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Vol 26 Issue 12 • Dec-Jan 2014
Breeding
Ti ps
GALAHS
Gouldian Finches
Pet Parrots
What’s in an egg?
Green-winged Macaws
Golden-shouldered Parrots
contents Features
753 The Golden-shouldered Parrot By Chris Baker and Klaus Sietas While these delightful parrots have specific requirements, including dedicated single-pair flights, their care is similar to many other parrots, their price is relatively low and for purists, there are no mutations, so why is this bird under threat in aviculture?
766 New Zealand and the
Great Kea Hunt Diary By Daniel Klaer Join Daniel on his exploration of New Zealand’s South Island, including his quest to see birds from the four surviving South Island parrot species.
770 Tips—Not Secrets— From 50 Years of Parrot Breeding By Rosemary Low
778 Fischer’s Lovebird Pale Mutation By Dirk Van Den Abeele Patience and careful breeding, supported by an in-depth understanding of genetics, pays off as this new mutation is discovered.
780 South Africa and Namibia— Part 1 By Peter Odekerken Join Peter and his friends as their photographic travels take them to capture Moustache Parrots and Goffin’s Cockatoos in Singapore, Ruppell’s Parrots and smaller parrots and finches in Namibia and much more.
782 Green-winged Macaws By Jade Welch and Mark Mills
These large, striking birds are loud and destructive, but placid, smart, love human interaction and make a wonderful pet for the experienced keeper.
792 Study to Help Save Military Macaws By David Waugh
The main threat to Military Macaws is habitat loss, and it is estimated that this has caused a reduction of 30% in the original distribution of the species in Mexico.
794 Humans and Macaws—
We’re Not So Different
By Dorothy Schwarz The story of an inspiring partnership based on love, understanding and attention to body language.
Volume 26 Issue 12
798 Photonic Therapy in Your
Hands By Brian McLaren While nothing can replace veterinary examination, photonic therapy could give bird keepers a system of safe, effective aid which they can apply themselves.
806 Classifieds
800 Finches ’14 Speaker Profiles Enjoy a taste of this wonderful annual finch convention, which is looking to the future of the hobby, with profiles on the major speakers, their backgrounds and subjects.
Regulars
776 The Wise Owl: Beating the Heat
756 Breeding Australian Parrots:
Galahs By Barry Blanch Considered a pest in agricultural areas, the energetic and affectionate galah, with its talking and mimicking skills and amusing antics, is a popular caged birds in Australia.
760 Finch Focus: The Gouldian
Finch—A Beautiful Aussie Battler
By Russell Kingston Its flamboyant colour makes the Gouldian Finch one of the world’s most popular cage birds and it is also fighting back in the wild.
763 Pet Parrot Pointers: Eight Steps Toward Pet Parrot Success
By Jim McKendry The number of baby parrots for sale across Australia is at its annual peak, so now is the perfect time to explore critical considerations for breeders and buyers of companion parrots.
772 Avian Health with Dr Bob: What’s in an Egg? By Bob Doneley
Have you ever wondered about the composition of a bird’s egg? How does it form? How does it hatch? Why do birds lay eggs? This article explores these questions and more.
774 Hookbill Hobbyist: Raising Fledglings in Baskets By EB Cravens When the crucial fledging phase of baby parrot development begins, the usefulness of baskets in chick-raising becomes particularly clear. 9RO ,VVXH 'HF -DQ
Cover Image Green-winged Macaw by David Monroger
For Sale Wanted Bird Sales and Conventions Avicultural Organisations Avian Veterinarians
Breedin g
Tips
GALAHS
Gouldian
Finches
Pet Parrots
By Milton Lewis It looks like we are in for a hot summer, so with fresh memories of beating a 45ºC day without losses, Milton shares a few suggestions on how to minimise the effects of heat on our birds.
785 Canary Chatter: The Annual Canary Moult By Brian Bohl This issue Brian concentrates on the critical annual canary moult, why it occurs and how to help your bird through this process.
788 Finch Fundamentals:
When to Re-Brush? By Marcus Pollard You will be surprised by the number of pros and cons when considering whether to replace the brush in your finch aviaries.
