28 Bird Scene - March & April 2016 by Theparrotsociety

BIRD ISSUE TWENTY EIGHT: MARCH / APRIL 2016

SCENE

THE MAGAZINE FOR HOBBYIST BREEDERS AND CONSERVATIONISTS

PYRRHURAS ARE POPULAR AND PROLIFIC! BY ROSEMARY LOW

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EXHIBITIO

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LOW SUNFLOWER FOR AFRICAN GREYS

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CONTENTS

BIRD SCENE: MARCH / APRIL 2016

CONTENTS DONATE TO OUR CONSERVATION FUND… CLICK THE LINK BELOW: www.theparrotsocietyuk.org/donations.php

06 38

AUSTRALIAN KINGS By Les Rance

PYRRHURAS ARE POPULAR AND PROLIFIC! By Rosemary Low

PSUK 50TH ANNIVERSARY SEMINAR

THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION 9TH OCTOBER 2016

BREEDING PARROTLETS By Stefano Salles

ON THE COVER

BIRD ISSUE TWENTY EIGHT: MARCH / APRIL 2016

SCENE

PYRRHURAS ARE POPULAR AND PROLIFIC! BY ROSEMARY LOW

Finch Society

from:the Australian available Running Schedule

BENGALESE FANCIERS Association Border Breeders ASSOCIATION Worldwide International Together Fanciers Bringing

Border

CanaryThe Council

The Canary Council Aviculture. began its life in 1984 Delegates Blue Lizard, as from the ten canary an off-shoot of Norwich, twice a the National Rare and sections year to (Border, Old Varieties Council discuss aviculture Fife, Irish for and act Yorkshire, as a whole. upon Fancy, Lizard, The Canary matters appertainingand Hosos) now Council’s to the canary meet at least ➤ To encourage aims and fancy and objectives breeds the of domestic keeping, breeding, are: ➤ To affiliate canary exhibition/contest to and upholdthroughout culture (NCA). and study the rules Great Britain ➤ To make and objectives and Northern of all recognised representations, national of the NationalIreland. organisations either directly ing to the Council and for Avior through ➤ To sendCanary Fancy. government departments the NCA ties of the representatives and other to statutory bodies, to the meetings NCA. on matters ➤ To encourage appertainof, and of the Canary governing otherwise participate bodies ➤ To organise Council. of each in, the activivariety shows, domestic interests events, canary of to become ➤ To do the canary fancy. campaigns, promotions anything members achieve else the or other its objectives. Canary such activities Council considers in the appropriate ■ The Canary and reasonable Council unflighted is proud Canary, to to support ■ The Best

Judge: Brian Hogg Show Beckett End, Beck Secretary: Bernard Street, Hepworth, Howlett Telephone London Fancy Canary 01359 Diss, Norfolk IP22 Birds accepted 221245 2PN Saturday Club Show classifications Judging 10th from commences 5-7pm apply at 9.15am or before ~ Sunday 11th 7-9am if all entries are staged

Canary White Unflighted the National Council canaries Exhibition has Canary as pets and and Best or hobbyistproduced a booklet Copies are Unflighted awards trophies Greenford, available from livestock. It covers “Canary Basics” Junior Canary for Best the Canary Middlesex on housing, ■ Find in show. Council feeding, the care requirements UB6 out more about the 9RF, for £1 plus Secretary: Chris breeding and of an Canary the Smith, Council SAE. 61 Eastmead moult. on our Avenue, website: www.canary-council.co.uk

The Birdkeepers’ Voice at Level National

(www.britishbirdcouncil.com) Bird Council The British (www.budgerigarsociety.com) Society The Budgerigar (www.canarycouncil.co.uk) Council The Canary (www.foreignbirdfederation.co.uk) scheme, Bird Federation visit

else, level, insurance and much at national Fame Hall of activities of our of Honour, www.nca.uk.net Roll For details awards, our website: £1 p&p service @ £3 + available logo are& Treasurer: above with the Secretary Pentlow, badges from NCA Lane, NCA Pinkuah

info@nca.uk.net

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BIRD SCENE

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BIRD SCENE: Issue Twenty Eight: March / April 2016 BIRD SCENE is run by The Parrot Society UK, 92A High Street, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 2BL, England. FOR SALES AND EDITORIAL ENQUIRES Telephone or Fax: 01442 872245 Website: www.theparrotsocietyuk.org E-Mail: les.rance@theparrotsocietyuk.org

BIRD SCENE 3

INTRODUCT

Les Rance, Editor, The Parrot Society UK | www.theparrotsocietyuk.org | les.rance@

