Greater Vasa Parrot Breeding Survey byDave Blynn Norcross, Georgia Introduction LimitedTime This article presents anecdotal infor­ for Success WISH mation on the known successful Thirty-three babies have hatched in breedings of the special Greater Vasa the USA since 1988, 18 of those from LIST Parrot, Coracopsis vasa. My know­ one pair. The imported adult birds ledge of these events is limited and now in the USA must all be at least the numbers too few to consider this a nine years old or older. While that definitive study of their habits in cap­ may be old in the wild, one lived in tivity. I do hope that this information captivity for 52 years. We should have for AFA's Office and Committees will encourage others to experiment at least another five to ten years to -- with this unusual species so that we learn how to breed the Greater Vasa Funds are tight ... and we're very can preserve the bloodlines now Parrot consistently if we want to save prudent about our expenses ... but existing within North America. the bloodlines now residing here. Cer­ there are things that would make life tainly, all of these imported birds are and business sooo much nicer! If any Unique Characteristics mature enough to reproduce. Domes­ of our members can donate any of Greater Vasa Parrots are unique tically raised babies have shown these items, we would be very grate­ birds, differing greatly from most other breeding characteristics at three years ful! Please call the office, (602) parrot species. They have long limbs of age, although none have yet repro­ 484-0931, to be sure the dona­ (Silva), unlike any other living species, duced in the USA. tion is what we're looking for except for the Lesser Vasa Parrot, Cor­ and stillinneed. acopsis nigra. Cloacas extend in both BreedingTable females and males during breeding I have compiled a table ofbreedings Looking for donations from the season. The skin of both sexes turns showing some characteristics of the Phoenix area: yellow-orange when in breeding con­ successful events. While the table • Secretary's chair dition. The females' beaks grow wider strongly suggests what we have to do, • Small front lobby corner table and they also lose their head feathers. please remember that I do not have • Small free-standing storage cabinet Females probably will breed with information on all the unsuccessful more than one male, if available. They breeding attempts. It is possible that Looking for donations from also develop a pouch under the lower most of the Greater Vasa Parrots, suc­ anywhere, U.S.A.: mandible which fills with a clear fluid cessful and unsuccessful, are set up in • FAX machine when feeding young. Their eggs hatch most common breeding conditions • Plant/floral arrangement for front in 17 days and the babies' eyes open shown in the table. If true, that would lobby in eight days. If conditions are ideal, invalidate the conclusions I draw from they will fledge in seven weeks. the information in the table. 11IANKS forthe donations: • Hendricks printing, Irvine, CA Problems BreedingTable Carton (1000) catalog envelopes Unfortunately, they are also marked Additional 4 cartons, 500 ea., #10 envelopes by some not-so-unique problems. Information • M. Jean Hessler, Costa Mesa, CA Their primary home range, Madagas­ All but one pair were fed a general Plant/floral arrangment for front car, is rapidly being deforested and parrot diet of seeds, fruits and vegeta­ lobby shortly there will be no place for them bles. One pair was fed a pelleted diet to survive. Four or five hundred were and fruits and vegetables. Nest boxes imported into the U.S.A. in 1984/85 reportedly ranged in size from a 15" x Bird Pet and Supplies and, probably, 200 or less are still 15" to a 16" x 24" base, with heights Retailers - alive. Only a few dedicated avicultur­ from 24" to 36". "Large cage(s)" are at did you know that one ofthe most ists are interested in these birds. They least 4' x 4' X 8' in size. "Outdoor I prestigious bird publications are not very attractive to the eye and cage(s)" were either all outdoor or The Watchbird there is little or no commercial market combined indoor/outdoor cages. is available for resale in your store? for them as pets. Additional importa­ "Others nearby" refers to other Great Call or write for infonnation: tion is unlikely, due to their low desir­ or Lesser Vasa Parrots within sight or I American Federation ofAviculture ability, our new federal law and the hearing distance. "Years bred" shows P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, AZ 85079-6218 difficulty of exporting from Mada­ a single year, inclusive years, or first (602) 484-0931 gascar. year (further success being unknown). 