be given to Wolfgang a great deal of money. How specimens in the bird collection in 125,000 square metres housing Kiessling and his marvellous staff disappointing, therefore, that Mr the Museum of Natural History in approximately three hundred and organising committee who put Kiessling himself had to buy most Vienna and Roger Wilkinson and species and subspecies of rare and tremendous effort into assuring of the paintings auctioned in Koen Brouwer gave information on beautiful parrots ill over one that the conference went smoothly. favour of various protection the European breeding thousand aviaries. Over eleven It was truly well organised and projects, although sufficient "well- programmes for endangered million people have visited the tremendous fun as well as being to-do" parrot owners and breeders parrots. park which also contains a unique informative. Many friendships were were present. Copies of the Proceedings can aquarium exhibit, a dolphinarium, . forged and others renewed and No, I do not regret having been be obtained fromLoro Parque, some primates, some large cats, people from forty-three countries present at the conference. It gave Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Canary and a number of reptiles and small will take this good-will, knowledge, me an opportunity to exchange Islands, fax 3422 373841. The mammals, including bats. This is a and optimism back to their views with other practitioners on price is £25 including postage. wonderful educational opportunity countries to share with their for visitors to the lovely island of countrymen for the benefit of Tenerife and affords an parrots throughout the world! May opportunity for the general public there be many more International to appreciate the beauty of parrots Parrot Conventions in the future! and hopefully learn something

5 FIELDWORKFOR TUE ECUO PARAKEET By Une Wadum

In January 1994 I returned from a thesis, and was very interested in Pink Pigeons. My partner was Dr. the Dodo has been eating the 5 month stay in a fieldcamp in the working with endangered species. Tim Lovegrove, who has been tough seed. Therefore the tree lost mountains on Mauritius. I worked Michael Reynolds investigated the funded by WPT to work in the it's germinator when the Dodo as a volunteer with management possibilities, and a few months parakeets nesting season. The disappeared. The nest was situated for the endangered Echo Parakeets, later I had the opportunity to go to season is approxlinately 11 meters off the ground on a and I also studied the Parakeets, to Mauritius to work with Carl Jones September to January. Many things straight tree trunk, way down in help increase our knowledge of and his team, for the Echo had to be done in this season. We the forest on the mountainside. To them. The 5 months were full of Parakeet. had to try to locate nesting birds, get to the nest we had to use experience. They taught me how I arrived on Mauritius in to put rat poison out in known climbing gear, and it took time to demanding fieldwork is and also September, and came to the camp nest areas, set rat traps and put get to the nest, because the tree how important it is to help with for fieldworkers for both the Echo supplemental feeding out. We were was so enormous. The Echos had saving endangered birds. Parakeet and the endangered Pink also going to search for birds in all one egg. We monitored the nest It all started for me last year in Pigeon. The fieldcamp is situated areas. I was going to study the almost every day, to be sure April. Michael Iversen and I were in the last part of native forest, parakeets' nesting behaviour, their everything was going welL visiting WPT-England. We were where the Echo lives. The forest habitat use and the feeding It's possible to get quite close there to meet Michael Reynolds today is only approxlinately 50km2, ecology of the birds. to the Echo Parakeets and this and to discuss our work in the and is on the south west side of The first time we spent to get makes it really interesting to study Danish branch of the World Parrot Mauritius. It's called Maccabe to know the forest areas, and to them. They never seem to be Trust. I study biology and am Forest. We were 5 fieldworkers, locate the Echo Parakeets. To get disturbed even though we were about to finish my studies. I was two of us who worked for the around we could use a Landrover right under their nest tree. We also searching for a subject for my Echos; the other 3 worked with the or a motorbike, or walk. There are put rat poison in the area, and to rough roads in the mountains, but make an efficient knockdown of in the areas where the parakeets rats, we set rat traps up every live, it is often necessary to get night. We caught many rats and it around on foot. shows that the rat population is The first sights and sounds of very dense in the area. The rats are the Echos were a big experience, a big threat not only to the Echos, because they are one of the rarest but to many other endangered bird parrots of the world. There they species on Mauritius. were, flying over my head, calling The egg hatched, and there was and sometimes perching not far a new little Echo. But one day, the ... away. We started to localise pairs chick had disappeared from the .. and the areas they tend to use. nest. It could have been taken by a There are 5 known pairs of the rat or a monkey. The female was Echos and these have been flying back and forth to the nest. followed through the years. The She spent a few hours in the nest, knowledge of the existing pairs then she came out and flew .... and the areas they usually spend around for an hour, and then went time in, made it easier for us to back in. It seemed like it took time search. for her to realise that the chick W'""---~-, "'... It was important for us to find had disappeared. This was a sad as many nests as possible. There discovery, because there are so few are many factors that threaten the nests. At that time we had in total, Echos and one of them is located 3 nests, and they could predators which destroy their well be the only ones made by nests. Rats and monkeys have Echos in that nesting season. The been introduced to Mauritius, and two other nests had respectively 2 they take both eggs and chicks and 3 eggs. We monitored the from the nests. So while we nests everyday. One of the Echo searched for nesting birds, we also pairs has been studied before on made precautions in and around nest. They seem very used to nestholes which have been used by people. One day when Tim was the Echo Parakeets in previous checking a nest while the female years. We made rat poison stations was out, she was perching only 2 out of drainpipes, and we placed meters away, watching us, and just the tubes in grids around the flew in to the nest cavity as Tim known ne~t sites. climbed down the nest tree. We The parakeets have also been also put rat poison and rat traps short of nestholes, so we checked around these nests. the nestholes and removed nest I studied the parakeets to learn material if other bird species were about their behaviour and to using the hole. In October, Tirn compare the activity around and in discovered the first nest. The Echo the three nests. The nest with pair had chosen an old tree, with a three eggs got two chicks and the very suitable hole, the third egg never hatched. The two Tambalacoque tree, also known as chicks were just starting to get the Dodo tree. It's a very rare tree, feathers, and as a second sad and they only exist in the Maccabe discovery they were suddenly Forest. It's rumoured that the found dead one day. This was The Echo Parakeet in the wild. Photo: Line Wadum Dodo tree can only germinate if caused by a larvae of king wasp,

6 designed feeding platforms, which young and maybe too young for were rat proof. This was done in nesting yet. The male wasn't good the same plot where the pair and at feeding the female and she the extra male used to come. often chased him to get food, and Nothing of the supplemental food when he didn't escape from her, he was taken during the breeding stole the food she was eating. This season,. even though it was taken meant that the female was out during the winter months (April- very often for short periods to eat. September). So this might indicate But even though the birds didn't that the Echos are lacking more in breed perfectly this year it may be food during winter than the the start of the breeding in summer time, at least in this area. captivity. Instead I saw the Echos feeding If we can start to increase the every day and often for long wild Echo population with released periods in native trees in this area. birds that are bred in captivity this One of the most impressive will be a big help. Recent success things was when the Echo with the before endangered Parakeets in the aviaries started Mauritius Kestrel and the Pink nesting. These Echo Parakeets were Pigeon shows that this work is taken as eggs from wild Parakeets. important and gains success. But They hatched and grew up in the there is still much to do with the aviaries. There are in total three work for the Echos in captivity and Line with oneof the aviary bred young Echos. Echo Parakeets in the aviaries. Two for the wild birds. We need to of the Echo Parakeets paired up, make the forests more suitable and this was the first time it had homes for the Echo Parakeets. who had killed the chicks in the have been lacking in food because ever happened. I went and studied The chick in captivity was I nest. The third nest with the two of the lack of native trees. This is the parakeets a day every week. month old when I left Maurtitius, eggs also failed. This was under a due to the bigdeforestations that This was to follow their behaviour and I hope it's still doing welL I am heavy storm, where a heavy have taken place on Mauritius during the nesting period and to now back home and working on all cyclone passed by Mauritius. The since Man came to the island and compare them with the wild the data I collected and am writing female left the nest, and the eggs because exotic ~ree species and nesting birds. The day could feel up my thesis. Michael Iversen and I got cold. There was no chance for plants have been introduced. The very long when I was sitting there are going on with the Danish us to rescue the eggs, even though Echos used these weeded plots, watching the birds and recording Branch of World Parrot Trust, and Tim took both eggs and kept them and I often saw them feeding in as warm as possible under his T- the native trees. I have seen them shirt, while he drove through the feed most on leaves and fruits of mountains to the aviaries. Here the Bois de Lait, the milk tree. they were kept in incubators, but Because we saw the Echo didn't hatch. The eggs must have Parakeets use the plots, it shows been cold for too long. that they are important and can be So even though we took many a way to help the Echos to have precautions for the Echo nests, enough food. The areas have to be they can faiL In a large population weeded through the year, because this wouldn't be a disaster, but it seeds of the exotic trees, the felt like a disaster to lose these "weed", will keep sprouting in the nests, because there are so few of plots for a long time. As an them. There is nothing to do but to experiment we kept putting rat continue the same work during the poison out in a weeded plot that coming nesting seasons, and hope was used by an Echo Parakeet pair that other Echo Parakeets had and an extra male. They didn't nests this year with fledglings, that nest this year, but they came to we haven't found. feed every day. As we layed rat I spent much time in poison out, we often found dead monitoring different forest areas rats killed by the poison and on the Maccabe Ridge and the through the months less rat Line off to work in the MaccabeForrest. In the background is the vehicle supplied vicinity. These studies were made poison was taken, because the rat jointly by the WPTand the Parrot Society in 1991. to find out which areas are density got smaller. We found lots important for the Echos. I of fruits untouched on the ground everything they did. But it was also monitored the same areas both we will do what we can to help the in the weeded and rat poisoned really exciting, just waiting and Echo Parakeets. I hope we can mornings and evening during the 5 area. Whereas we always found waiting to see if the eggs would months I was on Mauritius. I saw participate in the on going success piles of eaten fruits eaten by rats hatch and just all the time hoping with management for the Echo how frequently the parakeets came in the forests where no poison had that everything would be fine. Parakeets. There is much to do, to the areas and what they were been laid, and often at dusk we The female laid two eggs and but slowly we see the success and doing in them. The Maccabe Ridge saw the rats climbing in the trees, both hatched. But shortly after, the we can all help - if we want to. used to be visited frequently by eating fruits. first hatched chick unfortunately I would like to thank Michael Echos in September. This has been So the experiment showed that died. The chicks weren't fed seen in other studies. In the Reynolds for giving me contacts another way to help the Echo enough by the Echos, so therefore for my tour, to Carl']ones for nesting season there was very little Parakeets to have more food, is to the second was put under a letting me come and be a part of activity. But instead, much activity keep putting rat poison in the nesting Ring-necked Parakeet. The this year's team on Mauritius, to was found in the vicinity of seeded areas, and keep the rats Echo chick grew up in the Ring- Tim Lovegrove who was an Maccabe ridge. This was especially away in that way. You can never necked nestbox and fledged from excellent partner, and of course to in the area, that had been weeded. keep them totally away because there. the rest of the "MWAF"- Team on All introduced plants have been new rats will invade the area when So at least I can know that one removed. This is done because Mauritius, which made my stay the other rats disappear. But it will Echo parakeet was raised very pleasant. introduced plants are inhibiting keep the number of them very low. sucessfully during my fascinating and killing the native trees, which Since the Echo Parakeets had visit to Mauritius. grow much slower. been in lack of food, food has been The reason why the Echo set out for them. We laid The Echo Parakeets are very Parakeet pair didn't breed well dependent on thefruit, leaves and supplemental food, which was might be that they both were very flowers of the native trees. They fruits and vegetables on special

