6 Bird Scene - June & July 2012 by Theparrotsociety

BIRD ISSUE SIX: JUNE / JULY 2012

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THE KNOWLEDGE CENTRE FOR ALL PET BIRDS

HUMMINGBIRDS BY ANNE HOPPMANN

BREEDING THE LADY ROSS TURACO

CONQUERING EGG INFERTILITY

A detailed report on the leading winners at the 2011 National Exhibition.

Views by Greg Shaw on a problem faced by most aviculturalists.

I 8T SSU H E 7 20 AUG O 12 U UT ST

NATIONAL EXHIBITION RESULTS

FR EE

Breeding the Lady Ross Turaco (Musophaga rossae) at Cotswold Wildlife Park by Christopher Green.

CONTENTS

BIRD SCENE: JUNE / JULY 2012

CONTENTS 27

06 06

14 21 41

HUMMINGBIRDS A highly professional approach to breeding these delicate birds in Germany. CONQUERING EGG INFERTILITY Views by Greg Shaw on a problem faced by most aviculturalists. SECURITY John Hayward highlights the growing problem of thefts of exhibition stock. THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION RESULTS A detailed report on the leading winners at the 2011 National Exhibition.

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ON THE COVER

BIRD ISSUE SIX: JUNE / JULY 2012

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tHE KnoWLEdgE cEntRE FoR ALL pEt biRds

HummingbiRds by AnnE HoppmAnn

bREEding tHE LAdy Ross tuRAco breeding the Lady Ross turaco (musophaga rossae) at cotswold Wildlife park by christopher green.

nAtionAL ExHibition REsuLts

conquERing Egg inFERtiLity

A detailed report on the leading winners at the 2011 national Exhibition.

Views by greg shaw on a problem faced by most aviculturalists.

FR EE

is 8t su H E 7 20 Aug o 12 u ut st

TURACO Breeding the Lady Ross Turaco (Musophaga rossae) at Cotswold Wildlife Park by Christopher Green.

BIRD SCENE: Issue Six: JUNE / JULY 2012 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

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INTRODUCT T

his is now the sixth edition of Bird Scene, how quickly a year goes when you are working on a new project, well not quite so new now – the first FREE on-line bird magazine produced in the UK. At 48 pages this is quite a big read! Every time we post the Parrot Society magazine I cringe at the cost and after the 30th April 2012 when postal costs increased further the distribution expenses have become very costly, I just do not know how smaller clubs with limited funds will be able to continue printing a members magazine, maybe E-magazines are the way to go? This must be a great worry to many club officials. An e-magazine does not have this problem, or the expense of colour printing and from a slightly technical viewpoint the images do not need to be of such high resolution as those required for a printed magazine. As a result of increases to the costs of both postage and printing I am really pleased that we decided to produce Bird Scene as a FREE e-magazine. We have learnt a great deal over the last twelve months about this way of communicating with

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bird enthusiasts and I am sure that this knowledge will become more and more valuable as we see further increases in costs to paper magazines. Regular readers will know that Bird Scene has been produced to publicise The National Exhibition held each year at our October Sale Day/Show and to promote our Conservation efforts for threatened parrots in the wild. Previous editions are still to be found on the Home Page of our website and if you would like to see earlier versions there is an archive for Bird Scene at the bottom of the page. In this edition we have an excellent article on Humming Birds from Weltvogelpark Walsrode in Germany which I am sure you will find very interesting and inspirational. Also included following the success of the article on the breeding of the Violaceous Turaco by Geoff Bailey in issue 5 for all our readers that are interested in soft billed avicultural pursuits, is a report of breeding the Lady Ross Turaco (Musophaga rossae) at Cotswold Wildlife Park by Christopher Green, Bird Department,

TION

BY THE EDITOR

Cotswold Wildlife Park, I just love to see Turacos in large planted aviaries bouncing all around their enclosure thoroughly enjoying life, maybe one day I will build a big aviary for a pair, I would certainly now know where to ask for some advice on the idea. Unfortunately there seems to be a spate of thefts mainly from exhibitors keeping valuable show birds, please see the advice that John Hayward gives on this serious problem. This item appeared in the fifth issue but I make no apology for printed it again as it is such an important area and if it helps save a hobbyist bird breeders collection it will be space very well used. In this Issue I have

LES RANCE

included the results from the 2011 National Exhibition as it is important that the successful exhibitors are given the publicity that they richly deserve. Just keeping birds is a demanding time consuming pastime but to get birds into show condition after a demanding breeding season is a really challenging goal.

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

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ARTICLE BY: ANNE HOPPMANN (MAY 2012)

HUMMIN

THE ARRIVAL OF UNIQUE BIRDS

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NGBIRDS –

S FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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ho does not know the small, shimmering hummingbirds which flap their wings faster than the human eye can see? The more than 320 species of hummingbirds exclusively inhabit the New World. They occupy forests, deserts, mountain regions and open landscapes from southern North to South America. The smallest representative, with a size of only 5 - 6 cm and a weight of 2 g, is the Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) – the male is the lightest bird in the world and not larger than a human thumb! The 11 x 8 mm eggs are only the size of a pea and weigh 0.4 g. With a size of 22 cm and a weight of 23 g, the Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas) is the largest of these tiny bird species. Its eggs are 20 x 12 mm and weigh 1.4 g. Most of the hummingbirds show a sexual dimorphism. In general, the male is considerably more colourful and shiny than the female. He uses the plumage coloration as a signal during courtship or dominance displays. Especially in very territorial species the iridescent plumage colouration is highly pronounced. The duller coloured females rely on ‘crypsis’ during the rearing of their offspring as a defence against predation. Females care for the eggs and young by themselves without the help of the males. They build a tiny, mostly cup-shaped

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nest made of cobwebs, plant fibres, mosses or lichens, which is placed on branches, forked twigs or attached to large leaves. The 1 to 2 white eggs are usually incubated for 16 to 19 days before the chicks hatch. After hatching, the chicks are fed many times a day for 3 to 4 weeks. Hummingbirds mainly consume nectar – very energy-rich food – from flowers. They search for the nectar by visiting large, brightly coloured flowers. Red seems to be the preferred colour due to the spectral sensitivity of the hummingbirds’ eyes. The nectar is gathered with an extremely extendable bifurcated tongue which is flicked 3 to 13 times per second. Hummingbirds feed on insects as well but to a much lesser extent. The shape of the hummingbirds’ bills are as various as the flowers of their food plants – you can find bills that are short and pointed or long and curved – all being perfectly adapted to the shape of the flower they specialize in. Hummingbirds have to feed on nectar many times a day, as a meal of nectar will pass from the crop into the intestine in only about

