AUSTRALIAN BIRDKEEPER

leaves provided, and fighting with two Southern Red-billed Ross, AU T H O R & P H O T O D R C L A U D E L A C A S S E DVM, MANZCVS (Australian Wildlife)
Hornbills Tockus rufirostris for the shadiest spots to rest
from the midday sun. Further sightings were then made the Shearwater wild corner
deeper into the targeted areas.
EACH YEAR MANY SEABIRDS ARE Claude
The purpose of this particular field trip was to collect found stranded on Australian beaches and
blood samples of Black-cheeked Lovebirds for genetic presented to wildlife clinics. Ross, the Shearwater, BIRDKEEPER.COM.AU • 529
analysis back in the laboratory. This data will help us was found by a lovely couple during their morning beach
to understand the relationships between different walk. The bird was still alert but very weak and unable
populations, their conservation importance and how to to walk more than a few steps.
responsibly manage collections in captivity. All of this is
vital information for underpinning future conservation The Shearwater was anaesthetised for a thorough
work for lovebirds across the region. examination, radiographs and blood collection. No
abnormality was found except for a very poor body
LEARNING FROM HISTORY condition (emaciated), anaemia, and hypoproteinemia.
These findings were indicative of starvation and
Towards the end of the trip, Sascha also had the chance exhaustion.
to visit Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) National Park,
which still has great stands of Mopane trees. Despite Shearwaters migrate annually from nesting areas in the
the presence of apparently suitable habitat, the lovebirds Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere, as
were conspicuously absent. A visit to the natural history far away as Alaska. Their journey back to Australia is a
museum in the nearby town of Livingstone revealed very taxing experience for their small bodies, especially
specimens of Black-cheeked Lovebirds which had been if the sea and wind conditions are not favourable.
taken from the national park in the 1960s. It appears this Many birds, especially juveniles, do not make it to
population has been wiped out by heavy trapping for the their destination or perish shortly after arrival. This is
pet trade. expected but some years more birds appear to wash up
on shore and these birds are brought to veterinarians
However, these museum samples could still inform and wildlife clinics.
conservation action. Now that trapping is illegal in the
country and the park is very aware of wildlife crime, the It is debatable from a conservation point of view if
idea of restoring lovebirds to this area is very appealing. these birds should be helped but it can also be an ethical
The effective protection of this habitat means the Mopane issue not to provide assistance. Many of them will die
trees are safe from clearance for timber or charcoal despite supportive treatments. The large number of
production and have developed into huge trees, providing birds presented will often necessitate a triage system
natural cavities for nesting and roosting. where the most severely affected birds should be
humanely euthanised. Often if their body condition is still
What a dream to one day see Black-cheeked Lovebirds adequate, supportive care with rehydration and slow re-
again in an area where they were once abundant, where establishment of good nutrition can result in a positive
thousands of tourists would be able to admire these birds outcome. I recommend that these birds go to wildlife
within the national park. With the samples taken, we are a carers specialised in the care of seabirds because of their
small step towards realising that dream. nutritional and specific rehabilitation requirements.

For further information on this and other World Parrot This story had a happy ending. After four months in
Trust projects, please sign up to our free monthly email care with specialised wildlife carers Twinnies Pelican and
newsletter Flock Talk at www.parrots.org/flocktalk/. You Seabird Rescue, Ross was finally strong and fat enough
will receive information about work being done to protect to be released … a few months before his long journey
wild parrots, tips for caring for companion parrots, back north.
updates, reports, news and more.
VOL 34 • ISSUE 9 • JUN-JUL 2021
Livingstone Museum
specimen dated 1963—

at a time when the
species was eradicated

in the Mosi-oa-Tunya
(Victoria Falls) National

Park due to trapping

PHOTO SASCHA DÜKER WPT

conservation New Zealand Parrot Trust
AUTHOR LUIS ORTIZ-CATEDRAL PhD
HELPING TO SAVE THE
SOUTH PACIFIC’S RAREST PARROTS

