Uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by Snowmanradio

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. My fascination with Corvids (crows, ravens, jays and their relatives) began in childhood, when I cared for injured American Crows and Blue Jays.  In time, I was able to work with their exotic relatives at the Bronx Zoo, and was thrilled to observe the antics of Japan’s famous tool-using Carrion Crows (please see article below) in the wild.  Possessed of keen intelligence, insatiable curiosity and voice-mimicking abilities, hand-raised crows have few equals as avian pets.  Native Corvids are protected in the USA, but foreign species may be kept, and several are regularly bred by hobbyists.  Among these is the spectacular African Pied Crow, Corvus alba, which makes as responsive a pet as can be imagined.

Description

Although not common in the US pet trade, the Pied Crows that appeared in recent Windex TV ads have now made the species somewhat recognizable.  Once seen, this 20-inch tall bird will not be forgotten.  The Pied Crow sports an impressively-thick black beak that is midway in size between that of the American Crow and the White-Necked Raven (please see photo).  A brilliant white collar and breast contrasts sharply with the glossy, jet-black plumage.

Range and Habitat

Africa’s widest ranging Corvid, the Pied Crow occurs south of the Sahara and inhabits most of the eastern and southern portions of the continent.  They are also found on Aldabra, Madagascar, the Comoros and other nearby islands.

Pied Crows favor open forests and wooded scrub, but are often most common near towns, cities and farms.  They do not occur in the rainforests or deserts.

African Pied Crows as Pets

Even casual observation reveals crows to be unusually intelligent…and not “just” by bird standards!  Recent studies have shown that their tool-making and problem-solving abilities are on par with those of some great apes (please see articles linked below).  Both ornithologists and those who have worked with crows generally consider them to be the most intelligent of all birds…apologies to parrot fanciers!

All are excellent mimics, and need little if any encouragement to copy sounds and words.  Naturally social, crows quickly bond to their owners and may even learn to respond to simple commands.  Their great intelligence is accompanied by a sensitive nature…despite being quite bold, Pied Crows are easily stressed by unthinking behavior on the part of their owners.  They will not forget actions they perceive as threatening, so be careful not to make any mistakes…please post below for further information.

Another aspect of their brilliant minds is the capacity for mischief, and the need to manipulate, and if possible destroy, anything they can get their massive beaks on.  This is an outgrowth of their natural behavior, and cannot be “trained” away.  Pied Crows should never be left at large in a room that is not completely “crow-proofed”.  Before allowing your bird access to a room, go through it as if you were about to release a gang of toddlers, and then check again!

Uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by Richard001

Housing

Pied Crows are large and very active, and need ample flight space.  They will not adapt to commercial bird cages…even those designed for the largest macaws are far too small.  A custom-built or commercial outdoor aviary, or a properly-outfitted indoor room, is the only option for a pet Pied Crow.

Crows kept outdoors tend to be very active and vigorous. Although they can be acclimated to cold weather, heated shelters are a must in temperate regions.  Indoors, Pied Crows are best located where they can observe people…they also take an interest in televisions and phone conversations. Please post below for further information on aviary location and set-up.

Even if provided adequate space, Pied Crows will languish if not stimulated by toys, behavioral enrichment, and out-of-cage time.  Daily interaction with people is essential if they are to remain handle-able.  Concerning handling, it must be understood that the beak is a formidable weapon, and that even accidental injuries can be severe.  Please post below for further information on handling.

Diet

Although they take an incredibly wide range of foods, Pied Crows have distinct carnivorous leanings.  Rodents, carrion, eggs and insects form a large part of the natural diet.

Uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by Greg Hume

Crow owners have had success with diets based on cat and dog foods, but I prefer a diet similar to that I’ve used for many Corvid species in zoos.  Commercial bird-of-prey diet, into which I mix pigeon pellets and softbill food, provides the bulk of their food intake.  I believe that whole mice (or chicks) and insects are essential in assuring proper calcium intake and general good health.  Tossing a handful of crickets or other insects into your crow’s aviary is a wonderful way to keep the bird occupied, especially if the insects are able to hide.  Canned grasshoppers, snails and other invertebrates can be used to provide critical dietary variety.  A wide range of vegetables, chopped nuts, and fruits (in moderate amounts) should also be provided. Hard-boiled eggs are an especially favored treat.

The Pied Crow’s natural diet contains a good number of whole animals, and is likely calcium-rich.  In addition to pink or adult mice, pets should receive calcium and vitamin/mineral supplements.  Natural sunlight and full spectrum bulbs will help assure adequate Vitamin D levels.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.   Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Do Tool-Using Crows Surpass Parrots and Apes in Intelligence?

Japan’s Amazing Carrion Crows

Post from: That Bird Blog


Crows as Pets: The African Pied Crow, a Most Intelligent Bird

The post Crows as Pets: The African Pied Crow, a Most Intelligent Bird appeared first on That Bird Blog.

Uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by Mdf

Common Birds in Decline

I was especially troubled to read about the population crashes being experienced by quite a few species that were so common that we might have been tempted to “take them for granted”.  But as with so many other animals around the world, large populations are proving no match for rapidly changing environmental conditions.  All of the common species on Audubon’s watch list have declined by at least 50%, while the 10 mentioned below have lost 70-82 % of their populations.  Bobwhite Quails (one of my all-time favorites to observe and care for), for example, have decreased from approximately 31 million to 5.5 million individuals!

