T H E PR E M I E R PE T & AV I A RY B I R D M AG A Z I N E
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T H E P R E M I E R P E T & AV I A RY B I R D M AG A Z I N E VO L 29 I S S U E 4 • AU G -S E P 2016
Varied Lorikeet Umbrella Cockatoo Genetic Depression ORANGE BISHOPS B A C K YA R D P O U LT R Y
Diets
regulars
214 BREEDING AUSTRALIAN PARROTS: Varied Lorikeets By Barry Blanch
222 INTERNATIONAL
EXPERIENCES: Zdenek Vandelik’s Passion for Parrots By Lubomir Tomiska
CONTENTS Volume 29 Issue 4
T H E P R E M I E R P E T & AV I A RY B I R D M AG A Z I N E VO L 29 I S S U E 4 • AU G -S E P 2016
Varied Lorikeet Umbrella Cockatoo Genetic Depression ORANGE BISHOPS B A C K YA R D P O U LT R Y
COVER: DERBYAN PARROT MALE BY PETER ODEKERKEN
Diets
226 ABOUT BIRDS:
Inbreeding Depression By Kit Prendergast
230 FINCH FOCUS: Cage and Aviary Floors—A Danger Zone for All Birds By Russell Kingston
242 AVIAN HEALTH WITH DR BOB: Keeping Backyard Poultry—Part 1 By Dr Bob Doneley
245 FINCH FUNDAMENTALS: Trials and Tribulations with the Orange Bishop Weaver By Marcus Pollard 248 HOOKBILL HOBBYIST:
Breeding for Intelligence: Which Chick Would You Choose? By EB Cravens
250 THE WISE OWL:
Don’t let the nest bugs bite By Dr Milton Lewis
252 CANARY CHATTER:
Showing Canaries in Australia—Part 1 By Brian Bohl
258 CONSERVATION:
• LPF: The Vinaceous-breasted Parrot By Dr David Waugh • WPT: End the Trade in African Greys
260 WILD CORNER: Peta the Peewee By Dr Claude Lacasse
260 WHAT’S NEW
• In Search of Parrots—Part Two By Peter Odekerken • The Healthy Bird Cookbook By Robin Deutsch • Parrots of the Wild By Catherine A Toft & Timothy F Wright • Lories and Lorikeets— 45 Years’ Experience By Rosemary Low • Breeding Register By Rosemary Low
262 LAST CHIRP
• 42nd Australian National Budgerigar Championships • Orana Avicultural Society's 32nd Annual Show • Parrots 2016—A Success • Tasmanian Biosecurity Legislation Review
214
238
features
209 THE DERBYAN PARROT
By Dr Slobodan Ivić This article examines the Derbyan in the wild, as well as its requirements in both an aviary and cage situation.
218 UNUSUAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT
By Bob Branston As caring aviculturists, we should observe and answer the dietary needs of our feathered friends whenever they give us clues—however unexpected.
234 THE MARBLED/GREYWING LOVEBIRD MYSTERY
By Dirk Van den Abeele There has been much confusion over the naming of this mutation in the Peach-faced Lovebird, featuring a pastel body colouring and edged wing coverts.
236 BIRD TRIP TO HALMAHERA By Peter Odekerken This relatively small and remote Indonesian island is home to a treasury of beautiful birds. 238 THE UMBRELLA COCKATOO By Andrew Rankmore Although in high demand in the USA and Europe, Umbrella Cockatoos are not favourites in Australian aviculture. 254 THE REAL MACAW
By Paul Granston Too many species are already extinct. For others, the best chance of survival is in captivity.
256 RE-HOMING DECISIONS By Dorothy Schwarz Dorothy makes some tough decisions as she confronts the problem of re-homing some of her parrots before she is too old to look after them.