2016

is the 50th Anniversary of The Parrot Society and to mark this wonderful achievement we are holding a seminar at Chester Zoo over the weekend of 17th and 18th September with speakers from around the world talking about parrot conservation issues and their experiences, a weekend not to be missed, fuller details appear on pages 26 to 29. This is now the twenty eighth edition of Bird Scene and I am really pleased with the progress that has been made with this e-magazine over the past four and a half years. The knowledge that we have learnt through working with experts in the field of e-magazines has been tremendous, and it is not a matter of knowledge for knowledges sake, we have used what we have learned to produce an e-magazine version of The Parrot Society magazine for overseas members which we offer at the same cost as the £22.00 p.a. subscription to our paper magazine for UK members. For thirteen years I have edited the Parrot Society magazine which has been very interesting but

BIRD SCENE

from its very nature is limited to parrot species excluding the Budgerigar. Bird Scene allows me to study and enjoy all the other species of birds that are kept within UK aviculture many of which are exhibited at The National Exhibition which will again be held at Stafford on Sunday 9th October 2016. In fact one of the major objectives of Bird Scene is to publicise The National Exhibition and the bird clubs who have joined with The Parrot Society to allow their members to exhibit birds in a large exhibition. I have kept Cape Doves, Java Sparrows, Gouldian finches and Forbes Parrot-finches all of which have their own individual needs and challenges and gave me great pleasure to maintain, my birds were not show standard but good aviary birds. There is no doubt that to breed a nest of healthy youngsters of any of these four species gives great satisfaction and all the time I was increasing my knowledge of my charges.

TION

BY THE EDITOR

LES RANCE

@theparrotsocietyuk.org Besides publicising The National Exhibition another aim of Bird Scene is to promote the excellent conservation activities that the Parrot Society are assisting. We have worked with and provided funding for a range of endangered parrots two of which are the Tasman Parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookie) which is one of the rarest bird species in the South Pacific. And the Greybreasted parakeet (pyrrhura griseipectus)

from South America this is our latest conservation project that we are supporting financially. For our readers with an interest in breeding birds we have two very interesting articles. Firstly ‘Australian Kings’ which I wrote myself and ‘Pyrrhuras Are Popular and Prolific’ by Rosemary Low‘ two articles I am sure you will enjoy. The words on the progress that is being made on the 2016 National Exhibition are down to me so really at this point there is very little that is worth adding. Just enjoy this publication and rest assured that the 2016 event will be the best ever because each year we become more confident of our abilities and more experienced in running The National. In addition we have the wonderful support of our sole sponsor Johnston & Jeff Ltd a leading seed supplier to UK aviculturalists.

BIRD SCENE 5

LES RANCE

AUSTRALIAN KINGS (ALISTERUS SCAPULARIS) 06

BIRD SCENE

FEATURE

ustralian Kings are a common bird within their range in their native Australia which is the costal strip and adjacent mountain regions of eastern Australia from northern Queensland to southern Victoria they do not stray into the vast arid areas in the centre of this vast continent. They are the commonest species of King within aviculture. Australian Kings are popular among hobbyist breeders who have a reasonable amount of experience keeping Australian parakeets because they are such beautiful birds that if kept well and provided with a large aviary will reward their owners with a brood of youngsters most years. At 42cm in length they are quite a large bird and therefore require a nest box measuring 25cm x 25cm x 60cm. An average sized clutch is four eggs and these are incubated for 21 days only by the female. My breeding pair like their box hung about half way into their aviary, it has an inspection door in the side and has a top that can be lifted off, this is important as most Australian Kings have young in the nest box during July when we experience our hottest time of the year. You would have thought that with a hole near the top of the box (to let the birds gain access) the hot air produced by the growing young would escape through this hole, this does not happen, it just keeps circulating inside the box; the temperature continues to rise and the young can die of heat exhaustion. During

BIRD BIRD SCENE SCENE 07

hot weather the lift off top really comes into its own, I remove it in the morning and replace it in the evening, I have never had a pair of birds leave their young as a result of this action. They seem to appreciate my intervention knowing that my actions are helping to save their growing family. Although feather plucking of babies by their parents is rarely a trait seen in Australian Kings it is worth mentioning here that if you experience this problem I have found that by removing the lid from the nest box during the day it reduces the amount of feather plucking that occurs. I suspect that this is because the adult birds do

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not spend so much time in a box which allows light to enter, but I might be wrong with this assumption! It is however a trick worth utilising as badly plucked youngsters are horrible and it takes them a long time to get over this experience. So the moral to the story (or at least this part of it) is to ensure that your nest boxes have a top that can be easily removed. Unlike some of the Rosella family where rather aggressive cocks can attack and bully their wives I find that Australian Kings seem to be well adjusted adults and there are rarely problems with

