PROMOTING HIGH STANDARDS IN CONSERVATION AVICULTURE AND WELFARE

.9ke CJfJo4ld9aMOt!2Uut Vol.7 No. 3 August 1995- WORLD PARROTTRUSTOOSTS PARROTSUMMIT

New action plan initiative agreed By Michael Reynolds.

It is nearly three years since a draft birds survive. producing a series of action plans from Australia, and Mike Perrin 'Parrot Action Plan' ground to a Into this scene came Rod Hall for the pheasants. Rod pointed out came in from South . The halt, after substantial differences of MBE,who created British Airways how damaging it was to parrot meeting took place on 27 and 28 view between groups of scientists Assisting Conservation (BMC), conservation for there to be no June at the Croydon Park Hotel, could not be resolved. The main which for more than twelve years agreed plan for them, and offered London. areas of disagreement revolved has provided transport of people BMC's help with a meeting of the The attendees voted Joe Forshaw around questions relating to the and cargo to help a number of various parrot experts. What a to be chairman, and the minutes of concept of 'sustainable yield' as it international conservation wonderful offer! the meeting record the very positive refers to wild-caught , plus organisations. Rod discovered WPT From our base in Cornwall, UK, discussions which took place. Two the contribution that captive four years ago, and has helped us we set to work, speaking to parrot working groups were formed, one breeding can make towards the with flights to Mauritius, Brazil, the specialists and organisations, and dealing with the new plan's conservation of parrots in the wild. Caribbean, and the also~to such august bodies as lUCN production process and The World Parrot Trust had plus a multitude of animal and (the World Conservation Union), and administrative details, the other helped the process involved in material cargos. You can imagine BirdLife International, which had with basic biological issues and creating the frustrated Action Plan, the immense help this has been to a taken a leading role in the previous scientific/technical matters. and regretted the lack of an small, new and impoverished draft Parrot Action Plan. We As the meeting went on it internationally agreed document on charity trying to help a family of invited representatives from the became clear that when people of parrot conservation which would be birds which occurs around the Association for Parrot Conservation expertise, commitment and a reliable and regularly updated globe. (APC),which represents parrot goodwill meet face to face, it is source of reference for information BMC had recently assisted the experts from the Americas (see possible to find agreement on on the status of threatened species World Pheasant Association with Psitta5cene Vo1.5NoA, November issues which are difficult to resolve and the measures recommended for flights to a global conference in 1993 for more detail). We at long distance. their preservation. Such an China, which was concerned with persuaded Joe Forshaw to come To put it as simply as possible, authoritative plan would be bound to focus attention, study, and funding in a way beneficial to all the parrots. The World Parrot Trust sees itself as being 'on the side of the parrots'; advocates for their survival in the wild and their welfare in captivity. Weput these concerns far above all other considerations, in particular such human frailties as the pursuit of profit or the enjoyment of academic disputes. 50 while the Action Plan impasse continued, the Trust went on its way, investigating situations where parrots were in trouble, reporting them in PsittaScene, and doing its best to fund work to help these

" psittacine (sifa sin) Belonging or allied to the parrots; parrot-like " Design createdfor our award-winning Paraguay Ecobusby 'Ysanne',seearticle on pages 10 and 11.

1 EDITOR: Rosemary Low, (From L to R) Noel Snyder (APC), lames Gilardi (APC), Alejandro Grajal (APC), Nigel Collar (BirdLife), foe Forshaw, Phi! McGowan The World Parrot Trust, (seated), Rod Hall (BAAC), Frank Lambert auCN), Mariano Gimenez-Dixon (WCN), Mike Perrin (seated), David Waugh (WPT), Roland Glanmor House, Hayle, Wirth (lGAP), Mike Reynolds (11PT). Other attendees were: CoUn Bibby (BirdLife), Andrew Greenwood (11PT), CharUe Munn (WPT). Cornwall TR27 4HY, U.K. the net result was that agreement that. It seems virtually certain that Parrot Trust incurred £3000 of was reached to proceed with a new IUCNwill publish and distribute the expenses in arranging the meeting. CONTENTS: Parrot Action Plan. A coordinating plan as part of their series of action I would like to emphasise that committee will be formed, plans. Funding for the preparation this new Parrot Action Plan is World Parrot Trust consisting of one representative of the plan has to be found, and this intended to encompass all available will need about Hosts Parrot Summit, each from IUCN,BirdLife knowledge about the parrots of the New action plan International, APC, and WPT.This $30000. The only offer towards this world, together with initiativeagreed 1&2 committee will appoint one or amount came from the World Parrot recommendations for action to help more central compilers and three Trust, which can provide $5000, their survival. It is everybody's New appointment for regional compilers, one each for subject to adequate total funding plan, and when we have our DavidWaugh 2 Neotropics; Afrotropics; and Asia, coming from other sources. The compilers in place we will invite Australasia and the Pacific. These Trust has also agreed to supply contributions from every possible Ecology and regional compilers will draw upon secretarial and coordinating source. In addition to information Conservation of the the expertise of all available services for the project. and expertise, we will need actual Req;tailedAmazon 3-5 contributors, and will provide Rod Hall of BAsays that this cash to cover the costs of The Parrot introductions to 'set the scene' and new initiative is far and away the compilation, so please consider Phenomenon 6&7 identify particular regional most important challenge whether you or any organisation problems. The central compiler(s) undertaken by WPT.All readers you are connected with, would like will contribute discussions on all should note that British Airways to have a part in funding this very key issues affecting global parrot have donated around £20000worth important task. Building the House of conservation. of flights to get this initiative under For further information, please , creating a A maximum timescale of way - please remember BA's long contact:- World Parrot Trust, World Parrot Trust eighteen months was agreed for the term commitment to supporting Glanmor House, Hayle, Cornwall Eco-bus at long completion of the new action plan, conservation when making your TR27 4HY U.K. distance 10&11 although it is hoped to improve on own travel arrangements. The World

Action Pages 12&13 International News 14 NEWAPPOINTMENT Parrots in the Wild 16 FORDAVID WAUGU

Regular readers of this newsletter present time we are still working will be aware of the important on how best we might be able to work carried out for The World assist in the protection of a Membersof Parrot Trust by Dr. David Waugh. remnant population in Ecuador. Over the past two years he has David has been offered, and helped us as a consultant on a case has accepted, a most interesting by case basis, and investigated and position as Scientific Director of IUCN DavidringinganA.barbadensison TheWorld ConservationUnion reported on a number of parrot the Foundation. In conservation situations. Notable that role he will be able to use his MargaritaIsland,Venezuela. amongst these has been the Red- considerable expertise much of it - aim is to encourage all activity tailed Amazon Amazona gathered in his previous position TheWorld Parrot Trust does designed to help the survival of brasiliensis, which led to our as Director of Jersey Wildlife not necessarily endorse any parrots in the wild, so we should working with Dresden Zoo and Preservation Trust's International views or statements made be pleased that substantial new Fonds fur Bedrothe Papageien to Training School - to ensure that by contributors to funds are likely to be made PsittaScene. support the vital task of Loro Parque's substantial funding available, and that they will be preserving the fledglings from potential is used effectively to deployed by someone very well It Willof course consider poaching. assist the conservation of parrots. qualified to do so. articles or letters from any Another species which David I am sure members will join us contributor on their merits. has investigated for us is Buffon's in wishing David well in his Michael ReYllolds Ara ambigua. At the exciting new job. Our most basic

