Using Captive Propagation to Help Save the

1981/1982 COMMITIEES AllIED GROUPS UAISO Puerto Rican Parrot 1 Sheldon Dingle (714) 734-7448 by James W. Wiley, Endangered Wildlife Research Program, AVY AWARDS Dale Thompson (805) 252-3441 Puerto Rico Field Station, Palmer, Puerto Rico SPECIAl RESEARCH and Susan Clubb (305) 226-6778 AVIAN RESEARCH George F. Gee, Endangered Wildlife Research Program, (name to come) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland AVIA TRA SPORTATIO Ron Brown (714) 879-2473 The Puerto Rican parrot (Amazona vit- early 1950's revealed that the parrot popu­ tata) BREEDI G REGISTRY is a small (28 cm, 250-350 g) amazon lation had declined from the estimated Larry Shelton (215) 243-11001732-6490 parrot with emerald green plumage that 2,000 in the 1930's (Wadsworth 1949) to BYLAWS provides perfect camouflage for the bird in about 200 birds (Figure 1) and the species Charlone LeDoux (415) 494-0345 the lush tropical foliage of its rain forest was experiencing extremely low reproduc­ co SERVATIO home. In flight its brilliant blue wing tive success resulting from a number of (name to come) feathers appear jewel-like as the parrot factors (Rodriguez-Vidal 1959). CONVEN110 COORDI ATOR Tom Irela.nd (305) 968-4214 manuevers over the forest canopy. The CONVE TION 1982 parrot's raucous calls once filled the for­ Research Tim Dahle (301) 760-4626 ests of the West Indian island of Puerto The first full-time parrot biologist was EDUCATIO AND MEDIA SERVICES Rico. Tragically, it is now one ofthe many hired in 1968 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Amazona parrot species in dire jeopardy Service's Endangered Wildlife Research ETHICS and is listed as endangered along with the Tom Marshall (703) 759-9431 Program and the U.S. Forest Service, with red-necked (A. arausiaca), red-tailed (A. Fl A CE financial incentive from the World Janice Pritchard (714) 442-1164 brasiliensis), St. Vincent (A. guildingii), Wildlife Fund. The precipitous decline of HOME OFFICE imperial (A. imperialis), and St. Lucia (A. the parrot was further verified when the Helen Hanson (213) 3 2-2988 versicolor) parrots (King 1978). In fact, Service biologist found fewer than 15 per­ I SURA CE most of the Caribbean parrots are in peril cent of the population (24 of 2,000 par­ and many, such as the Cuban macaw (Ara rots) recorded only 14 years before. 'The LEGAL ADVISORY tricolor) Gary Lilienthal (617) 542-7070 and the Puerto Rican parakeet possibility for the species' survival looked (Aratinga maugei), are already extinct (see LEGISLATIO extremely poor and a crash captive Clifton Witt (301) 774-0303 Clark 1905a, 1905b, 1905c; Greenway breeding program appeared essential to SPECIAl LEGISLA110 ADVISOR 1958). save the species. In captivity the parrots Dr. Richard E. Baer (614) 836-5832 Parrot's Decline E DA GERED SPECIE ACT would be provided security against such Felicia Lovelen (202) 33 -1253 Although the Puerto Rican parrot was natural disasters as tropical storms and INJURIOUS SPECIES found throughout Puerto Rico when Col­ disease that might wipe out the remnant Clifton Witt (301) 4-0303 umbus discovered the island in 1493, the Luquillo population. CALIFOR IA UAI 0 population steadily declined with Euro­ The potential for captive propagation Hal Koontz (805) 366-6944 pean man's colonization of the island. ofthe Puerto Rican parrot appeared to be MEMBERSHIP PROMOTIO Ralph Anderson (703) 690-2146 Much of the original forest was cleared to good because of the species' behavioral NOMI AT! G make room for farms and grazing land for characteristics and nutritional re­ Herschel Frey (412) 561-7194 domestic animals. In the early 1900's there quirements, and the successful captive PUBLIC RELATIONS were still several thousand parrots, but a propagation of other Amazona species

drastic decrease in the parrot's range had I (about 60070 of the species have been bred PUBUC RESPO SIBILITY Dr. Val Clear (317) 642-0795 occurred; by about 1940 the species was in captivity; Nichols 1978, Noegel 1979). PUBLlCATIO S found only in the Luquillo Forest of Captive propagation has been auseful tool Sheldon Dingle (714) 734- 448 eastern Puerto Rico where it exists today in in the recovery ofother species in the U.S. RAFFLE the 11,330 hectare (28,000 acre) Caribbean Fish and Wildlife Service's Endangered Tony Giunta (215) 467-4719 National Forest. Wildlife Research Program (e.g., masked REORGA IZATIO STUDY The U.S. Forest Service recognized the bobwhite, Colinus virginianus ridgwayi; (name to come) Puerto Rican parrots' vulnerability in the whooping crane, Grus americana; and STATE COORDI ATOR Dr. Richard E. Baer (614) 836-5832 mid-1940's and began programs to protect Aleutian Canada goose, Branta canaden­ TI-IEIT the bird and its habitat. However, nothing sis leucopareia) , but none ofthese other ef­ Ray Brode (213) 