790 Conservation: • WPT: Disney Helps Grant the Yellowshouldered Amazon Life By Carolyn Pradun and Echo • Saving Yellow-shouldered Amazons on Bonaire By Echo
797 What’s New • Flocks of Colour • Glimpses of Paradise: The Quest for the Beautiful Parakeet • Penguins—Spy In The Huddle
804 Last Chirp • Another First for Mornington Aviculture Society at 30 By David White • A Big Weekend at Bundy By Russell Kingston • Little Illawarra Parrot Club Has Big Plans By George Jovanoski • Software Looks Inside Birds in 3D By Biosphera
What’s in an egg?
Gree n-winge d Macaws
Golden-shouldered Parrots
751
the team...
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS
from the editor U nbelievable—another year has passed so quickly! In this ‘Christmas’ issue we have included a couple of travel logs for holiday readers—one on the search for the New Zealand Kea (page 766) and the other on travels to South Africa via Singapore and Namibia (page 780). Hopefully you will find time to sit back and enjoy these adventures and perhaps be inspired to plan your own. Anyone interested in travelling to Bonaire to assist with bird rehabilitation in the Caribbean Islands? Here is your opportunity! The focus is on the Yellow-shouldered Amazon. This WPT conservation initiative involving the work of Dr Sam Williams and Echo—a nongovernment conservation organisation—is achieving great progress. Echo is in need of volunteers to work with these birds in rehabilitation and assist in hands-on conservation measures—more details on page 791. Condolences to any bird keepers and their families who have suffered due to the recent fires in the Blue Mountains/Hunter region of New South Wales. These blazes have not only damaged tangible assets, but also the souls of humans and the lives of wildlife. I encourage everyone to support those who have suffered and the wildlife/vets donating their resources in the stricken regions. Throughout Australia, the summer heat does affect breeding birds. Milton shares some heat-reduction ideas for the aviary in Wise Owl on page 776. Birds show heat stress by panting, with outstretched or drooping wings. Of course it is vital to ensure good quality, fresh water is available at all times. EB has more hints for those handrearing chicks on page 774. Focussing on the fledging stage, EB points to the importance of socialisation, wing-flapping exercise, enabling safe exploration and offering new, healthy food taste treats. The galah is one of the most common parrots seen in the wild across Australia. The term ‘galah’ also conjures up images of someone acting the fool but, as Barry Blanch reveals, this term does not really apply to our icon—which likes to frolic and have fun, but is also highly intelligent. Barry outlines his experiences in rearing this small cockatoo on page 756 and suggests that they are suited to beginner breeders as well as those with experience. If you are interested in finches, we have a treat. See page 800 for a taste of presenters and their subjects at Finches 14 on 4–6 July, 2014. The 13 speakers are covering a wide range of topics and workshops. It is great that there are so many early reservations for
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this popular event. See page 803 for more information, view www.qfs.org.au or email Gary Fitt at gary.fitt@bigpond.com. Bird sale season will be here in no time— see the classified section in each issue for a list of sales. A couple to diarise are Orange Bird Society on 1 March and Gunnedah Bird Sale and Expo on 5 April 2014. Also note that a new bird club has been formed at Illawarra and over the past 12 months membership has increased to a healthy 35! They plan a sale in June—see page 805 for more details. As we were planning this issue, I reflected on the quality of articles we have published this year. We are truly fortunate to have on our team of writers—particularly our regular columnists—such diverse and experienced people who are so dedicated in presenting the best information possible. A special thanks to Peter Odekerken who is always available to support the photographic presentation in the magazine and provide us with great front cover images to support our lead stories. On behalf of the ABK team and our readers, thank you all for the efforts and your dedication in providing great ideas and experience from which we all benefit. You do us proud! A big thank you also to all subscribers, advertisers and customers for your support, and in many cases friendship—we wish you all a safe and happy holiday period and New Year. In closing, our thoughts go to Neville Connors and his family as they patiently await an improvement in Neville’s health. Neville and his wife Noddy have contributed enormously to aviculture through the production of quality parrots at Casuarina Parrot Gardens (see advertisement on page 806) and their professionalism in bird keeping. They have been integral to ongoing education via their book A Guide to Australian Black Cockatoos as Pet and Aviary Birds and the AVES conventions that have achieved international status. We wish you all the best. Season’s Greetings and Happy New Year!
