latest issue Sneak Preview
QQ See Contents for Complete List of Articles QQ Preview of Some Articles Print and Digital Magazine Purchases Print Subscriptions at www.birdkeeper.com.au or email: birdkeeper@birdkeeper.com.au Digital Single Issues and Subscriptions at Australia: www.ilovemagazines.com.au Other Countries: www.pocketmags.com
Enquiries
Email: birdkeeper@birdkeeper.com.au Phone: 07 5568 0011 (Australia) +7 5568 0011 (International) Postal: PO Box 2330 Burleigh BC QLD 4220
Vol 27 Issue 2 • Apr-May 2014
Cardinal
Lory
Red-browed Fig Parrot PALE-HEADED
ROSELLAS
CONURES as Pets Yellow-rumped Munias
Vol 27 Issue 2 U Apr-May 2014
Cardinal
Lory
Red-browed Fig Parrot PALE-HEADED
ROSELLAS
COVER IMAGE CARDINAL LORY MALE BY PETER ODEKERKEN
CONURES as Pets Yellow-rumped Munias
features 73 RED-BROWED FIG PARROT
By Des Boorman Des has found this species to be worth the extra time it may require, declaring Red-browed Fig Parrots ‘easily the most engaging birds in my collection’. 86 PLUMAGE COLOUR PATTERNS BETWEEN THE SEXES
By Kit Prendergast A zoologist and conservation biologist, Kit investigates why in some bird species the sexes look the same, in others the males are sexy, colourful show-offs, while in others, it is the female which attracts attention. 96 EXPERIENCES WITH THE BROWN QUAIL
contents Volume 27 Issue 2 98 SECRETS OF A LARGE MIXED AVIARY—THE PROS AND CONS
114 WRITING TAKES FLIGHT: THE STORY OF PENNY OLSEN
By Dorothy Schwarz Dorothy admits she never imagined spending her ‘golden years’ caring for a mixed collection of parrots, cockatoos, parakeets and poultry in a large homemade aviary. Here she relates how it all began, her mistakes and successes and the pros and cons of a mixed aviary.
By Penny Olsen Author of more than 20 books for adults and children, ornithologist Penny Olsen provides an insight into her interest in birds and why she has dedicated her life to their care, research and documentation.
102 CARDINAL LORY
By Peter Odekerken The charismatic Cardinal Lory is one of the more vivacious and animated of the lory species. 108 SOUTH AFRICA AND NAMIBIA— PART 2
118 ST VINCENT AMAZON PARROT CONSERVATION
By The Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots The ACTP's aim is to sustainably manage endangered wild populations such as the St Vincent Amazon. 124 VALE—BENSON BAMUTURA
By David Pace Easy to sex, feed and care for, and free-breeding, the Brown Quail is an interesting native bird to keep.
By Peter Odekerken Peter continues his four-week adventure, seeing unique species such as Rupell’s Parrots, Cape Parrots and the Crowned Eagle.
regulars
101 MAILBAG: GOLDEN-SHOULDERED PARROT SUPPORT HELPS
116 THE WISE OWL: AUSTRALIANS BEHAVING BADLY
By John Griffith
By Milton Lewis
105 FINCH FUNDAMENTALS: THE WORK/FINCH-KEEPING BALANCE
We are often critical of introduced species out-competing our natives. But did you know Australian species can and do cause just as many problems overseas?
78 BREEDING AUSTRALIAN PARROTS: PALE-HEADED ROSELLAS
By Barry Blanch Pale-headed Rosellas are hardy, easy-tokeep birds with a pleasant call. 82 FINCH FOCUS: YELLOW-RUMPED MUNIAS
By Russell Kingston Endearing nature, readiness to breed, hardiness and manageability—the Yellow-rumped meets all of these criteria. 90 HOOKBILL HOBBYIST: CONURES AS PETS
By EB Cravens Savvy little packages of curiosity, mischief, affection and wilfulness, conures can prove wonderful pets. 94 PET PARROT POINTERS: SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES—THE FUTURE FOR PARROTS AS PETS
By Marcus Pollard Marcus shares some innovations and devices to make the lot of the finch breeder in full-time employment that little bit easier. 110 CANARY CHATTER: SONG CANARIES
By Brian Bohl Some canaries are bred purely for their song. 112 AVIAN HEALTH WITH DR BOB: TACKLING PROVENTRICULAR DILATATION DISEASE —AN UPDATE
By Dr Bob Doneley There remains a lot which is not known about the causes, testing and treatment of PDD.
