and the cocks can be quite good talk­ ers. Parent-raised birds are difficult to tame and inherit some of the nervous­ ness of the wild bird. They are one species that should be hand reared even if the babies are to return to the aviary for breeding rather than to by Jack C. Eitniear, become pets. San Antonio, TX Their diet is typical of most small to medium Australian parrots. Most In earch ofMexico' Australian aviculturists do not use pel­ lets, preferring seed based diets, and a Red-cap will do well on a Cockatiel Endangered Bearded Wood,partridge type seed mix with abundant fresh ".... in the highland forest of played a greater role in the species fruit and vegetables also being provid­ Veracruz [Mexico} there is not a rarer recovery. Hundreds of birds are ed. I use a seed mix of about 50/0 sun­ bird than the Bearded Wood-partridge' included in one list or another but pri­ flower, 200/0 canary seed and the Salvin and Godman (1888-1904) ority action is seldom taken until the remainder a mix of millets and pan­ species is included in one of the IUCN icum seed types. Favored fruits and VeracnJZ, Mexico Action Plans. In 1995 the "Status vegetables include apple, pear, grape, A cool fresh mist coated the moun­ Survey and Conservation Action Plan corn, celery, kale, capsicum and tainside as we hiked up the narrow for Partridge, Quails, Francolins endive. If you live in an area that has cobblestone path. Giant tree ferns tow- Snowcocks and Guinea fowl" was Australian eucalyptus growing, a feed , ered over the trail. In the distance the published. In order to draft the plan a of fresh seed pods will be especially snow covered mountain peak group of experts gathered for a con­ appreciated. I also give large amounts "Orizaba" was framed with cottonball­ servation Assessment Workshop. of sprouted seed leading into and dur­ like clouds. Rounding a bend in the During the workshop they use the ing the breeding season. trail our local guide Pedro Mota pro­ Mace-Lande threat categories to priori­ The Red-capped Parrot is one of duced a long sustained single note tize what actions should be taken with those species that is at peril of becom­ whistle. Our group, previously talking, the endangered members ofthis group ing endangered in Australian avicul­ became silent. Pedro repeated the of birds. ture. When the market was flooded by whistle. In the distance a response Ofcourse Mace-Lande categories are very cheap, but very neurotic wild came sounding like a cross between a based upon population theory (consid­ birds, few bothered to waste their time dog barking and a Guineahen scream. ering; probability ofextinction, effective with them. Most of these birds would The chorus began then stopped as population, sub populations, popula­ be purchased by inexperienced avicul­ abruptly as it began. We had just heard tion decline, impact of catastrophe, turists unaware (as I was initially) of the "chorus call" ofthe Bearded Wood­ habitat change, and impact of commer­ the problems that these birds have. partridge Dendrortyx barbatus. cial exploitation or introduction ofexot­ Many birds would die early from Similar to other Mexican birds that ic taxa) so they are only as reliable as stress, while those that survived would inhabit remote places, the woodpar­ the data being used to draw the con­ be passed from aviary to aviary, never tridge's status and distribution greatly clusions. When it came to the Bearded getting a chance to settle down. reflects the history of ornithological Woodpartridge the Mace-Lande However, now that the supply of investigation in Mexico. Some of the Conservation status was "critical," the wild birds no longer is available, atten­ first (and last specimens) of this species highest level of priority for action. What tion is being re-directed to the species, were collected along the lower slopes soon followed would change forever and discerning aviculturists are making of Cofre de Perote, Veracruz in 1893. the way we think about this 13.5 inch an effort to properly establish a reli­ The bird then seemed to have disap­ rich brown and cinnamon forest quail, able, quiet stock ofbirds before it com­ peared from science until 1947. During with a pale gray throat. pletely dies out in our collections. the period of 1940-1970s, ornithological As newly appointed Mexico and I have always regretted selling my expeditions