4 minutes, and it takes less than 15 minutes for the body to extract up to 99% of the sugar glucose. Hummingbirds are essential for reproduction of many New World plants, as pollen is attached to the plumage of a hummingbird while it feeds at a flower. Moving on while searching for food, the hummingbird transports the pollen to the next flower. Some flowers are visited by only one or a few species of hummingbirds whereas others attract many different species. Plants which carry flowers that hummingbirds feed on provide nectar throughout the whole year – in contrast to plants which produce seasonal nectar and which are pollinated by insects. Another special feature of hummingbirds is their flight - with the help of their flexible wings and 10 to 80 wingbeats per second, they can not only fly forward, but also back- and sideward, manoeuvring like a helicopter and remaining ‘motionless’ in mid-air – thus they are able to reach even the most hidden flowers. Up to 200 wingbeats per

Hummingbirds mainly consume nectar – very energy-rich food – from flowers. They search for the nectar by visiting large, brightly coloured flowers. Red seems to be the preferred colour due to the spectral sensitivity of the hummingbirds’ eyes. The nectar is gathered with an extremely extendable bifurcated tongue which is flicked 3 to 13 times per second.

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second have been already measured in the wild. In contrast to other bird species hummingbirds beat their wings up and down to support their flight. The energy needed for the strength-sapping flight is gained from carbohydrates in the nectar. At rest, hummingbirds breath 300 times per minute. The breathing rate can rise to over 500 times per minute during flight or when the temperature increases. In comparison to that, doves only breath 30 times and humans only 14 to 18 times per minute. It is important for such small

birds with a high metabolism to save energy whenever they can e.g. while resting during the night or when the temperature is low. Therefore, the metabolism and the body temperature are decreased during the night, conserving up to 60 % of the energy normally used. Every night the birds enter a hibernation-like state, which is triggered by the onset of the dusk. At the end of 2011, thanks to a cooperation with a hummingbird breeding centre in Trieste, Italy, two species of hummingbirds moved into a newly designed breeding BIRD SCENE 09

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parks and gardens within cities. The females strongly resemble the males in their appearance. Like the Amazilia Hummingbird, the Green-tailed Trainbearer (Lesbia nuna) can be found in the west of South America, where it inhabits Andean regions in heights of up to 3800 m. The females are similar to the males, but the male has a remarkably 10 to 12 cm long, forked

FEATURE tail. This species is rarely seen in zoos and Germany-wide can only be seen at Weltvogelpark. Hummingbirds have special requirements in their environment and much thought was put into their housing in the new breeding centre at Weltvogelpark Walsrode. Many factors are constantly regulated and the room is kept as sterile as possible, as pathogens can be a very serious danger to the birds. The temperature as well as daylight are artificially controlled, the water used is specially filtered and a sprinkling system especially adapted to the needs of the hummingbirds regulates the air humidity. In the breeding centre the hummingbirds are kept at a temperature of 26°C by day which is reduced to 17 to 20 °C during the night. The humidity in the enclosures is 60 – 70 %. To give the birds a good start into the day, the dawn is controlled automatically. Shortly after 8 am the basic lighting is slowly increased and half an hour later UVdaylight-lamps are turned on as well. After twelve hours, shortly after 8 pm, the artificial dusk is started and the lamps are phased down to 0% within one hour. During the night their room is completely dark to give the birds the necessary period of rest. The birds in the breeding centre are observed and cared for all day long

by dedicated keepers despite all the automation, because scientific work and documentation is an important part of the work of Weltvogelpark. The behaviour patterns of each bird are observed and recorded. The artificial nectar is prepared fresh twice daily - it consists of proteins, fats, carbohydrates as well as vitamins, which are strictly aligned to the needs of the birds. Freehanging tube feeders in the enclosures are filled with fresh liquid nectar twice a day. Every 45 minutes hummingbirds need to feed on the nectar. During the breeding season the hummingbirds are additionally offered fruit flies, which they prefer for feeding their offspring. The breeding enclosures are densely planted and offer sufficient hiding places for these very sensitive birds. Fibres of these plants can also be used for nest building. Additionally, silk and cotton threads are provided as nesting material. It is important that the plants or silk cocoons are not chemically

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treated but that the fibres are natural and unhandled. The nests of the various species can differ a lot - in the wild, the Amazilia Hummingbird builds cup-shaped nests made of plant wool and cobwebs which are placed on the upper side of branches. In contrast, the nests of the Green-tailed Trainbearer are built of mosses and rootlets and are placed underneath overhangs on slopes. Most hummingbirds are very territorial, and males and females are not normally together. Some species like the Amazilia Hummingbird seem to be more hardy and can be kept more easily than others. This species can be found in some zoos in Europe.

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However, the Green-tailed Trainbearer is more delicate and sensitive to changes in its environment. The enclosures in the breeding centre are build so that the females have their own enclosure and the males are housed in adjacent areas. The male is only allowed to enter a female’s enclosure when she is actively building her nest. After successful pairing, the male is directly separated again and the female can concentrate on incubating the eggs and caring for the young. From our season opening in March 2012 our visitors are able to experience the exciting world of the hummingbirds as well in the

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things to know about the world of hummingbirds! By now the hummingbirds have settled in quite well and the breeding season has already started. At this moment one female is busy building her nest, while another one is incubating its eggs. And one chick already hatched in Mid-May in the nest of our most ‘hard-working’ female which cares very well for its offspring! The staff of Weltvogelpark is very happy and is now looking forward to more tiny hummingbird chicks during this breeding season.