120 YOUNG BIRD KEEPER: DARWIN’S FINCHES AND MY OWN—THE GREAT GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE
By Savannah Hawkeswood 122 CONSERVATION
• WPT Steps in for Red and Blue Lories By Mehd & Lena Halaouate and Carolyn Pradun 123 LAST CHIRP
• Loving, Saving and Photographing Birds By Angela Robertson-Buchanan • Juniors Invited to Submit Application for Sponsorship to Finches 14
By Jim McKendry Proposed legislation in the Netherlands may outlaw handrearing of parrots in an attempt to overcome behavioural issues.
125 classifieds 71
the team
from the editor SHERYLL STEELE-BOYCE
T
hanks to those who have provided feedback on our magazine redesign—we’re pleased you like the new format. Bird sales are in full swing and creating a buzz around the country. The Orange Bird Sale reported a number of records were broken this year, the first being ‘the greatest number of bird sales in a row that attracted an unusually high amount of rainfall!’ On the positive side, however, organisers also reported the most bird sellers and birds benched, with 333 bird sellers benching 5865 birds—could that be an Australian record? And despite the rain, more than 1500 people turned out. There are a few other events to diarise—the Shoalhaven bird sale on 26 April and the first Illawara Parrot Club sale on 1 June. In the Sydney region, the main events are the Parrot Breeders and Exhibitors sale on 4 May and the Parrot Society of Australia (NSW) Inc sale on 13 July. In Victoria, the popular Mornington Peninsular Aviculture Society sale and expo on 25 May will no doubt draw a crowd. Full details on all these events are advertised on page 133. The Queensland Finch Society has announced that junior finch keepers can now apply for one of several sponsored places available at Finches 14, to be held on 4–6 July in Brisbane—see page 124. This is a great opportunity for any young enthusiast. Registrations for Finches 14 are filling fast and aviary tours are full. Ensure you reserve your seat now. See page 107 for booking details. In his regular column on page 112, Dr Bob Doneley revisits Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD), and examines the ongoing research which indicates an association between Avian Bornavirus (ABV) and PDD. The diversity of feather colours between species and sexes, which is one of the factors which makes them such fascinating subjects, comes under the microscope of conservation biologist Kit Prendergast. In Plumage Colour Patterns Between the Sexes, Kit reveals the scientific basis to this colour phenomenon on page 86.
72
Bird keeping often requires juggling the responsibilities of work/family and hobby. Marcus Pollard has honed his skills to manage his birds’ daily requirements along with his busy schedule. For a few time-saving feeding hints, see page 105. Our feature breeding articles this issue include the charismatic Cardinal Lory—page 102, the beautiful Paleheaded Rosella on page 78, the captivating Red-browed Fig Parrot on page 73, the demure Brown Quail on page 96 and the attractive Yellowrumped Munia on page 82. This is a great line-up of quality information to please any breeder. EB Cravens focuses on the companion qualities of the mischievous conure group on page 90 and Brian Bohl details Song Canaries and their attractive melodies on page 110. Many bird keepers have an eye for bird art and wonder at the mastery of William Cooper and Neville Cayley Senior and Junior. For those of us not fortunate enough to own one of their priceless paintings, we have available two beautiful books presenting details of their lives and work—An Eye for Nature—The Life and Art of William T Cooper and Cayley and Son. Penny Olsen is the author of both books, which are among 20 of her quality titles concerning birds. We highlight the work of this ornithologist on page 114. We are still coming to terms with the sad passing of Neville Connors, tributes for whom flooded our last issue. Jim McKendry reflects on his relationship with Neville on page 94. The support and outpouring of condolences has been greatly appreciated by Neville's wife Noddy and family. Noddy has sent a message of thanks to all through the Casuarina Parrot Gardens advertising space on page 125. Enjoy this issue, and we look forward to receiving more articles in the near future, so we can continue to present and share these quality stories.