within the wood-partridge's Central American coordinator for the pair, and intend in the near future to range reported that the bird could only World Pheasant Association / Birdlife / acquire some hand-reared birds to do be found to inhabited cloud forest. With Species Survival Commission (IUCN) my part to ensure their continued pres­ the rapid clearing of cloud forests the Partridge, Quail and Francolin Specialist ence in Australian aviculture. Bearded Woodpartridge was consid­ Group, I had two projects to tackle ered at "risk" therefore was included in within the 5-year plan period. They Acknowledgements: the 1992 ICBP/IUCN publication included #4.2.1 "Assessment ofthe con­ I would like to thank Damian and Sheryl Threatened Birds ofthe Americas. servation status of neotropical quails in Dunemann ofYandina, Queensland, for per­ Unfortunately listing a species as northern Central America," and #4.2.3 mission to photograph their Red-eapped Par­ "endangered" does not guarantee "Status and conservation ofthe Bearded rots at short notice to illustrate this article. ~ action. The next document however Wood-partridge in Mexico." 18 MarchiApril 1999 Fortunatel)'. to make my task easier I not suprizing as shade coffee is grown was contacted by Sergio Aquilar of the within the forest. conservation group PRONATURA: On the "down" side, the bird Veracruz. Aquilar is a naturalist and appeared to be in serious conflict with conservationist living in Jalapa (also mans' activities. Within the forest local written Xalapa) Mexico. He had pub­ people planted pole beans that were lished a paper on the sale of wild birds fed upon by wood-partridges. In addi­ in Jalapa and was interested in starting tion, some hunting occurred in the a conservation project on the Bearded area. The birds population appeared to Wood-partridge called locally be limited by the combination of habi­ "Chiviscoyo." Sergio also has a friend tat, hunting and persecution (hunting Pedro Mota who was a bird trapper (a and killing in response to their bean legal activity in Mexico given one fol­ eating behaviour), as well as predation. lows the rules) in the nearby town of During the next few days we ,,- \ Q Coatepec. Mota had experience with planned our strategy for dealing with {\.,#J,- -, _\\ ~ _ 1 • •_\\ t ~o-,,~ wood-partridges as they fed upon vari­ the species. We would have to deter­ " 2 ...~~.,'J-~""'\ Gulf of ous fruits within his coffee grove. After mine if the birds responded to the G I - ~ 1/ Mexico ~ J 4 L."..A /"., months of planning John Carroll (Chair playback ofa call. The chorus call was ~ ~ '1:" "-t "" \ '_ of the Specialist Group) and I were off chosen as it appeared to be given .., 'If HiJoJgo J 5 / ~~J' ~ J \- ~ I" for Veracruz. throughout the day after a threat had I .I (J 0.) I' " ...., ~A~ -..) After a brief encounter with the passed as well as during sunrise and ~ -, PAeJruCA. I '1~ / I (,'"'i I ~ 1.6 wood-partridge (mentioned at the sunset. Given the difficulty in observ­ "'.." ",..,-..\ ~~ Pueblo :.7 beginning of this article) we proceed­ ing these birds in the underbrush, the MEXI C~(ITY")"-" 1",.),.8\ ed further into the bush. Several calling playback of a recorded call was need­ )rO\ -, TlaxaJa \,-_~ M,xko .:'\\\" \",,'Jc- - _, attempts by Mota were made before ed if we were to be able to determine ,...... -1, J. '\PUEBtA . ~ ~O we finally got a good look at a covey the presence of birds in an area. Of I J -,' Areas of recent /11 :12 of woodpartridges scurrying across the course not all birds responded so not Morefol", sightings of IJt ~ , y 14 obtaining a response was not an indi­ .... J "'t,,.. ,. _~ Bearded Wood-partridge \ r- forest floor. We returned to Mota's -' 'l' r home for lunch and discussed the cation of absence in the area. From 20 Fig. 1 - Distribution of Dcndrortyx barbatus in cast­ plight of the wood-partridge. After just July 1995 until 2 April 1996 a transect central Mexico. Specific sites of obscr"atioll are shmVll this short field trip one element of route would be walked. At given by numbers. l:losc de los Duran, Queretaro. 2-Joya de points the tape would be played and Hielo, queretaro. 3-Canada de f\yispas, Queretaro. good news became clear, the wood­ 4-Lontia, Hidalgo. 5-Tenamicoya \'cracru7,. 6-Ccrro partridge was not restricted to pristine responses recorded. Acatlan, Veracruz. 7-Las Vigas \ cracruz. 8-Coatepec cloud forest. Several of our sightings During this time an educational pro­ Veracruz.9-Xalapa VeracruL:. 10-Rio I\1etlac Drainagc, gram would also begin. Why should Veracruz. 11-Pico Orizaba Nl~ Veracruz. 12-Te