373-2741 had been done to understand the species' forts have been as closely integrated into VETER1NAR Y AFFAIRS ecology or reasons for its decline and little the management program to save the Dr. Thomas Angel,Jr. (606) 371-4929 was done for the next 20 years. Despite the species as has been for the Puerto Rican WAYS AD MEA S Glen Haddock (503) 246-5615/639-7157 Forest Service's efforts, people continued parrot. The Endangered Wildlife to harvest the young birds for pets. The Research Program began a propagation Service, not realizing its importance, even effort for this species at the Patuxent WATCHBIRD STAFF encouraged the removal of the parrots' Wildlife Research Center in 1970 with the Sheldon Dingle/Editor (714) 734-7448 Susan Dingle1Assistant to Editor (714) 734- 448 favorite nesting tree, the palo colorado construction of facilities and testing of Richard D. Tkachuck, Ph.D. 1AsstJtant to Editor (Cyrilla racemiflora), then considered a JerryJenningslAssociate Editor (213) 884-5476 them with the more abundant Hispaniolan M.Jean Hessler/Art Dir. (714) 548-3133 weed species. A study conducted by biolo­ parrot (A. ventralis). The use of a sur­ Janice Pritchard/Finances (714) 442-1164 David Gillilan/Manager (714) 278-5542 gists of the Commonwealth of Puerto rogate (captive population of a closely­ Rico Department of Agriculture in the related, nonendangered species) is part of 4 T

(All Inclusive, from Miami) Its sheer immensity, unrivaled DEPARTURE DATES diversity of fauna and flora, MAY 1,1982 its beauty and tranquility maRe the Amazon a paradise AUGUST 5, 1982 for 'nature lovers. You can now be a part of the Amazon experience 19y contacting: International Expedition Inc. Suite 104 1776 Independence Court Birmingham, AI. 35216 (205) 870-5550 TOLL FREE 1-800-633-4734 all captive studies at Patuxent. Treat­ ments, techniques, and risks of any kind aretested with the surrogate species before using them on the rarer species (Erickson 1968). AMERICAN FEDERATION OF AVICULTURE Luquillo Aviary Dedicated to conservation of bird wildlife through encoutagement of In 1971 the Puerto Rico Zoo at captive breeding programs, scientific research, and education of the general public. Mayaguez donated the first 2 Puerto MEMBER NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Rican parrots to the Patuxent program. Mrican Love Bird Society These birds had been taken as nestlings American Cockatiel Society American Pigeon Fanciers Council from the Luquillo Forest in 1956, but the International Bird Institute Aviculrural Society of America American Budgerigar Society zoo did not attempt serious captive pro­ MEMBER CLUBS pagation until the late 1960's. In 1972, 1of 2 wild birds recently caught in theLuquillo ALASKA MARYLAND Forest for transfer to Patuxent died while Alaska Cage Bird Club. Inc. Baltimore Bird Fanciers, Inc. in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Maryland Cage Bird Society ARIZONA National Capitol Bird Club Animal and Plant Health Inspection Sta­ Arizona Avicultural Society MASSACHUSETIS tion quarantine in Florida. The survivor CALIFORNIA Boston Society for Aviculture was added to the Patuxent flock after an American Canary Fanciers Western New England Cage Bird Society additional quarantine at Patuxent. An Aviary Association of Kern Bi-Counties Bird Club MICHIGAN outbreak of Asiatic Newcastle disease in Budgie Fanciers of San Diego County Mid-West Canary Club, Inc. dictat~d Butte COUnty Bird Club Puerto Rico that these and all California Game Breeders' Association MINNESOTA other parrots transferred from Puerto Capitol City Bird Society Minnesota Cage Bird Association Cenrral California Cage Bird Club Rico would undergo a similar rigorous and Exotic Bird Breeder's Association MISSOURI potentially hazardous quarantine. The Finch Society of San Diego COUnty Greater Kansas City Avicultural Society Foothill Bird Fanciers Missouri Cage Bird Association decision to establish a 2nd aviary in Puer­ Fresno Canary & Finch Club to Rico was made shortly after the loss of Golden Gate Avian Society NEBRASKA Golden West Game Breeders & Bird Club Greater Omaha Cage Bird Society the quarantined bird, as such risks wen" Great Western Budgerigar Society Hookbill Hobbyists of Southern California unacceptable, and a captive facility was NEVADA Long Beach Bird Breeders Las Vegas Avicultural Society needed to support other aspects ofthefield Los Angeles Pigeon Club Norco Valley Bird Breeders studies in Puerto Rico. The Luquillo NEW HAMPSHIRE Nu-Color Bird Association aviary would furnish a place to care for Orange County Bird Breeders New Hampshire Aviculrural Society San Diego COUnty All Bird Breeders Association eggs, and to rehabilitate sick and injured San Diego County Canary Club NEW JERSEY Santa Clara Valley Canary & Exotic Bird Club Cage & Aviary Bird Society birds from the wild, as