7

- ~ MACAWSPROJECTATTAMBOPATAByHilaryFrench

cutter bees made nest inspection problem ,are removed for artificial either very difficult, or else, in incubation, and replaced by some cases, impossible. dummy eggs. This allows the All nest sites on the trail system return of eggs or chicks at a later have nylon lines held permanently date should conditions become in place over a branch close to the more favourable. Where nestlings nesthole or nestbox. These are set are present, their progress is up initially by using a slingshot to checked and, if necessary, 'shoot' a weighted line over the parasites can be removed, or most suitable branch. Both ends medication given. The survival rate extend to ground level, and whilst is now increased as smaller second one is securely fastened, the other or third hatched nestlings, which is used to hoist climbing ropes into normally die, are removed for position. Trees are then easily hand-rearing. Parental activity is ascended with a climbing harness then focused upon rearing a single and safety helmet. The macaws are chick. accustomed to the activity Whilst I was at Tambopata, two associated with tree climbing, and scarlet nestlings from different Oneof the Tambopata lodges. after vacating the nest, usually sit sites were removed for hand- on a nearby branch waiting to rearing, leaving behind in each Our boat's landing point was yellowAra ararauna, of which return, whilst eggs or chicks are case one sibling. It is standard examined. indicated by a single tree rising there are still healthy populations procedure for any nestlings taken above the rainforest canopy, and at Tambopata. Tree-climbing Monitoring of nesting activity from the wild to be quarantined its mass of luxuriant vegetation. It enabled natural nest holes and on the trail system involves for a short period. We made was 1st December, and I had specially constructed nestboxes to checking nestholes and nestboxes follow-up visits to both of these scarlet nest sites to monitor arrived at Tambopata Research be monitored for nesting activity, every 2 - 3 days. Eggsare marked Centre, home of Proyecto and where appropriate, allowed for as laid for identification and, in progress of the remaining guacamayos, or macaw's project, in the removal of eggs for artificial some cases where predation is a nestlings. They were thriving. the Madre de Dios department of incubation, and second or third- S.E.Peru. Myjourney had taken me hatched nestlings for hand-rearing by air from Lima, the capital of (those which would not be Peru, to CUlCO,and then onward to expected to survive if left with the Puerto Maldonado, for a seven parents). hour trip by boat to reach my final Most of the work associated destination. The centre's with monitoring nesting activity is traditional Indian-style raised based around a 25km trail system platform was to be my home for cut through forest near the the next six and a half weeks. research centre. Here I visited Situated close to the Bolivian fourteen different active nest sites border, Tambopata Research at regular intervals during the Centre is located within the course of my stay. Of these, three boundaries of the 3.7 million acre are natural nestholes, and eleven Tambopata - Candamo Reserved are nestboxes, the majority of Zone, created in 1990 to protect which are hung in Shihuahuaco this part of SW. Amazonia, and its trees Dipterix alata, and Azucar extraordinary diversity of life. The huayo Hymenea sp. at a height of centre is directed by Eduardo 30 - 40 metres. Whilst scarlet Nycander von Massenbach who, macaws readily use the artificial along with his partners, Kurt Holle nest sites, for some reason, the red and Alvarro del Campo, aim to and greens do not. combine macaw research and Macaw nesting activity is also ecotourism. Rainforest being monitored at two other Expeditions, their tour company, locations. The first is a small palm brings tourists to the massive clay swamp Mauritea flexuosa,where 'lick', a 500 metre stretch of there is a significant concentration reddish cliff on the river of blue and yellow macaws. Teams Tambopata, where a spectacular of four or five people can check gathering of macaws and parrots natural nestholes for eggs and takes place in the mornings to feed chicks quickly and safely, although on the mineral-rich clay. the conditions for climbing the Mymain objective in visiting palms can be difficult. A second Tambopata was to gain some location includes natural nestholes experience of working in the field. of scarlet, and red and green Since my visit coincided with the macaws on banks of riverine November - April macaw breeding secondary growth, at sites along season, work was focused upon the river Tambopata. On two researching various aspects of the occasions during my stay, trips breeding biology and behaviour of were made both up and the three large species of macaw, downstream to visit these sites. red and green Ara chloroptera, However, without protective scarletAra macao,and blue and clothing, the presence of hair- At the top of thesepalms you canjust seemacaw nest holes.

8 By January, wewerehand- this seasonJohnHeath'shand- rearingtenmacawsofvariousages rearingdietis alsobeingsampled. (eightscarlet,andtwoblueand Newlyhatchedchicksarefed every yellow).Anareaof theCentre's hour,with theintervalbetween raisedplatformcoveredby feedsgraduallyincreasedwithage. mosquitonettingservesasthe Tofacilitatetheprocessof 'laboratory'orrearingunit,and adaptationtolivingin thewild, as housesanassortmentofitems with themacawshand-rearedin includinganincubator,brooder 1992/93,sotoowith this season's boxes,andcagesforolder,well- young,thefeedingof formula,or featheredchicks.Inaddition,a othernutritionally-balancedfood vital assemblageofbatteries itemswill continuefor aslongasis chargeddailybyagenerator necessary. providesenoughpowerfor the The1993/94seasonis incubator,andahatcherjbrooder. 'experimental'inthat it is thefirst Verysimpleequipmentisused timethat anartificialincubatorhas asthegeneratorprovidesonlya beenusedto hatcheggsremoved limitedpowersource,and from thewild. Thishasmeantthat alternativemethodshaveproved at thosenestsiteswherepredation quiteadequate.Styrofoamboxes is a problem,eggscanberemoved Hand-rearedintheforest. linedwith newspaperandcedar andincubatedartificially.At one shavingsareusedto containthe particularscarletnestsite,where with anongoingresearch Rainforest Expeditions, nestlings,andaremaintained all theeggsfromafirst clutchhad programmedeveloping Gateon 120, San Borja, Lima 41, initially ata temperatureof32'cby disappeared,weremovedasecond managementtechniqueswhich Peru. Phone/Fax: (5114) 389325 theprovisionof hotwaterbottles. clutchofthreeeggs,replacing couldbeusedfor morevulnerable The macaw project is in need of . Olderchicksareprovidedwith themwith dummyeggs.Itwas populationsof macawinthe some beekeeping equipmel1t- heatasnecessary.Atnight,all laterpossibletoreturnoneeggto future.In addition,ecotourism protective clothing that can be brooderboxesandcagesare this pair of macawstohatch.At providesincreasinglyvaluable used when checking nest sites, coveredbymosquitonettingas thetimeof mydeparture,eight toolsin macawconservation particularly those along the"river additionalprotectionagainstinsect macawshadalreadyhatchedfrom Tambopata, where haircutter bees besidesboostingthelocal are a major problem. If anyone bites. eggsincubatedartificially,with economy. moredue. can help, please contact the A nutritionally-balanced project through the World Parrot powderedformulamanufactured At themomentthefuture for HilaryFrench,BirdStaff,JWPT. Trust. in Limais usedfor feeding,and macawsatTambopatalooksgood,