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS
Peter Odekerken Russell Kingston Dr Bob Doneley
Dr Terry Martin Jim McKendry
REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS
Dr Milton Lewis
EB Cravens
Barry Blanch
PUBLISHER
Marcus Pollard
Brian Bohl
EDITORIAL
GRAPHIC
Sheryll CONSULTANT DESIGNER Steele-Boyce Alison Houston Melinda Leu
ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Sheryll Steele-Boyce WRITERS
Des Boorman, Barry Blanch, Russell Kingston, Kit Prendergast, EB Cravens, Jim McKendry, David Pace, Dorothy Schwarz, John Griffith, Marcus Pollard, Peter Odekerken, Brian Bohl, Dr Bob Doneley, Penny Olsen, Milton Lewis, Dr Matthias Reinschmidt, Mehd & Lena Halaouate and Carolyn Pradun, The Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots, Savannah Hawkeswood, Angela Robertson-Buchanan and Sheryll Steele-Boyce.
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 byy Postal Address: PO Box 2330 Burleigh BC QLD 4220 Australia Office Address: Unit 2, 6 Davo Court, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220 International Standard Serial Number ISSN 1030-8954 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. ©2014 ABK Publications. All rights reserved.
Red-browed
Fig
P ODEKERKEN
Parrot
WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY DES BOORMAN
IN THE WILD Introduction
After five years of keeping and breeding the Red-browed Fig Parrot Cyclopsitta diopthalama macleana, I wanted to share a little of what I have learnt about this captivating species and encourage others to explore keeping them. C. d. macleana is native to north-east Queensland, extending inland to the Atherton and Eveyln Tablelands, depending on the season and food availability. There are two other subspecies in Australia— C. d. marshalli is found in the Iron Range, in Far North Queensland, and C. d. coxeni in south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales (where it is now extinct). Red-browed Fig Parrots are common in the wild and can be easily observed in large numbers within their range when suitable food trees are available. They can be seen, for example, excavating and breeding on the Cairns Esplanade parklands and foraging in the main street of Kuranda when the small-leaf fig trees are in fruit. In this situation, the birds are relatively tame and can be approached easily. There are several roost trees within the Cairns city area and, like Rainbow Lorikeets, Red-browed Fig Parrots roost in communal roosts in the off-season and can be observed in their hundreds as they enter the trees at dusk.
Red-browed Fig Parrot enjoys a small-leaf fig Ficus obliqua
Breeding
During the breeding season Fig Parrots pair off and find a suitable tree into which to excavate a nest. Fig Parrots are unique in that they excavate their nest chamber into dead wood each season and appear to only use the nest once. Any dead branch seems to be suitable, as long as it is soft enough to excavate. Branches can either be vertical or horizontal, in which case the entrance is made on the bottom side of the branch. The entrance is usually about 4cm in diameter and about 20–30cm deep. Small branches—many as little as 10–15cm in diameter—are often favoured, resulting in the branch failing during storms, typically through the nest chamber which is 7–10cm in diameter and creates a weak point in the thin branches.
73
breeding australian parrots WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY BARRY BLANCH
PALE-HEADED ROSELLAS P INTRODUCTION
Pale-headed Rosellas Platycercus adscitus are one of the eight rosella species of the Platycerus genus commonly found throughout Australia, and are among the most prevalent. This species is found mainly in eastern Queensland. There are two main subspecies recognised—in south-east Queensland the more widespread P. a. palliceps are often called Moreton Bay Rosellas or Mealy Rosellas, while in the north of Queensland the Pale-heads P. a. adscitus are referred to as Blue-cheeked Rosellas or ‘Blueys’. The northern Blue-cheek subspecies P. a adscitus are rare in aviculture. Within the Pale-headed Rosella species there are a number of genetic or ‘racial’ and geographical variations of integrated colouration, depending on region. There have been different names given to some variations of the racial intermediary Blue-cheeked Rosella subspecies by ornithologists over the years and although noted, these names remain debateable due to insufficient numbers recorded. The south-eastern Queensland subspecies are the most commonly kept Pale-headed Rosellas and there is currently a focus on breeding Pied mutations. My interest in the Pale-head began as a young boy in the early 1970s when I acquired some young birds from a hollow fencepost on our farm and fed them on rolled oats porridge. I knew them as Moreton Bay Rosellas.