265 classifieds 207
BREEDING AUSTRALIAN PARROTS WORDS BY BARRY BLANCH Grad Cert App Sc. Ornithology PHOTOGRAPHS BY JULIE BLANCH
Varied Lorikeets
T
he Varied Lorikeet Psitteuteles versicolour (sometimes called the Red-crowned Lorikeet) is unlike any other Australian lorikeet. It is the only Australian species in the genus Psitteuteles. The other two Psitteuteles species—the Goldie’s Lorikeet Psitteuteles goldiei and the Iris Lorikeet Psitteuteles iris—are from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, Timor and Wetar Islands respectively. Varied Lorikeets are endemic to the humid parts of northern Australia, breeding during the winter months. DESCRIPTION These lorikeets are not aggressive and have a quiet, friendly nature. They are a striking, unique lorikeet, with a different feather pattern to any other Australian lorikeet. The distinct white, naked periophthalmic eye ring makes a striking contrast to the green-gold feather colouration, the coralcoloured beak and blood-red crown, forehead and lores. Short, golden yellow vertical streaks form splashes over the front of the body and head, down to the hind neck, except for the crown and forehead. Golden yellow ear coverts contrast with the striated green and yellow cheek and chin. The adult male is about 19cm long and has mainly bright green plumage. The striated
The Varied Lorikeet is the only Australian species in the genus Psitteuteles
The Varied Lorikeet has a unique soft feather pattern
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green and yellow-coloured nape is separated by a blue-grey-green-coloured band from the olive to grass green hind neck. From under the chin, the foreneck, upper chest and breast area, around to the edge of the mantle, show varying amounts of light maroon-coloured feathering. The remainder of the body, including the abdomen and underwing coverts, is lime green. From the hind neck, down over the mantle, scapulars, wing coverts, upper tail coverts and rump the streaks are a light green, varying in brightness, size and occurrence. Adult females are generally considerably duller than the male, having a smaller amount of lighter red on the crown. The
blue-grey-green-coloured hind neck band is smaller than in the male, and the female has less maroon colouring on the chest. Immatures have a similar colouring to females, but are slightly duller again, with brown bills. HABITAT AND RANGE This unusually coloured lorikeet is endemic to the extremely hot and humid northern regions of Australia, above 20 degrees south latitude. In Western Australia the Varied Lorikeet’s range is restricted to the remote Kimberley region to the north of the Fitzroy River, from Broome on the coast across to Fitzroy Crossing, 400km
WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY BOB BRANSTON
A
s aviculturists we all strive to provide our birds with the very best of tucker to maintain health and wellbeing and encourage proper conditioning for a successful breeding season. But do we really know what our birds need in the way of nutrients and other essential minerals? Of course, there are the many excellent avicultural books and publications, such as the extensive ABK A Guide to…series and Australian BirdKeeper magazine, to assist with nutritional advice and information from expert authors such as veterinarians and successful and experienced breeders. However, I am constantly amazed at the resourcefulness of animals, including our feathered friends, in the wild.
Gang Gang Cockatoos—male in forefront
218
Gang Gang adult pair at nesting log
A BACK-TO-EARTH DIET For example, numerous species of macaws, Amazons, conures caiques and Pionus Parrots in Peru, seek out special minerals in clay to either counteract an adverse effect from a desirable food source (absorption of dietary toxins) or as a conditioner for breeding season and chick development. How did they figure this out? Do birds experiment with their diets just like many humans have done throughout the centuries, or are they instinctively aware of what's good for them? Do they experiment, possibly due to a need, or is it survival of the fittest, with that knowledge passed down through the generations? Donald Brightsmith, of the Department of Biology at Duke University, Durham NC, conducted extensive studies in rainforest expeditions in south-eastern Peru, and found soil consumption clearly had significant benefits to many avian species, particularly during breeding season. His results are published in a paper for the American Federation of Aviculture 2004 Symposium, titled ‘Effects of Diet,
Migration and Breeding on Clay Lick Use by Parrots in South-eastern Peru’. Soil consumption, or geophaghy as it is known scientifically, is very common in mammals throughout the world. However, among birds it is less well known and intensive scientific studies are less common. Soil consumption is most commonly seen in pigeons and parrots. The scientific evidence from Brightsmith's lengthy study at an extensive clay lick at the Tambopata Research Centre in southeastern Peru indicated that, unlike many other bird species, parrots do not eat soil for grit but as an important source of dietary sodium, which helps neutralise the plant toxins in their diet and provide a positive outcome during the breeding season. In one of the most extensive studies of its kind, more than 1300 parrots were observed on some days using this clay lick, and the study extended over two years, with over 300,000 parrots observed using it, most prevalently during each species’ breeding season.
