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Vol 27 Issue 2 • Apr-May 2014

Red-browed Fig Parrot

Yellow-rumped Munias

CONURES as Pets

PALE-HEADED ROSELLAS

Cardinal Lory

71

Vol 27 Issue 2 Apr-May 2014

Red-browed Fig Parrot

Yellow-rumped Munias

CONURES as Pets

PALE-HEADED ROSELLAS

Cardinal Lory contents

Volume 27 Issue 2

98 SECRETS OF A LARGE MIXED AVIARY—THE PROS AND CONS

By Dorothy Schwarz

Dorothy admits she never imagined spending her ‘golden years’ caring for a mixed collection of parrots, cockatoos, parakeets and poultry in a large homemade aviary. Here she relates how it all began, her mistakes and successes and the pros and cons of a mixed aviary.

102 CARDINAL LORY

By Peter Odekerken

The charismatic Cardinal Lory is one of the more vivacious and animated of the lory species.

108 SOUTH AFRICA AND NAMIBIA—PART 2

By Peter Odekerken

Peter continues his four-week adventure, seeing unique species such as Rupell’s Parrots, Cape Parrots and the Crowned Eagle.

COVER IMAGE CARDINAL LORY MALE BY PETER ODEKERKEN

features73 RED-BROWED FIG PARROT By Des Boorman

Des has found this species to be worth the extra time it may require, declaring Red-browed Fig Parrots ‘easily the most engaging birds in my collection’.

86 PLUMAGE COLOUR PATTERNS BETWEEN THE SEXESBy Kit Prendergast

A zoologist and conservation biologist, Kit investigates why in some bird species the sexes look the same, in others the males are sexy, colourful show-offs, while in others, it is the female which attracts attention.

96 EXPERIENCES WITH THE BROWN QUAIL By David Pace

Easy to sex, feed and care for, and free-breeding, the Brown Quail is an interesting native bird to keep.

regulars78 BREEDING AUSTRALIAN PARROTS: PALE-HEADED ROSELLAS

By Barry Blanch

Pale-headed Rosellas are hardy, easy-to-keep birds with a pleasant call.

82 FINCH FOCUS: YELLOW-RUMPED MUNIAS

By Russell Kingston

Endearing nature, readiness to breed, hardiness and manageability—the Yellow-rumped meets all of these criteria.

90 HOOKBILL HOBBYIST: CONURES AS PETS

By EB Cravens

Savvy little packages of curiosity, mischief, affection and wilfulness, conures can prove wonderful pets.

94 PET PARROT POINTERS: SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES—THE FUTURE FOR PARROTS AS PETS

By Jim McKendry

Proposed legislation in the Netherlands may outlaw handrearing of parrots in an attempt to overcome behavioural issues.

101 MAILBAG: GOLDEN-SHOULDERED PARROT SUPPORT HELPS

By John Griffi th

105 FINCH FUNDAMENTALS: THE WORK/FINCH-KEEPING BALANCE

By Marcus Pollard

Marcus shares some innovations and devices to make the lot of the finch breeder in full-time employment that little bit easier.

110 CANARY CHATTER: SONG CANARIES

By Brian Bohl

Some canaries are bred purely for their song.

112 AVIAN HEALTH WITH DR BOB: TACKLING PROVENTRICULAR DILATATION DISEASE —AN UPDATE

By Dr Bob Doneley

There remains a lot which is not known about the causes, testing and treatment of PDD.

114 WRITING TAKES FLIGHT: THE STORY OF PENNY OLSEN

By Penny Olsen

Author of more than 20 books for adults and children, ornithologist Penny Olsen provides an insight into her interest in birds and why she has dedicated her life to their care, research and documentation.

118 ST VINCENT AMAZON PARROT CONSERVATION

By The Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots

The ACTP's aim is to sustainably manage endangered wild populations such as the St Vincent Amazon.

124 VALE—BENSON BAMUTURA

116 THE WISE OWL: AUSTRALIANS BEHAVING BADLY

By Milton Lewis

We are often critical of introduced species out-competing our natives. But did you know Australian species can and do cause just as many problems overseas?