well as a site for South Bay Bird Club New Jersey Bird Breeders Association captive breeding. Construction ofthe Lu­ South Coast Finch Society Southern California German Toy Pigeon Club NEW YORK quillo aviary was completed in late 1973. Southern California Roller Canary Club American Singers Club, Inc., Chapter #1 Facility design, medical care, nutrition, Valley of Paradise Bird Club Long Island Cage Bird Association West Valley Bird Society New York State Budgerigar Sociery and other management programs were Western Bird Breeders Society provided by Patuxent and successful psit­ NORTH CAROLINA COLORADO Charlotte-Meuolina Cage Bird Society tacine aviculturists. Rocky Mountain Society of Aviculrure Smokey Mtn. Cage Bird Society In 1973, 5 Puerto Rican parrots were CONNECTICUT OHIO taken as eggs orchicks from the forest and Connecticut Association for Aviculture Central Ohio Bird Fanciers, Inc. placed in the new aviary. Since 1973 all ad­ Mid-America Exotic Bird Society FLORIDA Ohio Valley Cage Bird Club ditions from the wild to the Luquillo Aviary & Cage Bird Society of South Florida aviary have been either as eggs or nestlings. Gold Coast Exotic Bird Club OREGON Greater Jacksonville Avicultural Society Columbia Canary Club Meanwhile, captive propagation studies Sunshine State Cage Bird Society Exotic Bird Club of Oregon Sunshine State Pet Dealers Association Southern Oregon Game & Cage Breeders continued at Patuxent; in 1973, the first Suncoa5t Finch Society Hispaniolan chick was hatched and reared PENNSYLVANIA GEORGIA The Greater Pittsburgh Cage Bird Society there. However, it was decided that the Georgia Cage Bird Society Philadelphia Aviculrural Society parrot captive propagation effort should

ILLINOIS TEXAS be centralized at the field aviary, so by the Greater Chicago Cage Bird Club Alamo Exhibition Bird Club end of 1978, the captive Puerto Rican and Illinois Game & Pet Breeders Society Capital City Cage Bird Club Dallas Cage Bird Society Hispaniolan parrot populations were INDIANA Fort Worth Bird Club transferred from Patuxent to the Luquillo Indiana Bird Fanciers UTAH aviary. IOWA Aviculrural Society of Utah During the development of the captive Mid·America Cage Bird Society VIRGINIA program, the team of Fish and Wildlife KANSAS/MISSOURI Tidewater Cage Bird Fanciers of Virginia Service and Forest Service biologists and Greater Kansas City Avicultural Society WASHINGTON technicians found a myriad of problems LOUISIANA Northwest Aviculture Society threatening the parrots' survival in the Gulf Sourh Bird Club Washington Budgerigar Society wild. It was immediately evident that the WISCONSIN parrot is an extremely difficult species to Wisconsin Cage Bird Club study in the field, living in dense tropical forests and being exceedingly wary and in­ conspicuous. However, through the use of treetop observation lookouts and blinds 6 placed near the nests, the habits of the birds were slowly revealed. Figure 1 Our NEWEST Product Decline In Puerto RIcan Parrot PopulatIon the HEATED BIRD CAGE

The energy-saving 50W Heater is at­ tached to the underside of the Cage. number The air between the floor or the Cage parrots and the removeable sanitary trays acts as an insulator. And the RADIANT HEAT is retained by the plastic WIND GUARD covering the four sides of the Cage. Reproduction For hospital use, FILTER CAPS are available to filter bacteria from the air The parrot's reproductive season nor­ within the Cage, and to retain the ra­ mally extends from February through dian heat even without the WIND June (egg laying to fledging); most eggs are GUARD. (The Filter Caps allow light to pass thru so that they do not en­ laid in late February and March. The bird courage sleep when not desired for lays 3 eggs per clutch (observed range 2-4), treatment of the patient.) and double-clutching is known at nests SPECIAL where the first clutch has failed. Incuba­ SOME OF OUR OTHER FINE PRODUCTS .. ~::J>Ff~.~~~~.~ 00 tion, done by the female without help Avia, Super Hygliceron S, Vionate, Trace .... $103 from the male, lasts 25 to 27 days. Nor­ Minerals, Wheat Germ Oil, Vita-C, and a INCLUDES THE WIND GUARD beautiful line of handcrafted hardwood and Shipping and handling charges not included. mally the male feeds the female near the wire cages. California residents add 6% sales tax. nest during the incubation and early nesting periods. The young leave the nest The HEATED BIRD CAGE ORDER FROM WE SHIP when they are 60 to 70 days old, but the may be purchased for a birds continue as a family unit for the re­ limited time only at .. UPS mainder of the year, and the chicks may PITTMAN'S EVERY .... ~ remain closely associated with the adults .... ~ (714) 779-1350 WEEKDAY through the early part ofthe next breeding • season. The birds eat fruit and seeds in 5642 EAST LA PALMA AVE. #108, ANAHEIM, CA 92807 