The Endangered f Golden-shouldered ., I in the Wild and in Captivity

dered . t has been claimed, and perhaps by Joseph M. Forshaw In northernmost , this Wauchope, Australia correctly, that numbers of species is restricted to Cape York I Golden-shouldered Parrots Peninsula, where a continual contrac­ Psephotus chrysopterygius in aVlanes tion of the range has occurred since now exceed those remaining in the the early 1900s, and now it is known wild. Despite early setbacks, the to survive in two, apparently isolated species currently is well established in breeding populations. The first popu­ Australian collections, and consistent lation is centered on Artemis and breeding successes are being Dixie Stations and the Morehead achieved in some other countries. River drainage, to the south-west of However, the initial establishment of Princess Charlotte Bay, while the sec­ a viary stocks involved Significant illic­ ond occurs well to the south, in the it taking of chicks and adults from the upper reaches of the Mitchell River, to wild, and almost certainly this had a the north-west of Chillagoe. Only serious adverse impact on local pop­ occasionally are sightings recorded ulations. These depredations assumed from outside these two localities. increased importance as a secondary factor, because the species already Habitat Preferences was declining as a consequence of Golden-shouldered Parrots frequent habitat alteration, and I believe that a wet or dry, open Eucalyptus-Melaleuca particularly dramatic decline during woodlands with a groundcover of the 1960s and 1970s can be attributed annual grasses, and seasonal prefer­ to the combined effect of these pri­ ences are determined by the presence mary and secondary pressures. of terrestrial termitaria required for Similar in appearance to the better nesting. There are early reports of known and closely-allied Hooded sightings in other habitats, including at Parrot Psephotus dissimilis, which least one of being seen in coastal sometimes is considered to be con­ mangroves. specific, the adult male Golden-shoul­ At Artemis Station, where extensive dered Parrot is distinguished by the field studies have been undertaken, lemon yellow frontal band extending woodlands favored during the dry sea­ to the lores and below the eyes. Black son are dominated by eucalypts, on the crown, nape and hindneck Former range of the together with ironwood Erythrophleum merges into earth brown on the back Golden-shouldered Parrot chlorostachys and Grevillea glauca, and mantle, while the rump and while fire grasses Schizachyrium frag­ upper-tail coverts are turquoise blue. ile and S. pachyanhron feature promi­ Yellow on the upper wing-coverts is nently in the groundcover vegetation. noticeably duller and less extensive In the wet season, birds move into low than in the male Hooded Parrot, but open woodlands on alluvial flats along brighter orange-red is more exten­ drainage depressions of permanent or sive on the lower underparts, from seasonal watercourses, where the dom­ the under tail-coverts to the thighs inant canopy trees are broad leaved ti­ and abdomen. The face, neck and tree Melaleuca viridijlora, Petalostigma lower underparts are predominantly banksii, and golden grevillea Grevillea

turquoise blue. The dull green pteridifoliaJ while Schizachyrium fire females and juveniles of the two grasses, Planichloa nervilemma and species are much alike, but a pale Present range of the Hyptis suaveolens are prevalent in the buff-yellow frontal band and dull Golden-shouldered Parrot groundcover, and termitaria preferred salmon pink markings on the thighs for nesting occur primarily at the mar­ and abdomen identify Golden-shoul- gins of these grassy flats.

the afa WATCHBIRD 35 Qj .c ~ .0 ::l j

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A beautiful pair of Golden-shouldered Parakeets.