120 YOUNG BIRD KEEPER: DARWIN’S FINCHES AND MY OWN—THE GREAT GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE

By Savannah Hawkeswood

122 CONSERVATION

• WPT Steps in for Red and Blue LoriesBy Mehd & Lena Halaouate and Carolyn Pradun

123 LAST CHIRP

• Loving, Saving and Photographing BirdsBy Angela Robertson-Buchanan

• Juniors Invited to Submit Application for Sponsorship to Finches 14

125 classifi eds

72

from the editorSHERYLL STEELE-BOYCE

Thanks to those who have provided feedback on our magazine redesign—we’re pleased you like

the new format.Bird sales are in full swing and

creating a buzz around the country. The Orange Bird Sale reported a number of records were broken this year, the first being ‘the greatest number of bird sales in a row that attracted an unusually high amount of rainfall!’ On the positive side, however, organisers also reported the most bird sellers and birds benched, with 333 bird sellers benching 5865 birds—could that be an Australian record? And despite the rain, more than 1500 people turned out.

There are a few other events to diarise—the Shoalhaven bird sale on 26 April and the first Illawara Parrot Club sale on 1 June. In the Sydney region, the main events are the Parrot Breeders and Exhibitors sale on 4 May and the Parrot Society of Australia (NSW) Inc sale on 13 July. In Victoria, the popular Mornington Peninsular Aviculture Society sale and expo on 25 May will no doubt draw a crowd. Full details on all these events are advertised on page 133.

The Queensland Finch Society has announced that junior finch keepers can now apply for one of several sponsored places available at Finches 14, to be held on 4–6 July in Brisbane—see page 124. This is a great opportunity for any young enthusiast. Registrations for Finches 14 are filling fast and aviary tours are full. Ensure you reserve your seat now. See page 107 for booking details.

In his regular column on page 112, Dr Bob Doneley revisits Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD), and examines the ongoing research which indicates an association between Avian Bornavirus (ABV) and PDD.

The diversity of feather colours between species and sexes, which is one of the factors which makes them such fascinating subjects, comes under the microscope of conservation biologist Kit Prendergast. In Plumage Colour Patterns Between the Sexes, Kit reveals the scientific basis to this colour phenomenon on page 86.

ADVERTISING AND MARKETINGSheryll Steele-Boyce

WRITERS Des Boorman, Barry Blanch, Russell Kingston,

Kit Prendergast, EB Cravens, Jim McKendry, David Pace, Dorothy Schwarz, John Griffi th, Marcus Pollard, Peter Odekerken, Brian Bohl, Dr Bob Doneley,

Penny Olsen, Milton Lewis, Dr Matthias Reinschmidt, Mehd & Lena Halaouate and Carolyn Pradun,

The Association for the Conservation of Threatened Parrots, Savannah Hawkeswood,

Angela Robertson-Buchanan and Sheryll Steele-Boyce.

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MOST WELCOME

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material published. Articles represent the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher. ABK Publications

also reserves the right to refuse any advertising it deems to be detrimental to the integrity of the publication,

Australian Birdkeeper Magazine

COPYRIGHT It is an offence under the Commonwealth Copyright Act 1968 to reproduce any part of the contents

of this publication, including advertising artwork and photography without prior written consent of the publisher.

©2014 ABK Publications. All rights reserved.

the teamEDITORIAL CONSULTANTS

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS

y

Peter Odekerken

Dr Milton Lewis

PUBLISHERSheryll

Steele-Boyce

Dr Terry Martin

Barry Blanch

Russell Kingston

EB Cravens

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTAlison Houston

Jim McKendry

Brian Bohl

Dr Bob Doneley

Marcus Pollard

GRAPHIC DESIGNERMelinda Leu

Postal Address: PO Box 2330Burleigh BCQLD 4220 AustraliaOffi ce Address: Unit 2, 6 Davo Court,Burleigh Heads QLD 4220

Bird keeping often requires juggling the responsibilities of work/family and hobby. Marcus Pollard has honed his skills to manage his birds’ daily requirements along with his busy schedule. For a few time-saving feeding hints, see page 105.