CJ reportsonthe currentstatusof The World Parrot Trust will eachendangeredspecies, mail it to anyone worldwide for Rosemarycoversthebroadissues £21 or $34,inc. postage etc.Just affectingparrot conservation. send your order, with cheque or Therearechapterson credit card details to: deforestation,theextra Judith Venning, WPT, Glanmor BOOK REVIEW vulnerabilityof islandpopulations, House, Hayle, Cornwall, therole of aviculturein TR27 4HY, UK. conservation,captivebreeding, Fax: (UK)736. 756438. reintroductions,andmuchmore. ENDANGEREDPARROTSByRosemaryLow I wouldrespectfullysuggest A SINCERECHRISTMASPRESENT that anyone with sufficient FORANY PARROTPERSON! A shorthighlypredjudicedbookreviewbyMichael interest in parrot Reynolds conservation to read this newsletter should buy thisbook.'Endangered Nobodycouldexpectmeto understandwhyit's amiraclethat Parrots'byRosemary reviewthisbookdispassionately, 46 still exist:'Meanwhilethe Lowis published by when,asdescribedonpage1of slaughterofKakapowasreaching Blandford and costs this issue,theauthorhasdonated unprecedentedproportions. £18.99. half herroyaltiesfromthebookto Duringthegoldrushof the 1860s TheWorldParrotTrust.having and 1870sthediggersreputedly dealtwith that,I amfreeto say lived onKakapo,andatethemeat that thisis vel)'importantbook until they weretired of it. Wild whichbelongsontheshelvesof cats,dogsandratsintroduc!;dby anyonewhois concernedwiththe Europeansalsofeastedwellonthe co1t~ervationoftheparrots. defencelessparrot.Exploring 'EndangeredParrots'is partiesmakeKakapothe'principal comprehensive,coveringevery item of their diet and,later,when endangeredspeciesofparrotiIt cruisIhgtouristsvisitedNew thewod~:I believeitis uniquein Zealandfrom~thertcntinents, this.Thestyleis crisp,packedwith they shot andateKakapowhich information,immenselyreadable they f(J1mdto be'asgoodeatingas andauthoritative.Openthisbook abarnyardfowl'. at anyp<)geandyou'llbe Apartfrom givingsuch fasciuated;rear!thisparagraph alarminghistor1calinformation abouttheKakapoandyou'll followedbyup-to-the-minute

t.I

9 FIJIANPARROT INTERLUDEByRosemaryLow

Fiji is an exciting country for Black-capped Lory of the red- was reminiscent of the Tahiti Blue except in the gullies. We drove the parrot enthusiast, partly breasted race Lorius lory Lory. They, too, spent much time in without stopping for more than because of the beauty of the erythrothorax in coloration -but the tops of coconut palms, two hours without seeing more endemic species and because they not in personality. descending lower to search for than a few remnant patches of are so little known in aviculture. To me it appears to be a Vini blossoms, pollen, nectar, insects forest. Birds were not abundant Only a few birds have been Lory, the genus which contains the and apparently, also for fruit. They except the inevitable introduced exported because commercial trade tiny exquisite and colourful gems seem very much at home in the Common Mynahs Acridotheres has never been permitted. To which are so little known. It is vicinity of man and gardens. As tristis and Jungle MynahsA. fuscus become familiar with some of Fiji's larger, it is true, but otherwise with peruviana, weusually saw. in the region of human habitation. Parrots you must go either to San differs little. When I observed it in between two and four birds. They In one rural area where there was a Diego Zoo, in California or to Fiji. the wild, I had just come from are widespread, vocal and very large Indian population, we even With the exception of the exquisite Aitutaki, from four days of easy to locate. saw introduced Avadavats little SolitaryLoryPhigyssolitarius, intensive study of Vini peruviana. The same is not true of Fiji's Amandava amandava. they are not easy to see in the wild. Its behaviour seemed identical to largest parrot, the Yellow-breasted Wewere amazed at the En route to New Zealand last that of its smaller cousin. MuskProsopeiapersonata.Wesaw friendliness of the Fijian people year I spent four days on Fiji's On Fiji, there are other very a single specimen at the Kula Bird outside of the towns. It seems the largest island, Viti Levu. In any interesting birds to divert one's Park at Korotogo on the Coral average tourist goes no further island group, an ornithologist may attention, thus in such a short stay, Coast. The owner of the park, than the beach and the main roads. find the largest island the least I did not come to know this species Australian Steve Perrin, told us that Everywhere we were greeted with rewarding because it is the most well. What I did see was during his five years in Fiji he had cries of "Bula!" (Welcome!) and settled and the most disturbed. enchanting. On two mornings the seen only three - flying across the huge genuine smiles. (Ibegan to Four days gives one little more Collared presented a picture I can main road on the way to Suva. He sympathise with the Queen - than the flavour of a place, never forget - a brilliant red and inferred that our chances of seeing endless waving becomes tiring!) nevertheless on Viti Levu it was green Lory feeding in a flowering this species in the wild were We stopped to talk to one long enough to encounter what is scarlet hibiscus bush! A scene virtually nil. This was very family about the recent floods - surely Fiji's most colourful bird - painted by an imaginative artist? disappointing news. signs of which were still very much the Solitary or Collared Lory. No! A scene from real life! Nevertheless, we decided to in evidence. Weshowed them a No picture can do it justice. They moved through the leaves devote the two remaining full days picture of a Musk Parrot - but they Lories are known for their so rapidly. Every now and then a in Fiji to searching for this had no knowledge of it. This did wonderful colours - but it is little head appeared and the bright handsome black-masked green and not surprise me at all for I had difficult to describe the intensity plumage was exposed for a second. yellow parrot. On the first day we seen no habitat which looked and contrasts of this species - the flash of my camera, only 2m set off into the centre of the island. suitable for a large parrot. particularly the unique cape of distant, left them unperturbed. One I was unprepared for the severity Next day we headed in the shawl of vivid green which seems stopped and surveyed me (I was of the deforestation. Range after opposite direction, towards Suva to stand away from the rest of the hiding in foliage), unconcerned. range of mountain slopes were on the south-east coast. A locally plumage. It resembles a miniature In all respects their behaviour almost totally devoid of trees, published book suggested that Colo-i-Suva (meaning outside Suva) was a good place to see this species. On the way we saw some areas of forest which looked promising. We went to the forest reserve at Colo-i-Suva and immediately located a good source of information. The forest ranger who had worked there for 20 years told us that he regularly sees one or two Musk Parrots flyover, rarely up to five or six. We set off on a forest walk which took us three hours. The path took us over mountain streams, often on slippery soap stone and sometimes with steep drops below us. We needed to concentrate on the next step! The undergrowth was a tangle of tree ferns, small palms and pale pink orchids. Birds were few - the occasional Grey-backed Zosterops Zosteropslateralis flaviceps, Polynesian Triller Lalage maculosa and a soft grey Barking Pigeon Ducula latrans. Again I thought this is no longer Parrot habitat! In the 1950's the forest was selectively logged and replanted with mahogany. Large trees were few. I was beginning to doubt the book which told me: "u. a common species and in no danger of extinction." It continued of the Yellow-breastedMuskParrot (Prosopeiapersonata) at San Musk Parrot: "Although not DiegoZoo. Red Shining Parrot (Prosopeiatabuensissplendens).

10 restrictedto matureforest,fairly answeredbyanotherbirdflyingin largetractsof suchhabitatare thedistance.Onehasonlyto hear requiredforbreeding."Precisely! thecallonceandto seeit in flight, Theworryingsuspicionhad for it to beunmistakableonfuture alreadyoccurredtomethatit sightings.Theslow,flappingflight mightappearcommoninthefew is punctuatedbyglides;thelong forestedareas-but wasit tail is veryconspicuous. breeding?Bearinginmindthat the After afewminutestheMusk speciesoccursonno otherisland, Parrotflewoff. Thisspeciesissaid thatViti Levumeasuresonly146x tobeverysensitivetothepresence 1O6km,hassufferedextremely of humans,screechinginalarm seriousdeforestationandhasa whendisturbed.Thepairremained humanpopulationofmorethan in thevicinityfor atleasthalf an half amillion,thespeciesmustbe hour - in thefar distance-sowe threatened,ifnot endangered.A reluctantlywentonourway,aftera recentsuggestedpopulationsizeof veryexcitingfewminutes. 5,000maybeagrossexaggeration. Thereis anotherparrotfound Ofcourseit is presumptuousto onViti Levu- andthreeother makesuchstatementsonthe islands-whichweknewwehadno strengthof athree-daystaythere, chanceofseeing-thetiny Red- but hoursspentporingover throatedLorikeetCharmosyna literatureconcerningendangered amabilis.It occursinmountain Parrotsfrommanycountrieshave forest,usuallyabove500m. mademeveryawareofonefact. Becauseofits smallsizeand Taveuni Shining Parrot (Prosopeiatabuensistaviunensis)at Kula Bird Park on Via Levu Thelackof largetreesfor nesting nomadichabitsit is rarelyseenand hascausedthedeclineofmany verylittle is knownaboutit. species.Insomecases,thismay Aswedid not visit anyother bredin a colonyaviary.Atonetime CurrentlySanDiegoZoohasa not berealisedforyears,because four femaleswereincubating,two pair,thefemaleofwhichhadlaid islands,theonlyRedShining in the samenest!(Theincubation of thelonglifespanofthelarger ParrotsProsopeiatabuensiswhich in 1992.Iwascaptivatedbythese parrots.> wesawwereat theKulaBirdPark. periodis about23daysandyoung strikingparrotswhenI sawthem I wasreflectingonthisfacton It exhibitsthescarletsplendens spendeightto tenweeksin the there.Letushopethat 1994will be thetwohour drivebackto our from KandavaandOnoandthe nest.) theyearof thefirst breeding hotel.I wasalsokeepingawatchin maroontaviunensisfrom Taveuni In someaspectsoftheir successinaviculture.However, theunlikelyeventofa MuskParrot andQamea.Thisspeciesisalso behaviour(atleastin captivity), with, I believe,onlyonepair knownastheRed-breastedMusk thesebirdsremindmeof Eclectus outsidetheSouthPacific,there flyingacrosstheroad.Suddenly Parrots.Thisis alsotrue of the onedidjust that!Wealmost Parrotalthough,unliketheYellow- seemslittlehopeof thespecies. screechedtoa haltandturned breasted,itlacksthesweet,musky chickswhich,apartfrom theshape becomingestablishedincaptivity. smell. of thebeak,beara strong Tomyknowledge,nosteps roundasquicklyaswecould.The resemblancetoEclectuschicks havebeentakento conserveiton Muskwasnowperchedinalarge Aspart of a conservation Viti Levu.Ifearthat a suddencrash treenotfar distantfrom theroad. programmeforthreatenedSouth from theagesofaboutthreeto five weeks.Muchremainstobelearned in thepopulationwill oneday Wephotographeditssilhouette Pacificspecies,tabuensisis kept in becomeevident.UnlessVitiLevu's andwatchedasit madeavery thebreedingstationof theBrehm- abouttheProsopeiaasavicultural subjects,especiallytheYellow- forestsarebetterpreserved,the loud,harshgratingandfar- FondsonTongatapu,themain breastedMuskwhichhasseldom islandwill loseoneof its most reachingcall.Thiscallwas islandof Tonga.Theretheyhave beenseenoutsideFiji. beautifulinhabitants.