THE SOUTH PACIFIC REGION INCLUDES the idea grew to form the New Zealand Parrot Trust, with
numerous archipelagos and island nations that a focus on parrots of the South Pacific.
hold a vast diversity of parrots living in habitats
The Trust was founded by a group of individuals with a

from subantarctic to subtropical. Some of these parrot common interest in conserving parrots—Joe and Shelley

species are among the most endangered worldwide, Davenport, Steve Milpacher, Luis Ortiz-Catedral and

largely due to the high vulnerability of island birds to James Gilardi. Formally established in 2018, it aims to

introduced predators and competitors. ‘promote New Zealand-developed parrot conservation

Because many of the parrot species in the South Pacific strategies and assist with advancing the implementation

share similar threats, management actions that can assist of those strategies to other threatened parrot species in

the recovery of any given species on an island can often be the South Pacific region’. Since its formation, the Trust has

fine-tuned to assist another species on a different island. supported four flagship ongoing conservation projects

This approach has been successfully applied in the past but focusing on the Kakapo Strigops habroptilus, Kea Nestor

not to its full potential. While there is ongoing sharing of notabilis, Orange-fronted Parakeet Cyanoramphus malherbi

expertise between nations in the South Pacific, sometimes and Tasman Parakeet Cyanoramphus cookii (aka Norfolk

it can be difficult to find seed funding for projects. Thus, Island Green or Norfolk Island Red-crowned Parakeet).

UNDERSTANDING THE KAKAPO

Kakapo

(Working with the NZ Department of Conservation)

Kakapos are nocturnal, flightless and lek-breeding, making

them a truly unique species. (Lek-breeding is when males

aggregate at a specific site to display in competitive effort

to attract females over a wide distance. In this species, this

is a loud, deep booming resonance repeated over days/

months. After female selection and provision of sperm the

female alone continues parental duties.)

Kakapos are intensely managed, and as their numbers

increase more information is needed about their habitat

requirements to release them in the right numbers to

offshore managed areas.

The New Zealand Parrot Trust assisted the Department

of Conservation with the purchase of GPS units to

register geographic and movement data of a number

of Kakapo. With the information gathered it will be

possible to fine-tune our understanding of the habitat

Luis requirements of males, females and juveniles, and better Kakapo

plan future releases. PHOTO NZDOC

Species Facts discovered on Stewart Island. Intensive conservation efforts
IUCN/CITES listing: Critically Endangered/Appendix I have brought numbers back up to over 200. Current
Wild population: 204 (April 2021) threats to the Kakapo population include low reproductive/
Range: Anchor, Chalky, Little Barrier and fertility rate, introduced predators and disease.
Codfish Islands/New Zealand
Behaviour & Diet
History & Threats The Kakapo is a nocturnal ground-dweller of forest
The Kakapo Strigops habroptilus was once seen throughout substrate and low scrubland from sea level to 1200m
most of the North, South and Stewart Islands of New (3938 ft). They feed on leaf buds, roots, fruits, fern leaves,
Zealand. Its population severely declined and by 1976 mosses, fungi and seeds. Wild birds also supplement their
had been reduced to 18 male birds in Fiordland. In 1977 diet with dried Rimu fruits, green walnuts, pine conelets
a rapidly diminishing population of about 150 birds was and a concentrated commercial pellet.

530 • BIRDKEEPER.COM.AU VOL 34 • ISSUE 9 • JUN-JUL 2021

DETECTING LEAD IN WILD KEA History & Threats Kea
(Working with the Kea Conservation Trust) Kea are threatened by predation from
Kea Nestor notabilis are among the most intelligent introduced mammals such as stoats, feral cats PHOTO JADE WELCH
and inquisitive birds in the world. Unfortunately, their and brush-tailed possums. Other species and
exploratory behaviour puts them at risk of ingesting lead pastoral farming practices may be depleting
and other metals from human structures, sometimes with food sources. Recent data indicates that Kea
lethal consequences. Rapid diagnosis of lead ingestion is have undergone substantial recent population
crucial to provide treatment and rehabilitate affected Kea. declines—surveys in Nelson Lakes National Park
in 2011 showed an 80% drop over 13 years.
The New Zealand Parrot Trust provided support to
purchase lead detection kits to test over 100 wild Kea. Behaviour & Diet
With analyses underway, affected Kea will soon be Kea are confined to native forests in steep side
rehabilitated into the wild. valleys from 600–3000m (1968–9840ft) and are
also found around human settlements. They
Species Facts feed on Podocarpus fruits, seeds, nectar and
IUCN Red List/CITES listing: Endangered/Appendix II insect larvae. Birds are active in early morning
Wild population: 6000 and late afternoon and engage in noisy pre-
Range: Mountainous areas of South Island from roosting acrobatics in the evening. Groups of
Fiordland north to Nelson and Marlborough Provinces, inquisitive males will forage around campsites
New Zealand. and car parks.