Our feature breeding articles this issue include the charismatic Cardinal Lory—page 102, the beautiful Pale-headed Rosella on page 78, the captivating Red-browed Fig Parrot on page 73, the demure Brown Quail on page 96 and the attractive Yellow-rumped Munia on page 82. This is a great line-up of quality information to please any breeder.

EB Cravens focuses on the companion qualities of the mischievous conure group on page 90 and Brian Bohl details Song Canaries and their attractive melodies on page 110.

Many bird keepers have an eye for bird art and wonder at the mastery of William Cooper and Neville Cayley Senior and Junior. For those of us not fortunate enough to own one of their priceless paintings, we have available two beautiful books presenting details of their lives and work—An Eye for Nature—The Life and Art of William T Cooper and Cayley and Son. Penny Olsen is the author of both books, which are among 20 of her quality titles concerning birds. We highlight the work of this ornithologist on page 114.

We are still coming to terms with the sad passing of Neville Connors, tributes for whom flooded our last issue. Jim McKendry reflects on his relationship with Neville on page 94.

The support and outpouring of condolences has been greatly appreciated by Neville's wife Noddy and family. Noddy has sent a message of thanks to all through the Casuarina Parrot Gardens advertising space on page 125.

Enjoy this issue, and we look forward to receiving more articles in the near future, so we can continue to present and share these quality stories.

73

P O

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Red-browed Fig

Parrot

Red-browed Fig Parrot enjoys a small-leaf fi g Ficus obliqua

BreedingDuring the breeding season Fig Parrots pair off and find a suitable tree into which to excavate a nest. Fig Parrots are unique in that they excavate their nest chamber into dead wood each season and appear to only use the nest once.

Any dead branch seems to be suitable, as long as it is soft enough to excavate. Branches can either be vertical or horizontal, in which case the entrance is made on the bottom side of the branch. The entrance is usually about 4cm in diameter and about 20–30cm deep. Small branches—many as little as 10–15cm in diameter—are often favoured, resulting in the branch failing during storms, typically through the nest chamber which is 7–10cm in diameter and creates a weak point in the thin branches.

IN THE WILDIntroductionAfter five years of keeping and breeding the Red-browed Fig Parrot Cyclopsitta diopthalama macleana, I wanted to share a little of what I have learnt about this captivating species and encourage others to explore keeping them.

C. d. macleana is native to north-east Queensland, extending inland to the Atherton and Eveyln Tablelands, depending on the season and food availability. There are two other subspecies in Australia—C. d. marshalli is found in the Iron Range, in Far North Queensland, and C. d. coxeni in south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales (where it is now extinct).

Red-browed Fig Parrots are common in the wild and can be easily observed in large numbers within their range when suitable food trees are available. They can be seen, for example, excavating and breeding on the Cairns Esplanade parklands and foraging in the main street of Kuranda when the small-leaf fig trees are in fruit. In this situation, the birds are relatively tame and can be approached easily. There are several roost trees within the Cairns city area and, like Rainbow Lorikeets, Red-browed Fig Parrots roost in communal roosts in the off-season and can be observed in their hundreds as they enter the trees at dusk.

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY DES BOORMAN

78

bringing people and pets together

We Buy, Sell and Trade Birds OPEN 7 DAYS

©A

BK

19 HINKLER DRIVE, NERANG, QLD PHONE: 07 5578 2377 www.thepetbarn.com.au

ONE HUGE LOCATION ON THE GOLD COAST

PALE-HEADED ROSELLASP

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY BARRY BLANCH

breeding australian parrots

Pale-headed Rosella P. a. palliceps male

INTRODUCTIONPale-headed Rosellas Platycercus adscitus are one of the eight rosella species of the Platycerus genus commonly found throughout Australia, and are among the most prevalent. This species is found mainly in eastern Queensland. There are two main subspecies recognised—in south-east Queensland the more widespread P. a. palliceps are often called Moreton Bay Rosellas or Mealy Rosellas, while in the north of Queensland the Pale-heads P. a. adscitus are referred to as Blue-cheeked Rosellas or ‘Blueys’. The northern Blue-cheek subspecies P. a adscitus are rare in aviculture. Within the Pale-headed Rosella species there are a number of genetic or ‘racial’ and geographical variations of integrated colouration, depending on region. There have been different names given to some variations of the racial intermediary Blue-cheeked Rosella subspecies by ornithologists over the years and although noted, these names remain debateable due to insufficient numbers recorded. The south-eastern Queensland subspecies are the most commonly kept Pale-headed Rosellas and there is currently a focus on breeding Pied mutations.