GOLDENCONURE THICK-BILLEDPARROT (Amtingaguarouba)"1* (Rhynchopsittapachyrhyncha)"w' *W'=u.K.RegionalStudbook RED-VENTEDCOCKATOO Alan Lieberman, SanDiego Zoo, David Jeggo, *1*= InternationalStudbook (Cacatuahaematuropygia)"E* POBox 551, SanDiego, JerseyWildlife Preservation Trust *E*= EuropeanStudbook MarcBoussekey,Espace Calfornia, 9221190551 USA. Les Augres Manor, Trinity, Jersey, Channel Islands. BLUE-EYEDCOCKATOO Zoologique,St.Martin-Ia-Plaine 42800RivedeGier,France. CUBANAMAZON (Cacatuaophthalmica)*R* (Amazonaleucocephala) BLUE-STREAKEDLORY PALMCOCKATOO HYACINTHINEMACAW ULACINEAMAZON (Eosreticulata) *R* (Proboscigeraterrimus)P (Anodorhynchushyacinthinus)*P (Amazonaautumnalislilacina) C/O The Parrot Society Dr.RogerWilkinson,ChesterZoo, Dr.HubertLucker,Zoologischer "R,E" 108b Fenlake Road Bedford. MK42 OEU Upton-by-Chester,Cheshire. GartenDresden,Tiergartenstrasse1 Mark Pilgrim, Chester Zoo, CH2lLHUnitedKingdom D-8020Dresden,Germany. Upton by Chester, Cheshire. CH2 lLH United Kingdom CITRON-CRESTEDCOCKATOO HYACINTHINEMACAW For all Amazon Studbooks please contact: (Cacatuasulphurea (Anodorhynchushyacinthinus)"R* GOFFIN'SCOCKATOO citrinocristata)E* ColinBath,PaigntonZoological& (Cacatuagoffini)*Ri' The Amazona Society DavidWoolcock,ParadisePark BotanicalGardens,TotnesRoad, SCARLETMACAW C/O Mrs ]. B.Perry, Ways Green House, Queensway, Winsford, Hayle,Cornwall.TR274HY Paignton,Devon. (Am macao)*R* UnitedKingdom Cheshire. CW7 IBH GOLDENCONURE BUFFON'SMACAW For other Lory Studbooks MOLUCCANCOCKATOO (Amtingaguarouba)*R" (Am ambigua) *R" please contact:- (Cacatuamoluccensis)E* C/OTheParrotSociety RED-FRONTEDMACAW Trevor Buckell 0980 622573 DavidField,RoyalZoological 108b FenlakeRoad,Bedford. (Am rubrogenys)*R* SocietyofScotland,Murrayfield, MK42OEU DavidWoolcock,Paradise Park Edinburgh.EHl26TSScotland Hayle, Cornwall. TR27 4HYU.K.

11 . REPORTONTUECAPEPARROTPROJECT

ByOlafWirminghaus,Natal resources in the study areas and to fragmented and scattered nature. University,SouthAfrica. identify plant species which are With the arrival of funds from relied upon during breeding or Sasol and the SANF,the Project Introduction seasons of low food availability. was able to employ a part-time The nominate race of the Cape 3. If possible, to determine the assistant, Craig Symes, a 2nd year parrot Poicephalusr. robustusis nesting requirements and nesting student majoring in Zoology and endemic to South Africa. It breeds success of Cape parrots in their Botany. The new funding also natural habitat. onlyin montane mixed Podocarpus allowed for the purchase of a forests above 1,000m, while the 4. To design a predictive model to second spotting scope, and with subspecies P.r. suahelicus,which help conservationists gauge parrot Craig's help, data collection has occurs north and east of the habitat suitability and carrying increased remarkably. This has Transvaal Drakensberg Mountains, capacity in forests where increased the quality of all aspects occurs primarily in lowland introductions are being considered. of data collection significantly, 5. To determine areas where Cape woodlands. Morphological and particularly with feeding colour differences also exist and parrots face greatest survival observations and opportunistic threats. the taxonomic status of these counts of parrot numbers. Other date such as times of activity, subspecies is currently being 1994 Project Progress investigated. Field data collection is in its social behaviour, age and sex ratios Cape parrot populations are of flocks, etc., are also collected second year and is proceeding welL whenever possible. Interactions declining in South Africa, mainly The study sites being used, both in due to illegal collecting for the with other species, mainly southern Natal, South Africa are: 1. Rameron Pigeons Calumba avicultural trade (both past and HlabeniForest (410 ha) whichis arquatrix whose movements and present), habitat degradation and one of a complex of forest patches foraging behaviour closely matches loss of nest sites. They are classed between Creighton and Bulwer, and as Vulnerable in the South African those of the parrots, and rap tors, 2. Ngele Forest (752 ha) also one of are also noted. Red Data Book for Birds, and very a complex of forests between Leaf litter collections with the little is known of their breeding Harding and Kokstad. All these habits and foraging behaviour in aid of litterfall traps have been mistbelt forest fragments (typical made monthly since the end of the wild. This information is Cape Parrot habitat) are Spotthebird - WildmaleCapeparrotat December 1993, to help determine essential for a viable conservation surrounded by a mosaic of nestin deadYellowwoodtree. plan for Cape parrots. the quantity of fruit in the forest farmland, agro-forestry and canopy, and seems to be working Aims natural grassland. Most of these enlisted in finding further nest forests are conserved and their well. This has been supplemented 1. To determine the distribution, with visual assessments of the sites. Much basic information is future seems secure. However, abundance and status of Cape fruiting condition of marked still required on Cape Parrot parrots. some small-scale illegal logging individual yellowwood trees breeding, particularly in the wild. and hunting persists, though is Aviculturalists who have Cape 2. To determine the diet of Cape difficult to control due to their Podocarpusspp.only. parrots and the state of their food Parrots (any subspecies) could help Important finds greatly by submitting their captive Recent findings include the breeding records (clutch sizes, importance of the yellowwoods to growth curves,timing of colour Cape parrots. These trees are long- changes, etc.) to the Project. Any lived, and often the tallest trees in information will be appreciated. the forest and therefore most As has been found in several frequently used as display perches. other parrot studies, there may be Podocarpus{alcatus and to a lesser a strong possibility that Cape extent P. lati{olius and P. henkelli Parrots are limited by the lack of are also a vital food source and suitable nest sites. Thenumber of almost exclusively utilised when in pairs breeding last season was low, fruit. This is possibly due to the and nest boxes may help to volume of fruit produced, and the improve the situation. This length of time they remain in fruit. breeding season 20 boxes will be Furthermore, Podocarpus{aleatus put up in each of the study forests. bears fruit from mid to late With the help of Quintin summer, and is thus an important Kermeen at AVM in California, we (if not exclusive) food source have hit on a seemingly parrot- during the breeding season and for proof radio-collar which I look newly fledged parrots. Dead forward to testing on Cape Parrots specimens of P. {aleatusremain in the wild before the end of the standing for a number of years, year. Cape Parrots, being the nut and natural cavities in these are and kernel-feeding specialists that the preferred nesting sites of Cape they are, have bills which are parrots. In a report to the Natal disproportionately large for birds Parks Board, it has been their size. The first test-collar was recommended that a special effort destroyed in less than 24 hours, be made to protect these trees in and cases of missing digits have all areas of the mistbelt. beenreported. Plans for this season With the approach of the next breeding season (Aug. - Dec.), the help of localbird clubs willbe Captive female CapeParrot.