TASMAN PARAKEET CONSERVATION

ON NORFOLK ISLAND History & Threats

(Working with Massey University, NZ) The Tasman Parakeet Cyanoramphus cookii (or

The Tasman Parakeet is a close relative of the New Zealand C. novaezelandiae cookii, according to some) is

Kakariki, a popular cage bird around the world. The world’s endemic to Norfolk Island. Once found over the

only population of Tasman Parakeets is restricted to an entire island, these parakeets are now scattered

intensely managed forest remnant on Norfolk Island. in remnant forest patches in Norfolk Island

The New Zealand Parrot Trust has supported ongoing National Park.

research on the habitat use and nest productivity of the By 1994 the population of approximately

species to assist staff from the Norfolk Island National 190 pairs had dwindled to only four breeding

Park in developing a translocation strategy to a predator- females and about 30 males. After a round of

free site for this species. Their support helps map the concentrated actions, the population grew to

location of active nests and target restoration and invasive nearly 300 birds, but declined, increased and

species control required. then declined again.

Staff from the Norfolk Island National Park have worked Threats to their population have included past

relentlessly to protect Tasman Parakeets from introduced clearance of forests, non-native plant invasion,

predators and, as a result, the population is now stable, loss of nest sites to other birds and honeybees,

and releases to new areas are being planned. nest failures from invasive predators, and

breeding issues. Tasman Parakeet feeding on
a peach seed
Species Facts:
PHOTO LUIS ORTIZ-CATEDRAL
IUCN/CITES Status: Near Threatened/Appendix I Behaviour & Diet

(as a subspecies of Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) The Tasman Parakeet is confined to the Norfolk Island

Wild population: 350–400 National Park and adjacent forested areas and orchards,

Range: Norfolk Island (Australia) taking a variety of fruits, shoots, blossoms and shrub

seeds. They also feed on introduced olives Olea africana.

NEST PRODUCTIVITY OF

ORANGE-FRONTED PARAKEETS History & Threats

(Working with Massey University) The Orange-fronted Parakeet has a complex taxonomic

The Orange-fronted Cyanoramphus malherbi Parakeet (aka history. For many years it was considered a colour

Kakariki) is the smallest member of this genus, only slightly morph of the more widespread Yellow-crowned Parakeet

larger than a Budgerigar. Formerly widespread, the species Cyanoramphus auriceps but molecular and behavioural

now exists in a few forested valleys in the South Island, studies have established its status as a separate species.

and four offshore islands. Sadly, by the time the taxonomic debate had been

The New Zealand Parrot Trust has supported research resolved, their numbers had decreased to alarming levels.

on determining the best monitoring technique for the Since 2005 the species has been bred in captivity at the

species on offshore islands and, in collaboration with the Isaac Conservation & Wildlife Trust near Christchurch.

Auckland Zoo, is establishing the most critical stages of Captive-bred chicks are released onto offshore islands

the nesting cycle to help boost the number of chicks as well as within the mainland range of the species. Like

produced per female. many other Cyanoramphus parakeets, this species is highly

vulnerable to introduced predators like rats and stoats.