The 10 worst-hit common species are the Bobwhite Quail, Common Tern, Boreal Chickadee, Eastern Meadowlark, Northern Pintail, Greater Scaup, Grasshopper Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike and Evening Grosbeak.

Habitat loss is a major problem for all, but factors such as pesticide use (Evening Grosbeak) and climate change (Boreal Chickadee) also come into play.  The Common Tern is, sadly, being hit on several fronts simultaneously – garbage dumps and development have caused various gulls (which compete with terns for nesting sites) to explode in numbers, pollution has decreased their food supply, and the terns themselves are hunted on their Latin American wintering grounds.

Uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by Snowmanradio

Climate Change

Forty years’ worth of Christmas Bird Count statistics (please see below for information on participating) concerning 305 wide-ranging bird species has revealed a frightening trend.  Sixty percent of these birds, and 70% of all common feeder visitors, have shifted their ranges northward by an average of 35 miles.  This type of change, on such a huge scale in a brief time period, has major implications that reach far beyond the species studied.

Birds on Public Lands

Because so much undeveloped land in the USA is publicly owned (1/3 of all land, all oceans) and, therefore, easier to manage for conservation purposes (in theory!), the Audubon report examines bird populations in a variety of habitats on state and federal lands.  Public lands have been shown to be critical to the survival of many birds and habitats, but there is room for much improvement.

Forests: the largest blocks of undisturbed forest are on federal lands, and they are key to the survival of several endangered species. For example, 97% of the Kirtland’s Warbler’s range lies within publicly-owned forests.

Oceans and Coastlines: all 260 native species of oceanic and shoreline-associated birds reside, breed and/or forage on public lands. Over 50% of the populations of 16 sea birds nest on publicly-owned islands.

Deserts and Arid Habitats: one half of the USA’s deserts and arid habitats are found on public lands. Although 75% of the ranges of the critically endangered Sage Sparrow and Gunnison’s Sage Grouse lie within these protected spaces, both species continue to decline in numbers.

Islands: Hawaii’s bird life has been decimated by introduced predators and habitat loss, more so perhaps than any other region in the USA. Four of its endangered birds live entirely on federal land, while 78% of Kawai’s declining birds depend heavily upon state land.

Uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by Alastair Rae

Arctic and Alpine Habitats: 90% of Alaska’s boreal arctic species depend upon public land; 34 of these are of high conservation concern.

Grasslands: Meadowlarks, Grasshopper Sparrows, Bobwhite Quail and other grassland and prairie birds are declining faster than all other groups.  Unfortunately, only 13% of the nation’s grasslands are publicly owned, and these are largely managed for cattle and energy production rather than conservation.

Wetlands: marshes and other wetlands, and the birds that utilize them, have fared better than most.  All 40 species of native waterfowl rely heavily upon wetlands within the National Wildlife Refuge system.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.   Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

How Birders can Contribute to Conservation

The Christmas Bird Count

Earlier State of the Bird Reports

Post from: That Bird Blog


Audubon’s Bird Conservation Report – Many Common Birds in Trouble

The post Audubon’s Bird Conservation Report – Many Common Birds in Trouble appeared first on That Bird Blog.

Image uploaded to Wikipedia by Snowmanradio

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.  Despite clear evidence that African Gray Parrots (Psittacus erithacus) are declining in the 23 countries to which they are native, conservation horror stories continue to mount.  Recently, for example, 750 parrots died on board an airplane in South Africa, and the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo returned 500+ wild-caught birds to smugglers.  So it was a pleasure to read that Uganda has recently taken a giant step forward in parrot conservation.  For the first time ever, African Gray Parrots seized in Europe have been returned to the wild.  The historic 3-year effort also illustrated an unprecedented degree of cooperation between governments, zoos, airlines and conservation organizations.

Can 32 Birds Make a Difference?

Conservationists estimate that at least ¼ of the adult population of wild African Gray Parrots are trapped each year. The return of 32 birds to the wild in Uganda may, therefore, seem to be insignificant.  However, I believe that the operation’s value goes well beyond the number of birds that were rescued.
For too long, wildlife criminals have operated with near impunity once they managed to get parrots and other African wildlife out of the continent.  Cooperation with unscrupulous officials in Africa and abroad, and the inability of under-funded law enforcement agencies to compete, have kept convictions low and penalties inconsequential.  Uganda’s dogged determination to see justice done has recently broken new ground, and has hopefully set a standard for neighboring countries to follow.

A Conservation “First”

The parrots in question were illegally trapped in Uganda in 2010.  They were routed through Lebanon and were eventually seized in Bulgaria.  Uganda has a history of releasing confiscated wildlife, but no African country has ever been able to locate, seize and return to the wild parrots that have been shipped to another continent.  The costs are prohibitive, and expertise in the laws of several countries, and in international law, is essential.  In addition, a core group of people must be in place long term, as even where there is no question that the birds were illegally removed from the wild, the process usually takes several years (over 3, in this instance).