Effects of Habitat Alteration lar burning. Late fires in the early wet lings. Opportunities for butcherbirds to With a total population estimated at season were particularly beneficial take parrots appear to be less in open about 1600 pairs, the Golden- houl­ because they exposed seeds on the grassy woodlands, especially where dered Parrot certainly is endangered. ground and prompted growth of some Black-faced W oodswallows Artamus Alteration of burning regimes and con­ wet season food plants, while at the cinereus provide effective warnings, sequent effects on vegetation commu­ same tilne retarding regrowth of ti­ but in denser thickets of ti-trees nesting nities have been identified as the most trees. Altered burning regimes put into parrots are more vulnerable. Losses of likely causes of declines in the num­ practice by pastoralists, together with adults appear to be the major threat to bers of parrots. Traditional burning grazing of grasses by cattle, have remaining populations of Golden­ practices employed by Aboriginal enabled ti-trees to spread into grassy shouldered Parrots, and Pied hunters maintained a mosaic of areas woodlands, and under current fire Butcherbirds Cracticus nigrogularis are burnt at different times of the year, as regimes these woodlands are being the major predators. well as unburnt areas protected from lost to ti-trees at a rate of approximate­ On Artemis Station, probably the fires late in the dry season, and this ly 5 percent per decade. last stronghold of this species, man­ favored the parrots by providing open In addition to impacting on food agement practices are being imple­ areas for feeding through the dry sea­ resources, colonization of these wood­ mented to assist the parrots. Paddocks son. Also, spread of the bro~d leaved lands by ti-trees seems to bring about will be spared periodically from cattle ti-tree Melaleuca vindiflora into grassy significantly increased predation by grazing and will be subjected to bene­ woodlands was checked by the regu- butcherbirds of both adults and fledg- ficial burning regimes. On an experi-

36 Marchi April 2000 mental basis, the surrounds of nests tiflora or Melaleuca viridiflora, and may take insects flushed from the are being cleared to reduce predation departure in the early morning usually ground by the foraging parrots. by butcherbirds, and supplementary is by small parties which follow each food is being provided in an effort to other through the treetops. After first No Largescale Movements increase nesting success rates and to rains of the wet season there is a grad­ The flight is rather swift and with assist young birds in sutviving through ual dispersal of flocks, with pairs mov­ only slight undulation. The birds are the wet season, when there is a short­ ing back to the proximity of their nest­ strong flyers and when travelling age of natural food; both measures ing mounds. longer distances they fly above the seem to be successful. An association of Golden-shouldered treetops, but shorter flights usually are As an endangered species, the Parrots and Black-faced Woodswallows through or below the canopies. Golden-shouldered Parrot is afforded Artamus cinereus is closest during the Despite the strong flying capabilities, special legislative protection in late dry season and early wet season. Golden-shouldered Parrots do not Australia, and is listed on Appendix I Each year, woodswallows nest in the undertake largescale seasonal move­ to the Convention on International same patches of woodland scattered at ments. For up to three months after Trade in Endangered Species of Wild regular intetvals approximately 3 km fledging, young birds remain within a Fauna and Flora (CITES). apart, and flocks of young Golden­ few kilometers of the nest, and then shouldered Parrots, together with other join with other young birds and second seed-eating birds, can be found with year males in loose flocks that spend Defensive Woodswallows most of these nesting groups. It is sug­ the dry season near to permanent Safeguard Parrots gested that the parrots benefit from vig­ waterholes. After the first rains, most Much of what is known of the habits orous defense by the woodswallows of young birds, particularly first year of Golden-shouldered Parrots comes their nests against