2 ECOLOGYANDCONSERVATIONOF TUE KED.TAILED AMAZON By Paulo Martuscelli

Summary Sao Paulo), the felling of trees for counted in l/ha plots marked in populations, as noted at Ilha The Red-tailed Amazon Amazona the building of canoes, and illegal each of the seven forest types in Cananeia, where the resident birds brasiliensiswas found to be trade, which has increased since the region. Each of the seven plots were once joined by individuals restricted to a complex mosaic of the 1980's; also, killing for food was exhaustively searched for from Ilha Comprida, making a total forests growing on the narrow and target practice by local people cavities that a parrot could use for of 157 birds. coastal plain of eastern Brazil. The ('cai<,:aras")has been a serious nesting. This was done only to The amazons are faithful to species depends on habitat problem (Collaret al. 1992). obtain a general impression of the traditional roosts, using them as heterogeneity both for food and In this paper I present the distribution of cavities in the forest long as the trees are standing. breeding. In Sao Paulo state the results of a five-year study of the mosaic. Some roosts are located in isolated 1,550 individuals are divided into ecology, distribution and Numbers of poached nestlings groups of trees, left standing when 16 populations. The global total of conservation of the Red-tailed were assessed by interviews with the surrounding areas were cleared, the species may be around 3,600 Amazon in Sao Paulo state. trappers, middlemen and often quite close to towns. This birds. They feed mainly on fruits, aviculturists throughout the state behaviour makes censusing easier. Study and Methods of Sao Paulo. In most cases the flowers and nectar, also Over the period 1991-1994, the Food habits actual number of captured birds occasionally insects. Most nests are distribution and population size of I observed Red-tailed Amazons found in permanently flooded the Red-tailed Amazon was could be determined directly, as feeding on 68 different plant forest, apparently because of most trappers would show me their assessed through exhaustive catch. species in 143 feeding bouts. Main greater cavity availability. Poaching searches of virtually all the food plants were Syagrus has had a great impact and is the remaining areas of Atlantic forest Population romanzoffianum, Psidiinn most immediate threat to the left in the region, spanning the In 1993 the amazon population cattleyanum and Callophyllum species. entire length (over 550km) of the along the Sao Paulo coast was 1,550 brasiliense, all of which are found Introduction Sao Paulo state coastal belt (Figure individuals, mostly concentrated in in different forest types. The Red-tailed Amazon Amazona 1).In areas where the parrot was the south. The amazons were Mostrecords were of fruits brasiliensisis a threatened species located, local populations were divided into 16 distinct populations (88.7%), both pulp and seed being of parrot endemic to a narrow censused in the night roosts from which numbered from 20 to 115 eaten in most instances. Flowers stretch of forest along the coasts of Aprilto September 1993. birds (for security reasons, no and nectar accounted for 9.8%of Sao Paulo, Parana and Santa Censuses were carried out after further details are givenhere).A the records, the amazons selecting Catarina states, eastern Brazil the night roosts used by each certain degree of intermingling species with abundant nectar that (Collar et al. 1992). The first time it parrot population were located, a occurs between neighbouring also attracted other birds like was recorded by scientists was in minimum of two counts (one in late 1821, when]. Natterer collected afternoon and one in the early one individual at Melisland, Paran, morning) being made at each roost. with later records from southern Since each population has several Sao Paulo (Collar et al. 1992), but different roosts and moves long before this, in 1501, A. Vieira between them, the figure used for dos Santos described "huge population size was the maximum whirlwinds made of flying number of parrots counted at any amazons, toucans and parakeets, of a given population's roosts. and armies of beautiful ibises During the censuses the dressed in scarlet" over parangua direction of flight of birds arriving bay (freely translated from Paulino at and departing from a given de Ahneida1966). roost, was the same for all birds The species is known from even though they did not all arrive lowland forest up to 700m and depart at the same time. This elevation, also using adjacent direction was recorded and habitats like mangroves and sand- assumed to indicate the general plain forest both for feeding and foraging areas of each flock of breeding (Scherer-Neto1989). Red- parrots that made up the tailed Amazons have been found to population, and I used this feed on over 42 species of fruits, information to establish the ranges leaves and flowers, Callophyllum and identity of the different brasiliense (Gutiferae) fruits being populations. I assumed that flocks considered a particularly important which belonged to the same resource (Scherer-Neto1989, Collar populations, used the same roosts et al.1992). Sixof 18recorded and foraging areas. During nests were found in the same censuses I also counted family species of tree, five others being groups (adults and juveniles) in recorded in dead pahns (Scherer- order to estimate recruitment. Neto 1989). Breeding biology was studied The known population of the through the intensive monitoring species is estimated to lie between of nine nests. Another 40 nests 2,000and 4,000 individuals, were discovered at different stages restricted to a 6,000 km2 area of the breeding cycle, and for these (Diefenbach and Goldhammer the characteristics of habitat, nest 1986, Sherer-Neto 1988, 1989, tree height, number of eggs or Collar et al. 1992). The main factors nestlings and breeding success affecting its survival have been were recorded. habitat destruction (most intense in Available nest cavities were Red-tailed Amazon A. brasiliensis. Photo:PauloMartuscelli