FEATURE fighting between the pair, this makes for harmony within the aviary and generally good breeding results. I only keep one pair in each flight, these are 15’ long and 3’ wide, the height varies as I have a sloping roof on their aviaries which are double wired to ensure that the cocks do not fight and damage toes of neighbours. As their breeding season does not occur until the warmer weather there seem less problems with infertile eggs than often feature with the earlier breeding birds. Australian Kings are not fussy eaters and as a staple diet a good quality parakeet mixture seems to serve them well. I attempt to give them ‘extras’ right through the year. Through the winter on a 4 day rota I give egg food on day 1, day 2 they receive fruit (apples grapes and orange) and vegetables (peas carrots and beetroot)

day 3 no supplementation and on day 4 germinated seed (safflower, wheat and sunflower) unless the weather is freezing. As I purchase the safflower, wheat and sunflower in individual bags they are called ‘straight seeds’ as they are not in a mixture and therefore I am not charged VAT which reduces my seed bill by 20% a considerable saving. The germinated seeds are soaked in individual bowls for 12 hours, the water is drained off and the seeds washed through. They are then placed in a heater at 28 to 32 centigrade, they are washed through every 12 hours and as soon as they start to chit (the shoot starts to show) they are then ready to feed, do not allow the shoot to grow longer than ¼” because the increased vitamin content quickly reduces as the shoot grows. This rotation allows them to

The germinated seeds are soaked in individual bowls for 12 hours, the water is drained off and the seeds washed through. They are then placed in a heater at 28 to 32 centigrade, they are washed through every 12 hours and as soon as they start to chit (the shoot starts to show) they are then ready to feed…

BIRD SCENE 09 25

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FEATURE continue experiencing the foods that they use to rear their youngsters during the summer months and what is more is that they seem to like the variety supplied over the four day period. There can be problems with intestinal round worms with most Australian parakeets, these worms build up in the intestine and live on the digested food passing through the intestine. As just one worm can produce 2,000 eggs in a year it is easy to realise how a large infestation can build up on the floor of an aviary. Worm eggs are similar to turtle eggs (but very much smaller) in as much as they have a rubbery shell that stays viable on a damp aviary floor for many months. To mitigate this problem to some degree I have built aviaries with a dry sand floor (located under a glass fibre roof) so that the worm eggs dry up as soon as they land on the dry sand. My birds still have access to rain as the ends of the flights have an overhang similar to raised flights, this is not covered by glass fibre sheeting. In this area the droppings containing the worm eggs drop outside the aviary. This design has worked very well for many years, I still worm my collection using a syringe to dose the birds directly into the crop and at present for an Australian King I use 2.5% Panacur diluted 5 parts water to 1 part Panacur. One King receives 2 cc’s of this wormer. Panacur has proved a reliable wormer for many years and it has the distinct

advantage that birds can accept doses above those recommended with the likelihood of little effect on the bird. So to sum up if you design your aviaries to mitigate as far as possible the effects of worms and you also worm your birds twice a year you should avoid the loss of your valuable hobbyist breeding stock from this terrible scourge. Australian Kings will breed when they are two years old, and I have bred from young cocks that were not in full colour. When the young leave the nest box they are feathered as the adult hen and I love to see the young cocks gradually develop over a number of years into their adult colouration. After a good breeding season I will however use DNA feather sexing to inform me of the sexes of the youngsters. This then allows me to know what I have bred, if I had 6 youngsters and they were all DNA sexed as cocks I would then know that I needed to obtain some hens! Young Kings are very tolerant of other parakeets and I am quite happy to house them in a mixed aviary (obviously no nest boxes present!) for a couple of years whilst they are ‘grown on’ they rarely show aggression to their aviary colleagues.

When the young leave the nest box they are feathered as the adult hen and I love to see the young cocks gradually develop over a number of years into their adult colouration.

BIRD SCENE 11 09 25

Like the majority of Australian parakeets they do not generally chew the aviary structure and therefore wood can be used in its construction which is much quicker to attach the wire to the framework. I generally use 16 gauge 1” x ½” weldmesh for my wire because it is strong and allows me to keep African Greys and Ringnecks with no worry of them destroying the wire. Another advantage of Australian parakeets is that they are colourful and not noisy and this is an important issue if you are close to neighbours who might frown upon your avicultural pursuits! When constructing aviaries do not forget that your structure will be a target for both mice and rats during its life. Make sure that you have sound footings that will prevent rats digging down the outside and gaining access through the floor, once rats get a hold inside an aviary they are very difficult to eject and will take birds as large as Ring-necked parakeets and also Kings. You might think that spending money of sturdy footings is not worth the expenditure but I can assure you that it is. Mice especially young mice really cannot be kept out of an aviary as they are so small that they

When constructing aviaries do not forget that your structure will be a target for both mice and rats during its life. Make sure that you have sound footings that will prevent rats digging down the outside…