‘Kolibri-Haus’ beneath the breeding centre. New educational signs and short movies can be seen, but visitors can also closely observe the birds in enclosures especially designed to resemble the hummingbird’s natural habitat. Visitors with enough patience and good observation skills are able to see a hummingbird in action at a feeding tube, using its unique flight manoeuvres. Live-Images of the breeding centre which is located above the heads of our visitors show females building their nest or caring for eggs and young when they are breeding. A ranger is always present in the house to answer questions and tell our visitors anecdotes and important

Reference: - del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. & Sargatal, J. eds (1999). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 5. Barn-owls to Hummingbirds. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

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CONQUERING EGG INFERTILITY

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ARTICLE BY: GREG SHAW Infertility in parrots and cockatoos is something we all have experienced at one time or another in our aviaries. It always seems to happen with that special pair of very expensive birds that we have so wished would breed for the last couple of years. The eggs are laid we wait with anticipation and excitement then we candle them to check that they are fertile and then realize the bad news, that they are not. Disappointment is something none of us enjoy dealing with infertile eggs are just par for the course people say. But surely we should be questioning why we have a clutch of infertile eggs?

very pair of birds of a particular species is unique to some extent. Just because several pairs find a particular situation acceptable does not mean that every new pair will also react in the same way. We all need to take the trouble and know our birds, watch, try and understand what makes them happy and what upsets them. Nine times out of ten, unhappy birds don’t lay fertile eggs. In the wild most birds are opportunistic omnivores they eat almost anything available. This type of natural diet is impossible to replicate in captivity although many aviculturalists try their best

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Long, sharp toenails can also cause infertility. If the cock has a habit of placing his foot on the side or back of the hen before copulation, he may irritate her with his pointed, pin sharp nails and she may not accept copulation at that time. A simple cut and file is all that it takes to prevent this problem. to achieve something similar. One of the most common problems with an inadequate diet is reproductive failure and infertility. But in order for us to overcome this, we need to know more about the foods we feed to our birds. Some foods promote fertility while others inhibit it. It is up to all of us to know which foods are good promoters of fertility and which are bad. A common problem when breeding birds, especially Psittacidae (true parrots) and the Cacatuidae (cockatoos), is infertile or unhatched eggs. There can be several different reasons for this to happen, incompatible unbonded pairs, immature birds, disease, illness, bacterial infection and even something as simple as loose wobbly perches, preventing successful copulation. If the perch is loose and wonky the male can not make good contact with the female during mating resulting in infertile eggs. Strangely enough, the causes can be very simple to remedy. Birds copulate between the laying of every egg, and therefore a mistake can be the cause of one or two infertile

eggs in each clutch. An interesting solution, designed by Mr Perry Webb, an aviculturist in South Africa is to provide the birds with a solidly fixed mesh mating platform that is positioned in front of the nest box and over the closest perch. This platform provides a stable gripping substrate for both the hen and cock to achieve balance during copulation. A worthwhile, inexpensive fixture to any breeding aviary. Long, sharp toenails can also cause infertility. If the cock has a habit of placing his foot on the side or back of the hen before copulation, he may irritate her with his pointed, pin sharp nails and she may not accept copulation at that time. A simple cut and file is all that it takes to prevent this problem. An infertility problem may also just be that the birds don’t get it right on the first attempt this is usually the case with a young maturing pair that is attempting to breed for the first or second time. Birds do not always reach sexual maturity at the same time. Some are very late developers, with either the males or females maturing

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faster. The hen may begin to lay eggs before the cock has come into breeding condition — both birds need to be sexually mature for fertile eggs to be laid. Delaying egg laying by late installation of the nest box or boarding up the nest entrance temporarily until fertility is accomplished may be the best way to deal with this timing issue. Younger pairs may also need more

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stimuli to breed. Older experienced birds will start breeding much more readily and usually go to nest at a similar date as they did the year before. The inexperience and ignorance of a young pair of birds often contributes to infertility resulting in a clutch of clear wasted eggs. Mistakes are made in courtship, mating and nesting. Style and

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successful copulation improves with age, eventually they will get it right. In this case removing the nest box for a couple of weeks and letting the pair rest then placing the nest box back in the aviary and letting them try again is all that it takes. Sick and unhealthy birds usually don’t breed and if they do the chances of infertility are usually high. Internal Papilloma Disease causes wart-like protrusions from the vent area of both male and female birds, often resulting in infertility. In severe cases, an avian veterinarian can burn off and remove these warts, allowing the eggs to be fertilized. This disease may still be carried by the parent birds and the pair should not be allowed to hatch and feed their young. Instead eggs removed from these pairs can be given to foster parents or incubated. Alternatively the female may have blocked tubes, ovulation problems, or a hormonal imbalance. The male can have a low sperm count or immature sperm incapable of fertilization. Marginal illness in either the male

or the female can be responsible for infertility. If the female has laid several clutches of infertile eggs in succession, she is probably well. The male should therefore be examined by an avian veterinarian to eliminate illness as the cause of the problem. Some mature breeding pairs fail to produce fertile eggs, clutch after clutch, year after year. Often when this happens we start playing musical parrots and start swapping the cock birds around and around. This seems to be a trend in South African aviculture but it can also be a quick-fix made out of desperation which does not always bear fruit. It may result in some success but it is not the best way of solving the problem. Are we doing a clever thing by splitting up well bonded pairs particularly if the split up pair can still see and hear one another from another aviary? Often the birds sit and scream across to their mate showing no interest in the replacement partner. Although there are a few exceptions, parrots and cockatoos are monogamous, taking a long time to get

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Many factors are constantly regulated and the room is kept as sterile as possible, as pathogens can be a very serious danger to the birds. The temperature as well as daylight are artificially controlled, the water used is specially filtered and a sprinkling system especially adapted to the needs of the hummingbirds regulates the air humidity. a cock and a hen to truly bond — why undo all this hard work by playing the musical parrot swapping game. Birds are what they eat. Food choices and diets matter when it comes to a mature breeding pair producing a fertile clutch of healthy eggs ⎯ what we put in is what we get out. Could the solution for clear infertile wasted eggs, lie in the food dish? Nutrition — feeding the best balanced diet to your birds, is fundamental for good health and efficient aviary management, especially if fertile, healthy, breeding birds are your goal. In the past there has been very little scientific, dietary research done on nutrition for birds. There is now far more information on nutritional diets available that promotes longevity and sustained reproductive success in aviary birds. Infertility is caused by relating to the physical, nutritional, environmental or social aspects of the bird’s life. If all the criteria in each of these areas are met, success is assured. Parrots and cockatoos vary from one species to another as to how well they

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deal with their diet and excess fat. They also differ and vary as to which part of their body will accumulate their excess fatty deposits. Fat birds are not healthy birds and unhealthy birds usually are not productive fertile birds. The two areas where fat deposits are most likely to cause reproductive problems are the hips and lower abdomen. This problem is usually much more common in mature adult males than in mature adult females. Male birds that have fat deposits in this area will have trouble copulating and fertilizing a female successfully. Fat deposits can severely limit agility and movement. The birds need to be kept athletic and healthy. Fat birds become handicapped and lose interest in sex because they are either too physically disabled to do the deed or because they are too lazy to bother trying. The only remedy is a good healthy diet change. It can be as simple as cutting down on cheap fattening sunflower seed and replacing it with less fattening safflower seed, or a high carbohydrate, low fat slimming