Hidalgo, Mexico Further north in the state of Hidalgo, ornithologist Steve Howell had docu­ A group of12 Bearded Wood-partridges being maintained by a bird trapper near mented the wood-partridge near Xalapa. Seldom do the trappers capture the partridge as it is illegal and has a rather TIanchinol. His sighting was in the early unpleasant song. 1990s so their was some question ifthe

the afa WATCHBIRD 19 species still inhabited the area. that appeared to be in riverine areas It was difficult to get a true feeling we held little hope for the wood-par­ of the condition of the landscape in tridge in this region. Hidalgo as we were restricted to high­ At the top of the mountain the veg­ ways. For this preliminary trip we etation turned into cloud forest. Small would not have the benefit of satellite streams tumbled down the rocky hill­ images or aerial photographs but did sides flanked with ferns and other have topographic maps of the region. plants. Densely vegetated areas along­ At every vantage point we would side these streams, with forests adja­ have to scan the horizon and deter­ cent to them, would likely support mine the amount of forest cover wood-partridges. Finally we turned the remaining and keeping a watchful eye bend and noticed the sign to "Lontla." for those patches of lush vegetation Huge trees towered overhead. We along streams and rivers. turned off the main road to what On the 3rd of March 1997 Michael appeared to be the trail to Londa. After Gartside, Alvaro Aragon Tapia, and I consulting with a resident we learned left Cuidad Victoria (the capitol of the that the wider path was for pack ani­ border state of Tamaulipas) for mals and the narrower path was for Hidalgo. Soon we were at the turnoff foot traffic. We choose the foot path to the city ofXilitla. On another trip we and began our descent into the distant would turn and travel west through valley below. Xilitla and on to the state ofQueretaro. Being located several hu~dred miles Today we proceeded south then east north of the Veracruz site really made to the town of Huejutla. Unlike the a difference in the vegetation. Tree highly agricultural cities in Veracruz, ferns were present but appeared to be this part of Hidalgo supported numer­ thriving less well possibly due to lower ous furniture and pottery workshops. rainfall. As we proceeded down the Unfortunately, mountainous areas path I noticed a ravine that looked like we passed through were heavily defor­ it might contain a creek (which it did). ested. Early the the next morning we Removing the tape player from my left for Lontla the site where Steve backpack I played the "chorus call" Pedro Mota, bird trapper, in his storefront with various songsters for sale in the back­ Howell had seen wood-partridges over tape. After I replayed the tape several ground. half a decade earlier. We wound our times I finally received a response. way up the mountainside viewing the Two birds were apparently moving up ed for a brief couple of minutes then mosaic of cleared patches of forest in the valley to the stand of larger trees were not heard again until sunset. the distance. Except for a few areas near the highway. They only respond- After a couple hours walk a small house was spotted. We visited with the residents who made their living princi­ pally by selling dried coffee beans. The area was significantly less tropical than the Veracruz site. A local stream bed supported lush vegetation but the numerous fruiting plants noted in Veracruz were lacking. The local peo­ ple knew of the wood-partridge hut with little habitat remaining its num­ bers were low. Upon inquiring about the cloud for­ est at the top of the mountain near the highway they stated that it was owned by the municipality therefore could not be cut down or inhabited. This was cer­ tainly good news. Looking back up the mountainside I quickly realized that it would be an arduous task to return with all our gear. We decided to rent a cou­ ple of pack horses to transport our packs up the mountainside. We would, Michael Gartside decends into the valley below near Lontia, Hidalgo. however, have to walk. What took