WILD HABITAT AND RANGE
We Buy, Sell and Trade Birds
ONE HUGE LOCATION ON THE GOLD COAST
bringing people and pets together
19 HINKLER DRIVE, NERANG, QLD
78
OP
7 D EN AYS
PHONE: 07 5578 2377
www.thepetbarn.com.au
©ABK
Pale-headed Rosella P. a. palliceps male
The more common P. a. palliceps Pale-heads range through a variety of habitats from south of Townsville down through eastern Queensland, extending inland as far as Nebine and south to areas of the Upper Clarence River near Bonalbo and Kyogle just over the NSW border. These birds are a sedentary species within the different ranges from farmlands, woodlands, open and dense forests, through grasslands and both coastal and swampy woodlands. Their movement in these habitats depends on seasonal rains, weather and food availability. Blue-cheeked Rosellas range from the Atherton Tablelands and Cairns north through Cape York and south-eastern areas of the Gulf of Carpentaria including Karumba and Normanton. Farming areas that concentrate on growing cereal grains or specific types of commercial bird seed have benefitted the Pale-headed Rosella. Small groups, pairs or individual birds forage on the ground, feeding on grass seeds, scrub and tree flowers/fruit and insects. It is not uncommon to see pairs of Pale-heads nesting close to tree-lined watercourses or a regular food source. Hollow eucalyptus branches, tree trunks and dead tree limbs, rotting fence posts and even abandoned remains of wooden tank stands become a common yearly nesting site. Both mature and young birds can be aggressive towards other birds, often squabbling and fighting on the ground—head-butting, biting or kicking in nest or mate competition.
finch focus
ON AUSTRALIAN FINCHES O ES WORDS AND ILLUSTRATION BY RUSSELL KINGSTON OAM PHOTOGRAPHS BY INDRA KINGSTON
YELLOW-RUMPED MUNIAS Y
Yellow-rumped Munia (left) and Chestnut-breasted Munia
IN THE WILD Introduction Yellow-rumped Munias are an enigma among Australian grassfinches. From earliest times taxonomists have debated the relationship between the Chestnut-breasted Munia Lonchura castaneothorax and the Yellow-rumped Munia Lonchura flaviprymna. Central to this debate is the substantial hybrid population in the wild, communal breeding colonies and communal flock feeding. Klaus Immelmann (1965) questioned the validity of the Yellow-rump as a stand-alone species. During bird-buying trips to Sydney through the 1970s, we would find dealers’ cages containing Yellow-rumped Munias that had recently been trapped in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Many off these birds be h b d appeared d to b hybrids of L. castaneothorax and L. flaviprymna. Some individuals exhibited significant markings of the Chestnut-breasted Munia, while other birds showed only slight evidence of these traits. Stock had to be carefully examined in order to select Yellow-rumps that appeared ‘pure’ in form. On some occasions, there were more hybrids than ‘pure’ Yellow-rumps. From its launch in 1969, The Queensland Finch Society Inc. has recognised the Yellow-rumped Munia as a species, based on the fact that most taxonomists agree that the Yellow-rumped and the Chestnut-breasted arrived in Australia via different routes. It is generally accepted that the Yellow-rumped Munia reached Australia earlier, from the north-west through Timor, and the Chestnut-breasted Munia later travelled down through New Guinea. Both have relatives within their sources. It is further claimed by Immelmann, and supported by Forshaw/Shephard (2012), that the two races were distinctly geographically separated until ‘recent times’ and that hybridisation occurs within the now-extensive overlap of the two species. The current consensus is that the Yellow-rumped Munia is monotypic. Forshaw states that he encountered a small flock of Yellowrumped Munias in 1979 at the Victoria River Crossing that were unaccompanied by Chestnut-breasted Munias. However, he further states that the two species are usually found in company, and the latter is certainly my experience. I first encountered a combined flock of Chestnuts and Yellowrumps among reeds bordering irrigation channels outside Kununurra in the East Kimberley region. All subsequent sightings occurred around waterways.