08 12

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In short rats and mice are serious vermin and every effort needs to be taken to eradicate them. Hawks, cats and foxes also can prove very troublesome and their attacks can produce fatalities… can find their way through very small gaps. The best approach is to use traps and poison to keep their numbers as low as possible. Mice carry salmonella in their urine and whilst eating from the bird’s food trays they easily contaminate the seed. Once this seed is eaten by your stock the salmonella passes straight to your birds often with fatal consequences. In short rats and mice are serious vermin and every effort needs to be taken to eradicate them. Hawks, cats and foxes also can prove very troublesome and their attacks can produce fatalities so keep a good lookout for these pests also. Australian Kings are quite expensive birds and that is an additional reason why they are a bird for the more experienced aviculturalists but once you have obtained that knowledge they are a bird that stands our winter climate well if provided with a sheltered flight. They can also become quite tame and certainly are not afraid of coming close to you when you feed them their egg food and vegetables especially when they are feeding their brood of babies. These birds are certainly worth keeping provided that you have a long flight.

FEATURE

BIRD SCENE 25 09

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BIRD SCENE

C&A classified 01-11:C&A classified 03-03

12/1/11

15:24

Page 1

AVIAN ID

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PO Box. 107 Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2YR. Call or Fax (+44) 01872-262777. Email: info@avianid.co.uk

AVIAN ID of Distinction For Rings Mention you are a Parrot Society member PO Box.when 107phoning Truro, that Cornwall, TR1 2YR. Call or Fax (+44) 01872-262777. Email: info@avianid.co.uk For Rings of Distinction Mention when phoning that you are a Parrot Society member

BIRD SCENE 15

Crimson bellied Conure

PYRRHURAS ARE PO AND PROLIFIC! 06 16

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FEATURE

OPULAR SAYS

ROSEMARY LOW

was very young when I was first captivated by the Pyrrhura Conures. I kept and bred two species: Maroonbellied and Pearly. At that time (the 1960s) the species available to aviculturists was limited to these two plus the Black-tailed and White-eared with, more rarely, the Painted. They were definitely a minority interest. I loved the members of this genus because they were so lively and inquisitive and they nested readily. Their plumage colours were subtle and attractive. Most of these parakeets are also very friendly and confiding. To me, that is extremely important. I don’t want to keep birds that fly away from me when I approach their aviary! They ignited my passion for neotropical parrots. This had a big influence on my life and resulted in me travelling to South and Central America on many occasions. My joy in seeing these birds in the wild never fades. Today, more than four decades later, the Pyrrhuras, especially the Green-cheeked, are among the most popular birds in aviculture. Their enchanting personalities, as aviary birds and as companions, are now fully appreciated. The proliferation of mutations in the Green-cheeked has added another element to their appeal. In this article I would like to concentrate on two aspects of their care: accommodation and feeding. There are grave misconceptions on both accounts.

BIRD BIRD SCENE SCENE 07 17

Because they are small they tend to be kept and bred in cages. Do not make the mistake of believing that small aviaries will suffice. Pyrrhura conures are very active so the larger the aviary the better. For one pair I would suggest an aviary at least 3m to 4.2m long, 91cm wide and 1.8m high. Where space and finances permit, the flights should be 4.5m (15ft) long or even more -- every part will be

08 18

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used in fast and skilful flight. Most people are unaware of the quite incredible flight skills of these small parakeets because they do not give them the opportunity to really exercise their wings. Their skill is apparent only a few days after they start to fly. If you are lucky enough to see these birds in the wild, you will be amazed at the way they move at great speed in a flock, swooping

FEATURE

Crimson-bellied Conures enjoying oats in the green stage.

and diving, often quite close to the ground. I doubt whether many adult birds are taken in flight by birds of prey because not only are they so fast and manoeuvrable, they have lighting-fast reactions and are extremely watchful. They are naturally suspicious and they post sentinels within even a small group to look out for danger. Recommended size for the indoor

quarters is 1.8m long and 91cm wide. Half depth cages, that is, 91cm off the floor and the same height, are adequate. The area below can be tiled for ease of cleaning or, inside, a Vinyl floor can be laid above the concrete. Some breeders have only indoor accommodation for these conures, keeping them in all wire cages or traditional breeding units. Their quality of life is often very poor because no thought is given to keeping them busy and active. Every cage should be fitted with a length of PVC pipe in which a branch can be placed frequently, preferably every week. Branches with flowers and berries, such as elder and hawthorn, will be relished. Being inquisitive, Pyrrhuras investigate anything new immediately. They are never afraid! They are equally adventurous where food is concerned. I am saddened by breeders who give (in their own words) only seed and apple out of the breeding season. They relish variety. They try everything

Some breeders have only indoor accommodation for these conures, keeping them in all wire cages or traditional breeding units. Their quality of life is often very poor because no thought is given to keeping them busy and active. Every cage should be fitted with a length of PVC pipe in which a branch can be placed frequently, preferably every week.

BIRD SCENE 19 09 25

Grasses with large seed heads are eaten.