20 MarchiApril 1999 three hours to come down took five Breeding Handfed hours to climb.

Future ofthe Amboina King Parrots Bearded Wood-partridge AUsterus amboinensis Considered restricted to cloud forest by EB Cravens, Waiohino, HA in Veracruz, the Bearded Wood-par­ tridge was found also to inhabit dis­ nJanuary 3, 1991, I realized a occasionally get her cornered on the turbed riparian areas in Hidalgo (and long-time dream by acquiring suspended floor where she would on a later trip, in Queretaro). While O an unrelated pair of handfed screech and feathers would fly. As this weaned Amboina King Parrots was obviously not a positive prelude these areas may provide food Alisterus amboinensis. They were pur- to successful breeding, I contacted resources, roosting and nesting habitat in adjoining areas ofthe forest are also chased at a price of $300 each form some expert aviculturists for advice. required to sustain viable populations Diane Welch, Scotia, CA, an experi- Conclusion was a 8-foot-Iong cage was of wood-partridges. enced and conscientious hobby breed- not sufficient for breeding these full- er of kings, Red-fronted Macaws and flighted birds. The next two weeks Concentrating populations in frag­ mented habitats makes them extremely other parrot species. They were in were spent preparing a 4 X 6 X 6 foot pristine condition. I will never forget walk-in aviary. The birds were moved vulnerable to predation. Unfortunately, the way personnel in the bird room at into it, and a new hollow nest was pro- areas inhabited by wood-partridges in Feathered Friends of Santa Fe, NM lit- vided. Chasing and abuse was alleviat- the vicinity ofVeracruz are valuable for erally caught their breath as the two ed. Though the male would screech agricultural purposes. This is not the ju.veniles emerged from an airline ship- and go after his hen, Lehua could get case further north in the state of pmg case. Wow! Such beauty! I was away in the larger enclosure. Queretaro where the birds were found hooked. Two months later, disaster struck. in the uninhabited northeastern forests Though shy around strangers and The keeper came out for morning feed of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. probably fatigued after a long flight, and discovered the female dead on the The species last hope may well be at the two sexed psittacines were quite ground in the aviary. Diagnosis: a bro- the peripheral edge of its range where well-behaved. They would perch on ken neck. I was heart-sick. I began to it has had to adapt to harsher conditions an arm, come to a shoulder for treats; feel I had no business working with and an environment of little interest to while the male especially liked to give such an unpredictable species. What's man. and receive kisses. At 219 grams more, I began to see that leaving my While most aviculturalists are familiar (male) and 207 (female) as immatures, own breeder birds in the care ofsome- with the plight ofthe Masked Bobwhite it is possible that these birds are not one else was somewhat irresponsible. and Attwater's Prairie Chicken, both are the large nominate A. a. amboinensis No one takes care of your birds like in reality subspecies ofmore wide rang­ subspecies, but as I have not yet found you do. ing species. The Bearded Wood-par­ a study documenting size differences The fall of that year, I moved all my tridge is monotypic hence declared of various races, this is not easy to tell. pet and breeder psittacines up to a endangered at the species level. Only Two weeks later the pair make the half-acre farm lot and made the deci- the people that share the forests with long trek with me to my winter home sion to remain permanently in Hawaii. the wood-partridge can determine its on the Big Island of Hawaii and were Ohia, the lone male Amboina King, destiny in Mexico. The documentation installed in an 8 X 4 X 4 foot cage out- was given a 4 X 4 X 16 foot cage bor- of a wider distribution and tolerance of doors in the backyard of a hobby dering one side of the garden plot of secondary habitats however creates sig­ breeder friend of mine. There they aviaries. He became very friendly to nificant optimism as to the future sur­ received optimum care while awaiting me; I was leaning toward keeping him vival of the species on the planet. sexual maturity. Setting up a young singly as an aviary "pal." pair like this is an excellent technique Then in February, 1995, while on a About the Author when dealing with high-spirited, often visit to Dale Thompson's California jack Clinton Eitniear is a member ofsev­ eral IUCN specialistgroups. He is the editor of quarrelsome Austral-Asian parakeets. It facility, I learned of a party in the San the BULLE71N OF mE TEXAS ORNI7HO­ allows the two birds to bond tightly Jose, CA area who had the Princess of LOGICAL SOCIElY as well we director ofthe before frenzied variables of sexual Wales male I sought and two Amboina Center for the Study of Tropical Birds, activity enter the picture. Yet, even this King females. The truth of the matter Inc.(CS1B) a 501 (c) 3 tax exempt corpora­ does not guarantee success as I was to is, I detest keeping birds without mates tion devoted to conservation of neotropical learn. A. amboinensis is not an easy - considering it both unnatural and birdlife in the wild. He haspublished over 20 species to reproduce in captivity. not humane. One of his hens was a articles in scientific publications as well as "Ohia" and "Lehua," as we named five-year-old proven female, the other over 50 popular articles. CS1B has recently joined AFA, the National Aviary in them, went along fine until the spring a very inexpensive hand two-and-a- Pittsburgh, and Primarily Primates in an of 1994 when, at age four, their activi- half-year-old with a leg healed effort to explore the feasibility of releasing ty level increased dramatically. He crooked after an in-nest break. AFA consortium siskins into the wild. ,.. would chase her around the cage and "What happened to the mate of

the afa WATCHBIRD 21