Description
The captive-bred bird is subtly different to the wild form of the Yellow-rumped Munia. While wild birds have a ‘sooty’ crown, birds bred over several generations in captivity have a ‘cleaner’ cream crown. Similarly, the buff underparts are paler than those of wild specimens. Captive-bred Yellowrumps tend to be 2g heavier than wild birds. Whether these differences are the result of diet, environment or breeding pure strains is debatable. As is typical of the genus Lonchura these birds are gregarious by nature, and are constantly on the move, climbing through the reeds and rank grasses of their habitat. When on the move, the flock adopts the undulating flight pattern, also typical of their genus. Their diet consists primarily of native and introduced grass seeds supplemented by minute insects. During the breeding season, from February through April, the intake of insects increases.
Breeding Yellow-rumped Munia pair, male on left
82
It is not surprising that the courtship display of the Yellowrumped Munia is similar to that of the Chestnut-breasted
hookbill hobbyist WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY EB CRAVENS W
D THOMPSON
he extensive conure genera comprise some of the most popular groups of parrots, and have for decades prompted true devotion and delight among keepers of widely varying experience. In numerous ways, these diminutive South American psittacines were instrumental in bringing aviculture into the mainstream. Conures were imported into the USA by the thousands during the 1970s and early 1980s both as breeding stock and as potential household pets. Most compatible pairs proved satisfyingly prolific at raising young, provided the aviculturists knew what they were doing. In the companion psittacine market, however, results were understandably mixed. Some imported conures displayed an innate stubborn wildness that made even basic training a test of owners’ patience. I suspect quite a few $39.95 Aratingas were set free by frustrated customers who had no idea of the trembling, screeching, biting parrot characteristics they were in for when making that first purchase! However, there are so many different types of conures that it was only natural many of the calmer individuals, the more passive species, the young birds, the shyer females etcetera would find a warm welcome in the homes and hearts of their new keepers. Considering some of the abhorrent trapping and import practices which these psittacines were forced to endure 35 years ago, it is a real credit to the conures’ intelligence and adaptability that they often survived and settled into cages. I have always been a conure devotee. To date I have raised, handfed, trained or cared for some 15 different species and, to a bird, I have found them savvy little packages of curiosity, mischief, affection and wilfulness. Many of the species show a resemblance to the minimacaw group, while a wide range of conure mannerisms mimic those of the Ara macaws. It is not so far-fetched to state that conures are macaws in tiny bodies—or perhaps, without Thirty years ago when Dale offending anyone, we could Thompson took this photo, Blueclaim that macaws are really throated Conures were rare and large, bare-faced conures! coveted in captivity
P ODEKERKEN
T
CONURES AS PETS C
Green-cheeked Conures have a wilful personality but are a relatively quiet conure species
STARTING WITH NANDAYS
©ABK
My first conure was a wild-caught Nanday, purchased out of a cage of a dozen or so in a pet store on the Big Island, Hawaii. I rather unimaginatively named him Pako, who, like all healthy Nandays was a stunningly beautiful creature—moss green, with washes of blue, tinges of melanin yellow, that jet black head and face, and clownish red thighs. He was an obvious macho male who definitely preferred my wife’s gentle shoulder snuggles to my firm commands. We both got bitten occasionally and he was certainly a vocal bird. Yet life with Pako settled into a nice rhythm after about six months when his chopped primary feathers grew out and he began to fly around the living room and regain his former confidence. We eventually allowed him the
90
The
WORDS W WO WOR ORD AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER ODEKERKEN OR
Cardinal Lory
Cardinal Lory female
Cardinal Lory male
102