12 TUME MONTUSAT PARADISE PARK ByRosaElenaZegarra

Last June I arrived at Paradise The keeper's work is very hard. Park, Hayle, UK to get practical Everybody says "Yes. It is". I said experience in parrot's husbandry the same before I visited. But it has techniques to apply them later on been in this three months that I in the wild. It is very different to have spent at Paradise Park when I work with animals in the wild. Of truly realised how difficult it is. course they are free. But zoos too Being a keeper you work with are important. living animals which depend on i think most people here will you at every moment of their not have the opportunity to see captive lives - every moment - exotic wildlife (many endangered there is no choice. You have to species) in its original countries, feed them, look after them, and especially if the animals come you must try to make their lives from places so far away from nice and comfortable as much as England like Africa, Asia or South possible. Never mind if you are America,where I comefrom too. I tired or bored. Animals can't take would like to be wrong. In this holidays or just go out for a walk way, if it were not for zoos, maybe (or fly) and then come back to people just won't know. So they their cages. Their life's quality allow more people to understand depends always on you, if you are and worry about wildlife and a keeper. Rosa Elena with an aviary Bred Blue-throated Macaw. Soonshe will bestudying conservation problems at their "Make sure she gets a banana, thesebirds in the wild. source (often related to serious she loves it", "She's different, likes socio-economic problems, mainly you to whistle very quietly" or "It's in developing countries). Hopefully their first swim" (a proud "daddy" next time and sometimes the price Sometimes they will like you, after a visit to the zoo, somebody at the penguin pond). Such simple is quite high and painfuL sometimes, not whatever you do to will try to learn a little bit more, phrases but very nice to remember You have to work at it. It is be "nice". But it is not a matter for and eventually, if we are lucky, to because they remind me of the necessary to have curiosity, worry. If you are a little bit lucky help. close relationship between keepers memory, common sense and lots you will not have problems in the But the animals are not free at and animals. Of course it is not of patience. Lots. But that is not "parrots" section at Paradise Park, the zoo. Yes. Just this is what easy. In the beginning you make all. Sometimes, despite your best and, if you do, you can work on makes a keeper's work so speciaL mistakes which will teach you for wishes, it won't work out. the "soft bills" section where the I remember once we spent all birds won't just bite they will kick afternoon putting rope in the big too! parrot aviary and making parrot Working with parrots at proof knots (reinforced with wire) Paradise Park gave me a lot of everywhere. We had to cope with satisfaction: to see nervous chicks many things. Kea's curiosity flying for the first time and mainly. Keas are very nose (beaky, watching how they improve their I would say). They try to put their crash-landing as they grow, or to beaks inside pockets, shoes, T- retrieve your key-ring after maybe shirts, ears ... A visitor from waiting for ages for that angel- Mauritius, Liam was helping us. He faced parrot who stole it, or hear was delighted, the parrots too. the chick you helped to hand rear They knew he was new and were call to you from its aviary, or just very busy interviewing him all the collect a very nice feather. time, stealing his things, chewing I want to thank everyone who his clothes and even chewing him made my trip to England possible sometimes. Later, when the Keas and to thank in a very special way became bored with people, they everybody who made my time here explored the ladders we had taken sonice. into the aviary. They climbed step by step to the top, flew down and Comments from David Woolcock, started climbing again. Curator, Paradise Park. We had a lot of fun. The next "Rosa Elena made very good morning we saw the knots had not friends with everyone whom she been parrot proof enough and I met. She is a hard worker and guess suitable ones have not been exhibited a real feeling for the discovered yet. birds. She was bubbling over with Anyone who has been with enthusiasm which affected parrots will agree about this: like everyone that she worked with. people, each one has its own Her English improved considerably personality. They are curious, during her visit and we hope she noisy, disinterested, friendly, too will be able to stay in touch and friendly, quiet, lovely, jealous, visit us again one day". awful and mad, just like people. They also have their own tastes.

Another visitor to ParadisePark - RegisLiam Sheung Yuen from Mauritius. He stayed for a week after completing a training course at jersey's International Training School.

13 .. INTBRNATIONAL.. NBWSROUND-UP

AUSTRALIA devastated the island in 1980. then? Let us take the example of the same statutes than captured Five people died, more than the Orange-winged Parrot birds. Two solutions occur for the Return of the Paradise Parrot? 200 were injured and hundreds Amazona amazonica. It is freely owners of breeding pairs of Guiana Christopher Kiernan reports in the remain homeless. Numerous sold in several European countries. species: September 1993 edition of landslides blocked roads, damaged Most of them are captured birds of 1) Either they sell them Wingspan,the newsletter of the bridges and caused disruptions in South American origin. But as this fraudulently to ordinary persons, water and electric services. An Royal Australasian Ornithologists species may live in Guiana, it is leading to the loss of an important Union, of sighting this supposedly estimated 30-40%of the island's totally protected in France. As genetic inheritance - especially for extinct parrot. bananas suffered total loss and such, it can be - except a endangered species -, or they sell Although not stating numbers, provisional estimates of damage ministerial dispensation - neither them under a false identity (for he refers to five Paradise parrots, exceedUS$80M.The storm also moved, nor given, nor exchanged, example: Blue-fronted Amazon whether it is alive or dead. Psephotouspulcherrimus, being wiped out our rain forest trail - instead of Orange-winged seen on a regular basis between such is life in Paradise!' What do become the owners of Amazon), leading to the possibility I called Paul to ask what it late February and mid-April 1990, these birds? of breeding hybrids; just before his visit. It would would take to repair the forest To have a whole idea, Guiana has 2)Or they prevent at any price appear the parrots were seen early trail, and was alarmed to hear that 26 species of psittacine: to have descendants: they remove morning and late afternoon every it might cost US$80-100,000.We - Blue and yellow Macaw the nest, they break the eggs or day during an eight week period, don't have that kind of money, and (Ara ararauna) they kill the young! It can seem flying in to a homestead garden in in any case it isn't the kind of task - Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) incredible, but that is the reality, company with Pale-headed which would have priority for our - Red and Green Macaw especially for the large species Rosellas Platycercusadscitusand limited funds. Nevertheless, we do (Ara chloroptera) such as macaws. These large birds feeding on native grasses growing have some pledges of funds for - Chestnut-fronted Macaw can not be indefinitely kept. around the house in central this work, which, when added to (Ara severa) Transfer can only be done for Queensland. funds from RARE,would allow the - Red-bellied macaw those who have what is called in Allowing approach to within reinstatement of a key part of the (Ara manilata) France a «certificat de capacite» two metres, enabled the observer trail in time for the important - Red-shouldered macaw (Ability certificate!!!) - a purely French document and that is at to provide graphic detail, tourist season just coming up. I (Aranobilis) - describing the colours as matching mention this in the hope that - White-eyedConure present limited to a few breeders. those illustrated in Australian readers may wish to offer further (Aratingaleucophtalmus) We witness "protection" Parrotsby Forshaw& Cooper. donations to help repair this very - StThomas Conure aberrations. This Order is a very John Buchan important trail. (Aratingapertinax) serious brake against the breeding ~'(* * MR -Sun Conure of rare or endangered species. (Aratingasolstitialis) To make worse the situation, -PaintedConure(Pyrrhurapicta) our Ministry does not want to Parrot Watching In Australia FRANCE make the difference between - Green-rumpedParrotlet A parrot expedition planned in (Forpuspasserinus) species and sub-species. The most Western & SouthernAustralia for The damaging effects of the - Sclater'sParrotlet striking example is the Yellow- headed Amazon Amazona September 1995 «Arrete de Guyana» (Forpussclateri) Organiser and tour leader: Peter among French parrot breeders - Canary-wingedParakeet ochrocephala. Only the nominal H Them, Denmark by Jacqueline and Gabriel Prin (Brotogerisversicolorus) race has been observed in Guiana; Ornithological guide in The «Arrete de Guyana» (Guiana - Golden-wingedParakeet the 8 sub-species have a different Australia: Joseph M Forshaw distribution. But the owners of Order), dated 15th May 1986, is a (Brotogerischrysopterus) Those interested should Double Yellow-headed Amazon purely French legislativetext. It - Lilac-tailedParrotlet contact, by letter or fax -marked concerns only French Guiana (Touitbatavica) Amazona.oratrix,for example, "Parrot Watching in Australia": - Sapphire-rumpedParrotlet have the same problems as if this Peter H Them, "PARROTDATA", (smallterritory of South America), particularly famous for the space (Touitpurpurata) sub-specie would live in Guiana. Emmerich AlIe 4, 2791 Drag0r, DK- That is one example among many. Danemark launching of Ariane. The origin of - Black-headedClique (Pionitesmelanocephala) Parrots breeders (Macaws and Phone +45 32 53 40 81 fax +45 this order is laudable: to stop the traffic between Guiana and France. - CaicaParrot(Pionopsittacaica) Amazons) are not numerous in 9741 28 27 France. This Guiana Order is a Both countries having the same - Short-tailedParrot nationality, smuggling was easier, (Graydidascalusbrachyurus) brake for their breeding, and in CARIBBEAN and birds could be sent on to other - Blue-headedParrot fact it favours another way of countries from France. So the (Pionusmenstruus) smuggling. In everycase, it is an Trouble on St. Lucia French Government decided that -DuskyParrot(Pionusfuscus) important loss of genetic inheritance. So, where is the the Guiana species henceforth - Blue-cheekedAmazon Parrot We recently received the following PROTECTION? tax from Paul Butler of RARE would have the same status as the (Amazonadufresniana) Centre:- French species (goldfinch, tits ), - Yellow-headedAmazonParrot in order to ensure an absolute 'In the early hours of (Amazonaochrocephala) NBTUERLANDS September 10th, tropical Storm protection in metropolitan France - Orange-wingedAmazonParrot (Amazonaamazonica) 'Debbie' passed directly over St (legislation being more flexible in On Schiphol Airport, a Belgian man Lucia and in four hours it dumped Guiana...). -MealyAmazonParrot and wife have been arrested for Stopping the wild catchings of (Amazonafarinosa) ten inches of rain, compounding - Hawk-headedParrot smuggling seven parrots Loruis problems caused by waterlogged Guiana's fauna is a very good lory lory from Indonesia. They soils from the heavy rains of the thing. But what do become the (Deroptyusaccipitrinus) drugged the birds with aspirin and preceding week. The resulting «possibly living parrots in Guiana» The «Arrete de Guyane»does stowed them into plastic lemonade damage was catastrophic, more so that have been trapped before not recognise breeding. The young bottles. At arrival in Amsterdam, than Hurricane 'AlIen' which 1986 and the captive-bredyoung born in captivityhave therefore 3 of the parrots proved to be dead.