In this case, everything came together in a way that has not been seen in the past.  Financial assistance was provided by Qatar Airlines and the World Parrot Trust, and the government of Bulgaria cooperated with that of Uganda throughout.  The Sofia Zoo held the parrots for a time and screened them for diseases before the release was approved. The parrots were re-habituated to the wild at the Ngamba Chimpanzee Sanctuary and then released on Ngamba Island.

Continuing Threats to African Gray and Other Parrots

Despite the fact that wild-caught adult parrots make notoriously poor pets, demand remains high.  In addition, numerous chicks are collected, often by felling nest-bearing trees. Nesting hollows are a scarce commodity in parrot habitats, and their destruction seriously impedes the breeding success of the resident parrot population.  Other African Psittacines, including the Red-Fronted Parrot (Poicephalus gulielmi, please see photo), also remain at risk despite local and international protections.   In recent years, Uganda has confiscated many parrots destined for European markets; 204 African Grays were released to the wild in 2011.

Image originally posted to Wikipedia by Poicephalus_gulielmi_-Birds_of_Eden_-South_Africa-8a.jpg: Graham

You can read more about African Gray Parrot conservation and natural history in the articles linked above and below.  Unfortunately, bad news is still the norm, and many people here in the USA are unaware of the scope of the problem (as wild-caught parrots have long been illegal to import or own)…please post any information you may come across below.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

African Gray Parrot Natural History

African Gray Parrot Declines

Post from: That Bird Blog


Good News for African Gray Parrots – A Conservation Milestone

The post Good News for African Gray Parrots – A Conservation Milestone appeared first on That Bird Blog.

My first experience with these beauties came while working for a bird importer.  I was captivated by their colors, but despaired over the stress caused them by shipment and confinement to quarantine facilities.  Fortunately, an experienced private breeder helped me to learn the keys to keeping them alive and well.

Description

The 5.5 inch-long male Nonpareils are clad in “grass green”, bright red and brilliant blue, and sport elongated central tail feathers.  Females have shorter tails and are not as gaudy, but are also quite colorful.  While most related parrot finches are attractive (please see photos), none are as spectacular as the Nonpareil.

Yellow-bellied individuals are found in some wild populations, but are not common in captivity.  Birds originating from Borneo have more blue in the plumage, and are considered by most to be a subspecies.  Although few aviculturists see any need to experiment with color mutations, largely-green and pied strains have been established.

Range and Habitat

Nonpareils range from Myanmar through Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra and Java. 

Habitat preferences are not well-studied, but they are most often observed along moist forest fringes and in bamboo thickets, brushy river edges and overgrown areas near rice farms. 

Keeping Nonpareils

Nonpareils are notoriously shy and a bit high-strung, but when properly housed are quite hardy, and a delight to observe.  They do well in colonies, and most successful breeders report they are best kept in this manner.  

If confined to small cages or denied cover and visual barriers, Nonpareils will not thrive.  When startled, they may fly into cage walls and become injured, especially if their enclosure is not correctly set-up.

Enclosure

Nonpareils forage almost entirely above-ground, and are not comfortable when forced to feed on the cage floor.  They must be supplied with elevated shelves and perches. Tiny forest-dwellers are on the menu of myriad predators, so Nonpareils are consequently very ill-at-ease in open situations. Dried or live grass clumps, hanging potted plants and bushes should be always be positioned about the aviary to prevent their becoming stressed.

The need for security and ample cover is one of the most important considerations in the husbandry of Nonpareils.   While aviary-style indoor cages may work if one takes great care, outdoor aviaries or homemade indoor cages are the best options.  Please see this site for an example of a well-planned indoor aviary.

Nonpareils, even those well-habituated to captivity, tend to hide when their enclosure is approached.  Allowing them to remain out-of-sight when necessary will encourage a sense of security that will translate into healthier pets.

It is important to avoid startling Nonpareils – i.e. by suddenly illuminating a dark room – as they may explode into flight and injure themselves.

Light, Heat and Humidity

Full spectrum light, while not essential, may encourage breeding and other natural behaviors in Nonpareils that are housed indoors.

Native to warm, moist habitats, Nonpareils be kept at temperatures of 72-76 F and a humidity range of 50-60%.  Temperatures to 90 F, and quite humid conditions, have been successfully used by some keepers.

Diet

Grass seeds form the bulk of the diet in the wild.  Pets do well on a high quality finch seed mix, to which has been added extra canary grass seed and Japanese and white millet.  Paddy rice (unprocessed rice with the kernel-covering intact) is a great favorite, and in the past was often used to induce newly-imported birds to feed. 

A bit of egg food should be offered each day, with the quantity increasing when breeding behavior is exhibited.  Small amounts of kale, watercress, sprouted seeds and other greens should be provided twice weekly.  Live insects are usually ignored, even by breeding pairs.

Grit and both crushed and whole cuttlebone should always be available.

Most Nonpareils accept only a rather limited number of food items.  To ensure against nutritional deficiencies, vitamin/mineral supplements should be provided (please write in for specific information).

Breeding

Breeding results vary, as do the observations made by those who have been successful.  Colony members seem to come into breeding condition more frequently than do single pairs; squabbles among males are rarely if ever serious.  Breeding activity may vary greatly from year to year, despite similar captive conditions.  Two molts occur each year; the failure of potential pairs to synchronize their molts is believed by some to interfere with successful reproduction. 