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FEATURE

Along with the seeding grasses which have large heads of seed and seeding dock (any stage of ripeness), the favourite food of my Pyrrhuras is ears of wheat before ripe (green). Very few parrots eat the hard maize (yellow and red) that are included in most parrot mixtures. and given the opportunity their diet is broader than that of most parrots. In fact, they eat hard seed because they often have no option. Given a choice, fruits, vegetables, greenfoods, wild foods such as seeding dock, seeding grasses and sowthistle with flower buds and various flowers (especially dandelion) will usually be favoured above seed, with the exception of hemp. Along with the seeding grasses which have large heads of seed and seeding dock (any stage of ripeness), the favourite food of my Pyrrhuras is ears of wheat before ripe (green). Very few parrots eat the hard maize (yellow and red) that are included in most parrot mixtures. I remove these and plant them in containers. When planting for this purpose, the container must be at least 31cm (12in) high or the ears will be small. Someone asked me: “Why are you growing wheat when there are fields of it up the road?” A good question -- but I had to point out that it was not organic. What had it been

sprayed with? In any case, to take some would have been stealing! My conures also eat oats in the green stage that I plant just for them. They are so easy to grow if they are kept well watered. Also grown in my garden and relished by these birds are raspberries (offered slightly under-ripe to our taste) and redcurrants. Raspberries are the best crop because with more than one variety, they fruit from July to October. Again, they are very easy to grow where I live and do especially well after a hard winter. Foods that cost nothing With the price of seed increasing almost every year, it surprises me that breeders do not make more use of wild foods. Dock is especially good for its seed and the fact that one can cut it in the autumn, making sure it is thoroughly dry then store it in sacks for winter use. Most wild areas are covered in it, often until the beginning of October. >>>

My conures also eat oats in the green stage that I plant just for them. They are so easy to grow if they are kept well watered. Also grown in my garden and relished by these birds are raspberries (offered slightly under-ripe to our taste) and redcurrants. Raspberries are the best crop because with more than one variety, they fruit from July to October.

BIRD SCENE 21 09 25

Rose headed Conure

Sowthistle -buds, flowers and leaves are relished.

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FEATURE By then hawthorn berries will be abundant. This is another free harvest that can last for months if you remove the berries from the branches and freeze them. They will last for a year in the freezer, until the next crop is ripe. In winter chickweed is often available if the weather is wet, but my conures are not particularly fond of it. There is nothing else from the wild so the berries in the freezer and the dried dock in the shed come into their own. However, from the end of September until February the favourite fruit of every

parrot I have ever known becomes available: Spanish pomegranates! Just cut the fruit into about eight pieces and watch your birds relish them! (If they are not Spanish pomegranates they are likely to be ignored.) So, to recap, favourite and free autumn foods of Pyrrhuras and other parakeets are hawthorn and elder berries (some parakeets will also eat the berries of cotoneaster and pyracantha), dock and late-seeding grasses and a few lateflowering dandelion and sowthistle flowers. Make sure your birds partake of this annual feast!

Hawthorn berries from three different trees.

BIRD SCENE 23 09 25

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G N I S I T R E V D ONLINE A How does 'Parrot Advertiser' work? Access is from the Parrot Society UK website www.theparrotsocietyuk.org This is a free service for members. As this facility is located on our website it is available for the public to view and contact you about your bird. Once you submit an advertisement it will be checked and authorised by Parrot Society staff, this will occur between 9 am and 3 pm each weekday (our office hours). In addition to birds you can also advertise second hand bird related items and place wanted advertisements. To gain access to ‘Parrot Advertiser’ click on it’s tab on the green horizontal tool bar near the top of the Home Page. This will bring you into the most recent page offering Birds for Sale. If you wish to place an advertisement scroll down to the bottom left hand corner and in the box marked Other Links select ‘Add/Update An Advert’. You will need to place your membership number (just the numerics) in the Username box and your Post Code (using capital letters with a space between the two parts of the Post Code) in the Password box. If you experience any difficulties please ring the office on 01442 872245.

PSUK 50th anniv

17/18 September 20 g

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016 / Chester Zoo

The Parrot Society UK is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a seminar entitled ‘Bird Conservation Around the World’, to be held at Chester Zoological Gardens, Upton-by-Chester, over the weekend of 17th and 18th September 2016.