Peter Odekerken
Russell Kingston
Dr Terry Martin
Dr Bob Doneley
Jim McKendry
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS
Dr Milton Lewis
EB Cravens
Barry Blanch
Marcus Pollard
Brian Bohl
Sheryll Steele-Boyce PUBLISHER Sheryll Steele-Boyce
EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Alison Houston
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Melinda Leu
ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Sheryll Steele-Boyce
WRITERS Chris Baker, Klaus Sietas, Barry Blanch, Russell Kingston, Jim McKendry, Daniel Klaer Rosemary Low, Dr Bob Doneley, EB Cravens, Dr Milton Lewis, Dirk Van Den Abeele, Peter Odekerken, Jade Welch, Mark Mills, Brian Bohl, Marcus Pollard, Carolyn Pradun, Echo, Dr David Waugh, Dorothy Schwarz, Dr Brian McLaren, David White and George Jovanoski EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MOST WELCOME SUBSCRIPTION, ORDER & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Telephone: 07 5568 0011 Fax: 07 5568 0300 Email: birdkeeper@birdkeeper.com.au www.birdkeeper.com.au Published by
Sheryll Steele-Boyce
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Postal Address: PO Box 2330 Burleigh BC QLD 4220 Australia Office Address: Unit 2, 6 Davo Court, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
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DISCLAIMER While every care is taken, the publisher accepts no responsibility for the content of advertising or editorial material published. Articles represent the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher. ABK Publications also reserves the right to refuse any advertising it deems to be detrimental to the integrity of the publication, Australian Birdkeeper Magazine
COPYRIGHT It is an offence under the Commonwealth Copyright Act 1968 to reproduce any part of the contents of this publication, including advertising artwork and photography without prior written consent of the publisher. ©2013 ABK Publications. All rights reserved.
WORDS BY BARRY BLANCH PHOTOGRAPHS BY JULIE BLANCH
GALAHS
INTRODUCTION Most Australians would be able to recognise the intelligent, playful and friendly Galah Eolophus roseicapillus. Often referred to as the Rose-breasted or Pink and Grey Cockatoo, the galah is the most common cockatoo found throughout the continent, including Tasmania. Galahs are one of the few species of cockatoos that have not been adversely affected by increasing urban growth. In fact, they have benefited and are regularly seen in parklands, gardens and common areas. The acrobatic and show-off clown-like antics, especially during a shower of E. r. assimillus pair rain, are very entertaining and give a glimpse of these birds’ intelligence, despite since European settlement and have their reputation for being silly. Ironically, it is become one of the most successful exactly these antics which gave rise to the parrot species in Australia, and the world. The common slang term of ‘galah’ to mean a foolish galah’s range has changed with increasing grainperson or someone acting stupidly. growing areas and manmade water storage Slight variations in colour and size differentiate E. r. roseicapillus facilities, such as dams and water schemes these birds into three subspecies—the nominate which provide a year-round year round food source and have Eolophus E. E l h roseicapillus i ill roseicapillus, i ill E r. kuhli k hlii and d encouraged large fl ocks to become sedentary. E. r. assimillus. Increased land clearing, urban and agricultural land growth has Considered a pest in agricultural areas, where eradication not prevented the galah from increasing in numbers or kerbed programs are permitted in some regions to reduce the large its range, rather it has encouraged this species to nearly plague flocks, the energetic and affectionate galah is one of the most proportions in many areas. Although galahs forage mainly on commonly kept pet caged birds. seeds from grasses, trees, shrubs and weeds, they can quickly destroy vast acres of grain crops, earning the anger of struggling WILD RANGE AND HABITAT farmers who resort to eradication programs (legal and illegal). The range of the majority of the nominate subspecies E. r. Galahs typically inhabit open timbered, forest and grasslands, roseicapillus is established throughout the eastern states. The E. r. but increasing numbers are seen frequenting suburban parks and kuhli range is mostly confined to the north coastal areas of Western gardens, especially those with introduced tree and shrub species Australia and Northern Territory, while the E. r. assimillus stays close such as the Tipuana that provide a seed food source in drought to water sources in arid areas and inhabits the majority of Western times, through late winter months and into early spring. As the Australia, with the exception of the dry inland desert areas. seasonal availability of food sources changes in urban and arid Although galahs inhabit most of the continent, they are less areas, nomadic flocks of galahs move through the different habitats. common in the coastal areas than agricultural regions. These birds have benefitted from land and agricultural improvements Galahs are often heard in the trees before being seen, especially