The woven, enclosed grass or coco-fiber nest will be constructed in a basket, finch box, thick shrub or other protected space.  The 2-6 eggs are incubated by both parents for 13 – 15 days.  Soaked seeds, sprouts, additional egg food and chopped greens should be provided to the parents once the young hatch.

The chicks fledge in approximately 21-23 days, and are fed by their parents for an additional week or so.  Adult plumage usually appears when they reach 8 months of age.

Parents that are disturbed may abandon their nests.  Nonpareil chicks have been successfully fostered by Bengalese Finches. 

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.   Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Breeding Nonpareils

Video: Building an Indoor Finch Aviary

Keeping other Parrot Finches

NonPareil Finch image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Chaval BR
Fiji Parrot Finch image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Aviceda
Blue-faced Parrot Finch image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Nrg800

Post from: That Bird Blog


Breeding and Keeping the Nonpareil Finch or Pin-Tailed Parrot Finch

The post Breeding and Keeping the Nonpareil Finch or Pin-Tailed Parrot Finch appeared first on That Bird Blog.

Sira Barbet, Capito Fitzpatricki

Montane cloud forests are well-known for sheltering creatures new to science, but even so ornithologists were surprised that the large, colorful, Sira Barbet was able to remain hidden from view for so long.  Beautifully clad in scarlet, black and white, this bird was first glimpsed in 2008, but was misidentified as the related Scarlet Barbet (please see drawing).

The Sira Barbet seems limited to the Cerros del Sira mountain range in the Peruvian Andes, but surveys are incomplete, and we know little of its habits. I’ve always been very interested in barbets, and have had the good fortune of working with several species in zoos and private collections.  Please see this article for more information, and be sure to post your own thoughts and observations. 

Philippine Hawk Owls (Ninox spp.)

The Hawk Owls are an amazing group of birds that derive their common name from their streamlined body shape and the propensity of some to hunt by day (please see photo of the Australian Powerful Owl).  Two new species, the Cebu Hawk Owl, Ninox runseyi, and the Camiguin Hawk Owl, N. leventesi, were described from the Philippines in 2012.  Additionally, 5 subspecies of the Philippine Hawk Owl, N. philippinensis, were raised to full species status.  

Based on recordings of owl calls and fleeting observations, ornithologists have long suspected that the Philippines supported a rich diversity of Hawk Owl species. Difficulties in surveying the region intervened – the Cebu Hawk Owl, for example, was observed only once before disappearing from view for 110 years. Today it is limited to 11 wooded patches and threatened by deforestation.  We now know that each island supports distinct Hawk Owl species that vary in plumage, size, vocal abilities and habits.  Future studies may reveal how these owls, and other birds, colonized the region’s numerous islands. 

Cebu Hawk Owl pairs engage in “duets”; please click here for a recording. 

Antioquia Wren, Thryophilus sernail

With nearly 1,900 species recorded, Columbia is home to more avian diversity (as far as we know) than anywhere else on earth.  One of the newest additions to its impressive species list, the Antioquia Wren, was discovered a mere 45 minutes outside of the bustling city of Medellin.  Apparently restricted to the northeastern Cauca River Canyon, its future is threatened by the construction of a hydro-electric power plant.

Feathered Oviraptor Dinosaurs

Related to the Tyrannosaurus rex, Oviraptors are 2-legged dinosaurs that roamed Canada, China and Manchuria during the Cretaceous Period.  The link between modern-day birds and dinosaurs was recently strengthened by the discovery that certain Oviraptors may have engaged in mating displays similar to those now utilized by Peafowl and their relatives.  

Writing in the journal Acta Paleontologica Polonica, researchers theorize that anatomical features such as uniquely-structured vertebrae lent great flexibility to the tails of Similicaudiptery and other Oviraptors. This, and the presence of banded (perhaps colorful) feathers, arm fans and head-crests, may indicate that these dinosaurs engaged in complicated mating displays; please see article linked below for an artist’s conception.

The Bald Parrot and other Amazonian Wonders

In 2002, biologists were shocked by news that a large, bare-headed, noisy, blue and aquamarine parrot had been discovered in Brazil.  Now known as the Bald or Orange-Headed Parrot, Pyrilia cephala, this spectacular creature is one of over 1,200 new species (excluding insects), 16 of which have been birds, uncovered in the Amazon Basin since 1999.  Please see this article to learn more about the Bald Parrot. 

Accelerated Avian Extinctions

And now for the bad news: A study by ornithologists from Birdlife International and Charles Darwin University has established that 279 bird species have become extinct over the past 500 years, with the rate of extinctions increasing in recent decades. Agricultural and mining expansion has replaced hunting and introduced species as the main cause of extinctions. 

Conservation efforts have turned the tide in some cases, but not to the degree that had been hoped…recovery goals set by the International Convention on Biological Diversity have, of necessity, been moved from 2010 to 2020.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook. Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Sira Barbet Natural History

Discovery of the Antioquia Wren

New Philippine Hawk Owls 

Dinosaur Feather Displays

Powerful Owl image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Moonlight0551
Scarlet banded Barbet image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by GossipGuy

Post from: That Bird Blog


2012’s New Bird Species – Barbets, Owls, Turkey-Like Dinosaurs and More

The post 2012’s New Bird Species – Barbets, Owls, Turkey-Like Dinosaurs and More appeared first on That Bird Blog.