PSUK 50th anniversary seminar 17/18 September 2016 / Chester Zoo

he weekend will include a session of fascinating presentations by a range of internationally recognized speakers on Saturday 17th, to be held in the recently refurbished and comfortable lecture theatre at the Zoo. The session will be opened by PS Chairman Alan Jones, and compered by expert bird artist Eric Peake. Eric has also kindly donated a signed print of St Vincent’s Amazons for a raffle prize. A video will be shown of one of the Society’s long-term conservation projects – the tinning of trees to protect cockatoos’ nest sites, initiated by Ray Ackroyd and long-term PS Council member the late John Mollindinia. The final programme of speakers is – • Mark Stafford (USA) from Parrots International – ‘What’s so special about parrots that makes them worth conserving?’ • Chester Zoo – a history of avian conservation by Chester Zoo • David Woolcock (UK) from Paradise Park, Cornwall – ‘Parrot Conservation – global issues, local solutions – we all have a part to play’ • Rosemary Low (UK) – ‘In situ conservation & research, A worldwide overview’.

• Julia Heckmann (Germany) – from University of Giessen, ‘Aspects of avian bornavirus (PDD) for parrot lovers’. (Research part-funded by the PSUK) • Tony Pittman (UK) – ‘The Spix’s macaw, from its last sightings in the wild to captive breeding programmes’. • Steve Brookes (UK) – ‘Conservation in action – Lear’s macaws & Grey-breasted parakeets in Brazil’ (Both PSUK-funded projects) • Barbara Heidenreich (USA) – ‘The Kakapo Recovery Programme’ Barbara Heidenreich is also a world-renowned tutor on behavioural problems of many animals, including parrots. She has offered to present one of her fascinating workshops on the Sunday morning, if there is sufficient interest. This three-hour session will still allow time to visit the Zoo afterwards, and the last time Barbara held such a workshop in the UK several years ago, the fee was £80. We are offering the opportunity to attend this unique event at just £60 a head Sunday will leave delegates free to explore the magnificent facilities of Chester Zoo, with experienced keepers on hand to answer PS delegates’ questions and show them the best exhibits. Entry to the Zoo will be at a specially reduced rate to weekend registered delegates.

PSUK 50th anniversary seminar 17/18 September 2016 / Chester Zoo

Registration for this seminar, thanks to generous support by the Parrot Society UK and commercial sponsorship, has been kept at the extremely low level of our last seminar at the Zoo in 2003 – being just £20 per person for the Saturday seminar only, or £35 per person for the two-day event. This fee will include morning and afternoon refreshments and a light lunch on Saturday. There will be several trade stands and displays alongside the lecture theatre.

SEE uk.org y t ie c o s t o r r www.thepa

There is a range of accommodation in the area, for those wishing to make a full weekend of it, from Friday night until Sunday night, or longer. Such accommodation is for individuals to arrange for themselves, and plenty is available on the internet, some with special offers on costs, including Travelodge, Premier Inn, Holiday Inn, Best Western etc.

Parrot Behavior Problem Solving Workshop B Hei arbara Ani denreic ma h and l Train – ing B Con ehavior sult ant

re you struggling with parrot behavior problems? Does your parrot scream for attention? Does your parrot present aggressive behavior? Are you challenged by problems related to reproductive hormones? Can’t seem to make a connection with a parrot who doesn’t trust you? Then join us for an informative session of Force Free Animal Training (FFAT). FFAT is the term Barbara Heidenreich uses to describe her style of animal training. Force free means the use of coercion and aversives to get desired behavior

are not an option. Instead Barbara focuses on using positive reinforcement, empowering animals to choose to participate and building a relationship based on trust. This results in a well behaved, interactive and entertaining companion parrot. With video examples of parrots voluntarily participating in physical exams, intramuscular injections and blood draws without restraint, participants will be inspired by the power of positive reinforcement training. You can expect an informative, inspiring and fun workshop.

Budgies, Canaries, Cockatiels, Conures, Finches, Large Parakeets, Lovebirds, Parrots, Quail, Small Parakeets, Softbills, Chinchillas, TRADE E Degus, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs, Mice, Rabbits, M O C L E W Rats, Hamsters Weavers Coving, Towcester Road, Whittlebury, Northants, NN12 8TD T: +44 (0) 1327 857594 / M: 0770 2277 246 (Guy) M: 0796 2099 830 (Lee) / F: +44 (0) 1327 858965 E: info@skybirds.co.uk / W: www.skybirds.co.uk

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BIRD SCENE

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BIRD SCENE 31

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FEATURE

THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION 9TH OCTOBER 2016

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ine years ago The Parrot Society started out on a venture of hopefully rebuilding “The National Exhibition”. The defining factor was whether it was possible for all branches of our hobby to jointly pull together and ‘make it work’ after recording such a success in the first year the question was then whether the enthusiasm would be sustained. It has indeed worked each year since the first Show in 2007 the numbers of exhibits have increased. We can only thank the bird club officials that have all worked so hard to increase the number of exhibits year on year and made this exhibition the success it has become. I am also pleased to announce that the Norwich Canary Club and the International Border Breeders Association who joined our ranks three years ago will again be present to exhibit their member’s birds again this year. Last year the London Fancy Canary Club joined our ranks and