14 NEW ZEALAND feeding on the ripe seeds. In fact, releases on Palawan have been Now, after the release of our local people told us they had seen made but without being looked third issue of Kakadu United, we about 10 birds last November but after: almost all the released birds see the network expanding further. We wish to advise all interested afterwards no more. died shortly after. And the natural Our aim was and still is, to bring aviculturalists of a forthcoming information to the people who International conference to take Pr Blas TABARANZAagreed the habitat is reducing because of the proposed site was unsuitable for a human population increase, need it. Many veterinarians and place from Friday 3 March to year long study (muddy mangrove demanding for more cultivated breeders have given us advice and Monday 6 march 1995 at the area uneasy to reach and to walk areas. articles about problems in parrot Airport Plaza Hotel which is through) and the proposal Is it a hopeless situation? It is keeping. Some stories of readers located adjacent to the unrealistic (no more stable and true that we cannot act on most of have shown how many problems Christchurch International Airport. regular population of Cockatoos). the aspects (they are off our can sometimes be encountered Speakers Include So, I requested him to find another responsibility) but we can buying birds without enough Rick Jordan (USA) study site, suitable for long term nevertheless try to slow down this knowledge. Bob Philpott (Perth) observation. Dinagat or Siargao evolution: in addition to inform We do not have a membership Peter Odekerken (Queensland) Islands could be convenient if it is and educate "in situ", we must fee, but ask a (still not cost- Russell Kingston (Queensland) not too late ... I insisted he writes help not only financially but covering) price for our magazine N Z Dept. of Conservation down as soon as possible the final technically as well Philippine which is published every two Dawn Stewart (NZ) report of the survey he made in people involved at a governmental months. The language of our Elizabeth Lee (NZ) 92: this document he promised to level or in the field if they have brochure is German and English, Peter Stockdale (NZ) Roland WIRTHwho was the serious conservation projects. whereby articles are published in Don Thomas (NZ) instigator of the project, is needed That is the purpose of the their original version first and Ted Kirk (NZ) urgently if we want to use the data programme we have initiated: it is translated at a later stage. This and others yet to be confirmed. before they are outdated since the a modest, hard and long-termed enables us to bring information Conferencefee of (NZ)$230.00 ecological situation on Mindanao is work. Just a word to conclude: the across the "language barrier" more (reducible to (NZ)$210.00if paid getting worse and worse quickly. choice of the Philippine Cockatoo directly. before 15 December 1994) We spent two days in the is obviously symbolicaL the We try to support Bird-related includes all meals except breakfast Mount Kitanglad National Park, challenge goes beyond the strict projects with donations from each morning and the Gala one of the remaining forested objective of the conservation of members and sponsors. One of our Evening. areas on Mindanao. Cockatoos this species .... "Pet Projects" is collecting Accommodation is available at have never been in this high donations for the BPFD-Project of RED-VENTEDCOCKATOO the Conference Centre at (NZ) altitude area (2500 m). We were Dr Gary Cross and his team in Cacatua haematuropygia Australia. $135.00 per room- really surprised to discover some EEP(European Endangered We welcome all interested single/double/twin share. If this is activities normally prohibited in a not suitable there are a number if SpeciesProgram) people to write to us. For our natural reserve: logging (the forest ANNUAlREPORT1993 ground is littered of rotting out information Brochure, write to excellent modestly priced motels 59 birds from 6 European nearby. trunks) and board making, rotan Kakadu United, Postfach, 4002 countries (Danemark, England, Any further enquiries should be harvesting and butterfly catching! Basel,Switzerland,or fax: 0041-61- directed to:- There is no guard and the National France, Germany, Netherlands, 332 09 75. Park bounds seem to be Spain) were registered on the EEP Beatrice Seitz,Editor of Kakadu Barry Caldwell in 1993: 33 are owned by 11 Conference Secretary permanently put back by new United, September 1995 migrants fields ... private breeders and 26 are held 9 Edward Street, Prebbleton 8153, by 5 zoos. CANTERBURY,N.Z.Telephone (03) IN CEBUCITY ON CEBUISLAND 33 cockatoos are wild born and ADDENDUM 349-9248 Fax (03) 324-2786 (March 10th) 26 captive bred. Only 5 of the 17 adult pairs in the EEPare breeding In the last issue (VoL 6 No.3)of PUlLIPPINES It is a pity the Cockatoo has disappeared from Cebu Island and produced 7 hatchlings in PsittaScene a report from Paulo because we would have a 1993. 6 adult males are kept alone: Martuscelli and Dr David Waugh several are known to be female- about the Red-tailed Amazon PHIUPPINE COCKATOO: THE remarkable partner there, Perla Amazona brasiliensis were ULTIMATECHANCE? MAGSALAY,the Philippine killers. Some successful private by Marc Boussekey Wetland and Wildlife Conservation breeders are reluctant to published. The authors have From February 26th to March 19th, Foundation executive director. Her participate in the EEP. missed to mention that the project A first studbook will be I went back to the Philippines in hospitality, her enthusiasm and has been sponsored by the German order to carry on the "Red-Vented her dynamism have made published in 1994. 'Fonds fur Bedrohte Papageien' Cockatoo programme", a now very memorable the day we spent in (Funds for Threatened Parrots), as endangered species. The purpose Cebu City. We offered some SWITZERLAND well as the Nature Conservancy. was both information and posters and we discussed the kind Since 1987 the Zoological conservation concerned. The Society for the Conservation of of cooperation we could have with Kakadu United was founded early information part was successful Species and Population to which PWCFand how to reorganise the this year by my friend Jeannette since I couldhand out 3000 extra local zoo. We visited Pr JUMALON's the 'Fonds fUr Bedrohte Koene and myself. We both keep Papageien' belongs has sponsored Cockatoo posters. It was not the butterfly sanctuary as welL cockatoos and through this we had same with the conservation aspect: A month after I was back, Perla the sucessful studies about the a lot of common things to talk Red-tailed Amazon from Pedro the very fast degradation of the MAGSALAYwrote they discovered about. With all our questions and Scherer Neto in the wild. natural habitat - evidently the a small Cockatoo population at result of the uncontrolled answers, we thought maybe others The poster which Dr. David Cogtong on the very near Bohol might feel the same. We started to progression of the human Waugh has pictured was financed Island and proposed to include it look for people who were population - and the visible in our conservation programme: by Zoo Dresden and transported interested in forming an to Brazil free by British Airways helplessness of the Philippine their proposal will be sent soon. "Information Network". To our I came back to France Assisting Nature Conservation. authorities facing great tasks are amazement, we got responses Armin Brockner the two major reasons. We found convinced that the Philippine from all over the world. Despite again some young Red-Vented Cockatoo would become very the name Kakadu United (Kakadu (FondsfUr bedrohtePapafl,eien) Cockatoos for sale at the Carty Mar quickly on the verge of extinction. is the German word for Cockatoo) market in Manila: 9 on February The species population is already we have members with all kinds of 27th (sold between US 100 and getting old since nearly all the parrots. 500 $, a very expensive price if we young are caught when in the nest consider the local cost of living), 5 for the local trade. The control of other birds on March 19th ( the the traffic is not really efficient commercial turn-over is very fast!). and seizing the birds arises the Corn fields are extensive at problem of where to place them: Palawan and were informed that Rescue Centers lack finance and the Cockatoos were regularly competence. some random

15 PARAGUAY PLANS GO AUEAD

Veteran members of the World Ii'-' i Parrot Trust may recall that I was able to visit Paraguay in 1992, with the help of British Airways Assisting Nature Conservation. f, Here is an extract from that report in 'PsittaScene' February 1993:-

REPORT ON VISIT TO ------, PARAGUAY -OCT.1992 '" ' -- '" by MichaelReynolds I was invited, on behalf of The ~ World Parrot Trust, to visit Asuncion by HMAmbassador to This aviary could be converted to house the Hyacinth Macaws Paraguay, Mr MichaelDibben, who ---~ had visited Paradise Park- headquarters of the World Parrot