3 hummingbirds, Bananaquits the male). After finding a cavity, I did not witness interference or and Syagrus and Euterpe (which Coerebaf1aveolaand tanagers. one of the birds calls to the other failure caused by African bees. buffalo will push over to obtain the When feeding on Noranthea flowers and both examine it. The A crude measure of recruitment leaves and fruit). Moreover, only the large nectaries were eaten. investigation of cavities is, rates could be made by ranchers clear forest to increase the Pseudobombax flowers had their however, a behaviour that occurs observations of family groups area available for pasture. nectaries and ovary eaten without throughout the year. which clearly contained juvenile Local people traditionally use being plucked from the tree, After a cavity is selected, by the birds in and immediately following hardwoods for making canoes, whereas Erythrina flowers were middle of September, courtship the main fledging period. The paddles and homes. The favoured plucked and completely destroyed, begins at the collective roost and protected population of 11 pairs timbers are from Callophyllum and their cups being ingested. around the nest. The male walks breeding in llha do Cardoso State all large myrtaceous and along the branches around the Park fledged 26 chicks in 1991, lauraceous trees. Such species Breeding biology provide both nest cavities and food Data on 49 nest cavities was perched female, with head and while in 199215 pairs produced 31 facial feathers raised, giving him a offspring (although for reasons for the amazons. The increasingly obtained. There was a great deal of fluffy appearance, and he opens his unknown the total population, as commercial nature of what were variability in nest height and size. tail displaying its red patch. During censused at nocturnal roosts, once subsistence crafts is leading For example, nest cavities ranged this period one bird actively remained stable at 94-98 to the over-exploitation of the from 4.2m to 0.2m deep, the attempts to keep by the side of the individuals throughout the study resource, and to the elimination of highest nest being ISm up in a tree, period). At Cananeia, where all large trees in the more while the lowest was only LOm other. Allopreening and regurgitating food into the poaching occurs, 87 parrots accessible areas. above the water in a swamp. One Commercial exploitation of nest was located in an arboreal partner's bill are common. produced two fledglings in 1990- Copulation has been observed from 1991 and four in 1991-1992. Tabebuia cassinoidestrees and termitarium 3m above the ground. Euterpe edulispalms, although Another was in a 20cm deep cavity early October, coinciding with the Threats discovery of the first active nests. mostly illegal, is now taking place amid the petioles in the crown of a During my study, only one instance The number of amazons using of natural predation of adult Red- on a large scale, destroying both live Attalea palm. (Both nests the collective nocturnal roosts habitat and food resources. Wood successfully raised two nestlings to tailed Amazons was witnessed, diminishes as females begin to when a MantledHawkLeucoptemis from Tabebuia is used for making pre-fledging stage, when the chicks pencils for export to European spend the night at their nests a few polionota killeda flyingparrot were poached). The general markets. The enterprises involved days before laying, although some returning to the roost at llha do impression was that the amazons are based in the city of Iguape and of the males continue to sleep at Cardoso. Natural predators and are not strongly stereotyped in are controlled by multinational nest-site selection. the roosts. Of nine nests, four winds take their toll of nestlings companies. The intensive Of 49 nests, 67%were in dead males stayed in the collective (see above). Strong intermittent harvesting of Euterpe palm-hearts, roosts at the beginning of winds of 60-80kph, caused by the trees. The great majority of the which are mostly consumed in incubation, the other five roosting approach of cold fronts, occur nests (79.5%)were found in flooded Brazil, now represents a serious forest and at the interface between with the females inthe nests. Only during the onset of the rainy after the first week of incubation conservation problem throughout flooded forest and other forest season in September/October, the Atlantic forest, as these fruits did all the males take to roosting in felling dead and emergent trees. types. Dead trees occur throughout the nests. The collective roosts are are probably a keystone resource these habitats, owing to the The shallow roots of most trees not used subsequently during the make lowland forests vulnerable to for the large frugivore community variations in water level, which of the ecosystem (Galetti in prep.), breeding season, and roosting these winds. For example, of 39 occasionally cause flooding in including the threatened Black- habits of the non-breeding birds at potential nest cavities in one forest patches on adjacent higher this time are not known. fronted Piping-guan Pipile flooded forest plot, seven were ground, killing the trees, mostly Of the nine nests closely jacutinga, Blue-bellied Parrot Syagrus and Callophyllum. destroyed by wind in September Triclaria malachitacea and Searches for cavities in the monitored, five had four eggs and 1992. four had three eggs, laid at two-day Deforestation has been. Cinnamon-vented Piha Lipaugus different forest types showed zero intervals.Incubationlasted 27-28 lanioides (Collar et al. 1992). cavities per hectare in mangrove identified as a threat to the survival days, and began with the first egg, of the Red-tailed Amazon. From Poaching for the cage-bird forest, 7/ha in sandplain forest market is, however, the most so that hatching was asynchronous. 1985 to 1990, 12.5km2 oflowland (only in the tallest type growing on immediate threat to the species. This took place in late October and and mangrove forests were Pleistocene soils), 18/ha in This began in 1980, when early November. Not all eggs destroyed in SiloPaulo, a 1.27% seasonally flooded forest, and hatched. Three nests had three traffickers first found the 39/ha in flooded forest. It was not decrease in available habitat. In all, chicks, five had two and one had 35.54km2 of Red-tailed Amazon species's breeding area. Interest possible to make a thorough search one. The three nests with three has been so great that trappers for cavities in transitional forest habitat was destroyed in the entire chicks had contained four eggs have now started capturing adults because of the heavy bromiliad species's range in that five-year each; of the five nests with two and taking eggs from the nests. populations of this forest type and period (SOSMata Atlantica 1993). chicks, two had held four eggs and The main cause of habitat All trappers are from traditional because of the tallness of the trees; communities, both "cail;:aras" data from such areas were thus three had three; the nest with one destruction has been the building chick had three eggs. (artisan fishermen) and Guarani bound to be underestimates and of holiday and second homes. Most Indians. were not used. The young were covered by of the remaining lowland forest all In the 1991-1992 breeding The minimum distance between feathers at 38 days, and obtained over SiloPaulo is already held by their fully grown flight feathers at season, 356 nestlings were stolen nests simultaneously used by development enterprises which are from nests in the municipalities of 53-55 days. All nests were poached, ready to clear their areas of land as different pairs was 8m. Territorial 19uape, Cananeia and Ilha behaviour was restricted to the but observations on captive birds soon as political opportunity suggested that fledglings would permits. Comprida alone, which cover only immediate vicinity of the nest. 25% of the species's total range Observations on the behaviour begin to leave the nest by early Another threat is the expansion (Martuscelli 1994). Poaching has of birds at roosts revealed that December at an early age of 50-55 of agriculture and water-buffalo days. been recorded at every single pairs kept together within flocks, ranching. The state of SiloPaulo Some pairs have a delayed locality in which the species both when flying and feeding. This has implemented an official policy nesting cycle.I have found occurs, even the ones where the strongly suggests that amazon of converting wetlands into rice nestlings as late as early April. population is relictual. The result pairs remain together throughout and other grain plantations. Such a These may represent re-nesting of has been virtually zero theyear. policy is a direct threat not only to recruitment of young birds into pairs which lost their first brood the main breeding grounds but also From August to early September earlier in the season. the population (see Breeding). the foraging areas of the species. pairs leave the collective roost, All 49 nests studied failed. Trappers frequently fell the nest keeping separate from other Water-buffalo ranching, an Forty-one were poached by tree, which diminishes the overall amazons during the day. The pairs increasingly popular option in the trappers taking nestlings for sale. availability of nest sites. The two start prospecting for potential nest marshy lowlands where the nests found in a termitarium and The remaining eight failures were amazon lives, is a direct competitor cavities, one of them being more amongst the petioles of a palm active in the search (observations caused by natural predators such for food resources such as were in an area of high poaching as snakes, opossums and owls (six Erythrina and Gomidesia (the of copulating birds suggest that the levels and apparently no natural active bird seems more likely to be instances) and by strong winds buffalo browse these small trees) causing trees to fall (two instances). cavities. 4 the only amazons found in the another Brazilian endemic coastal plain are Amazona farinosa psittacine, Spix's Macaw and A. rhodocorytha(P.Martuscelli Cyanopsitta spixii. and F. Olmos unpubl. data). Of 16 populations in Sao Paulo The population of the species is state only two, totalling 138 birds, 1,550 birds in Sao Paulo, a far are in protected areas such as greater number than the 300 parks or ecological stations and are estimated by Scherer-Neto (1989). not being poached. Occurrence The earlier figure seems to be the within a protected area is, however, product of limited survey time and no guarantee on this issue. Another the missing of several important three populations, involving254 areas located in less accessible birds, are being poached despite forest and swampy areas. In Parami their presence inside protected Scherer-Neto (1989)found 2,101 areas. The main problem is lack of birds during four years of effective protection for most areas, fieldwork. This figure was arrived which are "paper parks". Of the at by pooling numbers found at remaining habitat in Sao Paulo, collective nocturnal roosts and only around 470km2 are in censuses while foraging and flying, protected areas, and this is and so may be an overestimate. probably too Iowa figure for the Red-tailed Amazons use a wide long-term security of the species. range of fruit resources, being Based on the surveys mainly seed predators. Feeding on undertaken during this study, four arthropods has rarely been new protected areas have been recorded in Neotropical parrots, proposed: on llha Comprida, on the but it is possibly commoner than mainland facing Ilha do Cardoso, at thought (Martuscelli 1994b).Food Parquera-a<;u and Mongagua. These, plants grow in all types of forest in together with existing protected the region, but plants found in areas, would encompass the bulk of swampy areas seem most the population and remaining habitat in Sao Paulo. Nevertheless, Theauthor deepin the swamp that covers much of theRed-tailedAmazon's territory. important. Breeding is synchronised with the fruiting of a stronger commitment by the trees with large crops (most government is necessary to Huntingamazonsfor food still sympatric occurrence of mangroves Myrtaceae, Callophyllum implement the full establishment takes place. In Sao Paulo I recorded and forests dominated by brasiliense), especially those of the parks and to provide them two instances. One case involved Callophyllum brasilienseand growing in restinga. These data with adequate financial support. children killing a bird with Tabebuiacassinoides,and higher agree with de Grande and Lopes The proposed reserves would slingshots. The other occurred at amazon densities are attained only (1981) and Kirizawa et al. (1992). also protect populations of several where there is a rich mosaic that Cananeiain June 1990,when40 The amazons do not seem to be other threatened species such as birds from a roosting flock of 87 includes both mangrove and all selective with regard to nest Golden-tailed Parrotlet Touit surda were shot by local cai<;arasfor types of lowlandforest. The cavities, using what is available and and Brown-backed Parrotlet T. target practice and food. southern limit for the sympatry of showinga certain degree of melanonota, Blue-bellied Parrot, Captive breeding has never these assemblages is at 26' 50'S adaptability. White-necked Hawk Leucopternis occurred in either Brazil or Europe (Reitzetal.1978,Cintron-Molero Conservation lacernulata, Black-headed (Low 1992).(Breeding achieved in and Schaefer-Novelli 1992),close to Berryeater Carpornis UKin 1994- Ed.). The so-called where the southernmost Trade is at present the most immediate threat to the Red-tailed melanocephala,plus mammals captive-bred birds offered for sale population of amazons is found. such as the black-faced lion Amazon, despite views to the by prominent Brazilian This also strengthens the case for tamarin Leontopithecuscaissara aviculturists are in fact wild-caught. regarding the old record of the contrary in Low(1984), Scherer- Neto (1988, 1989) and Silva and giant otter Pternonura All the captive populations are , speciesfrom RioGrande do SuI brasiliensis. composed of birds illegallytrapped (vonIhering 1899) as erroneous. (1991), who all consider habitat destruction to be a worse threat. and smuggled out of Brazil Moreover it helps explain the Acknowledgements (Martuscelli 1994a).Indeed,it is the apparent puzzle of the species's The only places where nests can This work has been funded by the interest of foreign bird-fanciers and concentration south of the Ribeira be expected to escape poaching Nature Conservancy, Zoologische are Ilha do Cardoso State Park and Gesellschaft fUr Arten- Und zoos, mainly in Europe, that has de Iguape river, given that a fairly fuelled the poaching, by creating a large (e.400km2) tract of lowland Jun!ia-ltatins Ecological Station, Populationsschutz "Fonds fUr and even adult birds are now demand among Brazilian forest exists in the Jureia-Itatins Bedrohte Papageien", Funda<;ao 0 aviculturists acting as middlemen. Ecological Station (e. being captured. Poaching has been Boticario de Prote<;ao a Natureza, so intense that the market has All the people trafficking in the 24'20'S4TlO'W). the Jolm D. and Catherine T. species in Brazil are well known, The area is protected from been flooded by Red-tailed MacArthur Foundation, ZOO but the government agencies have trappers, yet only40 amazons live Amazons, causing the prices to DRESDEN,British Airways Assisting been lax in intervening. there. However, it is only south of fall. In the early 1990's, Nature Conservation, the World Argentinian middlemen were Parrot Trust, Funda<;ao SOSMata Discussion the river that there are broad selling the species for as little as Atliintica, Sociedade de Pesquisa The Red-tailed Amazon is expanses of mangrove bordering US$90 (Bertonatti 1992). em Vida Selvagem e Educa<;ao restricted to the narrow forested lowland forest. At Jureia-Itatins, It is clearly vital to stop this Ambiental -SPVS.Special thanks to stretch between the sea and the amazons are found in the places international trafficking. Despite Terry and Bill Pelster for their coastal massifs. This habitat was where mangrove is associated with being listed on CITESAppendix 1 generous support for and trust in probably once much more lowland forest, while at Pariquera- Abaixo State Park (24'40'S4T50'W), and being fully protected under my work, my wife Miriam Milanelo extensive, perhaps double its Brazilian law, the species is for help during fieldwork, and historical area, during the last sea where all forest types are disjunct from mangrove, amazons are becoming increasingly common in DaIcio K. Dacol for his continuing regression 15,000BC (Suguio et al. collections in Europe and the USA. assistance with all my work. Carlos 1978), when the continental shelf present only seasonally. The northern limit of the sympatry of As stated above, all birds in these Yamashita and Fabio Olmos greatly was exposed. It is to be noted that collections have been smuggled improved the original draft of this the broadest stretch of shelf is mangrove and lowland forests is the point where the Serra do Mar from Brazil and their possession paper with their comments and exactly adjacent to the area in massif approaches the sea and is the result of illegal acts. In suggestions, and Yuri M.de Barros which the amazon survives today. other words bird-fanciers around and Dr RubensJunqueira Vilella The findings of this study there is almost no plain, around the citiesof Santosand Cubatao (e. the world are pushing the Red- provided useful data. strongly suggest that Red-tailed tailed Amazon to the brink of Amazon distribution is tied to the 24'OO'S).From this point to the border with Riode Janeiro (23'20'S) extinction, as they have done with