they will again be exhibiting their birds at this year’s show. By combining this exhibition with the already highly successful Parrot Society October Sale Day at the superbly equipped Staffordshire County Showground a large proportion of the exhibitors were familiar with both the location and the available facilities. UK bird exhibitors now view this event as the premier ‘all variety show’ on the UK calendar. We are delighted that the exhibition is obtaining increasing support from both continental judges and breeders who travel long distances to attend this event it is exciting to think that in a very short time this exhibition has been able to

attract these dedicated fanciers from all over Europe. The continental influence is not only limited to the fanciers, there is an increasing demand from continental traders to attend this event, further increasing the range of products available to all our enthusiastic visitors. As it is located only a few miles to the east of junction 14 of the M6 vehicles can quickly arrive at the Showground. Keith Jones, David Coombes and I were delighted to have been included on the National Council of Aviculture Roll of Honour Award for our contribution as organisers of the National Exhibition. This is an award that we were all delighted to receive on behalf of The Parrot Society.

Arrangements are well in hand for the next Show on Sunday 9th October 2016 a meeting with representatives of all the supporting clubs is being held at The Quality Hotel Coventry on Sunday 15th May. Each time we organise this Show we aim to improve both the exhibitor experience and that of the viewing public and the points discussed at this meeting

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prove invaluable in ensuring improvements continue to achieve these goals. “The National Exhibition” will this year be sponsored once by Richard Johnston of Johnston and Jeff, who has supported us from the start. This year his generous sponsorship has also financed additional new staging as exhibits are set to increase and the added attraction of bird seed as prizes can only help increase the numbers benched. We are indebted to the management and editorial staff of Cage & Aviary Birds magazine for the production of a very well designed insert, with our contribution being the collation of the information from all the exhibiting clubs. The supplement will appear in their 2nd September 2016 edition and will as previously carry advertisements from all the exhibiting clubs and information on how to obtain the Show Schedule for your chosen species. This supplement has now become a feature of “The National Exhibition”. Since the show took on the name “The National Exhibition” in 2010 the demand for trade space has

FEATURE significantly increased, with some new traders making their first appearance this year. So whatever your bird keeping requirements they will be on offer at Stafford on 9th October. The Sandylands Centre and half of the Argyle Centre will again be used to accommodate the exhibits with the ‘booking in’ and club stands filling the remainder of the Argyle Centre. This facilitates the management of the exhibition during the judging of the birds and allows both exhibitors and general visitor access to the exhibition at the earliest possible time on the day. The Parrot Society Council members hope that all the exhibitors and the officials of the specialist exhibiting clubs have a very

enjoyable day. The Parrot Society would like to thank the clubs for all the kind words and support that you have given us. It will make the organisation of this year’s “National Exhibition” a pleasure to be involved with.

THE N A EXHIB TIONAL 9TH O ITION CTO 2016 BER

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D E C N A ADV TICE NO

P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS Flamingo Land Kirby P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS Misperton YO17 6UX P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS Sunday 15th May P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS FullDAYS details April P.S. MEMBER • in P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS magazine. P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS Tropical P.S. MEMBER DAYSBirdland • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS Desford LE9 9GN P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS Sunday May P.S. MEMBER DAYS22nd • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS FullDAYS details April magazine. P.S. MEMBER • in P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS Birdworld GU10DAYS 4LD • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS •Farnham P.S. MEMBER Sunday JulyMEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS17th • P.S. P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS Full details in June magazine. P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • Berkshire P.S. MEMBER Beale Park RG8DAYS 9NH• P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS Sunday 7th August P.S. MEMBER • in P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS FullDAYS details July magazine. P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. MEMBER DAYS • P.S. BIRDMEMBER SCENE 09DAYS

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ARTICLE BY: STEFANO SALLES

BREEDING PARROTLETS 06 38

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FEATURE

arrolets are a small parakeet that come from South America, they are sometimes referred to as the equivalent of the African Lovebird. They are generally free breeders, providing certain requirements are met. First of all a pair has to be compatible; many people put two birds together in a cage hoping for the best. Parrotlets are known to be quite vicious towards an unwanted partner. You can ascertain after a few days when a pair will bond; they will start sitting next to each other; they will preen and regurgitate to each other; this may not happen straight away; an experienced breeder would certainly know how to read their body language. A great deal of experience is gained simply by sitting and watching your birds in fact there is no substitute for spending time watching the interaction between your birds. Parrotlets breed well in standard double breeding cages, min size 60cm long x 45 x 45; remember the larger the better. I prefer metal cages, I find them very

You can ascertain after a few days when a pair will bond; they will start sitting next to each other; they will preen and regurgitate to each other; this may not happen straight away; an experienced breeder would certainly know how to read their body language. A great deal of experience is gained simply by sitting and watching your birds…