predators; any males, come to traditional nesting sites from the findings of longterm field butcherbird or kookaburra that of Black faced Woodswallows Artamus investigations undertaken on Artemis approaches the nests immediately is cinereus, and breeding pairs return to Station by Stephen Garnett and Gabriel set upon by mobs of woodswallows their nesting sites. Post-breeding disper­ Crowley. These researchers have deter­ and chased from the area. Whether sal of the woodswallows brings about a mined that the parrots are monoga­ woodswallows benefit from the associ­ dispersal of the attendant parrots with mous, apparently forming lifelong pair ation is not so obvious, though they some young birds moving up to 30 km bonds, and during the breeding season a pair may be accompanied by an aux­ iliary young male. Outside the breed­ ing season, young birds and second year males associate in loose flocks of Looking For The Best from 15 to 30 birds, and breeding pairs Lory Diet? join these flocks immediately after nest­ ing, out subsequently are seen with the flocks only infrequently. You Just Found It! Flocks remain together while feed­ ing, drinking, or resting during the mid­ Lory Life Powder &Nectar dle of the day. When feeding, birds flutter to the ground in small groups, but then run about independently so '.r~." that individuals or small groups often AUlea become separated. Likewise, approach­ Breeders of Lories & Softbills es to waterholes are by small groups, with individuals independently walking Also offering: Cuttlebone, Spray Millet, to the waters edge. When disturbed, all Soak & Cook, Nest Boxes, Spirulina birds fly up from the ground simultane­ ously to seek shelter amidst the foliage KAYT~ct of a nearby tree, where they await the EXACT NUTRITION, NO MESS passing of danger before returning to the ground to resume feeding. During the middle of the day, they CUTTLEBONE PLUS can remain undetected while at rest P.o. Box 305, Fallbrook, CA 92088 below the canopy in a shady tree. (760) 591-4951 ~ Nightime roosts occupied by pairs or Orders only:.(800) 747-9878 • flocks are in the outer foliage of broad leaved trees, usually Euca!)ptus conjer-

the afa WATCHBIRD 37 or more. Females breeding for the fIrst in burned areas where fIre has removed vicinity of nesting mounds, often time have been found at nests near to standing grasses to leave fallen seeds involving squabbling between adult their natal sites, while others were at exposed. So abundant are these fallen males seeking to pair with widowed nests at least 12 km away. seeds that birds need to forage for only females or immature males chasing a couple of hours each day, spending each other. During courtship, the dis­ Purposeful Vocalizations the remaining time at rest in shady playing male makes short flights around The normal contact call, which is trees. With onset of the rains, seeds of the female and then, with the frontal given regularly in flight, is a disyllabic glimmer grass Planichloa newilemma feathers raised in a small crest and the fweep-.fweep, repeated two or more become an important food, but are breast feathers puffed out, he struts times in succession and sometimes pro­ replaced late in the wet season by seeds along the perch or the ground towards longed to few-weep . . jew-weep. While of pendent milkdrop-sedge Seleria her. When extremely excited, females perched, the parrots emit a sharp weet, rugosa, which are taken when unripe also may raise the frontal feathers. often repeated two or three times, or a and while germinating. Seeds of cocka­ Copulation is initiated by the female mellow fee-oo. . . fee-oo. A descending too grass Alloteropsis semialata also are sidling up to the perched male, raising trisyllabic whistle is given by a female an important item in the diet during the her tail, drooping her wings and fluffmg when separated from her mate and, wet season, which is a time of food out the rump feathers; after several when disturbed, the birds utter a soft, shortage, and at this time parrots have approaches, the male, with frontal almost inaudible cbinupjust before tak­ been observed chewing on flowers and feathers raised, struts past the female ing flight. The alarm call is a loud, high­ new leaf shoots of melaleucas. and inspects her rump prior to mount­ pitched whistle. Occasionally, birds were seen chewing ing her for approximately 50 seconds. When an adult alights at the nest bark, and this was more prevalent dur­ At Artemis and Dixie Stations, laying entrance or enters the tunnel, nestlings ing the breeding season. of the fIrst egg was recorded between 1 respond by giving a harsh, grating Pairs were seen foraging for seeds of March and 8 June, with the peak peri­ screech repeated at intervals of about Eragrostis cumingii and Panicum min­ od being in early April, while the latest one second, but the more prolonged danaese, while seeds dropped by birds time for fledging of chicks was in mid begging call of fledglings is higher in in and around an active nest included August. The nest is in a chamber at the pitch. those of Panicum and Seratia grasses end of a tunnel excavated mainly by the and unidentified monocotyledons. female in a terrestrial termitarium. At the Seasonal Changes in Diet Roosting birds were observed chewing end of the wet season mounds remain Golden-shouldered Parrots feed at flowers of golden grevillea Grevillea damp for a considerable time, thus facil­ mainly on seeds of annual grasses. pteridifolia, and a female was seen nib­ itating excavation, which is undertaken They extract unripe seeds from stand­ bling at the bark of a broad leaved ti­ mostly in the mornings, the female dig­ ing seedheads by pulling down stems tree Melaleuca viridijlora, but on both ging with her bill and scraping out the and holding them under their feet or by occasions the ingestion of material loosened dirt with her feet. Excavation reaching down to take the seeds while could not be determined. At Artemis of the entire burrow lasts several days, perching on a low overhanging branch. and Dixie Stations, seeds of and the first egg is laid within a week of, They switch to fallen seeds as soon as Desmodium legumes were present in completion. Preference is shown for these become available, walking across most of the crops of chicks that were conical mounds constructed by the ground and pecking at a rate of 30 examined. Amitermes scopulus, and these are to 70 times per minute. Seeds of dominant in vast areas of low open Scbyzacbyrium fIre grasses are the sta­ Nests in Mounds woodland, though they occur also with ple food during the dry season, and Onset of the breeding season is the less favored meridian mounds of A. parrots show a preference for feeding marked by an upsurge in activity in the laurensis along drainage depressions in the vicinity of Princess Charlotte Bay. Of a total of 148 nests found on Artemis ASSOCIATION OF AVIAN VETERINARIANS and Dixie Stations, 96.7 per cent were Advancing and Promoting Avian Medicine and Stewardship excavated in conical mounds of Amitermes scopulus, 2.8 per cent in • Education • Research meridian mounds of A. laurensis, and • Scientific Publications 0 • Conservation 0.5 per cent in turreted mounds of Nasutitermes, with most nests being in AAV sets the standard for avian care and education. For information mounds on or beside drainage flats, on AAV programs or to locate an AAV member-veterinarian near you, some on gravely slopes in hills, and a write or email to the address below. few on sand ridges. It has been sug­ gested that the preference for conical For subscription information to the Journal of Avian Medicine mounds may be associated with tem­ and Surgery, write: PO Box 811720· Boca Raton, FL 33481 • USA perature regimes different from those of email: [email protected] - web: http://WWW.aav.org/aav meridian mounds, and especially the

38 Marchi April 2000 longer retention of wannth in nesting Claims that two broods may be Golden-shouldered Parrots are chambers. reared in a season have not been con­ aggressive, especially during the breed­ At Artemis and Dixie Stations nest finned, though at Artemis and Dixie ing season, so should not be included entrances were at an average height of Stations a clutch of eggs lost during in a mixed collection with other parrots, 68 cm above the ground, and entrance incubation was replaced by the same and are not suitable for colony breed­ holes averaged 4.5 cm in diameter. female after five weeks, and on one ing. Pairs have been housed with finch­ Total excavation from entrance to rear occasion a second female added