5 TUEPARROTPUENOMENON The past, present and future of the world's most charismatic birds By Michael Reynolds.

As our species has pursued its pet or 'companion' birds in homes dominance of our planet and its around the world. resources, other animals have been A survey carried out by MORI bent to our will and exploited in for The World Parrot Trust showed every conceivable way. We have that there are 600,000 pet parrots hunted, domesticated, traded and in the United Kingdom; there are exhibited them. Much of the time also about 4M budgerigars. we treat them with indifference, So there appears to be one large sometimes with cruelty, denying pet parrot per 100 population in them the freedoms they were Britain. If this figure is extrapolated created to enjoy. A lucky few will globally, and bearing in mind that encounter respect, consideration, parrots are more frequently kept as even affection. household pets in the developing This may well be a statement of world, it is reasonable to assume the obvious, but it serves as a that there are around 50 million background for a review of the pet parrots worldwide. We will present position of an important return to this statistic later. family of birds, the parrots. Over The next development in the 300 species exist, in a history of the parrots is probably Wild caught Coffin's Cockatoos,Tanimbar, Indonesia.Many of thesebirds died, but the kaleidoscopic array of sizes, the most profound: the discovery, \'\PT managed to get 300 released. colours and characteristics. The refinement and dissemination of World Parrot Trust has described the techniques required to breed them as 'the world's most them in captivity. This was a In 1983 John and Pat Stoodley Endangered Species) has also charismatic birds'. Since the cumulative process, with published their first book, 'Parrot helped, and most parrot range earliest times man has valued them spasmodic breedings occurring, Production'. It is difficult to over- countries have banned the export as prestigious and fascinating mostly in private collections, from state the importance of this book, of their native birds, or have household ornaments. Their the 1920's to the 1960's. A major which presented to aviculturists imposed quotas. Some countries, hardiness, longevity and ability to factor inhibiting breeding success worldwide proven methods to however, have done nothing, and mimic our speech have placed was that almost all parrot species achieve the successful artificial others fail to carry out their conservation commitments. them in an unique position in our are not sexually dimorphic, i.e. not incubation of parrot eggs, and the homes. capable of being sexed visually. hand-rearing of the chicks to In 1994 the United States enacted the Wild Bird Conservation This situation endured for Since most parrots, if kept as a maturity. The consequences of this hundreds of years and continued 'pair' of the same sex, will for expansion of knowledge and skills Act, which effectively makes illegal virtually unchanged until the social reasons behave rather as if were extensive: some bad, some the importation into the US of wild- second half of this century. At this they were a true pair, this not so bad. caught birds. Similar legislation is point a var~ety of factors combined depressed early success in Initially, the demand for the under discussion in the European to bring about dramatic changes breeding parrots in captivity. In the trapping and importation of wild Union, but it seems likely to be for the parrots. With increased late 1970's the use of laparoscopy parrots increased, as more and many years before anything as affluence in the industrial world, a to establish conclusively the sex of more 'aviculturists' discovered that helpful to the parrots will become demand for prestige exotic pets parrots came into use, and this what had been a costly hobby was law within Europe. stimulated traders to bring in rapidly transformed the prospects capable of becoming a profitable In the meantime, parrots have supplies of wild-caught parrots. of success. At last, pet parrots of home-based business. This become big business. The World Parrot Trust has also called them At the same time, transport by air previously unknown sex could be increased the pressure on wild became a readily available facility. paired up with certainty, kept in populations at a time when other 'the billion dollar birds'. This is not During the 1970s and 1980s, aviaries, provided with nestboxes, adverse factors, primarily the far-fetched as an estimate of millions of parrots were removed given more adequate nutrition, and destruction of habitat, were also annual global expenditure on from the wild, and those that might then reward their owner with accelerating. parrots, if one includes the survived, perhaps 25%, ended up as some chicks. As time went by, the only purchase of birds both wild-caught positive aspect of this process - and aviary-bred, transportation, the from the point of view of ensuring cost of cages, aviaries, buildings, the survival of parrot species in the incubators and other equipment, wild - began to emerge. The ability food, medication, veterinary of parrot breeders to supply the treatment and research, travel, pet trade with young, friendly, visits to zoos and bird parks, hand-reared birds diminished the wages and salaries, conferences, demand for wild-caught parrots. conservation projects, printing, This traffic received a further publications, and insurance. massive blow in the early 1990s No other family of birds attracts when 'green' activists, notably the this degree of interest and Enviromnental Investigation investment. The reason is simple: Agency, convinced the majority of parrots are money. When a quite airlines that the mass shipment of 'ordinary' parrot can be sold for birds by air was not humane, and $1000, and a very special one for alienated airline customers. $20000, the whole affair ceases to The work of CITES(Convention be a hobby and becomes a on the International Trade in business. In the world as it exists A petparrot is part of life in developingcountries.

6 today, if an enterprise willmake ordinary parrot keeper. A high money, that's sufficient degree of cynicism has been justification; no ethics come up for displayed, for example in the case consideration, and responsibility of collectors who received towards wild creatures barely smuggled specimens of a parrot on exists. the brink of extinction in the wild, It gets worse than this. When then proposed that a special parrots cannot be taken from the committee be set up to promote wild legally, or transported legally, the 'recovery' of this species. First they are stolen from wild nests and order of business for this smuggled. The authorities in many committee was to negotiate an countries now cooperate to prevent anmesty for the collectors who had these activities, and are becoming acquired their birds illegally. increasingly successfuL On the credit side in the Prosecutions are monnting, and man/parrot relationship we can penalties are increasing. An ex- cite a number of conservation curator of one of the world's initiatives by governments, NGOs largest parrot collections is and individuals. Parrots are currently charged with 14 frequently quoted as potential A captive-bred, hand-reared parrot can be a companion for life. smuggling offences, and faces a 'flagship species' for the promotion maximum of 45 years jail and $2M of environmental awareness, and the destruction of their natural detail of the work carried out, so fines. some progrannnes, such as Paul habitats, and continuing trapping far, in 18 countries for the benefit It should be said here that in Butler and RARE'seducational for trade. This is, of course, only of 20 species of parrot. There is addition to the financial incentives, progrannnes in the Caribbean and one aspect of the loss of genetic little doubt that the World Parrot there exists the 'collector's elsewhere, have had considerable Trust's initiatives have stimulated success. diversity that blights our planet, so syndrome'. Having suffered a mild why should we pay particular other avicultural organisations into form of this some years ago, the Parrots have also been key attention to the plight of the similar activity. writer can understand it, but factors in the development of eco- parrots? Key individuals in the 'parrot deplores the cases in which no tourism, and as practised by Dr. Perhaps the answer is that while world' give unqualified support to Charles A. Murm III of the Wildlife legal, moral or financial restraints other flagship species have been the trust. These include Rosemary are evident. Large collections built Conservation Society - NYZSin used successfully to highlight the Low, author of 'Endangered up for reasons of ego and/or Peru, have contributed to the need to save the forests and the Parrots' and 20 more books on commercial gain, and with no protection of substantial areas of oceans, there is one essential parrots, who also edits the regard whatever for the laws of the rainforest. difference: tigers, apes and whales newsletter. Joseph M.Forshaw, co- countries of origin or the The essential fact remains, don't live in our houses. The author of 'Parrots of the World', requirements of CITES,are the however, that about 100 of the 330 parrots do, and that gives them acts as an advisor. Dr. Charles A. worst possible role models for the species of parrot are threatened by their special value as Munn Ill, an authority on the communicators and educators, conservation of macaws, is a with the potential to inspire us and trustee of WPT-USA,as are Dr. Will. our children with the urgency that Richard Porter of the International is needed. Aviculturists Society and Dr. To exploit this potential is part Andrew Greenwood of the of the long term strategy of The International Zoo Veterinary World Parrot Trust, a charity which Group. The trust does not intend to was founded in the United become a complex organisation, Kingdom in 1989. The trust is now preferring the luxury of being able also established as World Parrot to act with the minimum of debate, Trust USA Inc., and has linked but the maximum of sound advice. trusts in , Canada, The World Parrot Trust has Denmark and Holland. It has raised been able to draw attention £600,000 ($900,000) and used towards the current threats to these funds to pursue its stated parrots in the wild, their objectives: the survival of parrot sometimes excessive exploitation species in the wild, and the welfare in captivity, and the urgent need to of every individual parrot. oppose any examples of cruelty or The trust sprang from illegality. It would like to see a avicultural roots, and strongly significant percentage of the defends and represents the profits created in the parrot fascinating hobby of keeping and business go towards helping the breeding parrots in captivity. At birds in the wild. Very slowly but the same time, it urges surely, it sees progress in its aims. aviculturists to accept a proper With fifty million parrots kept measure of responsibility for the as pets, and perhaps another five conservation of parrots in the wild. million breeding birds in aviaries, It seeks good relations with the parrots of the world are also a scientific and governmental bodies, resource for conservation and works on a variety of joint awareness that has not yet been issues with IUCN,BirdLife tapped. In addition to expanding International, the Association for its field conservation work, the Parrot Conservation, the trust intends to develop education Conservation Breeding Specialist projects aimed at establishing the Group, Jersey Wildlife Preservation parrots as the logical Trust, and others. 'spokespersons' for the whole of The trust has a substantial track nature. Only by encouraging future record in identifying and generations to protect and preserve supporting parrot conservation our natural heritage can we hope to projects. Its newsletter ensure the future of all species, A trappertakesa Blue-frontedAmazon chick from a wild nest. Thechick will probably die, the nest tree may survive.Researchshows,however,that over 100,000 nest trees 'PsittaScene', and its project review including our own. have beendestroyed in alone. 'Parrot Portfolio' provide much