Species Facts:

IUCN/CITES Status: Critically Endangered/Appendix I Behaviour & Diet

Wild population: 200–400 Orange-fronted Parakeets nest in tree hollows and

Range: Arthur’s Pass National Park, Lake Sumner Forest cavities, and can lay clutches of up to eight eggs. They

Park, as well as four offshore islands, Blumine, Chalky, feed on flowers, leaves, fruits and seeds of a large variety

Mayor and Maud Islands. of plants, as well as honeydew from scale insects and Orange-fronted Parakeet

invertebrates. PHOTO JADE WELCH

VOL 34 • ISSUE 9 • JUN-JUL 2021 BIRDKEEPER.COM.AU • 531

conservation Adult Yellow-headed Parrot
in a coastal savannah shrub
AUTHOR DR DAVID WAUGH PHOTOS BELIZE BIRD CONSERVANCY

YELLOW-HEADED PARROTS

Choose Tall Trees and Nest Boxes

David ‘OH WOW! JUST LOOK AT THAT!’ POPULATION DECLINE
The exclamation of dismay emanated from The Yellow-headed Parrot is an endangered species
the researchers as they huddled over the found in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. It has

gruesome camera-trap image. It showed a Belizean undergone a dramatic population decline throughout its

Yellow-headed Parrot chick Amazona oratrix belizensis geographical distribution, with an estimated reduction

being dragged out of its nest cavity by a Tayra Eira of up to 79% from its original size. The densities of this

barbara, a robust, agile and ferocious predator. The Tayra species in Belize may be the highest found throughout its

is a cousin to stoats and martens, and widely distributed distribution. However, where it used to be widespread in

in South and Central America. The camera-trap footage Belize’s coastal region, habitat damage and illegal pet trade

had solved the disappearance of the chick, but Tayras have now largely confined the species to pine-oak forests

are natural predators, and the least of the Yellow-headed of the coastal plains in central and north-west areas.

Parrot’s problems. Annual illegal fires are a serious threat to the pine savannas

in the southern coastal area and have reduced the presence

of natural cavities in dead pines, although large roosts of

Yellow-headed Parrots apparently persist. By contrast,

some areas in northern Belize have extensive occurrence

of possibly suitable natural nest cavities in Caribbean Pines

resulting from hurricane-related disturbance.

To help combat the threats and stimulate the recovery

of the Yellow-headed Parrot, a research and conservation

project is underway by the Loro Parque Fundación,

supported by US$116,730 since it started in 2016. Expert

field biologist Charles Britt initiated the work with his

Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team, in a strong collaborative

effort with the Belize Bird Conservancy, Belize Forest

Department, Toledo Institute for Development and

Environment and the Environmental Research Institute.

The Bat Falcon is The preferred nest site is MONITORING
a nest predator located in tall pine trees The project involves monitoring of the Yellow-headed
providing good visibility Parrot population by means of regular census, finding,
monitoring and protection of nests in the February–June
breeding season, evaluation of nesting success, vigilance
against nest-poaching and burning of habitat, and return to
the wild of individual birds under human care.

532 • BIRDKEEPER.COM.AU VOL 34 • ISSUE 9 • JUN-JUL 2021

An additional element of the project has been to

install nest boxes in suitable habitat. The first artificial

nests were quickly occupied by pairs of Yellow-headed

Parrots, suggesting there had been a lack of suitable

natural cavities. This result stimulated a more concerted

effort to provide nest boxes, and the success of these

and natural nests has recently been reported by

research biologist Fabio Tarazona-Tubens. Fabio’s work

was essentially to identify natural and human causes

of nest failure, and to use the information to inform Yellow-headed Parrot
adult at artificial nest
conservation actions to increase recruitment of young box entrance

parrots into the existing population. Yellow-headed Parrots
frequently lay a clutch of
He monitored 124 nests of Yellow-headed Parrots three eggs

(97.6% in Caribbean Pines) between six study sites during 533VOL 34 • ISSUE 9 • JUN-JUL 2021 BIRDKEEPER.COM.AU •

the 2017 and 2018 nesting seasons. Of these, 78 were in

natural cavities in live trees, 38 in nest boxes and eight in

dead trees. From this total, the average clutch size was

2.57 and average number of fledglings per successful nest

was 1.87.