season, especially fruit of the sierra palm (Prestoea montana) and tabonuco (Dacryodes excelsa), leaves of the magnolia (Magnolia splendens), and flowers like those of the Piptocarpha tebrantha vine. Threats to Survival Threats to the adults, although few, in­ clude probably 2 raptors (red-tailed hawk, Valentine's Buteo jamaicensis, and broad-winged hawk, B. platypterus; fighting among Smo-o-o-th themselves for nesting sites; tropical storms; disease; and man. Threats to the eggs and young include severe weather, bright pearly-eyed thrashers (Margarops fus­ catus), rats (Rattus rattus), honeybees wire! (Apis mellifera), and the parasitic larvae 0 f the warble fly (Philornis pici). Man has been a historical threat through habitat Your No. 1 source of supply for destruction and harvesting chicks for pets and food. Honeybees pose a moderate * BIRD CAGE WIRE threat to chicks in the late nesting season, * CAGE BUILDING EQUIPMENT but are a more serious threat after the chicks have fledged (the normal honeybee swarming period) when they may take over a vacant nesting cavity for their hive and render it unavailable to parrots for the VALENTINE next season. Rats are normally not a prob­ lem at parrot nests unless the eggs or young EQUIPMENT COMPANY chicks are left unguarded by the adults 9706 SOUTH INDUSTRIAL DRIVE· BRIDGEVIEW, ILLINOIS 60455 overnight, an unusual occurrence unless PHONE: Area Code (312) 599·1101 something has happened to the adult female parrot. Warble fly larvae burrow under the 7 nestling's skin and may seriously debilitate a chick by destroying muscle tissue or causing infection, which could lead to the chick's death. Removal ofthe maggots has saved the lives of 3 badly infested parrot chicks. The warble fly also parasitizes thrasher nestlings, so that species has been the subject of tests to determine the effec­ tiveness of several preventative treat­ ments. Pyrethrin powder dusting at 2-day intervals and a commercial "pest strip" at­ tached to the roof of the thrasher nest boxes controlled parasitism and subse­ quently improved thrasher nesting suc­ cess. We will soon attempt some biological control experiments (garlic, tobacco). As with all other procedures used in the proj­ ect, the warble fly control methods will be thoroughly tested on surrogate species Artificial nest site used by pair of Puerto Rican parrots in Luquillo Forest. Polyvinyl chlonde tube re­ before incorporation into the Puerto placed the natural palo colorado tree cavity which had rotted away. Rican parrot management program. made darker within) to take advantage of with the environment ofthe forest without Pearly-eyed Thrashers differences between the parrot and the the succor ofadults toteach themsuchsur­ Like parrots, pearly-eyed thrashers also thrasher nest site preferences. The parrots vival essentials as ryredator avoidance and nest in cavities and in prospecting for nest have responded positively toward these which foods to e_L sites may discover and destroy the un­ deepened and protected nests so that now Many captive Puerto Rican parrot eggs covered eggs or young parrot chicks while all wild pairs are using such modified sites. and most of those rescued from jeopard­ the adult female parrot is offthe nest. Dur­ By encouraging a pair of thrashers to ized wild nests are incubated in an in­ ing the early years ofthe study (1968-1971) nest in the parrot's nesting territory, we cubator room separate from the rest ofthe 23 parrot nesting sites were thought to be have actually used the thrasher to protect aviary. A Petersime (Modell) and 24 plentiful due to the size of the forest and the parrot nest site. A thrasher nest box is several Lyons cabinets are used for incu­ the number oflarge trees. However, it was placed distant enough from the parrot's bation and hatching. The incubation and later discovered that the number of suit­ nest to reduce conflict between the 2 hatching environments are similar to those able cavities and the fierce competition for species, but close enough to contain the used for the domestic fowl. The hatchery these sites from cavity-nesting thrashers parrot nest site in the thrasher's territory. and its equipment aremonitored constant­ severely limited the availability of ade­ The nesting thrasher pair defends its ter­ 1y during the incubation season. The quate nesting chambers (Snyder 1978, ritory from other intruding thrashers, hatchery has a stand-by generator to sup­ Snyder and Taapken 1978). To determine thereby protecting the parrot nest from in­ ply electricity to the facility when the mun­ thrasher cavity depth and design prefer­ cidental thrasher nest prospecting and icipal supply is interrupted, a situation ences, we tested a variety ofnest box styles predation (Snyder and Taapken 1978). which seems to occur at the remote field and dimensions in several experiments. Since