to the es or small doves, but the best breeding of the nesting chamber averaged 32 abandoned clutch of a female that had results are achieved with single pairs cm in depth, with tunnels to the cham­ disappeared. Also on Artemis and Dixie held in separate aviaries. Some breeders bers averaging 12.5 cm in length. Only Stations, 695 eggs were laid in 148 claim that holding pairs in adjoining 7.7 per cent of nests were in burrows nests, with 475 or 68 per cent hatching, aviaries, so the neighbors can be heard excavated in previous years, and the and 311 of 562, or 67 per cent of chicks but not seen, increases the interest of all remaining 92.3 per cent were in newly fledging. Predation by reptiles was the pairs in nesting activities. excavated burrows. Nests usually were major cause of losses of both eggs and When housing these parrots in colonized by Trisyntopa scatophaga chicks. Predation by butcherbirds was rather small, almost fully-enclosed moths, larvae of which eat feces of the presumed to be the major cause of high aviaries, special attention must be chicks, and some nests were occupied post-fledging mortality. given to the diet if obesity and conse­ also by green tree frogs Litoria quent poor breeding results are to be caernlea and blowfly larvae. Host ter­ Not for Inexperienced avoided. I favor exclusion of sunflower mites sometimes attack the chicks, but Aviculturists seeds and hulled oats from the basic apparently without causing ill effects. The Golden-shouldered Parrot seed mix, though the latter can be remains one of the more difficult offered in small quantities while chicks High Post fledging Mortality species to breed successfully in captiv­ are being reared. My recommendation A normal clutch comprises four to ity, and is not considered suitable for is to provide two seed mixes in sepa­ seven, usually five or six eggs, which inexperienced avicUlturists. Being a rate containers, the first comprising are laid at intervals of two days, or tropical species it requires effective two parts white (French) millet and sometimes up to four days between shelter from cold winds or driving rain, one part plain canary seed, and the the first two or last two eggs. The eggs and most breeders favor fully-roofed second comprising equal parts of red quickly lose their slight gloss and aviaries with solid walls or partitions, millet and panicum. This should be become heavily nest-stained. Average and open only at the northerly-facing supplemented daily with a variety of measurements of 20.6 (18.8-24.0) x front. Breeding success has been greenfoods, including ripening seed­ 17.8 (16.3-18.9) mm were obtained achieved in these types of aviaries heads of grasses or thistles, endives from 80 eggs examined in nests on ranging in length from 1.8 m to 3.6 m., and fresh green peas, the last being Artemis and Dixie Stations. in width from 90 cm to 1.2 m, and usu­ particularly favored by many birds. Incubation by the female com­ ally with a height of 2 m. Sprouted seeds are another preferred mences after laying of the second or third egg and lasts between 19 and 21 days. The male comes to the nest at approximately hourly intervals to feed the sitting female. Hatching usually takes place over about three days, or occasionally up to a week. Chicks are brooded by the female for up to a week after hatching, and are fed by both par­ ents, with roles of the sexes in sharing FIND OUT WHY HUMIDAIRE feeding duties varying between pairs. Either parent can rear a brood of up to EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN THE five chicks if the other parent dies. CHOICE OF ZOOS, PRE­ Young birds leave the nest approxi­ SERVES AN D PROFESSIONAL mately five weeks after hatching, and BREEDERS WORLDWIDE FOR departure of a brood can be synchro­ OVER SIX DECADES. WRITE, nous or at varying intervals over sever­ CALL OR FAX FOR YOUR al days, with each fledgling flying FREE CATALOG! directly from the nest for distances of more than 100 meters. Fledglings P.O. BOX 9, NEW MADISON, OH 45346 U.S.A. remain with their parents in family par­ TELEPHONE [U.S.A.] Toll-Free (800) 410-6925 IIUAlIDIIII WORLDWIDE (937) 996-3001 • FAX (937) 996-3633 ties and are fed by the parents for at INCUBATOR COMPANY E-MAIL [email protected] least five weeks after leaving the nest.