My interest in the Pale-head began as a young boy in the early 1970s when I acquired some young birds from a hollow fencepost on our farm and fed them on rolled oats porridge. I knew them as Moreton Bay Rosellas.

WILD HABITAT AND RANGEThe more common P. a. palliceps Pale-heads range through a variety of habitats from south of Townsville down through eastern Queensland, extending inland as far as Nebine and south to areas of the Upper Clarence River near Bonalbo and Kyogle just over the NSW border. These birds are a sedentary species within the different ranges from farmlands, woodlands, open and dense forests, through grasslands and both coastal and swampy woodlands. Their movement in these habitats depends on seasonal rains, weather and food availability.

Blue-cheeked Rosellas range from the Atherton Tablelands and Cairns north through Cape York and south-eastern areas of the Gulf of Carpentaria including Karumba and Normanton.

Farming areas that concentrate on growing cereal grains or specific types of commercial bird seed have benefitted the Pale-headed Rosella. Small groups, pairs or individual birds forage on the ground, feeding on grass seeds, scrub and tree flowers/fruit and insects.

It is not uncommon to see pairs of Pale-heads nesting close to tree-lined watercourses or a regular food source. Hollow eucalyptus branches, tree trunks and dead tree limbs, rotting fence posts and even abandoned remains of wooden tank stands become a common yearly nesting site. Both mature and young birds can be aggressive towards other birds, often squabbling and fighting on the ground—head-butting, biting or kicking in nest or mate competition.

82

YELLOW-RUMPED MUNIAS

fi nch focus ON AUSTRALIAN FINCHES

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IN THE WILD

IntroductionYellow-rumped Munias are an enigma among Australian grassfinches. From earliest times taxonomists have debated the relationship between the Chestnut-breasted Munia Lonchura castaneothorax and the Yellow-rumped Munia Lonchura fl aviprymna. Central to this debate is the substantial hybrid population in the wild, communal breeding colonies and communal flock feeding.

Klaus Immelmann (1965) questioned the validity of the Yellow-rump as a stand-alone species. During bird-buying trips to Sydney through the 1970s, we would find dealers’ cages containing Yellow-rumped Munias that had recently been trapped in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Many of these birds appeared to be hybrids of L. castaneothorax and L. fl aviprymna. Some individuals exhibited significant markings of

the Chestnut-breasted Munia, while other birds showed only slight evidence of these traits. Stock had to be carefully examined in order to select Yellow-rumps that appeared ‘pure’ in form. On some occasions, there were more hybrids than ‘pure’ Yellow-rumps.

From its launch in 1969, The Queensland Finch Society Inc. has recognised the Yellow-rumped Munia as a species, based on the fact that most taxonomists agree that the Yellow-rumped and the Chestnut-breasted arrived in Australia via different routes. It is generally accepted that the Yellow-rumped Munia reached Australia earlier, from the north-west through Timor, and the Chestnut-breasted Munia later travelled down through New Guinea. Both have relatives within their sources. It is further claimed by Immelmann, and supported by Forshaw/Shephard (2012), that the two races were distinctly geographically separated until ‘recent times’ and that hybridisation occurs within the now-extensive overlap of the two species. The current consensus is that the Yellow-rumped Munia is monotypic.

Forshaw states that he encountered a small f lock of Yellow-rumped Munias in 1979 at the Victoria River Crossing that were unaccompanied by Chestnut-breasted Munias. However, he further states that the two species are usually found in company, and the latter is certainly my experience. I first encountered a combined flock of Chestnuts and Yellow-rumps among reeds bordering irrigation channels outside Kununurra in the East Kimberley region. All subsequent sightings occurred around waterways.

