Husbandry Guidelines for Common name: Musk Lorikeet Species name: Glossopsitta concinna Class: Aves Daisy Maria Kuc Date of Preparation: 18 November, 2010. Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmond Certificate 3 Captive Animals, (1068). Lecturer: Graeme Phipps, Jackie Salkeld, Brad Walker Disclaimer This Husbandry Guidelines were produced by Daisy Maria Kuc at TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute, Richmond College, N.S.W. AUSTRALIA as part assessment for completion of Certificate III in Captive Animals, Course number 1068, RUV30204. Since the husbandry guidelines are the result of student project work, care should be taken in the interpretation of information therein, - in effect, all care taken but no responsibility is assumed for any loss or damage that may result from the use of these guidelines. Husbandry Guidelines provide suggestions for captive management but should not be taken to imply that there is only one right way to manage a species in captivity. Husbandry Guidelines are utility documents rather than literature reviews, so must reflect the experiences of the compiler and those who have contributed via personal communications and through referencing to published material. Limitations include that the Husbandry Guidelines are created at AQF Certificate III level and that generally only English language literature is accessed. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS Occupational Health and safety risks with this species Glossopsitta concinna are • Physical: Risks of bites from animals in care which should be acknowledged. • Health: Psittacosis (Zoonotic Disease) which is transferred to humans by inhalation of infected particles. Clinical signs include typical cold like symptoms. It severely affects the young, elderly and immuno-compromised. It essentially suppresses immune system. All details should be passed on to the physician when in contact with infected or previously unknown infected birds. Annual Cycle of Maintenance January February March April May June Breeding Maintenance* (Substrate Perches* (Substrate Maintenance* Season Change) Maintenance* Change) Finishes Maintenance* Maintenance* (Substrate Change) Perches* Worming July August September October November December (Substrate Breeding Breeding Breeding Breeding Breeding Change) Seasons Season Season Season Season Perches* starts Refer (Substrate Worming to Section Change) 10* Perches* Key Notes: • Breeding season (apply triggers and prepare nest boxes prior to breeding season, refer to 10.6). • Perches* = changed every 3 months plus any new furnishings (refer to 4.9 in manual). • Substrate change in the aviary should occur every 2 months (Exclude early months in the breeding season). • Maintenance* = any maintenance within the exhibit including renovations or restorations should not occur in the months of the breeding season (i.e. between August to January) but between February to June preferably. • Worming is to be done 6 monthly if time and resources are limited, if this is not the case, a cytology swab to see what parasites are present (if any) followed by the appropriate treatment (refer to 8.3 for more information). TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................... 7 2 TAXONOMY .................................................................................................................................... 11 2.1 NOMENCLATURE ........................................................................................................................ 11 2.2 SUBSPECIES ................................................................................................................................ 11 2.3 RECENT SYNONYMS ................................................................................................................... 11 2.4 OTHER COMMON NAMES ........................................................................................................... 11 3 NATURAL HISTORY ..................................................................................................................... 12 3.1 MORPHOMETRICS ....................................................................................................................... 12 3.1.1 Mass And Basic Body Measurements ................................................................................... 12 3.1.2 Sexual Dimorphism ............................................................................................................... 15 3.1.3 Distinguishing Features ........................................................................................................ 15 3.2 DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ..................................................................................................... 15 3.3 CONSERVATION STATUS ............................................................................................................ 16 3.4 LONGEVITY ................................................................................................................................ 16 3.4.1 In the Wild ............................................................................................................................ 16 3.4.2 In Captivity ........................................................................................................................... 16 3.4.3 Techniques Used to Determine Age in Adults ....................................................................... 16 4 HOUSING REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................ 17 4.1 EXHIBIT/ENCLOSURE DESIGN .................................................................................................... 17 4.2 HOLDING AREA DESIGN ............................................................................................................. 17 4.3 SPATIAL REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................... 17 4.4 POSITION OF ENCLOSURES ......................................................................................................... 19 4.5 WEATHER PROTECTION.............................................................................................................. 19 4.6 TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................. 20 4.7 SUBSTRATE ................................................................................................................................ 20 4.8 NESTBOXES AND/OR BEDDING MATERIAL ................................................................................. 20 4.9 ENCLOSURE FURNISHINGS ......................................................................................................... 23 5 GENERAL HUSBANDRY ............................................................................................................... 24 5.1 HYGIENE AND CLEANING ........................................................................................................... 24 5.2 RECORD KEEPING ...................................................................................................................... 26 5.3 METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION ................................................................................................... 26 5.4 ROUTINE DATA COLLECTION ..................................................................................................... 26 6 FEEDING REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................................................... 27 6.1 DIET IN THE WILD ...................................................................................................................... 27 6.2 CAPTIVE DIET ............................................................................................................................ 27 6.3 SUPPLEMENTS ............................................................................................................................ 29 6.4 PRESENTATION OF FOOD ............................................................................................................ 30 7 HANDLING AND TRANSPORT ................................................................................................... 32 7.1 TIMING OF CAPTURE AND HANDLING ........................................................................................ 32 7.2 CATCHING BAGS ........................................................................................................................ 32 7.3 CAPTURE AND RESTRAINT TECHNIQUES .................................................................................... 32 7.4 WEIGHING AND EXAMINATION .................................................................................................. 33 7.5 RELEASE .................................................................................................................................... 35 7.6 TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................................... 35 7.6.1 Box Design ............................................................................................................................ 37 7.6.2 Furnishings ........................................................................................................................... 37 7.6.3 Water and Food ...................................................................................................................