Once settled, Umbrella Cockatoos do not present many challenges in their husbandry. They are moderate chewers and require a metal enclosure of reasonable quality to ensure there are no escapees. I recommend 25 x 25mm RHS galvanised tubing with 25.4mm x 25.4mm x 2.5mm weldmesh. Stainless steel bowls are also a must, while stainless Edstrom™ automatic water nipples also work very well for our aviaries in reducing workload and providing clean, non-fouled water. Wood, both for perching and destroying, should be supplied on the ground of the aviary. Toys suitable for birds, and/or pine cones and nuts, should be supplied every other day to relieve boredom and associated issues. Additionally, every fortnight, I collect fresh tree branches with as many leaves as possible to aid in the captive enrichment of all my birds. This routine works for me without being unreasonable in time or burden. FEEDING Umbrella Cockatoos present few issues in dietary requirements provided they have been raised on a broad range of food stuffs. They require a balanced diet that is not hard to provide, and should be
Umbrella Cockatoo pair—male on right—in front of their nest box
considered typical of all white cockatoo species. Our birds receive a standard portion of sunflower and sprouted mix daily, to which vegetables, fruit and/or pelleted mix is supplemented every second day. Vegetables predominately include corn, peas and carrot, while fruits supplied depend on seasonal availability. Typical fruit provisions include apple, pear, banana, orange, and passionfruit. In addition, we have found that any gaps in nutrition can be filled through the use of a quality pelletised parrot food every second day. Birds raised on a restricted diet can prove problematic in the short term in regard to adequate nutritional intake and resultant health. However, with patience and by introducing ever-increasing portions of alternative ‘healthy’ options to their bowl on a daily basis, keepers can correct such poor diet backgrounds over a period of time. Nutrition and environmental factors play a significant part in the health of a bird, and Umbrella Cockatoos can easily be assessed for such factors prior to a vet health check. Pay close attention to their appearance, looking for quality pure white and clean feathers, upright and strong posture, and the beak and feet displaying a dusty
white appearance as signs of good health. Individuals with dirty/off-white feathers and/or a shiny beak and feet should be avoided as high-risk purchases because it is a clear indicator that all is not well despite any assurances from the seller. BREEDING Breeding successes in Australia are few and far between, with details somewhat sketchy as to specific aids to formulate stimulation. I can only speak from my own experience, which I have yet to compare with other breeders. Typically, we find male birds begin to pursue the female from perch to perch around September each year. Careful observation must follow, as it is very easy for males to turn so aggressive that they kill a female during this breeding initiation. A sure sign is a strange ‘call’ coming from the female, which indicates she is concerned and being tired out by the male as she attempts to avoid his advances and sexual aggression/frustration. For our pairs, I take no chances. When I observe this behaviour, my wife and I catch the males up and trim their flight feathers so the male can only fly downward in a safe fashion. This quickly relieves tension in the
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Author’s Umbrella Cockatoo breeding pair—male on left
AVIAN HEALTH WITH DR BOB WORDS BY DR BOB DONELEY BVSc FACVSc CMAVA PHOTOGRAPHS FROM SHUTTERSTOCK
Keeping Backyard Poultry Part 1
T
he keeping of backyard poultry, once an almost universal practice in Australia, declined in the 1970s and ’80s but is now enjoying resurgence in popularity. People are keeping poultry for eggs, meat, as pets and as show birds. The breeding of onceendangered or rare species is another area experiencing great interest.
TAXONOMY Backyard poultry includes: Domestic Fowl The domestic chicken, Gallus domesticus belongs to the genus Gallus of the subfamily Phasininae. The wild ancestors of the domestic chicken probably originated in South-east Asia. Four species of wild Jungle Fowl are still found in this area: • Gallus gallus: the wild Red Jungle Fowl (northern India, Burma, South Vietnam, the Malay Archipelago and the neighbouring islands), • G. sonnerati: the Grey Jungle Fowl (west, central and southern India), • G. lafayetti: the Ceylon Jungle Fowl (Sri Lanka), and • G. varius: the Green Jungle Fowl (Malay islands). The Red Jungle Fowl has the widest distribution of the wild species and may be the chief ancestor of the domestic fowl. There are approximately 50 breeds of domestic poultry recognised in Australia.