7

--- AWARDS BBC Wildlife Magazine Zoo Conservation Awards for Excellence

n July 1994, wildlife consultant WinneroftheBBCWildlifeMagazine and ex-zookeeper Stefan Ormrod ZooConservationAwardfor Excellence. wrote a withering attack in this magazine on the validity of most The Parrot Bus Projects - captive-breeding programmes in Paradise Park, Hayle,Cornwall zoos. Too expensive, he said, too complex for most zoos, too many quawking like a parrot and rattling failures and too dangerous for wild down the roughest of roads, the populations - 'greenwash' in most cases. Jacquot Express not only causes a "Although some species may find stir wherever it goes, but has also salvation through captive propagation." S helped secure the future of one of the he concluded, "it is patently dishonest for world's most endangered parrots by turning it zoos to claim a major role in into a potent national symbol. conservation or, considering the A one-time British Leyland bus, the 'Express' atrocious standards of most of them, that is a brightly painted mobile classroom which they are ever likely to." has been touring remote villages on the tiny Caribbean island of St Lucia since it first Healthy as a Parrot. Atrainee biologist from Peru Strong stuff, but was he right? drove off a Geest banana boat from Britain in feeds a St Vincent parrot chick at Paradise Park, No way, retorted the zoo industry in an April 1991. . where the birds are captive-bred and hand.reared. equally bruising response, condemning If successful conservation is about winning Stefan's views as damaging, inaccurate the hearts and minds of the people, then that's Cornwall, and a trustee of the World Parrot and downright "unfair." what the Jacquot Express is designed to do. Trust, took up the challenge of St Lucian Out of this controversy came the idea Stripped of its original seats, the bus has been conservationist Paul Butler to help bring the bird back from the brink of extinction. for a BBC Wildlife Magazine Zoo fitted with lively interactive displays, games Conservation Award. In effect, it was a and videos explaining the threats facing the St The solution was not conventional captive- challenge to the zoo industry to put Lucia parrot Amazona versicolor - locally breeding and release into a reserve, but a forward real conservation projects to be nicknamed 'the Jacquot'. programme of travelling to the towns and judged. The first aim: to reward British Hit by hunting, habitat loss and occasional villages of St Lucia to educate local children. zoos which can be shown to have hurricanes, the Jacquot's numbers are The Jacquot Express was born, with genuinely helped the survival in the wild believed to have dropped from an estimated impressive results. St Lucians have embraced of an animal species, a group of species 1,000 birds in 1950, to only 100 in 1975. It the Jacquot as a national emblem, and or a threatened habitat. The second aim: was this decline which spurred government hunting bans and forest to discover an ideal project to act as a conservationists into action. In early 1990, protection have been enforced with local model for others. David Woo1cock, curator of Paradise Park in support. The ICBPjlUCN Birds Red Data Though there were detailed ground rules for the competition, the judges were especially looking for projects demonstrating an holistic and symbiotic approach to conservation. In other words, schemes supporting existing conservation initiatives, and those exploring ways of preserving the whole ecosystem, rather than the more traditional approach of releasing captive- bred animals into exclusionist and protected reserves. If local people were involved that was a bonus. No wonder then, that the unanimous winner of the main award is a novel project combining on-the-ground education and conservation, with captive-breeding playing a supportive role.

. The judges were: Peter Olney, director of The Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland; Bob Golding, zoo inspector, fonner zoo director and a designer of zoo and museum interpretive display systems; John Gripper, zoo inspector, vet and regular consultant to the Born Free Foundation; Nicholas Gould, editor of International Zoo News; John Mackinnon, conservationist, zoologist and director of the Asian Bureau for Conservation. Big trip to birdland. St Lucian schoolchildren get ready for an experience on the Jacquot Express. The Caribbean island is "a nation sensitised to the importance" of an endangered species.

8 PARADISE PARK WINS MAJOR ZOO CONSERVATIONAWARD

Trustmemberswillbeawareof theseriesofthree'parrotbuses' ofRARECentre 991and 1994.Theywill readin thisissueoftheParaguayanEco-busjustcompleted. Therath ParadisePark -which carried out RARE-haswon the aline 'ZooConservationAwardsfor Excellence', theseconda.ndthirdawards,withprojectsto

Vincie the vulnerable. The St Vincent parrot is one of at least four endangered Caribbean parrots now being rescued through public education projects.

Book now estimates that there are 300-350 St Lucia Parrots on the island, and "a nation sensitised to the importance of the species." The success of the Jacquot Express did not end on St Lucia. In 1992, a second parrot bus was delivered to Dominica to spread the conservation message on behalf of the red- necked amazon and the imperial amazon, known locally as 'Sisserou'. In 1993, The Vincie Express started trundling around the island of St Vincent for the St Vincent parrot, backed by a captive-breeding programme at Paradise Park in Cornwall, and earlier this year, a fourth bus was launched in Paraguay. Though the project works alongside captive- breeding programmes and the creation of protected reserves, it is undoubtedly the buses themselves which have focused attention of ordinary local people on the plight of the parrots. Their education tools include a jigsaw that puts "the environmental pieces together"; Forests for People, showing how water and trees are used by people; a Proud of My Parrot photo-display for each special parrot; and images showing how it is possible to live in harmony with wildlife. A clear winner of this award, the parrot buses project pulls together all the threads necessary for good conservation. Each has gained the goodwill of the people, thereby helping to support the interlinked conservation programmes on the ground, protecting the endangered parrots and the environment which sustains them.

. Readers interested in visiting Paradise Park should send a large sae marked 'BBC Wildlife Magazine Offer' to Paradise Park, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4HY, for a free entry ticket (one per household) and information about the parrot projects and the World Parrot Trust. David Bel/amy, the Paradise Park team, and the trophy.

9 BUILDINGTUE 'DOUSE OF MACAWS' Creating a WorldParrot Trust Eco-bus at long distance ByDavidWoolcock(WPTTrustee,& Curator, ParadisePark). Thestoryof the'HouseofMacaws' difficult thanfirst imagined.In (or'Gua'aRaity'in theGuarani previousbuses,anyqueries,for language)begansometwoanda example,regardingdoorwidths, halfyearsagowhenHerMajesty's floor construction,positionof AmbassadortoParaguay,Mr chassismembersorengine MichaelDibbenandhismother components,couldsimplybe visitedParadisePark,homeof the answeredbytakingalook;but with WorldParrotTrust.WhilstthereMr thebussofar awayit just wasnot Dibbenwasintriguedby a display that easy.Wewerenowtwo highlightingtheworkof the monthsbehindour schedule.As EcobusesintheCaribbeanandhe timewentonandwith moreand immediatelysawthepotentialfor morequestionsneedinganswers, suchavehicleinParaguay. wedecidedtosendamemberof Discussionsfollowedbetweenthe theCornishteamto Paraguay.Soit AmbassadorandMikeReynolds wasthat in earlyMarch1995,Nick (Hon.Dir.WPT&Dir. PP),andwith Reynolds,withtheinvaluablehelp fundingassuredfromtheForeign of BritishAirwaysAssisting andCommonwealthOfficetheidea Conservation,madethetrip to of a "Busfor Paraguay"waswell Paraguaytogettheanswerswe Painting the Ecobusin Asuncion andtruly ontheroad. needed.Fourdayslater,exhausted Thereweretwomajor andwith anotebookfull of to enablecompletionofthe supportto the zoo.Salimshowed differencesbetweenthe measurements,Nickreturned- exhibits.Bymid Mayall the us thesitewhichhadbeencleared ParaguayanBusandits Caribbean with all our questionsansweredwe exhibitswerecompleteandpacked for thenewaviaryandthentookus counterparts-thelanguageforall couldproceedbothwith in tenpackagesofvaryingshapes to thelocationwheretheaviary theinterpretivetextwasto be confidenceandspeed. andsizesreadyfor theirjourneyto frameworkwasbeingconstructed. Spanish,withahint of Guaranifor Bynow,Easterwasalmostupon Asuncion.Theyflew out from Theframeworkwasto beerected goodmeasure,andthewholething us- thestart of ourbusiesttimeat HeathrowonMay27,courtesyof on sitethedaybeforeweweredue wasto befitted out in Paraguay ParadisePark,bothwith visitor BritishAirwaysandshortly to leaveAsuncionandthewhole insteadofCornwalL numbersincreasingandwith the afterwardstheirsafearrivalin enclosureshouldthenbe In Asuncion,IsaiasVergara,Aid birdsbreeding,itwasbecoming Paraguaywasconfirmed. completedwithinamonth.Wealso Officer,wasgiventhetaskof moreandmoredifficult to devote OnJune6, NickandI flew out discussedwithSalimthedisplay findingtheright vehiclefor thejob timeto thebus.Thankfully,most to Paraguaytofit theexhibitsin boardwhichWPTwasto provideto in hand.Aftera lot of hardworkhe of themajorworkwasin handand thebusandto preparefor its accompanytheHyacinthaviaryand foundandpurchasedtheideal all thatwereallyneededtodowas official presentationonJune15,at whichwouldreinforcethe vehicle:aMercedes1113which finalisethecopydetailsand theQueen'sBirthdayPartyat the educationalvalueof theexhibit. wasin excellentconditionandwell acquiresomeadditional Ambassador'sresidence. Ourworkin, on andaroundthe suitedto theParaguayanroads. photographicmaterialfor the WhenwereachedAsuncionour buscausedagreatdealof interest WorkthenbeganinParaguayto interpretivedisplays,before first priority wasto checkthat amongstthelocalpeopleandwe removethewindowsfromthebus, assemblingthefinal exhibitsfor noneof the exhibitshadbeen wereofteninterruptedin our replacingthemwith sheetmetal, thebus.Withina surprisinglyshort damagedintransit.Theyhadall laboursto answerquestionsabout andstrippingtheinteriorof all its spaceoftime,JudithVenningour faredextremelywellwith only thebus.Oneinterruptionthough, seatsandfittings. trust administrator,withthehelp slightdamagetotheexterior wasratherunusual-onSunday11 Astheprojectprogressedit of MarilynBennett,theDeputy paintworkof oneor twoof the Juneat about3pm,Nickwas soonbecameapparentthat Headof MissionattheBritish packagesandthatwaseasily workingunderthebusandI was equippingabuswhichwasseveral EmbassyAsuncion,had sorted.Notsosimpleto sortout workinginsidewhensuddenlya thousandmilesaway,wasmore accumulatedeverythingnecessary however,wasthefact that oneof cardrovepastwith a groupof thepackageshadnot arrivedat alL abouttwentyBluefronted It hadvanishedduringtheinternal AmazonsAmazonaaestivain a flight throughBrazil.Themissing smallwire cageontheroofrack! packagecontainedthePASystem Rathershockedatthesight,we andmostof thecableandfittings followedthecaruntil it pulledinto for the240velectricalsystemon the drivewayofahouselessthan a thebus.Whilstawaiting hundredyardsfromwherewewere replacementsfromCornwall,we working.Weenlistedthehelpof busiedourselvesunpackingthe MarilynBennett,whospoke remainingpackagesand excellentSpanishandsetabout findingoutjust whatwasgoingon. " assemblingtheexhibitsinto the - bus. A rathersurprisedbutverynice -- Wetookthe opportunitytovisit lady,whoincidentally,spoke -- AsuncionZooto seehowtheaviary excellentEnglish,explainedtous -- for theconfiscatedHyacinth exactlywhatshewasdoing The -- Macawswasprogressing.Wemet Bluefrontshadbeentakenfrom -- up with SalimGirala,anarchitect thewild in the Chacoregionof the andmemberofFundacionJardin countryandhadbeenconfiscated BotanicoyZoologicoacommittee by the CITESauthoritieswhenthey werediscoveredforsaleat the Loading the bus exhibits for shipment to Paraguay by British Airways. whichraisesfundsandgives