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diet, necessary to shed those unwanted fatty deposits. Your birds should be eating a healthy, varied and balanced diet. They should also be eating, fruits, vegetables, bean mix, seeds and sprouted seeds. There are foods that can boost fertility, but there are also foods that can decrease the fertility of birds. When it comes to pellets there is often a maintenance diet and a breeding diet, with increased nutrients and protein required for breeding birds. We are spoilt for choice by the different pellet manufacturers however, beware of the pellets too high in Soya content. It is important to know exactly what goes into the pellets we choose to feed our birds. Expensive does not mean the best. Herbalists, witches and traditional healers have long known that certain plants and herbs have a contraceptive effect. Scientists first recognized that plants contained such substances in the early 1900’s. Interest picked up in the mid 1940’s and 1950’s when sheep and goats were diagnosed with Clover

Disease. The cause of the disease was the presence of plant estrogens in clover, a plant closely related to Soya. In female sheep and goats, eating clover causes endometrial damage and cervical mucus changes associated with an inability to conceive. The problems are not unique to sheep and goats; fertility problems from plant oestrogen exposure have also been reported in birds, cows, horses, mice, cats, and dogs as well as humans. Scientists have identified estrogenic activity in more than 500 plants in the last fifty years. So as good aviculturalists we need to be aware of what we are feeding our birds. Soya is alleged to decrease fertility in both animals and humans. Studies have shown that males who consumed a high Soya-based diet had, on average, much lower sperm counts than males who had never eaten Soya products. The researchers concluded that the dietary intake of Soya and its isoflavones is inversely related to sperm concentration. It has also been known to reduce the male sex-drive (traditionally,

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Buddhist monks ate tofu to lower their libido!) Soya is not recommended as part of a breeding bird’s diet when trying to increase fertility or deal with an infertility problem, because it contains a component that is similar to oestrogen. In humans this false oestrogen can increase the length of menstrual cycles; researchers found that consuming 60 mg of Soya per day can add about 2.5 days to a woman’s menstrual cycle, decreasing her fertility. Soya also lowers the levels of two hormones necessary for ovulation, luteinizing hormone (LH) and folliclestimulating hormone (FSH). Soya also contains a phytate which affects the absorption of zinc which is very important for male fertility—it helps boost sperm production and testosterone metabolism. Despite the appealing blandishments of avian pellet diet advertisements with their claims of providing

“complete and balanced nutrition,” if you’re not exceedingly circumspect, you may end up feeding your birds something that may increase their chances of infertility. The bird nutrition industry is a multi-billion dollar worldwide industry full of hype and false claims. Consumers and aviculturalists may be duped into believing that they are feeding their birds healthy foods, when in actuality they are feeding nothing more than inferior cheap fillers, such as Soya. Many pellet manufacturers only list the ingredients in their pellets (so we never know how much Soya is in the actual pellets) and usually mention Soya as “specially prepared Soya.” So next time you are out buying formulated foods for your flock, note the Soya content and choose according. In the last twenty years supplements have become a huge part of our bird’s diet, from vitamins, probiotics, minerals, trace elements, and antibiotics to the so called super food Spirilina. When it comes to getting fertile eggs from your birds, the old adage “you are what you eat” rings true. What they eat affects everything from their blood to their body cells to their hormones. As an aviculturalist allow three months to a year for dietary changes to take root. But if your birds are already in

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the throes of egg laying, don’t freak out — it’s never too late to get a leg up on their diet. Here are some foods that can aid in getting their diets into a more fertile friendly shape. The first food that I found to be the most fascinating is called Maca (pronounced mah-kah). Maca is derived from the root of the Lepidium meyenii plant that is native to the high Andes of Bolivia and Peru. Maca works by regulating the organs that secrete hormones, from the hypothalamus, activating the pituitary, suprarenal glands and pancreas, getting an increase of testosterone levels and general levels of hormonal balance. The alkaloids act in the hypothalamus-pituitary and the suprarenal glands producing the increase of energy, vitality and virility. Studies in rats found that animals that ate Maca or isolated alkaloids of the Maca root showed a multiple maturity of follicles in the female rats, while the male showed a significant increase in the production and mobility of sperm. It is an adaptive root with multiple benefits for both males and females. It is not a medicine or a hormone, it is a food that thanks to its natural composition regulates hormones and helps the internal reconstruction of the system. Maca powder is available at most good health shops; it has a

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melted flavour similar to Horlicks! The birds love it and it has no toxic side effects. It is fairly expensive but if it does the trick it will certainly be worth the outlay. There are quite a few different herbs, nuts and seeds that birds can be given to increase their fertility. One such seed which plays a role in promoting male fertility is flaxseed and flaxseed oil. The compounds within flaxseed oil help to keep the sperm healthy and may also help with regard to male impotence. Flaxseed oil is a wonderful herbal supplement to feed when trying to promote and achieve a fertile clutch of eggs, because the hormone-balancing lignin’s and plant phytoestrogens in flaxseed oil help stabilize a female’s oestrogenprogesterone ratio. Flaxseed Oil is good for the general health of the bird, providing important Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Fatty acids are critical for health - and for fertility. If your male birds do not have enough fatty acids in their system the result may be low sperm count and low sperm viability. Another source of Omega-3 fats comes from fish. While hard boiled eggs may be fed to increase protein levels, include a small amount of cooked fish — readily taken and enjoyed by the birds. Many bird

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breeders are wary of fish because it contains small amounts of mercury. Fish that’s high in mercury includes tuna, swordfish and marlin. Fish that contain low levels of mercury include salmon, flounder, trout, haddock and tilapia. Many birds eat grubs and insects which are also very high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Several parrot and cockatoo species have been documented doing exactly this in the wild. One very successful South African aviculturist supplies live food, like mealworms and crickets to her parrots during the breeding season. Insects may after all form part of a well balanced diet. Wheat Germ Oil is also alleged to increase fertility in birds. It’s high in zinc and selenium and works on the body to dilate both the fallopian tubes and the somniferous tubules. This makes the transport of both egg and sperm easier. It also helps to increase sperm counts, motility, healthy morphology and the number of effective, fertile sperm. Chaste Tree Berry (Vitex), Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis root), False Unicorn Root, Wild Yam, partridge berry (Mitchella repens), life root (Senecio aureus), Senecia Jacobea and Senecio Vulgaris are all natural plants that promote fertility. But before you decide to try an herbal solution you

should first read up on these plants. Empowering yourself with knowledge is extremely important. Bird fertility secrets often take the form of common sense. Some fertility secrets are so obviously ordinary that bird breeders fail to pay attention to them immediately. For thousands of years a number of herbs have been used to enhance the fertility. I would recommend every bird breeder visits their local health store and see what natural (herbs, seed and plant extracts) products are available to add to your bird’s diet. If health, longevity and fertility is what you want for your flock take the trouble to investigate and try new diets and foods, after all they are what they eat.