Trust - last August. Following that visit we have subject to agreement with the zoo The purpose of my visit was kept in touch with the management, set out to rehouse !"'...... - twofold: first to pursue the idea Ambassador, and we are delighted the group of Hyacinth Macaws. of developing a 'conservation bus' to report that the Trust can now From my previous visit, I believe it similar to the ones we have ~... go ahead on all fronts. Funds have may be practical to 'rewire' an supplied to the Caribbean, and been provided by the Foreign and existing large flight aviary, about second, to advise on the future of Commonwealth Office, first, to 80 feet long, and make a much p'"-. some Hyacinth Macaws fund the purchase of the bus in ... more congenial aviary for these Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus Asuncion, and second to fund the birds. Part of it could be sectioned currently held at Asuncion Zoo. following activities by The World off to make a breeding flight. The Ambassador kindly Parrot Trust:- 4. The Trust is also preparing a arranged a reception at which I 1. A visit by Andrew substantial educational exhibit for had the opportunity to address an Greenwood MRCVS(scheduled for Asuncion Zoo; this will feature ---- audience of ministers, end of November 1994) to examine Hyacinth Macaws, but will also conservationists and business and assess the group of Hyacinth cover a wide range of the people on the subject of the Macaws at Asuncion Zoo, and interesting wildlife of Paraguay. World Parrot Trust, and in advise on their rehousing and Naturally, we are very pleased "'--- particular the possibility of joint future care. The eight remaining to have brought our plans almost action to put a 'Paraguay Wildlife '"' "'- - birds are thought to be seven to fruition, and it is a valuable Express' on the road. I am please males and one female, but it will endorsement of our work that the to be able to report that much be as well for Or Greenwood to Foreign and Commonwealth Office interest was shown, and there is a confirm this. has seen fit to fund our efforts for ...:.... --- good possibility of a cooperative In addition, Dr. Greenwood will, the parrots, first in St Vincent, and effort between a leading as stated in our proposal to the now in Paraguay. Paraguayan conservation FCO:'Investigate the structure and Michael Reynolds foundation and a British bank. policies of the zoo, the welfare of The basic plan is for them to the animals, the skills and locally purchase, restore and potential of the staff, the -- paint a secondhand bus, while the availability of veterinary and World Parrot Trust supplies much laboratory back-up, and of the exhibit material, and subsequently provide a full report general advice based on our and continuing advice to the zoo experience in the Caribbean. management.' The question of the ten 2. The provision of all the '" -- - -o.J Hyacinth Macawsat Asuncion Zoo exhibits for the 'Paraguay Eco is more difficult. There is no Express'. These are currently being doubt that the conditions under designed by the same team who which they are kept are quite put together the three Caribbean -... unsatisfactory. They live in small 'Parrot Buses'. Once again, the aim iron-roofed pens with no is to use parrots and other opportunity to rain-bathe, their flagship species to educate local diet seems inadequate, and they people on the need to preserve A BIG TUANK YOU ,have no breeding facilities. The habitats. (As always, credit must perches are either iron pipes or be given to Paul Butler and RARE p bamboo, whereas all parrots Centre, who conceived the idea of To the 'Italian Delegation' at the """- should have fresh branches to these buses and secured the major Tenerife Convention who collected chew. One pair reportedly laid part of the funding for the $300 to reward Ms.Farrowwho eggs on the ground and tried to Caribbean buses). Early in 1995 provided the Italian translations at .... incubate them; even then, no nest David Woolcock and Nick Reynolds the Loro Parque Convention. And -~ box was provided. They have been of WPT will take the exhibits, fit an even bigger 'thank you' to Ms. r.. ~ there for some years, and their them in the Paraguay bus, and Farrow for her generosity in numbers have make it ready for the road. donating the entire sum to the -< dwindled from 16 to 10. ,, 3. While in Asuncion they will, World Parrot Trust. ------I

16

.... (May-August)concentrateson municipalitieswithintherangeof ACTION FOR CURISTMAS The World Parrot Trust Araucariaangustifolia(themajor A. pretrei,especiallyinthemost contributed towards a importantbreedingandfeeding fruiting treein thenorthof the In this issueyouwill find a field study of the Red- stateat this time),movingto the areas; colourfulsheetwhichhas north-eastofRSandpartsof south- spectacled Parrot . Agreementswiththeownersof membershipdetailsononeside, Amazona pretrei. Wehave eastSCwherethistreeis most thecurrentlyactiveroostsitesto maintainthesesitesuntil the andinformationaboutourvery recently received a full abundant.Eighteenroostsitesare successfulFireflyshirtsonthe known,of which15arecurrently parrotsabandonthem; report from Birdlife . Establishmentofa forumto otherside.(Didyouknowthatwe International- this is an active.Themajorityof theseare havenowsoldover3000of them?) locatedinprivatelyowned considerstrategiesforthedisposal extract. Alsoincludedis info onthelimited plantationsof Eucalyptusspp.or of confiscatedparrots; editionprint of Lear'sMacawby . A campaigntoencourage Pinusspp. David]ohnston.Pleasetryto 'put Collectorsusuallyremoveall landownerstoreforestwith native somethingback'into theworld of TheRed-spectacledParrot the(2-4)youngfrom thenestfor ratherthanexoticspecies, Amazonapretreiis consideredto parrotsbybuyingsomeof our beoneof themostthreatened thelocalpet trade,cuttingand particularlypreferredfoodand excellentmerchandise. oftendestroyingthenestin the nesttreespecies,suchas speciesofbird of SouthAmerica.It Bytheway,theoriginalpainting process.Thisactivityis probably Araucariaangustifoliaand of Lear'sMacawisavailable.The is nowalmostentirelyrestrictedto themostseriousthreatto the forestedareasinthestateof Rio Podocarpuslambertii; first offer of $10000willbe populationof A. pretreiatpresent, . A conservationeducation GrandedoSui(RS),Brazil,whereit accepted.Pleasenotethat David althoughevidencesuggeststhat programmetargetedagainstthe Johnstonisdonatingtheentire is listedasaprotectedspecies large-scaledeforestationfollowing collectorsinmostimportant underfederallaw.It is thoughtto colonisationbyEuropean breedingareasandagainstthose receiptsfor this picture- original andprints - to theTrust. haveundergoneaprecipitous immigrantsoverthelast 150years sectionsofthepopulationwho declineoverthelast50yearsand variouscallshavebeenmadefor hasbeenthemajorcauseforits purchaseparrots; decline. . A campaigntoseektheadoption actionto savethespecies. Protection,managementand of A. pretrei,asanemblemforRio CURISTMAS CARD Unfortunatelythelackof detailed creationofsuitablehabitatand GrandedoSuI; informationonthespecies'status, protectedareasfor A.pretrei, . AdditionalresearchonA. distribution,ecologyandthe achievingareductionin the pretrei,principallyonits WehaveanattractiveChristmas threatsfacingit havepreventedthe collectionandsaleofyoung reproductivesuccess, cardthis year(thefront illustration designandimplementationof picturedbelow).Sendyourorders conservationmeasures. A.pretrei,throughincreasedlaw characteristicsofits roostingsites, enforcementactivitiesandan food anddailyandseasonal in quicklysothat wecanensure Thisreportpresentsasummary educationandpublicawareness movementsinrelationto its food theyreachyouin goodtime.They of theresultsof a 2-yearstudyof campaign,protectionofroostsites supply; areavailableinpacksof ten, theecologyandconservationof andcontinuedmonitoringof the . A studyof theregenerationin postageincluded,£3.50U.K.& Amazonapretreiin southernBrazil, parrotpopulationareconsidered forestedareasofRS; Europeand£4.50($7)to Overseas. includingabrief analysisofthe themostimmediateconservation . Theestablishmentofa Thewordsin thecardsay"With threatsfacingthespeciesand priorities. monitoringschemetodetermine BestWishesforChristmasandthe outlineactionsnecessarytoprotect howtheparrotpopulationis NewYear".Cardscanalsobe it, fundedbyBirdLifeInternational, Principalactionsneededto changingandto evaluatethe suppliedonrequestsimplysaying ConselhoNacionalde successofconservationmeasures. "WithBestWishes",makingthis a DesenvolvimentoCientificoe protectthe speciesare: . Increasedlawenforcement greetingscardfor all occasions. Tecnol6gico(CNPq),Museude Ordersplease(creditcard GenciaseTecnol6giaatthe activitiesandprosecutionsagainst thecollectorsofbirdsand paymentspreferredfor outsidethe PontificiaUniversidadeCat6licade U.K.)to:JudithVenning,WPT, especiallyagainstthedealers, RioGrandedoSul(PUC)the GlanmorHouse,Hayle, concentratinginthemajor Funda<;ao de Amparo aPesquisa do Cornwall TR27 4HY, U.K. EstadodoRioGrandedoSui breedingareasduringthebreeding Fax: (0736)756438 (FAPERGS),andWorldParrotTrust. period; Themainbreedingareasof . Increasedlaw-enforcement A.pretreiarein thesouth-eastand activitiestoreducethecontinuing north-centralregionsofRS.In destructionanddegradationof winterthemajorityof theparrots forestin thespeciesbreedingand occurin thenorth-eastinareas feedingareas; whereAraucariaangustifoliais . Theestablishmentofajoint mostcommon.SomeA. pretreialso police/IBAMA/Secretariada appeartooverwinterin south-east Agricultura'TaskForce'to SantaCatarina(SC)andverysmall coordinatelawenforcement numbersmayalsobreedhere. activities; Recentcountsatroostingsitesput . Theestablishmentofthe theestimateofthewild population PodocarpusStateParkIbitira at 7,500-8,500birds. StateParkandtheSerra NectandraandOcoteaspp. GeralNationalParkwhichat (canelas),Cupaniavernalis presentexistonlyonpaper; (Camboata)andSebastianiaspp. . Improvementofexisting (branquilhos),arethemost publicprotectedareas, ' commonnesttreespecies mostimportantlyEspigao accountingforaround50%ofthe Alto StatePark, AparadosdaSerra nesttrees.Nestholesaregenerally NationalParkand low(mean6.5mfromtheground) andrangeindepthfrom 25-300cm CarazinhoMunicipal (mean77cm).A pretreihasbeen Park,whicharenot reportedtofeedonfruits of a adequatelymanaged; varietyoftreespeciesduringspring . A campaignto andsummer(October-February) encouragethe creationofreservesin but duringlateautunmandwinter