10 Working model of the 'bad forest'.

Remansobridge,thebridgewhich childrenfollowthemacaws crossestheRiverParaguayintothe "footsteps"andsawtheir excited Chacoregion.Onceseized,the little facesastheyinteractedwith birdshadbeenplacedin thecare theexhibitsandlearntfrom them. of selectedindividualswho Wecapturedsomeof theactivity undertooktorehabilitatethebirds onfilm andvideoaswewanted ., prior tore-releasebackinto the everyonewhohadhelpedwith this wild.Theladywasmerelymoving projectto getsomeideaof the thebirdsfrom asmallaviaryather receptionthatall their hardwork hometo alargeroneather hadreceived. mother-in-laws,albeitin arather Onleavingtheplaygroupandat unorthodoxmanner! theAmbassador'ssuggestion,we Onceinstallationof theelectrics borrowedaLandRoveranddrove out to theChaeo-abirdwatcher's andexhibitshadbeencompleted Localchildrenon theirway throughthebus. allwethenneededtodowasto paradise.AssoonastheRemanso collectandfit thetelevision& bridgeis crossed,thelandscape wetoohadto return,to thecapital. werefortunateenoughtocatch altersdramaticallyintotheChaco, videosystemwhichhadbeen Thefollowingdaywasthe sightof both SaffronToucanets generouslydonatedbyLloyd's theextensiveplainof western Bankin Asuncion.Withthisin Queen'sBirthdayPartyatwhichwe andRedbreastedToucansfeeding Paraguay.TheChacocomprisesof hadhopedto launchthebus. amongstthetrees;andanearly placethebuswasnowreadyfor its threedistinctregions,theLow, Unfortunately,owingto adelay morningtrip, before6am,to the first outingto meetsomechildren. MiddleandHighChaco.Weonly with theexternalpainting,thiswas Argentinesideof thefalls,was Thefollowingmorning,wetookthe hadtime to exploretheregion knownastheLowChaeowhichis a not possible.However,manyof the particularlyrewardingaswewere "Gua'aRaity"to theEnglish peoplewemetat theevent,offered ableto watchcountlessnumbersof PlaygroupinAsuncion,wherewe verdantsavarmaofpalmswith to helpwith variousaspectsofthe ToeoToucanasthesuncameup, weremetby theAmbassadorand patchesofthornyscrub.It is a projectandwith thefuture movingoff to feedin theforest. numerousmembersofthepress. poorlydrainedareafull of marshes operationofthebus.Wewere Aswesawmoreof Paraguay,its Thebuswascertainlyasuccessif andpondswhichharbouran especiallypleasedtomeet faunaandits surroundingregions, thechildren'sfaceswereanything enormousarrayof birdlife. Driving "Ysanne"therenownedParaguayan it reallybroughthometo usjust to goby!Withoutdoubtthemost alongtheTrans-Chaeohighway,we artistwhosedesignswerechosen howmuchdiversityandsheer popularexhibitswithinthebus cameacrosscountlessspecies to decoratetheexteriorof thebus. wealthof naturewashereto weretheforestmodelswiththeir rC\ngingfromBlackVultureand With eachofher designsdepicting cherishandpreserve.Wefelt thrilling soundsandstunning Caracara,toSpoonbillsandIbis.On in vibrantcoloursadifferent effects-KenLinderman,our privilegedto havebeenableto oneof theestanciaswespentquite faunalregionwithin Paraguay, contribute,in somesmallway,to modelmaker,haddoneanamazing sometimewatchingQuaker Gua'aRaityis guaranteedtoturn that preservationbybeingpart of job.Timeandtimeagainthe Parakeetsfeedingandobserving childrenwouldreturnto seeand GiantWaterRailonthemarshland. headswhereveritgoes.Theday theTEAMwhichbroughttheGua'a heartheanimalsinthe "Good after thepartywemetwith Raityinto existence. If timehadallowed,wewould FelicitasfromDirecciondeParques Forest"andto appreciatethe happilyhavespentalot moretime THETEAM NacionalesyVidaSilvestre. irreversibledestructionoccurring in this region,but asdusk Felicitashadseenhowthebuses GrahamBee,LloydBurchell within the"BadForest".BothNick approachedandwewatched hadworkedin theCaribbeanand RodHall,MichaelIversen andI weresopleasedtoseethe severalpairsof Bluefronted KenLinderman,GuidoRojas buscometolife aswewatchedthe knewexactlyhowshewishedto MargaretRyan,DavidWaugh Amazonsreturningto their roost, useGua'aRaity,to theextentof havingdriverslinedup to takethe &theStaffof: vehicleto thepeople.Her TheBritishEmbassyAsuncion enthusiasmanddetermination, ParadisePark togetherwiththat of the other TheWorldParrotTrust membersofthebuscommittee, RARE will I amsure,securethesuccess BritishAirways of thebusprojectin Paraguay. Additionalphotographicmaterial Duringourlast two daysin kindly providedby; Paraguaywewereableto driveto CalinBath- PaigntonZoological& thewaterfallsatIguazuonthe BotanicalGardens bordersof Brazil,Argentinaand MarilynBennett-DeputyHeadof Paraguay.Thesefallswerethe Mission,Asuncion locationfor thefilming of "The DavidJeggo-JerseyWildlife Mission"andto saythat theyare PreservationTrust spectacularisagross DavidLawson- Freelance understatement.Wewerefortunate Photographer enoughtovisit both theBrazilian RogerWilkinson-TheNorthof andArgentiniansidesof thefalls EnglandZoologicalSociety andtheviewsweremagnificent.In HoyNewspapers- Asuncion Michael Dibben, British Ambassador to Paraguay, inside the Ecobus. theforestontheBraziliansidewe