Spontaneous and Unexpected Tool Use

Parrots are considered among the most intelligent of birds, but tool use has not been documented in their ranks.  True, the majestic Palm Cockatoo bangs wood against hollow trees in order to communicate (please see this article) and many species wedge nuts into crevices to ease the job of opening them, but advanced tool use seemed beyond their abilities. 

Figaro’s talents came to light purely by chance.  A researcher happened to be nearby when Figaro dropped a stone behind a metal cage divider.  Unable to reach the plaything with his feet, the enterprising cockatoo flew off and returned with a piece of bamboo.  He used the bamboo to push the stone within reach.

Intrigued, the researcher tempted Figaro with a nut and a stick that was not long enough to reach the treat.  Undaunted, the cockatoo used his powerful beak to remove a long wood splinter from the cage’s wooden floor, and then swept the nut within reach with the new tool. In time, Figaro made a variety of tools from the floor and a tree branch, modifying them to fit each situation and always succeeding in retrieving his rewards (please see video and photos of tools linked below).  

Another Goffin’s Cockatoo who watched Figaro perform his magic tried to imitate him when tested.  This bird did not succeed, but perhaps will improve in time. This unique situation may provide an interesting opportunity to study the evolution of learning abilities…I’ll post future updates.

Crows, Herons and other Avian Inventors

Crows, Ravens and their relatives (Family Corvidae) excel at fashioning and using tools.  In fact, it has been suggested that Ravens’ abilities in this area rival those of the Great Apes.  In Japan, I saw evidence of the intelligence of the local Carrion Crows, which not only use passing cars to break nuts but also seem to understand the functioning of traffic lights!  New Caledonian Crows have proven unbelievably inventive, going though several steps and a number of different tools in order to obtain a reward.  Please see articles linked below for more on these fascinating birds.

Green Herons are quite adept at recognizing and using tools to improve their fishing success.  Wild individuals drop small sticks on the water’s surface to lure fish close enough for a strike, while those colonizing fish farms will do the same with trout chow and bread (please see video below).  I was once impressed by the behavior of a related species.  For quite some time, I fed fish to a wild Night Heron that lived near an outdoor exhibit under my care at the Bronx Zoo (please see photo).  The bird never failed to appear when I arrived, yet did not show up on my weekends, even though co-workers wore the same uniform and carried the same food bucket (studies show that Mockingbirds can recognize individual human faces…please see this article).

Goffin’s Cockatoos in the Wild and Captivity

Goffin’s Cockatoos are captive bred in large numbers but endangered in the wild.  Listed on CITES Appendix I, they are endemic to Indonesia’s Tanimbar Islands.  Introduced populations live on Tual Island (Indonesia) and in Singapore.  Please see the articles below for more on their natural history and captive care.

Want to brag about your bird’s intelligence?  Please post your stories below!

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly.

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Video and photos of Figaro’s tools

Goffin’s Cockatoo Care and Natural History

Video: Green Heron Using Bread as fishing bait

Japan’s Carrion Crows Understand Traffic Signals! 

New Caledonian Crow Tool Use 

 
Goffin’s Cockatoo image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Hecht1969
Night Heron with Fish image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Dori

Post from: That Bird Blog


Goffin’s Cockatoo Invents and Modifies a Tool – a Parrot “First”

The post Goffin’s Cockatoo Invents and Modifies a Tool – a Parrot “First” appeared first on That Bird Blog.

Native Solomon Island Parrots

The Solomon Islands, located east of Papua New Guinea, are home to a host of unique species, many of which are found nowhere else on earth.  According to TRAFFIC’S report (see text below), the mostly wild-caught birds exported in the past decade included 18,444 Yellow-Bibbed Lories, 15,994 Solomon Cockatoos, 8,000+ Eclectus Parrots, and 10,000+ Cardinal and Rainbow Lorries. 

Many Solomon Island endemics are poorly studied, and their needs are difficult to meet even in well-funded zoos.  Bird trapping seriously depletes wild populations, especially where, as on the Solomons, re-colonization is not possible. A further consideration is that wild-caught parrots invariably make poor pets. In all likelihood, the 50,000+ exported birds are faring miserably in captivity. 

Colleagues of mine investigated the export of huge numbers of Solomon Island Prehensile-Tailed Skinks years ago. Collecting these arboreal lizards required the felling of trees, and was carried out in conjunction with logging operations. Likewise, capturing young parrots often involves the destruction of valuable nesting trees – a rare commodity even in intact habitats – and other environmental degradation. 

Non-Native Birds

The boldness of those involved in the region’s illegal bird trade is surprising.  For example, also included among the exports were 13,000 birds that are not native to the Solomon Islands. These were designated as “captive bred”, but there are no records indicating how the supposed breeding stock reached the Solomons in the first place! If the birds were bred on the Solomon Islands, import permits should have been produced to show that the parents had been legally obtained. The same applies to the outrageous claim that 7 Bird of Paradise species were bred in-country.