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Avian Biotech

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Parrot Society DEC2011.indd 1

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14/12/2011 14:42

FEATURE

SECURITY WARNING S

ome few years ago we experienced a major series of some twenty thefts of small bird collections when over 2,000 various Budgerigars, Canaries and Finches were stolen.

Many of those stolen were top exhibition birds and high quality breeding stock. There was little doubt that owners were the target of the thieves as the

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RITY WARNING SECURITY WARNING • SECU result of attending bird shows where their birds were entered and displayed. Some people were arrested in the Midlands and a number of birds were recovered but the vast majority were never traced. One major aspect of this series of burglaries was that there was no security installed at any single birdhouse which allowed the thieves free access and on every occasion, they got clean away. We are now suffering from another lengthy attack to our bird-houses and sheds. During the last twelve months collections have been stolen from

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• SECURITY WARNING

Tamworth, Selby, Hull, Durham in the North and at Taunton, Bedfont, Northolt and three times in the region of Southampton in the South. It is vital that all such bird-keepers and breeders be aware of this developing pattern of crime and seek security advice to help protect their birds. We must make it difficult for the thieves and with extra vigilance we hope that descriptions of offenders and their vehicles may be obtained. Please report any suspicious incident or information immediately. John Hayward National Theft Register Tel: 01869 325699 Email: jh@ntr.supanet.com

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We are manufacturers of quality garden and pet products including Cages, Aviaries, Nest boxes, Bird Rooms, Carrying Boxes, in fact everything wooden for the hobbyist or breeder. We supply to both trade and public. Products can be made to customers personal requirements. All at competitive prices Stands at all Stafford Shows. Personal attention of the proprietor at all times. NEW PRODUCT – PLASTIC CAGES Trade enquiries most welcome. Please visit our website:

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BIRDS & THINGS

PARROT SOCIETY

SALE DAYS

ALL SHOWS FOR 2012 WILL BE HELD AT STAFFORD COUNTY SHOWGROUND ST18 0BD

SUMMER SHOW: SUNDAY 8TH JULY 2012 NATIONAL EXHIBITION: SUNDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2012 ‘HELP BIRD KEEPERS SHOW’: SUNDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2012

Trade Space

Non Members Tables

Members Tables

Advanced Ticket

Ticket on the door

July 8th October 14th December 2nd

£25.00 £37.50 £20.00

£12.00 £14.00 £10.00

£8.00 £10.00 £6.00

£5.00 £7.00 £4.00

£6.00 £8.00 £5.00

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NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION •

NATIONAL EXHIBITION

RESULTS

A very nice Normal benched by Ken Jones from Gwynedd was awarded Best Adult Java and also went on to become Best Java in Show. 125 entries were benched.

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The award for Best C.Y.O.B. Java went to another very well presented Normal benched by Norman Chapman from Horncastle. Best Juvenile Exhibit was awarded to Miss Luanna Elliott.

NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION

Other winners were, Adult Normal 1. Ken Jones. 2. Ken Jones. 3. Bill Warmington. Adult Silver 1. Frank Carter. 2. Ken Jones. 3. Ken Jones. Adult Fawn 1. Norman Chapman. 2. Norman Chapman. 3. Phil Thompson. Adult White 1. Bill Warmington. 2. Bill Warmington. 3. Bill Warmington. Adult Cream 1. Phil Thompson. 2. Norman Chapman. 3. Andy Dutton. Adult Pastel 1. Phil Thompson. Adult Opal Isabel 1. Andy Dutton. 2. Norman Chapman. 3. Norman Chapman. Adult Agate 1. Norman Chapman. Adult Pied. 1. Norman Chapman. Adult A.O.C. 1. Andy. Dutton. Adult Pairs 1. Robert Birkwood. 2. Norman Chapman. 3. Sharon Joy. CYOB Normal CYOB Silver CYOB Fawn CYOB White CYOB Cream CYOB Pastel CYOB Opal Isabel CYOB Agate CYOB Pairs Best Normal Best Silver Best Fawn Best White Best Pied Best Cream Best Pastel Best Opal Isabel Best Agate Best Any Other Colour Best Pair

1. Norman Chapman. 2. Norman Chapman. 3. Frank Carter. 1. Norman Chapman. 2. Norman Chapman. 3. Andy Dutton. 1. Norman Chapman. 2. Andy Dutton. 3. Andy Dutton. 1. Norman Chapman. 2. Robert Birkwood. 3. Mike Keane. 1. Norman Chapman. 2. Norman Chapman. 3. Wayne Thomas 1. Norman Chapman. 1. Norman Chapman. 2. Andy Dutton. 3. Andy Dutton. 1. Norman Chapman. 1. Norman Chapman. 2. Andy Dutton. 3. Andy Dutton. Ken Jones Frank Carter Norman Chapman Bill Warmington Norman Chapman Norman Chapman Phil Thompson Norman Chapman Norman Chapman Andy Dutton Robert Birkwood

The birds were judged by Rick Crook from Scunthorpe.

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NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION •

LIZARD CANARY The Lizard Canary section at the National saw 99 Lizard entered with 80 birds benched on the day. The birds were judge by LCA panel judge John Record. John selected Bridget Boulton’s Clear Cap silver Hen as Best Lizard, this also took best silver, it was pushed close by A& S Kendall’s Non Cap Gold cock but this bird had a white tip on a flight feather, but still a very nice bird. Best champion over-year also went to A & S Kendall partnership with a over-year silver hen. In the novice section Best Novice went to the partnership of Wardle & Lowe with a clear cap gold cock. 2nd Best Novice & best novice silver went to Darren Westley with a Broken cap Silver hen. Best novice over-year went to S Martin with a silver hen. I would like to thank all the exhibitors who showed and John Record for judging. David Allen Show Secretary.