56 June / July 1993 c c m>- Q) > oco Breeding Table Conclusions >­ .D Most breeding successes were in en o large outdoor cages with other vasa <5 £. a.. parrots nearby or large outdoor cages with an additional male in the cage. Tony Alexander's pair is a glaring exception to the nIle, since they are in a small outdoor cage with no other vasa parrots in the collection. This pair is perfectly matched, since they are the only pair that consistently repro­ duces in the USA. Continued onpage 58 This adult hen with young shows a beakgreatly widened, as much as three-eighths ofan inch. A hen in non-breeding season has a narrower beak similar to the cock bird. One can beak-sex the hens when they are ready to breed. Note also the bald head andyellow skin which is typical of Greater Vasa hens when they are on eggs oryoung. afa WATCHJ3IRD 57 A '93 Success? later. A third hen laid two eggs, which pages long, so please request them I have four Greater Vasa Parrot Betsy found on the floor of the cage. only if you need the notes for refer­ cages in one location with one female This was probably due to the location ence while rearing babies. and one to three males in each cage of the nest box. I had placed it at the (three of the males are young domes­ feeding end of the cage. This cage LesserVasa tic birds). When the first hen came grouping, with the extra males and Breeding Information into breeding condition, all of the nest boxes at the far end of the cages, The Lesser Vasa Parrot, Coracopsis other birds (except the '92 baby male) shows promise for the future. nigra is also known as the Black Par­ also came into breeding condition. rot. I have no Lesser Vasa Parrot One female, with two adult males, laid Additional Baby breeding information now. Three USA four fertile eggs stalting December 31, Information Available breeders say that their birds breed 1992. Three of the eggs pipped in the Arlene Chandler made extensive well in pairs and normally produce nest box, but none hatched due to notes on her two babies, one incu­ every year. If the information becomes cold weather. My daughter, Betsy bator hatched and one parent reared available, I will compile a similar table Paul, finally pulled them after a wait of to the age of four weeks. Betsy Paul is for the Lesser Vasa Parrots in the up to four days. She helped them making thorough notes on the four future. hatch and she began hand feeding babies she is feeding. By June '93, I four babies. A second female became will be able to provide copies of their Vasa Parrot Stud Books egg-bound. We removed her eggs, notes to people who are hand feeding Registration of the vasa parrots in but, unfortunately, she died four days babies. These notes will be ten to 15 the stud book is free. Your name and address will not be part of the stud book. That list is separate and not GREATER VASA (Coracopsis vasa) SUCCESSFUL BREEDINGS TABLE proVided to other people. While over 160 greaters are in the books, less than 60 lessers are registered. Your parti­ Large Small Indoor Outdoor Others Extra Years cipation may help save these distinct Cage Year Place Cage Cage Cage Nearby Males Bred Notes parrots for future generations of avi­ 4x4x8' (Less) or I/O G or L in Cage culturists. 1987 GER UNK UNK UNK UNK '87-? 1 Chart Notes 1988 SWITZ Yes XXX XXX YesINo '88-? 2 1. Dieter Meyer (then-East Ger­ many) has first world breeding. 0 1988 PHIL XXX XXX XXX XXX '88-? information is available. 1988 USA XXX XXX '88-92' 3 2. Laid eggs while in group, feltile, 1988 USA XXX XXX XXX '88 4 did not hatch, parents too busy being aggressive. Separated the pair and 1990 UK XXX XXX XXX '90-'92 5 they produced chicks. 1990 UK XXX XXX XXX '90-? 6 3. Small outdoor cage inside large wire enclosure. Consistent producers. 1991 USA XXX XXX XXX '91 4. Infeltile eggs in '89, then the male 1992 USA XXX XXX XXX '92 escaped and was not recaptured. 1992 USA XXX XXX XXX '92 5. Infertile eggs in earlier years, added extra males and they now pro­ 1992 USA XXX XXX XXX '92 duce yearly. 1992 SPAlN XXX XXX XXX UNK '92 6. One greater female, two greater 1993 USA XXX XXX XXX XXX '93 7 males and one lesser all placed in one cage in '90. Produced the first year. TOTAlS 12 1 1 1 11 9 4+? 7. Infertile eggs twice between '85 and '89 when only one male with hen. Pair moved to Georgia, placed outside with additional male near other vasa cages in August '91.