incorporating these measures into aviary with amazing regularity during the Although they showed a wide tolerance the program, the parrots have experienced hatching period. no serious problems with thrashers. Sexing All parrot nests have now been modi­ Sexing the Puerto Rican parrot was one fied with plastic, fiberglass, and other ofthe most frustrating tasks in the propa­ materials to exclude rain and discourage gation effort. The Puerto Rican parrot is predators from entering. A trap door near not sexually dimorphic, and although be­ the bottom of the cavity allows access to havior can be a reliable method of sexing the chicks and eggs. Doors in the bottom heterosexual pairs, homosexual bonds do ofthe nesting cavities areessential ifyoung form. The Puerto Rico Zoo pair, mention­ are to be regularly inspected for general ed early, was one of these homosexual health, proper growth, and to detect in­ pairs. Pair bonds formed by the homosex­ festations by warble fly larvae. ual pairs are strong and almost impossible Propagation to break once established. Our objective in both the wild and cap­ Since it is important to know the sex of tive parrot projects has been to get every our captives to avoid homosexual pair­ bird we can back into the wild to bolster ings, we sought techniques that carried as the wild population. However, when suffi­ little risk as possible to the bird, but could Pearly-eyed thrasher searching for prey among cient wild nests are not available for foster­ be used to accurately determine sex. We bromeliad bracts. ing captive-produced chicks or when such tried 3 sexing techniques based on dif- for nest cavities, thrashers choose wild nests are out of synchrony with the

shallower nest sites than the parrots. In captive production, we have had to retain 1Research in collaboration with Institute of fact, the parrots were apparently using chicks in the aviary. We are anxious to Tropical Forestry, Southern Forest Experiment Sta­ shallower cavities than they preferred work on another alternative: the release of tion, USDA, Forest Service. 2Use oftrade name does not imply endorsement of because only shallow cavities were avail­ captive-held chicks into the wild as free­ commercial products by the Federal Government. able. Special parrot boxes were designed flying birds. This will require pre-condi­ 3Petersime Incubator Co., Gettysburg,Oh45328. or natural cavities modified (deepened and tioning so the birds will be able to cope 4Lyon Rural Electric Co., San Diego, Ca 92112. 8 ferences in the genetic material found in locate sex chromatin in cells from a dif­ the cell: karyotyping, nuclear density, and ferent source. It is unfortunate that these sex chromatin. At the Houston Zoo, Greg techniques (karyotyping, nuclear density, Mengden attempted to use a karyotyping and sex chromatin) are not yet usable since procedure early in the program (1975) to these methods are equally effective for any Kaytee -Mixed for determine the sex of 8 captive Puerto age birds. Sexing at an early age has the ad­ Rican parrots. The chromosome techni­ vantage in that if the sex ratio ofthe cap­ que is a safe procedure, as it only requires tives is skewed toward one sex, the sexes of Every eed cells from the pulp of a rapidly growing chicks can be determined at the wild nest feather (Mengden and Stock 1975). Even and the desired individual selected. after some repeated samplings, good prep­ Laparotomy (surgical observation of arations had not been obtained from the gonads) is a quick and very effective several birds. At least 2 of the birds were sexing technique, especially with the new found to be improperly sexed a few years optic fiber scopes. But since it does require later. Sexing errors may be attributed to surgical procedures, including restraint the poor samples rather than the techni­ and an abdominal incision, the more con­ que. Although this is basically a very good servative sexing techniques, such as those procedure, it is not a practical technique previously described, are generally prefer­ for sexing large numbers of birds or for red. Eight laparomtomies were performed sexing birds within a short time. on Hispaniolan parrots, but 2 of the animals died the night following the oper­ ations. Postmortem examinations reveal­ ed no hemorrhage or other apparent com­ plications associated with the operation. Stress of the operation combined with a These tags list the ingredients of possible mild nutritional imbalance may each of the many Kaytee Mixes. have contributed to the deaths. No laparo­ Each ingredient in every Kaytee tomies have been performed on Puerto Formula has a specific job to do. Rican parrots. One will supply protein for strong Our sexing method ofchoice is the fecal bodies. Another supplies fats and steroid analysis conducted at the San carbohydrates for energy or a Diego Zoo