The Red Jungle Fowl G. gallus and domestic chicken G. domesticus belong to the Gallus genus
242
GEESE Geese may have been the fi rst poultry domesticated. The Grey Lag Goose Anser anser is considered the progenitor of all the domesticated European breeds, while the wild China Goose Anser cygnoides is considered the ancestor of the Asiatic breeds. DUCK With the exception of the Muscovy Cairina moschata, all domestic breeds of ducks are lineal descendants of the wild Common Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. The mallard is the only species of wild duck in which males exhibit the so-called sex feathers at the base of the tail. These feathers tend to disappear, or become vestigial, when the mallard is crossed with other wild breeds. All drakes of domesticated true ducks have these sex feathers, so the conclusion that they are descended from the mallard is inescapable. The Muscovy is a native to southern middle America, Central America and northern South America. During its early days of domestication, the Muscovy was known variously as the Guinea Duck, Barbary Duck, Cairon Duck, Indian Duck, Turkey Duck and recently, the Muscovy. The latter name has been corrupted into Musk Duck, a name which carries a derogatory implication for a table duck. The wild Muscovy existed from Mexico to Argentina, where it was
The Grey Lag Goose is considered the ancestor of domesticated poultry
known as the Pato (Spanish for duck) and is a member of the order Anseres, family Anatidae, subfamily Anatinae and tribe Cairinae (meaning ‘perching duck’). There are two other members in this tribe, the African species hartlaubi and the South and South-East Asian species scutulata. Hybrids between this species and the common domestic duck Anas platyrhynchos are sterile. GUINEA FOWL Guinea Fowl are African birds. There are 38 natural species and subspecies divided between four genera (Agelastes, Guttera, Numida, and Acryllum) and seven species. Domesticated Guinea Fowl Numidia meleagris come originally from the open plains of central Africa. The family has several subspecies, with mutated colours of pearl, white, lavender, buff blue and royal purple. TURKEY The modern domesticated form descends from the wild turkey Meleagris gallopavo, one of the two species of turkey. It was domesticated by the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica at least 2000 years ago, with the evidence pointing to what are today the central regions of Mexico. Other species also kept include pheasants, quail, partridge, etc, but these are less common.
Common Mallard male
FINCH FUNDAMENTALS WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARCUS POLLARD BSc (Hons)
Trials and Tribulations with the D MONROGER
Orange Bishop Weaver
E
Orange Bishop Weaver
very now and again a species defies every attempt you make m to propagate it. One such species for us d down here in Tasmania was the Orange Bishop Weaver Euplectes orix fransiscanus, the close relative to the more abundant E Red Bishop Weaver Euplectes orix. Although far sma smaller than the Red Bishop, h these guys are a tad more aggressive in mixed collections and are still relatively uncommon in Australian finch aviculture. Some said we were ‘irresponsible’ in taking our original pair to Tasmania, given that they were so rare even on the Mainland. The same people probably said the same when Napoleon Weavers came down here, but I suspect some (I've not ever kept them) have vindicated that ‘irrational decision’ 1000 times over! Back in the days when I travelled around bird societies a lot, I was often chatting with breeders who had similar stories to ours: ‘Jeez mate, I’ve bred Blue-caps and Orange-cheeks by the dozen but do you think I can breed Double-bars? No way!’
or even, ‘Those Red-crested Finches are so easy—I don’t know what all the fuss is about. If only my damn Cordons would breed like them—never seem to get a chick from them’. I feel sure everyone has heard a similar tale of woe. We made the decision to purchase a single pair a fair while back in the hope of adding another tricky fi nch to our ‘been there, done that fi nch list’. Why only the single pair? Well, neither of us was what you’d call ‘fl ush with funds’, so one pair was all our pooled resources could afford—simple! AN ASIDE I’ll digress to have my say on the old Aussie adage that a trio is far better than two pairs as far as weavers go—bollocks! Two pairs are far better than a trio if they are your initial stock. I always like to run the extra male with the colony as it tends to keep the other males ‘honest’ and gives them something to take their frustrations out on while leaving the breeding females alone. I know that some of you do this with your Grenadier
Weavers and that the perceived ‘ideal’ purchase of a trio is sometimes a complete waste of time unless that lone male is switched on. That little bit of pressure from another male perceived as a threat can be all that he needs to perform. Over my avian journey, I’ve noted what can result from the scenario of one male with two females. One male Grenadier Weaver I saw was an absolutely magnificent colour and yet had never stitched a blade of grass for his female. She used to sidle up
Orange Bishop Weaver adults and juveniles
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