The main cause of nest failure was nest depredation

(50%), followed by nest abandonment (27%) and

poaching (20%). The few remaining nests failed either

due to structural failure of the cavity or flooding. In

addition to Tayra, other predators identified by cameras

at the nest included an unidentified rodent, three bird

species, an iguana and a snake. One of the bird species

was the Bat Falcon Falco rufigularis, which could also

count as a nest competitor and perhaps precipitate

nest desertion.

Although most observed cases of abandonment

occurred during the incubation stage of the 88-day

nesting period, two nests were deserted during the early

nestling stage. Predation and abandonment events were

documented earlier in the nesting season, while nest-

poaching events occurred later. (60.7 days was the average

age of chicks for poached nests.) Time of the nesting Examination of Yellow-
season affected incidence of nest-poaching, but it was also headed Parrot chick

influenced by human-related features such as distance to

nearest settlement and distance to road.

NEST BOX SELECTION Yellow-headed Parrot
pair at nest
Fabio investigated the Amazon Parrots’ use of two
forms of vertical nest box—one of the typical
installations standing proud from the tree trunk, the
other inserted into a recess cut into the trunk. He also
examined the selection requirements of the parrots
in relation to vegetation cover around the nest site
and characteristics of the nest tree. He studied 60
nest boxes for this part of the research, of which 60%
were used by four species of Amazon Parrots—White-
fronted Amazons Amazona albifrons and Yellow-headed
Parrots accounting for most use.

Increasing height of the nest tree had a strong positive
effect on nest selection, and areas with less vegetation
cover and greater visibility from the nest were also
preferred (although without such a strong effect). Yellow-
headed Parrots selected nest boxes in taller trees, closer
to previously successful nests, and it is clear that these
trees should be protected from poachers and fire.

This work highlights the success of nest boxes and
their potential broader use as a conservation tool. The
results can also be used to establish ways to reduce
depredation rates and to anticipate which nests are
most vulnerable to poaching, based on their location
and stage of nest development.

REFERENCE

Tarazona-Tubens, FL 2020, Nest survival of Yellow-headed
Parrots and selection of nest boxes by Amazon parrots
in Belize. Master of Science thesis, New Mexico State
University Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA.

bird talk PAUL MANDER
AUTHOR MELISSA MAYKIN
Magpie Whisperer

Paul Mander's own magpie
Swoop plays the baby magpie
in the movie Penguin Bloom

PHOTO MELISSA MAYKIN

IF YOU HAVE SEEN THE 2019 VERSION OF
Storm Boy and 2020’s Penguin Bloom, then you have
seen Paul Mander's birds at work. The English-born
trainer came to Australia 22 years ago for a holiday, and

before long he was setting up some of the country's first

Melissa authentic bird shows.

Paul recalls a Blue and ‘We have birds that will come out of the clouds and soar
Gold Macaw from free-
flight—it lands and places on thermals. We specialise in displaying birds in a natural
its wings around its trainer
way, so people appreciate them for what they are,’ Paul said.
PHOTO PETER ODEKERKEN
He trained all eight magpies in the Australian drama
534 • BIRDKEEPER.COM.AU
Penguin Bloom, starring Naomi Watts and Andrew Lincoln,

which shot to the top spot at the box office in its first

week, raking in over $1 million in ticket sales.

Penguin Bloom is a true story about Sydney mother Sam

Bloom, who finds hope through caring for an injured magpie

named Penguin after a balcony fall leaves her with paraplegia.

‘Having the magpie as a new family member, as a

baby; they all raised it and went through this amazing

experience of healing and development through that time,’

Paul said. ‘We had to have a baby, which is Swoop. We

had to have the juveniles, three of them which were flying

and learning to fly, and we had our adult birds as well that

played Penguin when he was a two-year-old.’