by Dr. Arden Bercovitz, Nancy show winning sheen on coat or Czekala, and Lyndall Erb (Bercovitz, et. fea thers. Others supply minerals ale 1978) because it does not traumatize or and vitamins. It is the balance stress the captives and it has proven to be of each of these ingredients that Adult male Puerto Rican pa170t at entrance to arti­ reliable. The technique involves the collec­ makes the difference and here is ficial nest cavity in Luqutilo Forest. tion of fecal material from which sex hor­ where our century of formulating Nuclear density, a technique to measure mones are analyzed to determine relative experience pays off for the one DNA (genetic material) in the nucleus of estrogen:testosterone levels. Although who feeds Kaytee. the cell (red blood cell in birds), can be fecal steroid analysis has been an effective used to detect the small difference in DNA method for determining sex in our adult parrots, as yet sex cannot be determined between sexes. The difference exists (/fiJ KAYTEE PRODUCTS INCORPORATED because the ZZ sex chromosome of the for birds less than a year old·. We need a 1 male contains more DNA than the ZW rr iable sexing method for our young birds t~J, chromosome ofthe female. However, Dr. and the biologists at San Diego are Ellen Rasch (East Tennessee State Univer­ now refining their technique for use with sity Medical School) found that while the the young parrots. differences in nuclear density are sufficient Artificial Insemination to determine sex between male and female The captive Puerto Rican parrot flock cranes, they are insufficient to determine contains more females than males (8 fe­ sex in Puerto Rican parrots with the pres­ males and 6 males), 1 pair of homosexual ent sensitivity of the method. females, and 2 heterosexual pairs that Sex chromatin is a reliable way to deter­ produce infertile eggs. The reason for the mine sex in most mammals and fish, and in infertility appears to be a reluctance ofthe some birds. Sex can be determined by lo­ males to copulate with the females. Fe­ cating the sex chromatin (W-body) in the male Puerto Rican parrots have shown no Kaytee feeds are distributed nationwide non-dividing cell. In birds, the tissue sam­ reluctance to lay eggs, and even unmated It is Kaytee quality that has made its ple is obtained by pulling a growing Puerto Rican and Hispaniolan parrots product known nationally. In business feather and examining the feather pulp have laid eggs. Obviously, artificial insem­ since 1866, the company continually im­ cells (Bloom and Macera 1974). Dr. Steven ination of the mateless females and the proves its product and services. All Bloom (Cornell University) examined the homosexual pair will be necessary to ob­ Kaytee products should be available at a dealer near you. If you have no feather pulp from our Puerto Rican par­ tain fertile eggs. Artificial insemination dealer, please contact Kaytee Products, rots in 1977 but was unable to locate the would also be useful in fertilizing eggs of Inc., Chilton, Wisconsin 53014. sex chromatin. The number of pigment females whose mates have some behav­ granules in the feather pulp interferred ioral problems and are not copulating with the procedure. It may be possible to (Gee and Temple 1978). 9 In 1978 a week was spent in Puerto Rico • developing methods of semen collection 1981/1982 OFFICERS TOM IRELAND / Prmdenl and insemination. Although 3 fertile eggs CLIFTON WIIT/lst Vice President were produced by an inseminated bird, the LEE PHIllIPS/2nd Vice PreSIdent HELEN HANSON/Execullve Secrelary/Home Office fertility was probably due more to subse­ PHYLLIS K. MARTIN/Con-espondmg Secrelary JANICE PRITCHARD/Finances quent copulations by the male thanto arti­ ficial insemination. Semen was success­ fully taken from a second male in 1979, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON MARYLAND but in such small quantities that it was not Clifton Witt (301) 774-0303 Mrs. Lee Phillips (301) 798-13)3 used to inseminate a female. The time STATE and REGIONAL COORDINATOR MASSACHUSETTS available for insemination-related activi­ CHAIRMAN Mark Runnals (413) )33-128) ties has been limited by demands from Dr. Richard E. Baer (614) 836-)832 MICHIGAN wild parrot management and nest REGIONAL COORDINATORS Garry R. Susalla (313) 33)-0643 NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA protection. Tim Dahle (301) 760-4626 Ron Johnson (612) 423-2197 Some day we may be able to collect SOUTHEASTERN MISSISSIPPI semen, freeze and store it in a sperm bank. (name to come) James Duroy () Cryogenic (low temperature) semen stor­ MID-EASTERN MISSOURI age has been possible in cranes, geese, and CraJg Hendee (312) 724-2)78 Ray Rudisell (314) 631-)174 ducks at Patuxent. Fertility rates are not CENTRAL MONTANA Jim Fours (316) 83)-2149 G. Allan Taylor (406) )87-3338 adequate for general insemination (about