17

-=-- PARROTWATCUINGIN JAMAICA ByDennis Lofto(Winnipeg, Canada)

AfterattendingtheInternational 5.30am on a cloudy day, the Aviculturists'Societyconventionin photographs we took of this were Miamiin January,Ihadthegood unfortunately too dark for fortuneto spendafewdaysin publication. Jamaica.Withtwo friends,I rented On another day we went ahouseoutsideof MontegoBay.It searching for Amazons. We turnedout to beavilla on eight decided to try a part of the Cockpit acresofland, 1500ft up on a Country mentioned in 'Birdsof hillsideoverlookingMontegoBay Jamaica'" as an area where both harbour. species, the Black-billed (Amazona Thefirstmorningwewere agilis) and the Yellow-billed thereweheardconures;thisis the (A. col/aria) might be found. JamaicanConure(Aratinganana), Cockpit Country is described oneof theless colourful species. therein as a wet limestone forest Nextmorning wewereup early asfollows: andoneof thegroundskeepers "The forest is layered and may told us that two parrots had a nest be as high as 15-20m (50-65ft) nearby.Hetook us there and with occasional examples of West showeduswhathecalleda duck- Indian Cedar and Broadleaf ant nest (probablythat of a reaching 25-35m (SO-115ft).There termite) highin a tree.Westarted is a layer of shrubs and herbs to walkback when we saw the pair which included sweetwoods and of Conureswho owned the nest thatch palms and many vines and nearby.The pair were copulating bromelaids. The forest floor is right in front of us. Asit was about dark, with many species of fern Yellow-billedconure- (Amazonacollaria)

growing between outcrops of obscured by dense canopy. A few broken rock." seemed to be curious and looked We drove along the coast from down at us as we photographed Montego Bay, heading east towards them. However,it was a dull, Falmouth. overcast day and it did rain, so the Then we left the Caribbean Sea photographs were not so good. As and headed south towards Cockpit with the earlier flock, we observed Country. It had been raining most a couple of pairs of Conures with of the night and the rough, narrow the Amazons. backroads were, in places, nearly Before we left Jamaica,we impassable. Good Hope Plantation visited the Rocklands Feeding was an area recommended by the Station, near Anchovy, St James field guide. Whenwe reached it, we County. This is a private were taken on a tour, by foot, of establishment where wild the 2,000 acre plantation. Streamer-tailed Hummingbirds, The terrain was rough, rolling Jamaican Mango Hummingbirds hills with occasional outcroppings and Black-faced Grassquits (small of limestone;bush mixed with seed-eating birds) will come and some open country. As we walked sit on your hand to be fed. into the bush we could hear loud, Seeing parrots in the wild was raucous squawking,typical of wonderful!However,with all that Amazon Parrots. As we is going on in the Caribbean as far approached a grove of trees we as ecotourism is concerned, it does could see Amazons in the canopy not seem that much is being done 40-50ftabove.TheywereYellow- in Jamaica.I do know that RARE bills and the flock numbered 50 to has a butterfly project in the John 60 birds. Wewere also able to Crow Mountains but it seems as identify the smaller Black-billed. though the Jamaicans are content There were also a few pairs of to develop tourism along more Jamaican Conures. It appears that traditional lines. they all congregate in the same On another subject, we recently trees to feed. After a few minutes participated in a motor home trade the entire flock flew off down the show at a local convention centre. valley. Peoplewere very interestedinthe On the plantation ground itself, parrots which we displayed but near the greathouse, we saw single were not overly generous with pairs of Yellow-bills and conures contributions. Weraised about $70 flying from tree to tree. Leaving which has been forwarded to the the plantation, on the return World Parrot Trust. journey, we came.across a mixed " Birds of Jamaicaby A. Downer flock of Yellow-bills and Black-bills and R.Sutton, 1990, Cambridge again. This time we were much UniversityPress,page25. JamaicanConure- (Aratinganana) closer and the birds were not

18 St Vincent Parrot Hyacinth Macaw Amazona guildingii Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus In 1993 the Trust sent the third of its Caribbean The World Parrot Trust 'parrot buses' to St Vincent. has funded biological It has also funded a report studies of this species by by Andrew Greenwood Charles Munn and Carlos MRCVSinto the breeding Yamashita, and also the programme in the provision of government aviaries on St supplementary nestboxes. Vincent, and the improvements and avicultural Further field work is urgently needed. support which will follow.

EchoParakeet Psittaculaecho Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus TheWorldParrot banksii Trustis in graptogyne partnership with The Trust has a Jersey Wildlife Preservation six year Lear'sMacaw commitment to Trust in a Anodorhynchus leari this programme longterm This major project is supervised programme.to to help preserve savethis for WPTby leading macaw an endangered researcher Dr. Charles A. Munn sub-species of parakeet, which Ill, and is centred on the is the world's this cockatoo in planting of thousands of Licuri Victoria and rarest parrot palms needed by these macaws. South Australia. with only about Latest reports suggest that 20 remaining. about 100 birds still exist.

PLEASEGETINTOUCHIFYOUWOULD LIKETOHELPTHESURVNALOFANY OFTHESEBIRDS. AIMSOFTUBWORLDPARROTTRUST Theobjectiveofthetrustis to promotethesurvivalofall parrotspeciesandthewelfareofindividualbirds. 1.Byeducating the general public on the threat to parrot survival, 5. By encouraging co-operation in the breeding of parrots by and seeking their iIiterest, concern and support. aviculturists and zoological institutions and better liaison between 2. Byaction to protect and preserve the natural habitats of the captive breeding community and conservation bodies, with the parrots. aim of creating self-sustaining populations of endangered species. 3. Bygatheringand disseminating information on the status of 6. By promoting high standards in the keeping of parrots as pets. parrot populations in the wild and in captivity. 7. By encouraging research projects, Le. the veterinary care of 4. By advocating effective controls on the international trade in parrots and the preservation of genetic diversity. wild-caughtparrots, and its replacement by captive-bred birds. 8. By any other means that may be appropriate.

,------I I Members receive our quarterly I " I UBLP SAVB TUB PARROTS OF TUB WORLD newsletter PsittaScene with news - '~I ~ !i7I about parrot conservation, I Please join the Trust, or encourage friends to join. aviculture and welfare. I I SUBSCRIPTIONRATES(pleasetick) Name...... I I Please send your completed form I to: I D UKand Europe(Single)£15 Address...... I UNITEDKINGDOM I I World Parrot Trust, Glanmor House, I D UKand Europe(Family)£20 ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Hayle. Cornwall TR27 4HY I I UNITED STATESOF AMERICA I I D Fellow (Life Member) £250/US$400 Zip/Postcode ...... PO Box 341141, Memphis, Tennessee 38184, I U.s.A. I Corporate(Annual) PleasechargemyAccess/Visa AccINo. I CANADA I I 0000000000000000 Mr. M Hagen, PO Box 490, Rigaud, Quebec JOP IPa, Canada. I D All Overseas Airmail £17/US$25 I d / $ BENELUX I I (paymentby Access/Visapreferred) Exp. ate Amount £ US ...... Mrs. J Fiege. Graafseweg 37,5451 NA-MILLNetherlands. I I FRANCE I M et Mme Prin, 55 Rue de la Fassiere, 45140 Ingre, France. I D Additionaldonationof£jUS$ ~;~:::~i~~~'~h~~~~'~~;~bi~'~~'~h~'~:;::'" I I DENMARK M Iversen, Alsikemarken 48 2860 Soborg, Denmark. : I heard about the World Parrot Trust from...... I I I I I I I I TUE KAKAPO strigops habroptilus

This is Don Merton's unique shot of a Kakapofeeding its chick in a wild nest. For more information about Don and his work with the Kakapoand other endangered NewZealandbirds, see RosemaryLow'sarticle in this newsletter.

The Kakapois the heaviest parrot in existence, males weighingup to 3.7kg and females up to 2kg.Theywere formerly found in the mountain ranges of the North and South and on the Stewart islands of NewZealand. Nowtheir numbers are greatly reduced and they survive only on LittleBarrier,Codfish and Maudisland. The decline of the Kakapomay have been caused by predators such as rats and other introduced species as wellas the effects of land clearance and hunting. They are particularly vulnerable due to their habit of nesting on the ground, their apparent tameness and their inability to fly.They are mainly solitary. At breeding time the males will aggressivelydefend their mate's territory and then after mating, leave the female to bring up her young alone. The males can also emit a .strangebooming sound which is audible over considerable distahces.

We intend to continue this series of 'Parrots in the Wild', and if any reader can offer us a high quality shot that might be suitable, please get in touch.

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