Paul said the movie was a great opportunity to display

magpies in a different way and show their funny side. PHOTO MELISSA MAYKIN
‘They are quite comical really. They're very playful and

very smart, so it was an opportunity to display all of those

behaviours rather than just the swooping and attacking.’ retention, so when we are teaching them new behaviours,

Being innately curious species, the magpies responded they retain that information, and we can pick up on that

well to signals when their behaviour was rewarded with in the next training session,’ Paul said. While computer-

mealworms. ‘They tend to be very inquisitive and involved generated imagery is a common feature of modern

in anything you're doing, and when you reward them for filmmaking, Paul said training birds was easier and cheaper.

that, they learn very fast,’ Paul said. When he is not training birds for film and television, Paul

Paul has always had a special affinity with birds—his works with theme parks and wildlife sanctuaries as well as

father and family friends were keen falconers—and he schools …. and, more unexpectedly, his birds help out on

now shares his Gold Coast property with about 65 marriage proposals.

parrots, macaws, owls, eagles, falcons and, of course, the

magpie named Swoop. Acknowledgement

‘Some of the other birds we used were rehabilitation This article ran in original form for ABC News. Thanks

birds that had come into captivity and were unable to be to ABC Gold Coast features reporter Melissa Maykin

released into the wild,’ Paul said. He said Magpies got a bad for permission to use sections of her article, which can

rap in Australia because of their tendency to swoop during be seen in full at www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-05/

breeding season, but they were misunderstood. ‘They're bird-trainer-paul-mander-behind-penguin-bloom-

very intelligent, but they also have very good memory movie/13122094.

VOL 34 • ISSUE 9 • JUN-JUL 2021

From left: Andrew Brincat (proprietor AUTHOR PAUL HENRY PHOTOS CON TSINTARAKIS
Andrew’s Bird and Pet Palace, Bruce
Ryan (in charge of parrot section of the bird talk
show) Con Tsintarakis (president ASNSW),
Murray Wilson (general manager Easter
Show) and Debbie Brincat (vice president
ASNSW). The photographer Ivan Cindric is
Treasurer of the ASNSW and vice president
of the Finch Society of Australia (FSA).
All executives of the ASNSW are also
members of the FSA

PHOTO IVAN CINDRIC

PROMOTING AVICULTURE
at the Royal Easter Show

The aviary displays and
Bird Show organised by the
Avicultural Society of NSW
and The Finch Society of
Australia at this year’s Royal
Sydney Easter Show

PROMOTING AVICULTURE AND This display was possible thanks to the support of Col Paul
connecting with the general public to show the Western Sheds who supplied and installed the aviaries.
many positives of our hobby was the aim of our The aviaries had electric lighting to show the birds at
bird display again this year in the Pet Pavilion at the Sydney their best. Two ASNSW members, Con Tsintarakis
Royal Easter Show. and Andrew Brincat (of Andrew’s Bird and Pet Palace),
supplied all the birds.
Birds were provided by the Avicultural Society of
NSW (ASNSW) in conjunction with The Finch Society A variety of sponsors provided brochures/flyers on their
of Australia (FSA) for the display at the Homebush Bay products and services. These were displayed on the tables
showgrounds from 2–16 April. A range of readily available bordering the aviaries and readily collected by passers-by
and cheap bird species suitable for novice breeders was before reaching the aviaries.
chosen, remembering the exercise was to encourage
young people to become involved in bird keeping. The Conservation Trust of the ASNSW also had nest
boxes available for purchase. This generated a lot of
The birds were displayed in a beautiful aviary measuring interest from people more interested in bird conservation
9.2m x 3.2m x 2.3m high and divided into two sections. than keeping birds. Both the FSA and the ASNSW
One section held Budgerigars of numerous colours, and supplied copies of their magazines to those who showed
the second section held a mixture of finches, doves and an interest in becoming active in aviculture.
Neophema parrots.