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on Australian Finches WORDS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND ILLUSTRATION BY RUSSELL KINGSTON OAM
DESCRIPTION
THE GOULDIAN FINCH A Beautiful Aussie Battler
G Gouldians built basic nests of sorts from scrap The accompanying photographs will speak m material lying about the aviary floor. Nests louder than any words I could choose to w were even built in the seed tray. Surprisingly, familiarise the reader with what is frequently th breeding results were quite good, attesting the described as the most beautiful finch in the m more to the stock’s ‘wild vigour’, than my world—the Gouldian Finch Erythrura gouldiae. fa father’s bird keeping skills. The Painted Finch In wild populations there are three basic w what my father called them. Frankly, I have was head colours. The most common is the Blackto say that Painted Finch better describes the Grey areas indicate the former and headed Gouldian, followed by the Red-headed yellow the current distribution c colourful Gouldian Finch than the Emblema and finally, the rarely seen Yellow-headed, as p pictum (also known as the Painted Firetail). illustrated above. Females can be determined by the paler yellow colouring notable on the underparts, less IN THE WILD intense purple on the breast and less extensive colouring on the Habitat and Distribution face in the Red and Yellow-headed forms. Gouldian Finches are by nature, a tropical species. At the time of early settlement, sightings suggested that they were broadly A PERSONAL JOURNEY distributed across northern Australia from Derby in the west, It was while trapping finches at a local reserve on Brisbane’s across to Cape York in the east, with the range extending south to eastern suburbs in 1957 that I made my first acquaintance with Daly Waters in the Northern Territory and Mareeba in Queensland. Gouldian Finches. A magnificent pair alighted in a wild groundsel This range has been drastically reduced, with the Queensland bush and tolerated my approach, allowing me to admire them population low and numbers in Western Australia declining. at close quarters. On returning home, I excitedly related the Numbers in the Northern Territory appear more secure. Scientific discovery of these colourful little birds to my father, who told me they were probably Gouldian Finches and that they were very likely work carried out by Dr Sarah Pryke and the members of the Save the Gouldian Fund, as well as reports from old trappers, suggest aviary escapees—hence their tameness. However, the scene that that populations have always been affected by seasonal changes. presented itself to me that day has remained clearly etched in my A dramatic population drop in 1977 preceded the general steady memory. It would be another 12 years before I saw my first truly decline which has occurred over the past 40 years due to climate wild Gouldian Finch at Katherine in the Northern Territory. change, shifting balances between species such as Long-tailed In the 1930s and ’40s—before I was born—my father had kept Grassfinches Poephila acuticauda, over-grazing, uncontrolled Gouldian Finches taken on a cattle property near Mareeba in burning, introduced flora and possible virus or parasitic infection. north Queensland. His methods of bird keeping in those days— Unlike the other Erythrura, such as the Blue-faced Parrotfinch like most people at the time—were rudimentary. The diet was dry Erythrura trichroa, Gouldian Finches are not a forest species. seed, a bowl of water and an occasional sprig of grass seed or They are found in tropical, semi-arid sandy savannah and open a lettuce leaf. Nest boxes were not supplied and, as a result, the
760
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIM MCKENDRY BAppSc BTeach CertIV TAE
INTRODUCTION Over the past seven years I hope the Pet Parrot Pointers series has helped to re-define our approach to building rewarding relationships with parrots as pets. The central aim across more than 50 articles has been to change the way people think about parrots in companion animal environments and achieve a cultural shift towards a 21st century approach to their care and behaviour management. Although the quality and access to information has improved, the need for continued education on preparing young parrots for life as pets is still as important as ever. As a breeder of parrots myself, that sense of responsibility and obligation applies as much to me as to anyone else out there sharing my passion for the keeping and breeding of parrots in captive environments. By the time this issue of Australian BirdKeeper hits the newsstands or your mailbox, the availability of baby parrots for sale will be ect time to peaking across Australia, so now is the perfect explore some critical considerations for both breeders and buyers of companion parrots.