BIRD BIRD SCENE SCENE 07 39

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FEATURE hygienic and parrotlets like to climb, which they would not be able to do as much in the old style wooden box type cages. (Make sure they are positioned in draft-free areas) I like to furnish the breeding cages with toys and fresh branches; breeding pairs like to play just as much as pet parrotlets! Babies will play with them once they are out of the nest box and the weaning process will start; it will stimulate and keep them engaged. Parrotlets mature quickly and are ready to breed at one year of age; some will want to breed earlier, some later. I have seen parrotlets mating when they were 5-6 months old. Providing you do not give them nest boxes, they should be fine until they reach maturity at one year old. There is a lot of strain put on birds when they breed and if you breed with your stock when they are too young it could shorten their life and reduce the number of young they raise in subsequent broods. Make sure your birds are fit and are not moulting when you supply the nest box. Birds should be fed a nutritious diet made of sprouted pulses, grains and seeds, mixed twice a week with a proprietary dry egg food (daily with chicks in the nest) fruits and vegetables and a high quality seed mixture. Cuttlefish is a must and they consume a lot of it. You can gauge when the hen starts to lay she will munch on it vigorously; she needs calcium to produce eggs. In addition twice a week I

also add a calcium powder to their soft food. If it is too cold problems can start occurring; hens are not able to produce enough calcium and risk becoming egg bound. (It has never happened to my parrotlets in many years of breeding them but it has happened to a Mountain parakeet hen (Bolborhynchus aurifrons) and to a Lovebird hen before, with deadly consequences) There was a previous article in the March 2014 issue about nest boxes. In short, parrotlets are not fussy when it comes to nest boxes; they should be placed on a top corner at the front, horizontally, with the entrance hole facing towards the inside of the cage; this will give a sense of security to the hen. A good size would be 21cm long x 13cm wide x 15 high, with the opening hinged lid for easy inspection. I have also used the classic budgie type boxes but I find them a tad smaller and fiddler then

Parrotlets mature quickly and are ready to breed at one year of age; some will want to breed earlier, some later. I have seen parrotlets mating when they were 5-6 months old. Providing you do not give them nest boxes, they should be fine until they reach maturity at one year old.

BIRD SCENE 41 09 25

the one just mentioned. Small wood untreated chippings are needed to line the bottom of the boxes, 3-4cm deep is ample; do not use saw dust or straw. Parrotlets are not nest builders and will just lay on the chips provided. They will lay an egg every other day and will brood them for 20 to 23 day. 21 days is average hatching time; clutch size is anything from four to six-eight eggs, never seen more then eight. Parrotlets breed best when you have more than one pair and they can hear each other but not see one another.

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Dividers should be placed between the cages to cut down on aggression and territory issues between pairs. Saying that, there have been occasions were I have not always placed a divider and witnessed no detriment to the birds in question. Generally speaking parrotlets are good parents and feed their babies well. I have had and still have exceptionally good pairs like my first Spectacled pair and on the other hand some not so good pairs. A problem I have experienced in a pair is chick’s being plucked. I do not know

FEATURE FEATURE

why they do it but some do. I have read the problem can be genetic but this pair I bred both their parents and grand parents and they did not pluck. I read the article by Les Rance in the May issue on page 7 where he wrote ‘Although feather plucking of babies by their parents is rarely a trait seen in Australian Kings it is worth mentioning here that if you experience this problem I have found that by removing the lid from the nest box during the day it reduces the amount of feather plucking that occurs. I suspect that this is because the adult birds do not spend

so much time in a box which allows light to enter, but I might be wrong with this assumption! It is however a trick worth utilising as badly plucked youngsters are horrible and it takes them a long time to get over this experience’. He was talking about birds breeding in aviaries but I may well experiment with this tip, I must just make sure that this pair are housed in a cage at the top of the breeding block and have a nest box with a top on it that is easily removed during the day and replaced in the evening. Also a problem I have found is when

BIRD SCENE 43 09 25

there are too many babies in the nest the last one can be picked on by the parents if they want to go to nest again, so you must keep an eye open for potential injuries on the youngest. I have hand reared a few just because parents were attacking them. Babies wean from six to eight weeks but I like them to stay with their parents for as long as possible. Some dads attack their male off springs; some don’t, so I just monitor each individual pair. By staying within their family group, they learn and acquire many social skills, which is fundamental for their

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development and well being both as pets or breeding birds. My hand tamed Spectacled and Celestial Parrotlets I have bred proved to be great and adjusted individuals! Olly, Chippy, Coco, Orville, Tiki, Bruce, Alfie, Anthony, Gizmo, Feathers, Mia, Mimi, Gina, Louis, just to name a few! I will be displaying some of my parrotlets at the forthcoming Think Parrots in June, hope to meet old and new friends and will be delighted to answer questions you may have regarding general management and keeping of Parrotlets!

FEATURE

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