DescriptionThe captive-bred bird is subtly different to the wild form of the Yellow-rumped Munia. While wild birds have a ‘sooty’ crown, birds bred over several generations in captivity have a ‘cleaner’ cream crown. Similarly, the buff underparts are paler than those of wild specimens. Captive-bred Yellow-rumps tend to be 2g heavier than wild birds. Whether these differences are the result of diet, environment or breeding pure strains is debatable.

As is typical of the genus Lonchura these birds are gregarious by nature, and are constantly on the move, climbing through the reeds and rank grasses of their habitat. When on the move, the flock adopts the undulating flight pattern, also typical of their genus. Their diet consists primarily of native and introduced grass seeds supplemented by minute insects. During the breeding season, from February through April, the intake of insects increases.

BreedingIt is not surprising that the courtship display of the Yellow-rumped Munia is similar to that of the Chestnut-breasted Yellow-rumped Munia pair, male on left

Yellow-rumped Munia (left) and Chestnut-breasted Munia

ES

f h b d d b

WORDS AND ILLUSTRATION BY RUSSELL KINGSTON OAM PHOTOGRAPHS BY INDRA KINGSTON

90

The extensive conure genera comprise some of the most popular groups of parrots, and have for decades prompted true devotion and delight among keepers

of widely varying experience. In numerous ways, these diminutive South American psittacines were instrumental in bringing aviculture into the mainstream.

Conures were imported into the USA by the thousands during the 1970s and early 1980s both as breeding stock and as potential household pets. Most compatible pairs proved satisfyingly prolific at raising young, provided the aviculturists knew what they were doing. In the companion psittacine market, however, results were understandably mixed. Some imported conures displayed an innate stubborn wildness that made even basic training a test of owners’ patience. I suspect quite a few $39.95 Aratingas were set free by frustrated customers who had no idea of the trembling, screeching, biting parrot characteristics they were in for when making that first purchase!

However, there are so many different types of conures that it was only natural many of the calmer individuals, the more passive species, the young birds, the shyer females etcetera would find a warm welcome in the homes and hearts of their new keepers. Considering some of the abhorrent trapping and import practices which these psittacines were forced to endure 35 years ago, it is a real credit to the conures’ intelligence and adaptability that they often survived and settled into cages.

I have always been a conure devotee. To date I have raised, handfed, trained or cared for some 15 different species and, to a bird, I have found them savvy little packages of curiosity, mischief, affection and wilfulness. Many of the species show a resemblance to the mini-macaw group, while a wide range of conure mannerisms mimic those of the Ara macaws. It is not so far-fetched to state that conures are macaws in tiny bodies—or perhaps, without offending anyone, we could claim that macaws are really large, bare-faced conures!

STARTING WITH NANDAYSMy first conure was a wild-caught Nanday, purchased out of a cage of a dozen or so in a pet store on the Big Island, Hawaii. I rather unimaginatively named him Pako, who, like all healthy Nandays was a stunningly beautiful creature—moss green, with washes of blue, tinges of melanin yellow, that jet black head and face, and clownish red thighs. He was an obvious macho male who definitely preferred my wife’s gentle shoulder snuggles to my firm commands. We both got bitten occasionally and he was certainly a vocal bird. Yet life with Pako settled into a nice rhythm after about six months when his chopped primary feathers grew out and he began to fly around the living room and regain his former confidence. We eventually allowed him the

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY EB CRAVENS

CONURES AS PETS

hookbill hobbyistW

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Green-cheeked Conures have a wilful personality but are a relatively quiet conure species

P O

DEKE

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©AB

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Thirty years ago when Dale Thompson took this photo, Blue-throated Conures were rare and coveted in captivity

D TH

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WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER ODEKERKENWORWORWORWORWORWORORORWORWORWORWORWORWORWORWORWORWORWOWORWWORWORWORWORWORWORWOROWORORWORWOWORWORWORWOOORRRWOORROROWOORWOROWORORWORRDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

The Cardinal Lory

102

Cardinal Lory male

Cardinal Lory female

Cardinal Lory male