BLUE LIZARD CANARY This was the first ever show for Blue Lizard Canaries. The section was run by the newly formed Blue Lizard Canary Club of Great Britain. Show secretary and founder member David Allen said he was very pleased with the turnout, there was 26 Blues Lizard benched from 7 exhibitors. The birds were judged by COM judge Brian

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Hogg, who said he felt honored to be the judge of the first ever show for Blue Lizards. The Best Blue Lizard & Best Champion in show went to Joe Coakley with a Clear Cap blue Hen, congratulation Joe you made history. Best novice went to Wardle & Lowe partnership with a clear cap blue cock. Brian was impressed with the quality of the over year birds and gave 2nd Best Novice to a Over-year Blue Hen owed by Steve Martin. Class winners were: Clear Cap Blue Cock--Wardle & Lowe Clear Cap Blue Hen ---Joe Coakley Broken Cap Blue Cock--Joe Coakley Broken Cap Blue Hen ---A & S Kendall Non Cap Blue Cock--- DTA Lizard Stud Non Cap Blue Hen---- Ray Smith Over-Year Blue Cock--- Kevin Skinner Over-Year Blue Hen --Steve Martin I would like to thank everyone for showing their birds and a big ‘thank you’ to Brian for judging the birds. Look forward to see you at the next zone show for Blue Lizards Canary Club at the South Bucks Canary Breeders Association on the 20th of November, all BLCC members will received a schedule, for further details contact David Allen 01865-452476

£ WANTED FOR CASH £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ ££ £ £

NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION

£ £

ALL TYPES OF PARROTS, COCKATOOS, MACAWS AND PARAKEETS

£ £ £ £ ££ £££ £

ALSO BUDGIES, CANARIES, FINCHES, COCKATIELS LOVEBIRDS, SOFTBILLS, GMR’S, TOUCANS & MYNAH BIRDS ALSO ANY TYPES OF EXOTICS, MONKEYS ETC PLEASE CALL RON ON 0161 273 5447. IF EX DIRECTORY DIAL 1470 FIRST.

£ £ £ £ £ £

£ ££ £ £

WE ARE HERE

MANCHESTER PETS AND AQUATICS, 66 STOCKPORT ROAD, ARDWICK, MANCHESTER M12 6AL

£ ££ £

PARROT SOCIETY MAGAZINE: 33

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NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION •

WAXBILLS AND AUSTRALIAN FINCHES

BOB BRADBURY

R STOREY & GERHARD HOFFMAN

The Waxbill Finch Society had the pleasure of staging both the Waxbill and Australian Finch sections at the recent National Exhibition at Stafford, entries were slightly up on last year and the standard of all the birds benched was very high, giving the judges, Gerhard Hoffman (Waxbills) and Bob Bradbury (Australians) a very tough job of choosing the best in each section. Gerhard finally decided on R Storey’s beautiful current year owner bred Black Cheeked Waxbill as best in the Waxbill section. Bob went for G Nancarrow’s stunning Red Headed Parrot Finch, again current year owner bred for Best Australian, with a lot of people commenting on the fact this was one of the best examples they had seen for many years. It was nice to see a wide variety of birds on the bench with usual Silverbills, Blue Caps etc., but also Violet Ears, Peters Twinspots and rarities like Vinaceous Firefinch and the beautiful Yellow Bellied Waxbill, what was sad and a sign of the times was the lack of many species once

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GERHARD HOFFMAN

classed as common seed eaters. The Australian section had the usual selection but also a very nice Black Bellied Crimson Finch. The main “Specials Winners” were as follows In the Waxbill section R Storey’s Black Cheeked Waxbill was awarded Best in Show and best Current Year owner Bred, the same Exhibitor also went on to take 3rd Best in show and Best Adult Owner Bred with a Cock Violet Ear,2nd Best Current Year Owner Bred with another Violet Ear,3rd Best Adult Owner Bred with a Red Cheeked Cordon Blue and 3rd Best Non Owner Bred with a Lavender Finch. D Lugo claimed 2nd Best In Show and Best Adult Owner Bred with his White Headed Nun also Best Non Owner Bred and 3rd Best Current Year Owner Bred with two Bluecaps. G R Young’s Vinaceous Fire Finch was 2nd Best Non Owner Bred. The Australian Finch section Won by G Nancarrow’s Red Headed Parrot Finch which also took Best

NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION

Current Year Owner Bred, he also went home with awards for 3rd Best In Show and Best adult Owner Bred with the cock Black Bellied Crimson Finch. 2nd Best In Show and 2nd Best Current Year Bred went to a Hen Black Headed Gouldian staged by I Mercer and his Hecks Grassfinch was awarded 3rd Best Adult Owner Bred. D Lugo’s Bicheno took 3rd Best Current Year Bred. P&N Setterington took 2nd Best Adult Owner Bred with a Yellow Rumped Diamond Sparrow. The Non Owner Bred specials were won by C Courtney’s Blue Gouldian Cock 2nd was T Mulford’s Parson Finch and C Courntney again taking 3rd with another Gouldian

Owner Bred with their Green Opaline. This was followed by their Blackcheeked and best Eyering. The Best Rare Lovebird was awarded to Stevie Stewart with his Abyssinian Lovebird which also took the Best Abyssinian award. The Best Mutation Lovebird was a Whiteface which also went on to win 3rd Best Lovebird owned by Neil Powers. The Best Fischers Lovebird and Best Masked Lovebird were awarded to Tony Mulford. All the birds were judged by Mr Dave Phillips.

LOVEBIRDS The Lovebird 1990 Society reported a small drop in numbers in the section this year although the quality of the exhibits were excellent. The main prizes went to Andrew and Joseph Morton, whose Normal Peachface took the awards for Best in Section, Best Normal, Best Peachfaced and Best Current Year Owner Bred Lovebird. The same partnership also took 2nd Best Lovebird, 2nd Best Current Year BIRD SCENE 35

NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION •

ZEBRA FINCHES Best Exhibit In Show Mj Davies Best Champion Exhibit Mj Davies Best Champion Adult R Thomas Best Champion Breeder M J Davies Best Novice Exhibit Chris Green Best Novice Adult Chris Green Best Novice Breeder P Edmundson Best Junior Exhibit Ben Downing Best Junior Adult Ben Downing Best Junior Breeder Ben Downing Best Colour Awards Best Normals R Thomas Best Fawns Mr&Mrs Cowling Best Pieds Sharon Wilkins Best Dilutes D Lugo Best Chestnut Flanked Whites Mj Davies Best Whites C Cowling Best Penguins Denis Webster Best A.O.S.V R Brough Best Timor Tia Henton

BRITISH The British, Native Bird, Mule & Hybrid Club had the pleasure of running the Native Bird section and the healthy increase on last year entry was very encouraging. As a trial, a Norwich Canary section was included on the schedule and this helped the entry to exceed 150 birds. This was thought to be a good entry for the

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early date. Thanks are expressed to all those who helped to run the section. Heading the Hardbill section was a current year bred Greenfinch cock of type and substance staged by, champion exhibitor, Terry McCracken. Best champion flighted Hardbill was a Cobalt Mealy Redpoll from Jack Fletcher’s team of birds. Taking the special for Best Novice Hardbill was John Briggs’ Greenfinch cock. Best Mule in show was another bird staged by Terry McCracken, this time a lightly variegated Greenfinch Mule. David Jones exhibited a nice Goldfinch Mule to take the award for best miniature mule. Best Hybrid was Bernard Howlett’s Song Thrush X Blackbird. Bernard Howlett increased his tally when his beautiful Satinette Song Thrush won the award for best Softbill in show. Paul Devereux staged a Whinchat cock, which was adjudged to be best Novice Softbill. The awards for Best Norwich Canary, Best Champion Norwich and Best Opposite Sex were all secured by birds from Frank Brimblecombe’s team of birds The section was judged by Mr Steve Beadle from Bristol.

NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION

Y T E I C O S PARROT W O H S R E SUMM Again this year we will accept bookings from non-members selling Finches, Budgerigars, Canaries, and Softbills. These tables are £12 each. Entrance tickets are £5 each in advance, available until 25th June. On the door entrance tickets will be £6 each. MEMBERS & NON MEMBERS TABLES - TRADE STANDS Bar and Restaurant facilities, everything for the Hobbyist & Breeder

owgrou h S y t n u o ire C Staffordshh July 2012 Sunday 8tam from 9.30

01442 872245

Full details are available from our office tel: The Parrot Society, 92A High Street, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 2BL

NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION •

FIFE FANCY CANARY

The Fife Fancy canary entry was up by 81 exhibits in 2011 to 602 which is setting the trend for this new NATIONAL EXHIBITION at Stafford. Congratulations Jack Nicholson For the second year running Best Fife in show was awarded to Jack Nicholson with a self green yellow cock though there was much discussion among the judges as to whether the bird had fully completed its moult, but still an excellent example of the Fife Fancy canary. Second best champion Fife was Mr Nicholson’s heavily variegated green buff hen, a superb bird showing very good type and excellent feather quality, which equally ran very close

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for the top position. To complete the day Mr Nicolson took 4th best champion Fife with his variegated buff cinnamon cock, again a superb example showing good shape and feather quality to amplify the depth of a truly magnificent stud. Third best champion fife went to J Holmes’ variegated yellow hen, best champion clear went to Smith and Evans’ clear yellow cock and the partnership of Shelbourne and Oldroyd took the award for best champion white/allied. In the novice section the honours were dominated by the Herd and Sommerville partnership taking Best Novice fife with a variegated white, third best novice fife and best heavily variegated, best novice clear, yellow hen, and best novice cinnamon with a yellow variegated cinnamon cock. T Campbell won second best novice fife and best variegated with his yellow cock and also best novice self green with his self green yellow cock. A good entry in the juvenile section meant the honours were divided between T McCarthy, best junior fife and runner up K Stewart. Thanks are due to the judges, Andy McEwan and Jim Campbell from Scotland and Dirk Pelgrims and Werner van Dessel from Belgium. Andy McEwan presented the Belgian judges

NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION • NATIONAL EXHIBITION

with signed framed drawings of the proposed new model for the Fife Fancy. Thanks are due to the sponsors, Johnson and Jeff and the Birdcare Company for seed and supplement specials throughout the show. Thanks are due to the stewards for the smooth running of the show and for erecting and dismantling the staging. Many exhibitors expressed their appreciation of this venture and are looking forward to future events, the Fife Fancy Federation is grateful to the Parrot Society for organising such an event.

Leslie Summers, The Best Novice Unflighted & Best Novice in Show went to a Light Variegated Yellow Hen owned by Eammon Wolohan,. Best Novice Flighted went to Self Green Yellow Hen owned by Andy Phipp Best Junior Miss Caitlin Wolohan’s Flighted Variegated Yellow Cock. The overall quality of the Exhibits was high. M,O’Connor, Secretary

Chris Smith, Fife Fancy Federation

IRISH FANCY Very well supported by The Irish Fancy International, 228 Irish Fancy Canaries were exhibited, 103 of those were Champion Exhibits & 123 Novice Birds, This year I am very pleased to say there were 2 junior entries making a total of 228, some Fanciers had travelled from Blackpool and Essex. Judge engaged was Paul O’Kane From Derry Northern Ireland, Paul chose a neat Variegated Buff Hen which was owned by M,O’Connor, as Best Champion Unflighted, and Best Irish Fancy in Show. Best Champion Flighted went to a Clear Buff Cock Owned by

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WANTED African Greys Handreared Babies

And Blue & Gold Macaws Handreared Babies And Eclectus Handreared Babies

Founder member of the

Parrot Society requires the

following parrots. Handreared babies, parent reared babies, adult parrots singles & pairs, Cockatoo's and Cockatiels. Macaws, African Greys,

Eclectus, Caiques, Amazons, Senegals, Pionus, Conures,

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MOBILE: 07949 447282. HOME: 01670 822789 E-MAIL: parrotjohn1@btinternet.com

FEATURE

BREEDING THE

LADY ROSS TURACO (MUSOPHAGA ROSSAE) AT COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK

MOBILE 07949 447282. HOME 01670 822789 E-MAIL PARROTJOHN1@BTINTERNET.COM

CHRISTOPHER GREEN, BIRD DEPARTMENT, COTSWOLD WILDLIFE PARK Introduction The Lady Ross Turaco Musophaga rossae is one of the 23 species which make up the family Musophagidae. Their distribution is Guinea, Zambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. They inhabit the canopy of evergreen forests, typically from sea

level to 1750m, but also to 2500m on the border between South Sudan and North East Uganda. They nest on a platform of sticks, built by both sexes and lay one or two eggs which are incubated by both sexes for a period of 24 - 26 days. Chicks fledge at around 24 days.