The 13,000 non-native birds, mainly obtained from Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, included highly endangered Pesquet’s Parrots and many Chattering Lories.  Amazingly, Lesser Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos were also among the exported birds. This species is listed on CITES Appendix I, and could not be legally sold even if captive bred!

In my experience, the ability of criminals to operate so openly usually indicates either government involvement (see African Gray Parrot articles below) or ineffective law enforcement capabilities.  I cannot say if such were at work here, but local wildlife officials did state that they knew of no facilities that could have produced the numbers of birds claimed as captive-bred on the Solomon Islands.

Official Responses

The government of the Solomon Islands suspended trade in native species in 2006.  “Sounds good on paper”…but unfortunately it continues to renew export permits for existing bird suppliers.  The reason given is so that “breeders” can sell-off those birds they have on hand.  But, if the TRAFFIC report is accurate, the birds involved have been, and perhaps are being, illegally taken from the wild!

In response to this and similar studies concerning reptile and amphibian sales, Malaysia has suspended wildlife imports from the Solomon Islands.  Despite TRAFFIC’s urging, Singapore, the other main outlet for the Solomon’s birds, continues to allow imports.

TRAFFIC has requested that CITES launch an investigation, as restrictions imposed by that organization would focus greater attention on the situation.

What’s Next…What Can I Do?

In addition to assuring that any bird or other animal you purchase or adopt has been captive-bred, please support legitimate conservation organizations in any way possible.  Signing up for email updates from TRAFFIC , CITES and ThatBirdBlog is a great way to stay informed.

Please also post any thoughts or experiences you may have had involving the parrot trade, and be sure to write in for advice if you own or are considering obtaining a parrot or other bird.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable. I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Full text of the TRAFFIC report

Conservation Setback: Confiscated African Gray Parrots Returned to Dealer

Sulphur crested Cockatoo image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Snowmanradio
Pesquet’s parrots and Yellow-bibbed Lori image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Snowmanradio

Post from: That Bird Blog


54,000+ Wild Caught Parrots, Cockatoos, others sold as “Captive Bred”

The post 54,000+ Wild Caught Parrots, Cockatoos, others sold as “Captive Bred” appeared first on That Bird Blog.

Penguins Win Me Over

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I first became enamored of penguins at the Bronx Zoo’s old “Penguin House”. Twice a day, a door would open and a pail of fish would be tossed into the exhibit.  Fashioned like a giant aquarium, the exhibit allowed visitors to watch the penguins dive and grab their meals underwater.  Living near the zoo, I had long haunted its grounds and had racked up some great sightings of both captive and wild birds by an early age (nearly 300 native species have been recorded there) – but these creatures were something else indeed!  They were birds, to be sure, but departed so radically from the typical bird body-plan that I was driven to learn all I could. 

Today, of course, penguins are well known, but for us bird fanciers they still retain a sense of mystery…more so as new facts about their amazing lifestyles come to light! 

Working with Penguins

I began working with penguins some 28 years ago, but the experience remains clearly etched in my memory. Named for the intrepid explorer Ferdinand Magellan, the Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) I cared for were housed in an outdoor exhibit at the Bronx Zoo.  The work was particularly enjoyable because, due the number of medications that the penguins needed (they lack defenses against diseases carried by native birds), they were trained to line up and accept fish tossed to them.  This assured accurate dosing, and, to be honest, was a great excuse to work closely with these most amusing birds. 

I once helped hand-rear a young penguin that had been rejected by its parents.  All went well, but the bird lacked penguin social skills and consequently was attacked when reintroduced to the colony. Birds imprinted on people often experience difficulties…a hand-raised Great Horned Owl I cared for would try to feed mice to me during the breeding season! So the exiled penguin spent her days waddling around the basement of the Aquatic Bird House, following her keepers and growing evermore spoiled.

Fortunately, the Philadelphia Zoo had some hand-raised penguins, so I drove ours there to make the introduction. The bird made the trip standing on the front seat of the zoo’s van, and I laugh to this day remembering the reactions of gas station attendants along the way! Happily, the Philly birds accepted their big city cousin – but the return trip was quite boring!

Range

Penguins are restricted to the Southern Hemisphere, where they inhabit the coasts of Antarctica, New Zealand, southern Australia, southern Africa and southern South America.  None occur north of the equator (and so, despite popular opinion, they never cross paths with polar bears!) but in recent years 2 penguins turned up off Newfoundland…how they got there, no one knows.

Although generally perceived as birds of frigid habitats, a number occur in quite warm areas of South America and Africa. However, the Humboldt, Benguela and Agulhas Currents assure that cold water is readily accessible.

Another commonly-held stereotype is that all penguins nest on ice. Some do, but others utilize frozen grasslands, sub-tropical beaches, bare rock, lava, and even temperate forests.

Penguins reach their greatest species diversity not in Antarctica but rather in the sub-Antarctic waters off New Zealand and the Falkland Islands. The Antarctic coastline does, however, support the greatest number of individual penguins.

Dietary Specialists

Most penguins feed upon fishes, squid and shrimp.  Surprisingly, however, Adelie, Chinstrap, Macaroni and Gentoo Penguins subsist almost entirely upon krill.  Although barely 2 inches in length, these shrimp-like creatures may be the planet’s most numerous species – some 550 million tons of them are believed present in the Southern Pacific Ocean at any one time!