EIGHT WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE The focus of my recent presentation at the AVES International Parrot Convention was Eight Ways to Make a Difference for Future Pet Parrot Success. The central message was a simple one—education makes the difference between poverty and prosperity for our parrots. Eight critical education aims that both breeders and future keepers need to embrace were identified. This is a summary of those influences in relation to parrots as pets.
EIGHT STEPS TOWARD PET PARROT SUCCESS
1
✓
SCREEN BUYERS
The 2010 Kaytee Foundation Parrot Relinquishment Survey identified that properly informed decision-making about the suitability of individual parrot species for the prospective home environment and ensuring that families go into parrot ownership with fair and reasonable expectations of a parrot as a pet are critical determinants for parrots remaining in their home long-term. Making sure that buyers are making an informed choice is essential if the long-term welfare of the parrot is a priority. Recent increases in restrictive council bylaws around Australia regarding the keeping of birds in urban areas should provoke a re-think about selling parrot species likely to generate noise concerns in high-density suburban environments. Sometimes we inadvertently create problems for our own community by being shortsighted regarding where the birds we sell will end up. Screening buyers to reduce the potential for an incompatible outcome is more than just an obligation, it helps to preserve the positive promotion of aviculture to which we should all aspire.
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WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL KLAER
NEW ZEALAND AND THE GREAT KEA HUNT DIARY Kea
24 JUNE 2013—KEA DREAMING AND AN ICY WELCOME
I find myself spending my second night in the freezing cold Alps of New Zealand’s South Island. I have come here with my partner not only for a sorely needed holiday and to attack the slopes with my own style of carving it up (think tumbling down the mountain) but to photograph some of New Zealand’s unique parrot species. As Kakapo Strigops habroptila are off limits to everyone except those working closely with them, the Kea is at the top of my list. It would of course be fantastic to shoot any of the four surviving South Island parrot species. These are the South Island Kaka Nestor meridionalis, the Yellow-crowned Kakariki Cyanoramphus auriceps, the exceedingly rare Orange-fronted Kakariki Cyanoramphus malherbi and of course the Kea Nestor notabilis. The Kea is an endangered alpine parrot considered by many to be the most intelligent of all parrot species, and one of the most intelligent birds in the world. They are famous for using this intelligence for what many humans (nobody reading this I hope) consider pest behaviour. Many a New Zealand tourist has had their car destroyed while they were preoccupied walking the trails or skiing the slopes. Kea (Kea is plural for Kea) are the only alpine parrot species in the world and are also the only parrot species that make meat a large part of their diet. While the rich energy source works well for them as an alpine survival strategy, it has made them an enemy of New Zealand’s sheep farmers. The parrots have been reported attacking sheep during the night and leaving scars on the animals. This is perhaps one of the main reasons Kea are now classed as an endangered species, as many farmers felt
766
they had no choice but to shoot the birds. Since 1986 Kea have enjoyed full protection under New Zealand law and numbers have stabilised. It would be magnificent to shoot (with my camera) these creatures in the wild. So day one involved a lot of time spent in airports. We were headed to Queenstown airport and then on to Wanaka, a small town that really flourishes during the ski season. The plane was diverted to Christchurch airport because Queenstown’s runway was covered in ice and we had to wait for it to melt— not fun! Notable, however, was seeing a parrot beside the runway at Christchurch airport that looked remarkably like a Kaka. Everything I have read says that this is very unlikely in Christchurch, but regardless, that is what it looked like to me. I was only able to see the bird from the plane and at a distance though, so could not get a photograph. It will remain a mystery. Day two was spent becoming accustomed to the slopes at Cadrona, a ski field very close to Wanaka. I had hoped to possibly have my first Kea sightings here but it was not to be. There were a few hawks around that were beautiful to watch as they soared above the roads looking for carrion. It wasn’t hard to find as there is a bit of a rabbit problem here. Locals got me revved up when they told me of a population of Kea routinely pestering visitors on a nearby ski field. Once I was thoroughly excited, they proceeded to tell me that these ski fields are currently closed. Bugger! The search continued. I was here at Wanaka until Friday, so there might not be much action on the parrot-sighting front until then. I kept my eyes peeled though as I showed the mountain ski slopes what’s what.