WESTERN NEBRASKA 300/0 compared with 85% with fresh se­ Jeff L Wigginton (206) 8)4-3490/82)-7119 Robert G. Travnicek (402) 821-2490 men), but are satisfactory for introducing CALIFORNIA NEVADA James H. Coffman (41) 692-2234 the genetic traits of the semen donor into Pac Dingle (702) 647-2213 the population inseminated. It is im­ NEW HAMPSHIRE perative that the genetic diversity of cap­ STATE COORDINATORS Jerry Brissom (603) 424-7624 tive endangered species be maintained ALASKA NEW JERSEY Virginia Sraley (907) 344-6732 Dr. Barry Adler (201) 762-)488/20_ .110 because that diversity enables an animal ARIZONA NEW YORK population to adjust to a changing en­ Mickey Ollson (602) 939-1003 Pauicia Coffey ()16) 921-)741 vironment and retain vigor. Although cap­ CALIFORNIA (north) NORTH CAROLINA Patricia Barbera (707) 996-4266 Isabell Taylor (919) 748-1602 tive propagation or protection of a small remnant population in its natural habitat CALIFORNIA (central) NORTH DAKOTA/SOUTH DAKOTA Hank Johnson (209) 233-3322 Carol Hamilton (60) )3)-2)41 ensures survival of the species for many

CALIFORNIA (south) OHIO generations, it generally leads to a loss of John and Marguerite Agrella (714) %1-7420 Chris Jacobs (614) 444-6037 the genetic diversity that has proven essen­ COLORADO OKLAHOMA tial to the survival of the species (Metder Milo Wells (40)427-31)0 Ed Schmidt (303) 79)-2747 and Gregg 1969). CONNECTICUT OREGON Bill Parlee (203) )28-14)8 Joe McLaughlin ()03) )38-6323 Captive Gene Pool FLORIDA PENNSYLVANIA The captive flock contains birds with Mrs. M. Simmons (30) 772-2632 Herschel Frey (412) %1-7194 genetic representation of all recent wild GEORGIA TENNESSEE pairs of Puerto Rican parrots, including Peggy Cochran (404) 977-9842 Beth Greenberg () some birds that have since died. As such HAWAII TEXAS Randy Colby (808) 661-8617 name to come there are 8 different or partially different

INDIANA UTAH family stocks represented among the 14 Conrad Meinert (219) 269-2873 Rex Kennedy (801) )71-6183 captives. Because the captive flock con­ IOWA VIRGINIA tains offspring from wild pairs that are no Dr. William D. Klipec ()1) 277-674) Torn Masshall (703) ))9-9431 longer alive, we will be able to increase KANSAS WASHINGTON Jim Fours (361) 83)-2149/83)-3326 Jeff Wigginton (206) 8)4-3490 genetic diversity within the wild popula­ tion by introducing captive-produced des­ KENTUCKY WASHINGTON D.C Dr. Thomas B. Angel. Jr. (606) 371-4929 Ruth Hanessian (301) 424-PETS cendants into the wild flock. As the captive LOUISANA WISCONSIN flock contains this wide genetic represen­ Joseph Beter. Jr. ()04) 393-1133 John Nero (414) 499-9013 tation of the wild population, our current policy is to take additional birds into cap­ 1981/82 SCHEDULE FOR AFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS tivity only when the chick clearly would November 19rh thru 31st, 1981 not be able to survive at the nest. Kansas City, Missouri-Hilton Airport Plaza Inn National Cage Bird Show combined with AFA. Double Clutching AFA Board meeting. Saturday, Nov 21st. Double clutching is a technique whereby February 13th thru 15th, 1982 removal of a pair's first set of eggs results Seattle, Washington-Hyatt House Hotel (near airport) in the female laying a replacement clutch. MInI convention, AFA Board meeting. Saturday, Feb. 13th. By artificially incubating or placing the May 1982 (dates and hotel to be announced) first clutch under another female and Los Angeles, California allowing the pair to raise it second clutch, production of offspring is increased con­ August 4th thru 8th, 1982 Washington, D.C-Washington Hilton Hotel siderably. This technique has been very 9th Annual Convention, AFA Board meeting - Wednesday, Aug. 4th_ valuable in the recovery efforts for the en­ dangered peregrine falcon, Falco peregri- - 10 I I ~ nus (Fyfe et. al. 1978), and whooping pair of Puerto Rican parrots tried to take crane (Kepler 1978). We have experimen­ over the nest. The Hispaniolan suffered tally double-clutched captive and wild through the ordeal of not being brooded Puerto Rican parrots, which has resulted during the nights, poor feeding rates (we in 2 pairs producing second clutches (lout supplementally fed the chick when the of 3 clutches was fertile) in the aviary and male was offforaging), and a wet nest. We in 1980, 1 wild pair producing a fertile could not have taken such risks with a replacement clutch. Future management Puerto Rican parrot chick, but use of the Hispaniolan chick let us keep the nest ac­ for the Puerto Rican parrot will take ad­ WHITE-BREASTED vantage of their clutch replacement char­ tive until thechick was readyto fledge. The BLUE-BREASTED acteristics and could greatly increase pro­ situation did not improve enough to allow NORMAL COLORS duction within the aviary and in the wild. the Puerto Rican chick to be replaced