What’s Next, and What Can I Do?

Please post a comment here and share any zoo or wild penguin experiences you may have.  I’ll also be covering various species in detail in future articles, so don’t forget to let me know your favorites.

While working on an exhibit at Connecticut’s Maritime Aquarium recently, I had the good fortune of being able to get close to a group of Black-footed or African Penguins, Spheniscus demersus (please see photo).  This species, also known as the Jackass Penguin (due to its bray-like call), is the only penguin to nest in Africa.  Its breeding range stretches from the South Africa/Namibia border around the bottom of the continent to Port Elizabeth, South Africa.  Please look for my upcoming article on this fascinating bird. 

If you wish to learn what you can do to help wild penguins, check out the International Penguin Conservation Work Group.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable. I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible. 

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Penguin Conservation and Current Research  

Working with Penguins: Volunteer Opportunities

Video: “Criminal Penguins”

Post from: That Bird Blog


Working with Penguins – a Highlight of this Zookeeper’s Experiences

The post Working with Penguins – a Highlight of this Zookeeper’s Experiences appeared first on That Bird Blog.

Description

At 14.5 inches in length, the Blue-Crowned Conure is one of the largest species in the genus Aratinga.  In common with other conures, it sports a heavy bill and long, tapered tail, but the sky to dark blue coloration on the crown and cheeks is unique.  Various shades of green color the body plumage, while the undersides of the tail feathers are reddish-brown and tipped with yellow.  All-in-all, it is a very attractive parrot.

Range

The range extends from northern Venezuela and eastern Columbia south through Paraguay and Uruguay to northern Argentina.

Five subspecies, differing somewhat in coloration and size, have been described.  While working in Venezuela, I had a chance to observe A. a. neoxina in riverside thickets and even well out into the llanos.  On nearby Margarita Island, I caught a glimpse of several of the few individuals that manage to survive there.

Feral populations are established in Florida and southern California, USA.

Habitat

The Blue-Crowned Conure is adapted to arid habitats, and may travel extensively when pressured by the lack of food and water.  It is most often associated with deciduous forests, but also frequents riverside scrub, wooded grasslands, farms and city outskirts. In Bolivia, desert fringes are occupied (a relative, the Cactus Conure, A. cactorum, is a true desert bird; please see article below).

Conservation

The Margarita Island population, threatened by rat predation, habitat loss and collection, is believed to number less than 200 individuals.  Other populations have not been well-studied. 

In some regions, Blue-Crowned Conures are considered to be crop pests, while elsewhere they are valued for consuming weed seeds.  The species is listed on Appendix II of Cites.

Ecology

Adaptability has likely assisted the Blue-Crowned Conure in surviving where related parrots have disappeared.  It forages on the ground or in trees, taking a wide variety of seeds, tree and cactus fruits, berries, and some insects.  Where roosting trees are scarce, Blue-Crowns pass the night in shallow caves. 

Outside of the breeding season, flocks of up to 200 individuals form, sometimes in association with White-Eyed, Mitred and other Conures. 

Breeding

The breeding season extends from September to February. The 2-3 eggs are deposited in a tree hollow and incubated for 22-25 days.  The chicks fledge in approximately 8 weeks, and are fed by the male alone for some time thereafter.  Two (rarely three) clutches are produced annually.

Vocalizations

Field studies (please see article below) have revealed that this species utilizes 8 distinct vocalizations, and variations of each, to communicate with others.

The two alarm calls provide flock members with information concerning predators’ location and distance, and may also identify the type of threat (i.e. hawk vs. snake).  Other vocalizations call the group together, with variations being utilized when flock-mates are in or out of view.  Coordination of flight direction and mate-contact are also accomplished via unique calls.  I’m sure that further research will reveal an even more sophisticated communication system.

Blue-Crowned Conures as Pets

Most conures have great pet potential, and the Blue Crowned is no exception; please see this article for a description of popular species.  Many conure specialists consider the Blue Crown to be the friendliest and most intelligent of all.  It is also a better mimic than its relatives, but cannot be considered especially “gifted” in this regard.  Hybrids with other species, such as the Golden-Crowned Conure, have been produced.

Prospective owners should bear in mind that, despite their small size, Blue-Crowned Conures have very loud voices, are extremely active, and can reduce furniture to wood chips in no time flat.  Like all parrots, conures need a mate or near-constant association with a favored person if they are to thrive.  Please see the articles below and write in for specific care information.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Video: wild Blue-Crowned Conures

Field Study: Conure Vocalizations

The Cactus Conure

The Green Cheeked Conure

The International Conure Association 

Blue Crowned Conure image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Hakan Sandin
Blue Crowned Conure image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Bram Cymet

Post from: That Bird Blog


Blue-Crowned Conures in the Wild – the Natural History of a Popular Pet

The post Blue-Crowned Conures in the Wild – the Natural History of a Popular Pet appeared first on That Bird Blog.

Classification

Although superficially resembling an owl in plumage, silent flight mode and nocturnal ways, the Tawny Frogmouth is classified in the order Caprimulgiformes. Numbered among this group’s 118 members is the cave-dwelling Oilbird, the only bird known to navigate via echo-location.