11

I KEDTAILEDBLACKCOCKATOO,. " LATESTNEWSByWayne.D.Caldow "'- This is the fourth report of my inconsistent nestings. I feel a 2) Public land being mainly forests, '"'---'" term of employment as Red Tailed pattern might be evolving which is I feel block burning must cease Black Cockatoo (R.T.B.c.) Project that breeding in large numbers and only strip burning or edge Officer. seems to coincide with a heavy burning continue. Large block fruiting of the Stringybark. There burning especially in springtime is Population and Distribution are three main nest areas which a disaster to native wildlife. A The population is an estimated are adjacent to large crown blocks personal comment by an apiarist 1000 birds ranging from sitings of predominately Stringybark stated Stringybark areas burnt from Naracoorte/Bangham area in Forest. frequently greatly reduces their South Australia to the west of the In the four years of observation fruiting ability. ~- / western fringe of the Black Range / 1 we have gone from 23 to 56 nest 3) Incentive and effort must be put < in theeast. loo,.- -- trees recorded. The only one live Areas where the birds are into regeneration of Buloke areas tree recorded was a yellow gum \ '" present all year round are a 50-60 as this is an important food source with the nest in a dead spout. The of the R.T.B.c. These areas are Km. radius of Edenhope, Victoria remainder of nests were in dead found mainly in cropping arable and the BanghamjFrances area in redgums. -----" South Australia. country due to the soil type. As we We have also placed artificial have seen over time, cropping ~--- ....- Food Source nest sites in the two main nest farmers dislike trees. A lot of I The main food source is the areas. In 1992, 4 nest boxes, being Bulokes left are in poor health and - - ". Stringybark fruit seed which can existing hollows removed from at the end of their lifespan. <11:' be viable all year round, although dead redgums that were not 4) The Conservation and Natural -~.- it does seem to be preferred from hollow bearing. In 1993, one of these fledged a Resources Department must have ~ - early winter through to mid ",J summer. The observations of the young. Also in 1993, we placed six a public awareness program on wildlife smuggling. The emphasis Stringybark in the last four electricity poles with hollows seasons have shown that there is a attached in one area. The following must be placed on the sordid people that are involved so as to ~ '.-- major flowering every three to year 2 of these fledged young. fouryears. The main reason for the large deter the 'local' from even thinking amount of artificial nest sites was about making money from this, 1_- In the first year of the project, - - - ,-I 1992, the Stringybark had a large the poor condition of natural because of the position they would be placing themselves in. flowering which coincided with an hollow bearing trees. One of the above average nesting the biggest dangers facing nest sites is Conclusion that dead hollow trees have only a following spring/summer. This The R.T.B.c. has a very high profile "-- ... life span of another 10-20 years, season, 1995, was a similar season, in the area and the public are right - .~ less in some cases. We hope that so lets hope we can look forward behind the future of this bird. The these artificial sites will fill a gap to another good breeding season main nest areas are under very that may occur. in the coming spring/summer. good tenancies and artificial nest My personal comments on the "- - - - sites are in place and being used. Public Relations breeding of the R.T.B.c. over the Retention of areas of regeneration J I have done numerous press last four seasons has been that has been achieved and hoped to be releases over the four years with although the breeding numbers ongoing. A large amount of data newspapers, radio and television, seem low, the total population has ~-- - .... has been compiled on the breeding which has given the R.T.B.c. a high been consistent, if not a small requirements of this bird. I feel the profile. The press releases have increase. I feel we must remember p role of this position has been ... - emphasised the importance of the that the species might be breeding successfully completed. retention of habitat for the long to its food's availability. I would personally like to thank term viability of the species. This I would also comment that if -- the co-ordinators of this project. F has also helped build the large the population is 1000 birds and network of observers who have Their foresight in placing a local the average life span is 50 years, farmer with a good profile in the ...- -- ...1 given valuable information. These you only need 20 young a year to area as the R.T.B.c. officer has ~ ~ observers are also of assistance in maintain this population. worked very well. deterring the smuggling of any birds. I also feel this exercise was Recommendations made a lot easier by the fact that I 1) The continuation of good public BUKOPARKOT'95 am a local farmer in the area. relations between the government and private landowners. The project has also given The dutch society of keepers and grants to landholders to protect Personally, I believe ... :;;JI breeders of parrots, PAKARA,is habitat. Fencing has been given to communication will always achieve .. a better and more harmonious organising Europarrot'95 to be exclude livestock from Stringybark held at the zoo 'Ouwehands result than forced regulation, and \ and Buloke areas, and for Dierenpark' at Rhenen, Holland on regeneration of these species. this has been one of the big plus's 14 and 15 October 1995. All WPT in this project. Fencing grants were on the proviso members and others are welcome, that no further dead hollow Public awareness of our open woodlands and their role in native and they should write for details bearing trees be removed from to: Secretary PAKARA,J. habitat is vital. The majority of our .-- their properties. Reijmerink, Marsmanhove 31, open woodland is farmland. I feel -. Breeding 2726 DA Zoetermeer, The it is important that farmers . ...J The four seasons during which I understand the value of their have been involved have seen very remaining native habitat.

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12 AVRIL DOES IT AGAIN! are yours. Check the numbers each SLIGOT COANGES TO DO YOU LIVE IN week, and I won't break my word to PSIITASCElYE AFRICA, AUSTRALIA, One of our most devoted and the Trust, even if it's the Big One'. GERMANY, JAPAN OR It seems the numbers were SWITZERLAND? ingenious members is Avril Barton selected by Avril's African Grey You will probably notice that this issue of our newsletter has a of Leeds, UK. She has thought up 'Dudley', and he has already won several good ideas for helping the £10 for his fellow parrots! The best restyled heading and is printed on If so, you may want to become Trust, but her latest is so thing about this idea is that anyone a more glossy paper. This is to try involved in helping establish new to make the most of the wonderful impressive we thought everyone can do it, provided they live in the branches of the World Parrot Trust should know about it She just colours of the birds we often UK - how about taking up Avril's / whichWPT-UKis currently wrote to say:- 'Please tell Mike he idea and writing to give us the WPT illustrate. Some of our shots in discussing with interested may get his million - ref. his article numbers and the number of weeks recent issues on a matt type of members in those countries. Our in the May '95 PsittaScene. From you're donating to the World Parrot paper have been disappointing. experience over the past six years this week I am putting £1 on the Trust? Since there are similar We have also cut down the has shown that it often doesn't National Lottery for the Trust every major lotteries in most countries number of pages from 20 to 16. work if we try to initiate the week: the numbers are now, our members worldwide This is because 16 pages come creation of a new branch in a 1,3,16,22,23,42. All winnings if any could also help in this way. naturally out of a single sheet of country where the Trust is not print, whereas an extra 4 pages represented. We need to wait until adds a lot of complication and a spontaneous offer comes in from expense. We will save £1000 per somebody who has the desire, time issue by doing this - that's an extra and capability to do something to £4000 available each year to go to help the Trust pursue its objectives our actual work for the parrots. for the parrots and their habitats. The cost of printing 3000 16- This has happened in the case page copies of PsittaScene is of all the countries listed above, so £2500 everythree months. Mailing we are cautiously exploring the them out costs another £700. possibilities; part of this is to try to That's £12800 each year. Any find others who may be able to offers for sponsorship will be very help the process along. If this welcome indeed. Perhaps there's a could be you, please write and let printer out there who would like to me know, and I'll put you in touch help? with the person or group in your country. Thanks. Mike Reynolds. Dudley busy selecting his numbers for the National Lottery.

INSERTS IN TOIS ISSUE Trust in a variety of situations. Pet photograph generously donated to stores would be good locations, as us by Bonnie Jay. Apart from being would avian vets' offices, bird club In this issue of PsittaScene you charming however, we think this should find two colourful A4 meeting places ete. poster carries a serious message, We have three versions. One has sheets. One is a mail order form, that is, if you love your companion our UKaddress, another carries the which can be used internationally and aviary parrots, spare a thought to order items from our UK USA and Canadian World Parrot for the parrots in the wild and Trust contact addresses. We also headquarters. Christmas is not far those in captivity which are not being given the care they need and away, and we are often asked for have some with the bottom panel left blank, so we can overprint deserve. suitable gift suggestions for parrot- minded friends and relations. other addresses. We have already If any reader can place this supplied a translated version to our poster where it will spread our We have also enclosed a copy of French branch. a new poster, designed to help win message, we will appreciate it new members and funding for the This poster uses a charming greatly. If anyone can suggest other suitable areas of distribution, or WPT GOES WWW can use a few more copies, please let us know. We have some very computer literate people in the World Parrot Trust, and this has enabled us to get WPTHome Pages established. Any computer user with the necessary WWWfacilities can find out all about WPTby contacting either of the following two addresses:- 'Welcome to the World Parrot Trust USA' http:! jwww.mecca.orgj-rporterj parrotsjwptintex.html 'The Canadian World Parrot Trust' http:! jwchaton.cajparrotj cwparrothtm Individual e-mail addresses where WPTcan be contacted are:- RichardPorter (USA) 72703,[email protected] Cynthia Webb (Administrator WPT- USA)[email protected] Michael C. Pearson (Canada) [email protected] Michael Reynolds (UKOffice) 100437,[email protected]