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2008 breeding season We have kept and bred many different species of turaco over the years, but never until 2008 had we bred the Lady Ross Musophaga rossae. Our pair was placed on loan to us by Michael Klat in 2006 and in late spring we were very surprised when we observed them feeding each other, becoming very vocal and then finally mating. We house our Lady Ross Turacos Musophaga rossae with a pair of Himalayan Monals Lophophorus

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impejanus. They have access to a heated house in the winter months. They were provided with three nesting areas, one inside the house and two outside in the enclosure. Both the outside nests were attached to the house wall and were five and a half feet from the ground. One of the nests was a large hanging basket mounted on a piece of wood with a cover over it to keep off the elements. The other was a wooden four sided box, which was chosen to lay in. Nest building for this species is similar to that of doves and pigeons, in that they build a flimsy nest, giving little attention to its construction. Taking this into account, a large amount of

FEATURE small twigs was placed in all three nests, so as to give the birds a head start. This proved to be successful and both birds were observed carrying nesting material collected from the floor of the enclosure. Within two weeks the pair had been observed nesting and on the 27th June the first egg was laid. We had decided to artificially incubate the first round of eggs due to our pair never having bred before, so when we removed the first egg we replaced it with a dummy egg. Two days later the second egg was laid and this was also removed and set in our incubator. The eggs, like most turaco species, were round and unusually football shaped. The pair took it in turns to incubate the dummy egg, but after about ten days they had deserted the nest so the dummy egg was then removed. Both of the eggs were incubated in a Brinsea octagon incubator at 37.5 oC with 50% relative humidity. After three days both eggs were candled and to our surprise both eggs were fertile. The eggs were candled every two days and their progress monitored closely. After 24 days incubation the eggs were seen to be internally pipping, so were moved to an AB hatcher and on the 25th day external pipping was observed. By the 26th day the first chick (later named Lefty)

had successfully hatched and after its 26th day of incubation the second chick had also hatched. Unfortunately the second chick didn’t survive past a day. Another chick hatched on the 12th August and was successfully handreared. He is now at Edinburgh Zoo. Diet Preparation When making the mix, pass banana through a syringe before drawing up the full mixture. Diet is fed via syringe a little at a time; take care the chick does not aspirate. Warm diet through slightly before feeding. Feed no more than 10% of the chick’s bodyweight per feed. Defecation can be stimulated, by gentle palpation of cloaca. Ingredients of Rearing Powder: 200g Shredded Wheat, 100g Avi Plus Mynah Pellets, 33g Haiths Nectar Mix, 7.4g Nutrobal. Take all components and grind together until a very fine powder. Ingredients of Rearing Powder: 200g Shredded Wheat, 100g Avi Plus Mynah Pellets, 33g Haiths Nectar Mix, 7.4g Nutrobal. Take all components and grind together until a very fine powder.

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Hand-rearing protocol

Feeding

Diet

First 24 hours All feeding is carried out between 7.00am and 10.00pm

Wait for at least 6 hours after hatching. Then offer 5ml of distilled water with a pinch of Avipro chick starter, give this every 2 hours.

Day 2 7 feeds per day, every 2 hours.

5% Rearing Powder, 20% Banana, 75% Distilled water, 1 pinch of paediatric.

Day 3 to 9 Continue feeding every 2 hours.

10% Rearing Powder, 40% Banana, 50% Distilled water.

Day 6 onwards

Start to introduce, in small amounts, different types of soft fruit and greens. This is in preparation for the change in diet from day 9/10 onwards.

Day 9 onwards

Gradually reduce mixture and increase fruit.

When making the mix, pass banana through a syringe before drawing up the full mixture. Diet is fed via syringe a little at a time; take care the chick does not aspirate. Warm diet through slightly before feeding. Feed no more than 10% of the chick’s bodyweight per feed. Defecation can be stimulated, by gentle palpation of cloaca.

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FEATURE Rearing notes • After the chick hatched in the AB brooder the chick was placed in a plastic basket lined with blue tissue and a few small twigs to prevent the legs from splaying. (Though hand-reared turacos occasionally get splayed legs, it was not a problem for this Lady Ross chick.) • As you can see in the rearing protocol above, the chick was given distilled water via syringe when the rearing mix was given. • The rearing mix was made up fresh daily and was stored in a refrigerator to keep it fresh. • The chick’s cloaca was stimulated after each feed to encourage defecation and faeces were monitored for signs of dehydration. • On day five the turaco chick was exhibiting signs of constipation, so the amount of banana was reduced and replaced with pawpaw. • Within three weeks the chick was moved from the brooder into

a brooding cage and was then encouraged to wean, which only took a day or two. • By the fourth week, the chick was observed perching on low natural perches spaced out to encourage the chick to fly, though the flight feathers were not fully formed at this stage. • When moved to the brooding cage the chick was given a shallow water dish in which it could bathe, as well as a food dish. • The chick’s distinctive red head feathers started to appear when the chick was between four and five weeks of age. • At six weeks of age the chick was moved to a large indoor aviary, where it spent the next few weeks before being placed in an outside exhibit. • It is important to keep human contact with turaco chicks to a minimum to discourage imprinting as this may lead to problems later on.

Growth rate chart comparing weights for: Lefty (blue line) and Chick 2, hatched 12/08/08 (pink line)

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FEATURE

2009 breeding season This breeding season we decided to let our Lady Ross Turacos try and parent rear their youngsters, so we were delighted when our adult breeding pair laid their first clutch of two eggs at the beginning of March. They successfully incubated these and on the 7th and 8th of April they hatched two chicks. Unfortunately however, the two chicks were only reared for five and six days before both were found dead on the aviary floor. Our disappointment was short lived because at the end of April, the female Lady Ross surprised us with two more

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eggs. These eggs were successfully incubated and on the 24th and 25th of May both eggs were hatched. All was going well with both adults being really attentive to their new charges. Then on a cold wet June morning, after rearing their chicks well, we found one of the chicks dead in the nest. However it’s not all doom and gloom, as they have now successfully fledged the other chick, which will shortly be sexed and hopefully be off to another collection to form a new potential breeding pair of these fascinating, if not frustrating, birds.

INTERNATIONAL

TURACO SOCIETY

In January 1993 a group of turaco enthusiasts met at the Cotswold Wildlife Park, Burford and the International Turaco Society was formed. The objectives of the Society are twofold: Firstly, we encourage anyone interested in keeping and breeding turacos in aviculture to join us. Secondly, the Society acts as a forum to collect and disseminate information about the various turaco species. We are particularly interested in increasing understanding of the ecology, behaviour and distribution of the wild Turaco family in Africa and so sometimes sponsor projects in Africa to help achieve this aim. There is a magazine published twice a year, which contains articles and information about meetings, news items and a ‘Wanted & For Sale’ page, free to members. The society has a website: www.turacos.org which displays turaco information for the general public, but also has a ‘Members’ only area. There is an AGM in the Spring and the committee may also meet during the year. In addition, visits to private and public collections, which may include turacos, are arranged. The membership fee is £12.00 per annum in the UK and £13 (or equivalent) for overseas members. Subscriptions are due on 1st January each year.

APPLICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP David Jones, Walnut Tree Cottage, Popes Hill, Newnham, Gloucestershire, GL14 1LD, England. Tel: 01452 760420 E-mail: david@turacos.org or via the website: www.turacos.org/join.htm