Tawny Frogmouths are placed in the family Podargidae, along with 14 relatives.  Three Tawny Frogmouth subspecies – the largest being 3x the size of the smallest – have been described.  Other species include the Papuan Frogmouth, of the Cape York Peninsula and New Guinea, and the Marbled Frogmouth, a rainforest dweller found in northern Queensland and New Guinea.

The 8 North American relations belong to the family Caprimulgidae (loosely translated as “goat-suckers”).  I’ve observed 2 of these, the Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferous) and the Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor), in the heart of NYC.  In fact, the swooping, erratic flight of Nighthawks, which resemble outsized bats, was a common sight over Bronx buildings in my youth.  Flat rooftops serve Nighthawks as nest sites, but their numbers have declined in recent years.  The Chuck-will’s-widow (Caprimulgus carolinensis), first recorded in New York in 1975, has been observed nesting on Staten and Long Island. 

Captive Care

You’ll need to visit a zoo if you wish to see a Tawny Frogmouth in the USA, but wildlife rehabilitators in Australia are frequently called upon to care for displaced chicks and injured individuals.  

During the day, Frogmouths perch on dead limbs, relying on their mottled plumage to provide camouflage. They often stretch upward, in imitation of a branch, as well.  Frogmouths make great exhibit animals, content to perch in full view all day; however, they do become stressed if denied logs or stumps.  I’ve kept several in exhibits lit by red bulbs, where they have proven to be surprisingly active. 

Rearing Chicks

Frogmouths under my care bred well but did not always raise their chicks successfully.  Hand-rearing, however, was usually successful.  

Frogmouth chicks have appetites that match their enormous mouths, and, even by baby bird standards, consume an amazing amount of food. Chopped mice are the standard zoo diet, but given that they are largely insectivorous, I experimented with other foods as well. Roaches, grasshoppers, moths, earthworms, insectivorous bird diet, beef heart and other such foods were eagerly consumed.  

I do not have my old notes on hand, but recent studies have shown that hand-reared Frogmouth chicks often gain 8-9 grams per day, consistently, before fledging.  

Adult Diet

Most zoos provide only mice or chicks to their Tawny Frogmouths. I’ve cared for several that have bred and lived into their early teens on this diet, so it appears adequate.  However, my Frogmouths showed a very strong response to large insects, especially roaches and grasshoppers. While it’s difficult to maintain birds of this size on invertebrates alone, occasional meals certainly add to their quality of life.  

Although mainly ambush predators that pounce on prey from above, Frogmouths also hunt actively…at least when stimulated by novel foods. They have also been observed chasing moths around street lights.

Close Call with a Cassowary (for me and a frogmouth!)

Frogmouths remain largely immobile, but are very aware of their surroundings…a fact I learned the hard way.  After working with one individual for some time, I came to expect him to remain perched on his favorite stump as I serviced his cage in one of the Bronx Zoo’s off-exhibit areas.  He did…until he didn’t!  

One day, he flew past me and out the door…taking off without a sound when I turned my back.  Knowing that birds sense and follow air currents, I first ran to close the building’s unscreened kitchen window (a notably foolish feature in a bird building!).  I returned to find that the wayward Frogmouth had flown into the pen occupied by Margie, a notoriously ill-tempered Cassowary (please see article below).  The Frogmouth froze, head stretched up, in the species’ classic camouflage pose – perplexing Margie enough to make her pause. She circled, itching to kick the intruder into oblivion, but did not charge. I grabbed a “push board”, entered, and was able to catch the frightened Frogmouth before either of us could be attacked.

Natural History

Range

The Tawny Frogmouth is found across the length and breadth of Australia, and also occurs on Tasmania and several offshore islands.

Habitat

Although most common in sparsely-wooded scrub and forest clearings, the Tawny Frogmouth also inhabits rainforest edges, overgrown farmland, gardens and city parks.  It is absent from deserts and rainforest interiors.

Diet

Field studies have shown that beetles, moths, spiders, centipedes, snails and other invertebrates make up approximately 95% of the diet. Frogs, lizards and small mammals comprise the balance. 

Most Frogmouths drink infrequently, if at all. 

Breeding

Reproduction occurs seasonally in most habitats, or in response to rains in arid regions.  Most observers report that the male incubates the 2-3 eggs by day, with both parents entering the nest cavity at night.  The eggs hatch in 27-31 days and the chicks, which are fed by both parents, fledge when they are approximately 1 month old. 

Conservation

Although most populations are stable, cats, foxes and cars pose increasing threats.  Secondary pesticide poisoning is also a concern. 

Torpor

Tawny Frogmouths can tolerate quite high and low temperatures.  In common with several related species, they can become torpid during cold nights – hibernating, in essence, for short periods.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook.  Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable.  I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.  

Please also post your questions and comments below…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Further Reading

Video: adults and chicks

Comprehensive husbandry manual

Caring for a Mischievous Cassowary

Tawny Frogmouth image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Arpingstone
Tawny Frogmouth and chicks image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Skewmeister
Tawny Frogmouth Camouflage image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Apathetic Duck
Tawny Frogmouth and chicks image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Duncan McCaskill

Post from: That Bird Blog


Keeping the Tawny Frogmouth with Notes on its Natural History

The post Keeping the Tawny Frogmouth with Notes on its Natural History appeared first on That Bird Blog.