and Aviary Use fledge from this nest, but through the use ofthe surrogate, thenest was kept active to Captive Hispaniolan parrots, which are the very end and the pair returned in 1980 housed on a different floor ofthe Luquillo ~ Herschel Frey and successfully raised 5 chicks. These aviary, have proven useful in a number of types of manipulations expand the repro­ ways in the conservation program for the ductive potential of the wild and captive 1170 Firwood Dr. Puerto Rican parrot. Productive Hispani­ Puerto Rican flocks. Pittsburgh, PA. 15243 olans are used to incubate Puerto Rican (412) 561-7194 parrot eggs, and, most importantly, to Hope for Survival raise their young. Puerto Rican young The conservation program has halted brooded under Hispaniolans show more the decline in the Puerto Rican parrot pop­ normal growth that those hand-raised by ulation, but much needs to be done to re-­ us and are better conditioned for place­ establish the parrot as a healthy popuIa­ ment into foster Puerto Rican nests in the tion intheLuquilloForest. Thespecies still forest. Also, fostering chicks under lingers on the brink ofextinction duetothe Hispaniolan parents greatly reduces the small number of animals in the popula­ Buying • Breeding need for human labor and avoids possible tion, its restricted range, and small, rela­ Selling imprintip'~ difficulties associated with tively young captive population. Further­ BY DEL LlPELT hand-raismg. These Puerto Rican parrot more, the security of the captive popuIa­ chicks, if of the right age, are used to in­ tion is compromised due to its location tells how to: • Raise more babies crease the number of birds fledged per within the same forest as the wild popuIa­ • Save time and money family in the wild or to replace eggs or tion and the maintenance ofall captives in • Build cages, feeders, seed cleaners young in an unsuccessful wild nest. one building. It is intended that other cap­ and much more! • Easy, informative reading In areas of heavy predator pressure, tive flocks will be established in several • Highly recommended by readers eggs have been taken from the wild nest geographically isolated locations on Puer­ • 10 day money back guarantee (exchanged with substitute dummy eggs) to Rico and elsewhere as insurance against • 123 pages, soft bound for safe keeping at the aviary. The eggs natural catastrophes. Also, once the wild ORDER NOW for this season! hatch in the hatcher or under Hispanio­ populationhas shownclear stabilization in lans, and all young Puerto Rican parrots the Luquillo Forest, new popuIations will $6.95 postpaid (CA res. add 42¢ tax) are reared by Hispaniolan parrots for be re-established in Puerto Rican forests Del R. Lipelt several days before returning them to the within the species' former range. 7816 Clive Ave, Whittier, CA 90606 nest. The dummy eggs are removed from The captive program has played a the wild nest when the young parrots are prominent part ofthe recovery effort, and substituted. In the past, plaster eggs have its role will take on additional importance been full of holes where thrashers have with expanding production. In 1979 a tried to destroy the eggs in the nest. milestone was achieved in the captive pro­ Hispaniolan young of a similar size are gram when the first captive-produced used to replace injured or diseased Puerto Puerto Rican parrot chick was raised. Rican parrot young while the latter are That chick was fostered into a wild nest treated at the aviary. The Puerto Rican which it shared with a wild foster sibling parrots are replaced in the nest when they before fledging in June. Two captive-pro­ are healthy and the Hispaniolan returned duced Puerto Rican parrots were raised in to the aviary. Hispaniolan parrot young 1980 and these were also fostered into a are also substituted into nests in place of wild nest from which they successfuIly ~~:~~_c Puerto Rican parrot chicks when the fledged. The 1980 family of 4 was still chicks are in any kind of danger (e.g., together in February 1981 when we obser­ desertion, predation, defective nest). At 1 ved them foraging intheir nest valley. Ifwe specializing in nest in 1979 the female deserted the nest can improve the survival ofyoung parrots Lovebirds • Cockatiels just as the chicks were hatching; only the after fledging and increase captive produc­ and mutations male was left to care for the chicks. One tion so more chicks can be fostered into G~ &.Jf/~ 9~ chick survived, but rather than risk losing wild nests or released, we are optimistic it, we substituted a Hispaniolan chick dur­ that the wild population may yet survive (714) 753-5974 ing this period of uncertainty. despite the tremendous odds it faced when 851 Saxony Road· Encinitas, CA 92024 Complicating the situation, another the program was begun 12 years ago.• - For literature cited write editor. 11