P ODEKERKEN
Green-winged
Macaws T
WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JADE WELCH AND MARK MILLS
he Green-winged Macaw has long been a favourite of ours. It is a bird that we had seen in a small number of collections that always struck us with its beauty. Having finally added pairs to our aviaries, we thought we would share a little about how we keep and breed these beautiful members of the large macaw group and our experiences so far.
HOUSING Originally we had not intended to keep the larger macaws and as a result our large macaw aviaries are made up of two separate aviaries that were once used to house Amazons. Like the majority of aviaries we use they are suspended and measure 6m long x 2.4m wide x 1.2m high x 1.2m above ground. The aviary floor is constructed of 1-inch square wire because it is important that excess food falls through the floor—particularly on hot days, so items such as fruits and vegetables cannot sour and be eaten by the birds. This aperture also allows for feaces to fall through onto the substrate below—blue metal that is raked and turned over as required. The walkway is 1.5m wide so we can manoeuvre a wheelbarrow through and store essentials including a table, spare bowls, nuts and seed, a catching net, a blackboard for writing lay dates and notes, cleaning accessories and a ladder for inspecting nest boxes. As with our Amazons and Blue and Gold Macaws, we utilise a full partition in each aviary so neighbouring pairs cannot see each other. This does not stop them from calling, and it can be interesting to hear the pairs communicating via calls late in the afternoon or early morning. Where a bank of aviaries is in sight of another bank, we grow bamboo to screen it out. The bamboo grows fast which lends itself well to being used in our complex. The birds Internal view of aviary
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also like cut bamboo to chew. We use a 1.6 gauge wire that is 12.5mm square for our Blue and Gold Macaws however it is no match for the Greenwings. Their noticeably bigger beaks are quite capable of picking the wire apart. A much stronger 3.16 gauge is proving more appropriate for these birds. As with our other banks of aviaries, we have installed a sprinkler system. The nest box is situated in the walkway for easy inspection and we are certainly thankful for that. A hormonal Green-wing is not something we’d like to take on! With the Blue and Gold Macaws we utilised small feed cages to prevent the birds from flipping their bowls and hence becoming hungry or thirsty. We have now changed to a slide-out food tray that is not removable from inside the aviary. This prevents the birds from tipping them out and has proven a better option. Water is delivered to the bowls via a copper pipe. The Green-winged Macaw is without doubt one of the most destructive species we have encountered. Many a keeper recounts stories of using hardwood perches only to find the birds have chewed through them within days. Our answer is to have a suitable supply of perches on hand and provide the birds with plenty of branches and items to chew. If these birds are kept as pets, supervision is vital, as that beak makes wooden furniture quickly look like toothpicks.
ENRICHMENT The brilliant mind of the Green-winged Macaw has a need to be entertained and we find that Green-wings may turn to plucking if not provided with things to do throughout the day. Enrichment is a subject no keeper— breeder or pet owner—should ignore. It is so simple to do and comes in so many forms. We provide enrichment in the form of branches, perches with holes in which nuts are placed, swings and assorted toys made out of banksia cones, eucalypt nuts etc. Natural bush foods left on the branch are also provided. Where the keeper is time-poor, many online and retail stores supply quality toys suitable for these birds. Be warned though, that if you feel the toy would not stand up to their powerful beak, don’t waste your money.