the afa WATCHBIRD 39 food and, when rearing chicks, parents notes as he advances toward the Incubation periods of 19 to 21 days will take these before other foods. female. A response from the female have been recorded, and newly­ Some birds are fond of corn-on-cob, often involves a similar, though less hatched chicks possess wispy, pale and will eat small amounts of apple. intense display directed at the male. grey down. At nine days the eyes are Providing a clean length of charred To be accepted for nesting, the nest­ opening and early pin-feathers are natural timber will enable the birds to box must be fitted with an entrance emerging. At 21 days the chicks are half nibble off pieces of charcoal and this spout or artificial tunnel approximately feathered, with full feathering being seems to be particularly beneficial 10 cm in length, for most pairs will attained at 30 days, and fledging has when chicks are being reared. refuse to enter through normal entrance been recorded at 32 to 37 days after holes and are not interested in hollow hatching. The brighter plumage col­ Difficulties in Breeding logs. Success has been achieved with a oration of males usually can be detect­ Two problems encountered in horizontal nestbox with internal dimen­ ed quite easily in juveniles, and even in breeding Golden-shouldered Parrots sions of 25 cm in length, 15 cm in nestlings. Parents continue to feed the are incompatibility in pairs and early width, and 15 cm in height, and con­ youngsters for about three weeks after cessation of brooding of nestlings by structed from 25 mm thick softwood to fledging, but a close surveillance the female. Incompatibility can be provide better insulation. should be maintained to detect any addressed by allowing an unrelated Artificial heating of the nestbox signs of aggression, particularly from young pair to mature in the aviary, and often is necessary to provide warmth the adult male, toward the young birds. the use of artificial heating in nestboxes for nestlings after early cessation of Adult plumage normally is attained effectively reduces losses of nestlings brooding by the female. In temperate early in the second year, and sexual during cold weather. climates, sufficient warmth may be maturity is reached at two years. In courtship display the male adopts provided by a 25 watt light bulb fitted In captivity, the Golden-shouldered an upright stance with shoulders of the behind a false wall at the hack of the Parrot has hybridized with other folded wings thrust forward and away box, or perhaps merely by encasing Psephotus species and with the Eastern from the body, the frontal feathers the entire nestbox in an outer insulat­ Rosella P/atycercus eximius. Hybrids raised to form a small crest and feath­ ed shell, but more elaborately insulat­ produced with the Mulga Parrot ers of the breast fluffed out, all to the ed, thermostatically heated nestboxes Psephotus varius bear a superficial accompaniment of disyllabic whistling may be required in colder climates. resemblance to the Paradise Parrot One European breeder has achieved Psephotus pulchemmus, and unscrupu­ good results with a heating regime that lously have been traded as specimens commences with the temperature of that presumably extinct species. A being set at 25°C three days before the fallow mutation, which is diluted in eggs are due to hatch, then raised to plumage coloration with bright red eyes 29°C on the following day and to 33°C and pale bill and feet, is present in on the day prior to hatching; a tem­ European collections, and is the only perature of 33°C is maintained for known mutation of this species. three weeks after hatching, being Aviculturists are urged to safeguard reduced to 31°C for the fourth week, the strong captive populations of to 29°C for the next week, and then to Golden-shouldered Parrots now being 26°c from which a gradual reduction is established. It is to be hoped that made to lsoe for the final days before viable aviary stocks will be maintained, exclusivelv fledging, but if the outside temperature despite falls in market value, for ready falls below SOC at night the fledged availability of aviary-bred birds should Caiques youngsters are returned to the nestbox, eliminate the possibility of further now being maintained at 13°C. interference with the declining wild babies from A layer of decayed heartwood, populations. uncontaminated sawdust, or peatmoss manv blood lines Literature should be placed to a depth of 50 mm Garnett, S., and G. Crowley, 1994. The plight of M.A.P. certified at the bottom of the nestbox, and on the parrot with gold on its wings, this layer is laid the normal clutch of Wingspan, no. 16: 21-23. li maExoti c@aol. com Garnett, S., and G. Crowley, 1997. Golden-shoul­ four to six eggs, although clutches of dered Parrot Psephotus chrysopery­ Ralph lima up to eight eggs have been recorded. gius, Psittascene, 9 (2): 4-5. Sindel, S., and J. Gill. 1996. Australian Grass Laying is at intervals of two or occa­ Parakeets: the Psephotus and (818) 703-1112 sionally three days and incubation by Northtella Genera, Sydney: SingH the female usually commences with Press. P.O.Box 6496 Weaver, C. M., 1982. Breeding habitats and Woodland Hills CA 9'1365 laying of the second or third egg, but status of the Golden-shouldered may not commence until laying of the Parrot Psephotus chrysopterygius in fourth or fifth egg in large clutches. Queensland, Emu 82: 2-6 .."..

40 Marchi April 2000