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UNITED STATES many aviculturists, some quite a court of law. It should be noted Caquiahuana from chainsaw prominent, who are 'smugglers'. that in the US it is very easy to cutters, poachers, hunters, gold Tony Silva Responds He attributes the comments to me, indictsomeone- mylawyer miners, ete. This region is one of but in fact it is he that makes the the most vulnerable areas of the I recently read with interest the always uses the example that even articlein PsittaSceneon the comments. the Pope could be indicted proposed National Park, indictments against my mother The are tomorrow. Fortunately, one is still particularly because of the large and myself. Up until now, I have described as a 'smuggler's mecca', innocent until proven guilty. population of red-and-green macaws that live there. Over the given only one interview on the presumably to try and justify the Why has this problem arisen? I believe that Fish and Wildlife had charges, but the recent article in charge that I sent thousands of years, the population of Ara PsittaScenehas made me take pen illegal birds from there to the US. to justify its existence and that chloroptera in Caquiahuana has to paper. These islands are not a haven for they are trying to stop aviculture. significantly declined and If one reviews the reports made smuggled birds, and indeed By creating a smoke cloud around therefore the need to protect it is (where I lived) has an by lames Mackman, who set us up prominent aviculturists, they urgent. environmental police force which I attack the very heart of bird A small hike away from the . for Fish and Wildlife,it becomes evident that he fancied fiction trained! I never sent any smuggled breeding, for after all, if they research station that they have novels. To give readers an idea, I birds from any of the islands. destroy the most prominent been calling home is a 60-90 m shall cite a few of the claims. I The story then changed that the breeders, they can destroy high sandstone cliff. The top of aviculture. Their actions over this cliff is lush with various trees, supposedly had someone birds were smuggled through and across the Rio Grande 'bumped-off, presumably because many years suggest that they are plants, fungi, and so on, while the into the US. Would Fish and no friends of the bird breeder. he/she was investigating me. In cliff face is dotted with differently crimes there must be a victim ..... Wildlife, which is active in the area, sized cavities. Within these holes, but here there is no victim - it not have confiscated at least one CANADA Ara chloroptera build nests during was a lie. Mackman visited Loro of the bird species which they the nesting season (soon). Prior to Parque at his initiative. In the claim I smuggled? Would someone nesting season, the cavities are not have seen the crates of birds in Catherine Soos, a second-year used as roosting sites. This is report of the visit, it is said that I veterinary student from the forced him to swim with the a Texan or southern Californian actually the first report of macaws University of Guelph, is over half dolphins on his arrival, so that airport? The birds were, it is using cliff cavities for nesting claimed, destined for my mother. way through her tenure with Or. roosting sites. At the moment, 10 someone could go through his Charles Munn in Bolivia. In clothing. He also claims that I had No one can step forth and claim pairs consistently use these holes, company with Laurel Neufeld, a and may take off to feed or my cleaning lady go through his that they bought a bird from her, biology undergraduate at the socialize, but alwavs return to suitcase daily to remove rolls of because she has a long medical history of allergies to birds. She University of Manitoba, she has their respective holes by the time film he was taking, supposedly of has also never sold a bird. been studying the behaviour of secretly kept birds. Mackman darkness sets in. They have Supposedly some of the birds red-and-green macaws in counted over 32 red-and-green claims I participated in the sale of Caquiahuana, Bolivia. They are arms to counter-revolutionaries. purchased were identified as macaws, so there are more pairs both working with EcoBolivia, a Allow me to address these smuggled from a photograph; not than potential cliff sites in this non-governmental organization accusations. Loro Parque's only that, but their age and weight area. During the past month they is also described from the that is strongly and actively have studied the competition for dolphinarium closes at 6.30pm involved in the conservation of and Mackman did not arrive at the photograph. This, as serious these sites, and the use of the cliff aviculturists know, is impossible. land, plant life and wildlife in the holes. park untillO.OOpm, thus making a Bolivian rainforests. At present, 'forced swim' impossible. He swam The sad part is that the report We will provide a further report giving such information is by a with minimal funding, EcoBolivia is on this study when Catherine with the dolphins - but at his own actively protecting a large region returns to Canada. request and many days after his prominent American ornithologist who has long been studying surrounding and including arrival. No one ever went through macaws. his clothing or suitcase, and had Two individuals which claimed that been the case, he could have moved to a hotel or locked the to have purchased or have seen room he was staying in with a key. smuggled birds have dubious All of the park's birds are listed backgrounds. One is in jail for on an inventory, have been seen by murder and drug trafficking and countless visitors, and are feature the other, a veterinarian, was in the guidebook and video. There arrested at one point with illegal were never any secret birds. My drugs in his possession. What family left because of credibility can these people have? Communism, thus I would In an attempt to suggest that certainly not negotiate the sale of some of my birds were illegal, Yellow-faced Amazons were arms to people whose views are similar to Castro's! confused for Yellow-shouldered Mackman reports that I was Amazons, an endangered species, hired by Loro Parque to become a and three being smuggled in 1990. partner in a broad smuggling ring Fortunately during the seizure, the with Wolfgang Kiessling and agents overlooked documents Antonio de Oios. Both.of these proving that I had these birds long before then. There are also men are of great standing and have earned all of my respect. His witnesses ready to testify so. charge is another lie; I was hired In summary, all that I ask is Catherine Soosteaching Bolivian children about parrot behaviour. The telescopeis by the park for my knowledge of that judgement be refrained from focusedon a pair of Green-wingedMacaws,sitting within their cavity, so the children birds. Mackman cites the names of until the matter appears in front of can take turns watching them. 14 StVincent Parrot Hyacinth Macaw Amazona guildingii Anodorhynchus In 1993 the Trust sent the hyacinthinus 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 Dr. Charles Munn and his MRCVSinto the breeding Brazilian colleagues. programme in the Further field work is now government aviaries on St under way, and our Vincent, and the improvements and avicultural HYACINTHFUNDneeds help. support which will follow.

EchoParakeet Psittacula echo Red-tailed Black Cockatoo The World Parrot Calyptorhynchus Trustisin banksii partnership with graptogyne Jersey Wildlife The Trust has a Preservation six year Trust in a commitment to longterm Red-tailed Amazon this programme programme to Amazona brasiliensis to help preserve save this an endangered Only 1,000birds remain and parakeet, which sub-species of is the world's many chicks are taken from this cockatoo in rarest parrot nests for the pet trade. We are Victoria and with only about working with the Brazilian South Australia. 30 remaining. biologists, Dresden Zoo and ZGAPto protect them.

PLEASEGET IN TOUCH IF YOU WOULDLIKETO HELP THE SURVIVALOF ANY OF THESE BIRDS. AIMSOFTUBWORLDPARROTTRUST Theobjectiveofthetrustis to promotethesurvivalof all parrotspeciesandthewelfareof individualbirds.

1. By educating the general public on the threat to parrot survival, 5. By encouraging co-operation in the breeding of parrots by and seeking their interest, concern and support. aviculturists and zoological institutions and better liaison between 2. By action 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. Bygathering and disseminating information-on the status of 6. Bypromoting 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. Byadvocating effective controls on the international trade in parrots and the preservation of genetic diversity. wild-caught parrots, and its replacement by captive-bred birds. 8. By any other means that may be appropriate.

,------I Members receive our quarterly PsittaScene : UELP SAVE TUE PARROTS OF TUE WORLD newsletter with news I about parrot conservation, I I Please join theTrust, or encouragefriendsto join. aviculture and welfare. I I I SUBSCRIPTIONRATES(pleasetick) Name...... Please send your completed form I to: I I D OKandEurope(Single)£15 Address""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" I UNITED KINGDOM I ...... I WorldParrotTrust,GlanmorHouse,/t~L::::C'", I D OKandEurope(Family)£20 ...... I Hayle. CornwallTR274HY ~ I UNITED STATESOFAMERICA I Zip/Postcode...... POBox341141,Memphis,Tennessee38184, I USA. I I D Fellow(LifeMember)£250/05$400 PleasechargemyAccess/VisaAcc/No. I CANADA I MikePearson,POBox29,MountHope,OntarioLORIWO,Canada. I Corporate(Annual) DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD I BENELUX I D All OverseasAirmail£17/05$25 Exp.date Amount£/05$...... I Mrs.JFiege.Graafseweg37,5451NA-MILLNetherlands. I (paymentbyAccess/Visapreferred) . I FRANCE I Signature """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" I MetMmePrin,55RuedelaFassiere,45140Ingre,France. I D Additionaldonationof £/US$ OR:I enclosechequepayableto the WPT. I DENMARK I Mlversen,AIsikemarken482860Soborg,Denmark. : I heardabouttheWorldParrotTrust..from...... I I I I 15 I I I PARROTS>INTUBWILD

ECU 0 PAKAKEET (Psittacula echo) Readersof PsittaScenewillbeawarethat TheWorldParrotTrusthasbeencontributingtowardsthe conservationofthis speciesforfive years.Webeganbysupplyingafour-wheel-drivevehicle (withhelpfrom TheParrotSociety)andhavecontinuedto supplyannualfundsto the MauritiusWildlifeFundto beusedby Carl]ones'team. Thelatestreportshowsthattherearenow around30birds in thewild andeightin captivity.Thisis three timesthenumberthoughtto existwhenwefirst becameinvolvedin 1990.NewZealandbiologist TimLovegrovehasplayedakeyrolein thelast twoyearsandhisreport states:'Overall,1994-95was themostproductiveseasonfortheEchossincethemid-1970'swithfiveyoungrecruitedinto thewild andfour in captivity.Fivewild adultEchoswerecaught,measuredandbandedandblood sampleswere takenfor testingfor PsittacinePolyomavirus,PsittacinebeakandfeatherdiseaseandDNAstudies. Thetestsfor PolyomavirusandPBFDwerenegative.Conservationmanagementofthewild birds included populationsurveys,intensivemonitoringof nests,dailychecksof thegrowthof theyoung,poisoningand trappingof rats aroundnests,supplementalfeedingandobservationsofroostingandfeedingecology.' Theworkprogrammefor1995-96isdauntingandanewteam(MikeThorsenandRachelShorten) is aboutto startwork.TheWorldParrotTrustwouldlike to increaseitsfundingif at all possible, soperhapssomeof our supporterswouldconsidermakingspecialdonationsto helpcontinuethe programmetosavetheworld'srarestparrot.MR

We intend to continue this series of 'Parrots in the Wild', and would welcome suitable photographs from readers.

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