THE POPULAR UNITED BIRD SOCIETIES UBSSA SEMINAR 2021
of South Australia (UBSSA) annual seminars are
back for 2021 after cancellation of the 2020 2021 SPEAKERS & TOPICS
event. These well-attended functions are noted for the
quality of presenters on a day of great fellowship. Ash Herrod—Victoria Orange-bellied Parrot
Conservation Program. Ash is Moonlit Sanctuary’s Avian
Seminar 2021 will be held on Sunday, 25 July at Sfera’s Threatened Species Program co-ordinator.
Convention Centre, in the Adelaide suburb of Modbury. Vic Lindsay—Breeding Softbills and Others.
A low registration fee of $40 ($30 for UBSSA supporters) Karleah Berris—Kangaroo Island Glossy Black Cockatoo
provides lectures, lunch, morning and afternoon tea. Conservation Project. Karleah is from Natural Resources
The usual Night on the Perch Dinner will be held on Kangaroo Island.
Saturday night before the conference at the seminar Hayden Dix—Breeding Birds in Western Australia.
venue. Bookings are essential and payment extra to the David Pace—Aviculture in the 2020s: Challenges and
conference inclusions. Perceptions.

The major sponsor of this year’s seminar is the Bookings for convention registration and the dinner can
Department of Environment and Water which illustrates be made with Brian Reichelt on 0418 896 995.
the functional operating relationship now developed
between the department and UBSSA.

535VOL 34 • ISSUE 9 • JUN-JUL 2021 BIRDKEEPER.COM.AU •

Perky Parrots classifieds
Gold Coast
NEXT CLASSIFIED DEADLINE—3PM 23 JULY 2021

MAKE SALES BY ADVERTISING IN AUSTRALIA’S HIGHEST CIRCULATING BIRD MAGAZINE
EMAIL: [email protected]

RROT PATCH AVIARIE AMAZONS

PA S

Available Now Various Ages in LILAC-CROWNED
HANDREARED MACAWS
GREEN-WINGED MACAWS Illiger’s One Female x 1 year-old
BLUE AND GOLD MACAWS Severe’s
HAHN’S MACAWS DOUBLE YELLOW-HEAD
All Large Macaws Yellow-collared
are Harness-trained, AMAZONS Four Males—2 x 1-year and
Vet-checked & 1 x 2-year & 1 x 3-year old
Microchipped Lilac-crowned One Female x 1 year-old
AMAZONS Red-lored
DOUBLE YELLOW-HEADED PHONE 0414 408 419
YELLOW-CROWNED Double Yellow-headed
18mth unrelated pair Orange-winged
BLUE-FRONTED
18mth unrelated pair SENEGAL PARROTS
FIERY-SHOULDERED
Specialising in Well-socialised
Parrots for Pet or Breeding Stock CONURES
All Parent Raised
Contact Mark on
0400 401 141 Phone: Darryl 0438 009 189

[email protected]

www.perkyparrots.com

ROSEWOOD BIRD GARDENS MACAWS PVC NESTBOXES
& BREEDING FARM
Orders Taken WHY IS PVC BETTER THAN WOOD?
Specialising in BLACK Macaw Babies in
COCKATOO species • PVC Prevents Rotting and Disease
& subspecies Scarlet & Green-winged • Smooth Surface Makes Cleaning Easy
LORIKEETS & other Hand reared and Parent reared
• Long Lasting Design
AUSTRALIAN NATIVES Also Available • Attractive Circular Design similar
Handreared Birds Available
2 year old males in to Wooden Log
Phone Barry 0413 050 553 Scarlets, Green-winged & Catalinas Variety of Sizes, Colours and Designs Available

Email [email protected] Phone Tom 0414 865 495 Phone John on 0411 209 748
Web www.rosewoodbirds.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Quality HARBOURVIEW AVIARIES www.pvcnestboxes.com.au
Nutrition
Specialising in Indian Ringnecks SWAP
for OPALINE WHITEHEAD WHITETAIL
Healthy Quality Parent Raised
OPALINE BUTTERCUP CRIMSON-BELLIED &
Birds CINNAMON WHITEHEAD WHITETAIL ROSE-CROWNED CONURES

www.wombaroo.com.au The Above Available Phone Peter 0428 506 060
ph: (08) 8391 1713 in all Colours and Splits

Phone Joe 0414 752 039

536 • BIRDKEEPER.COM.AU VOL 34 • ISSUE 9 • JUN-JUL 2021

THE BEST EXOTIC LORIES Cinnamon Scarlet-chested ROBBY
Parrots and Combinations BIRDS
Black, Yellow-bibbed, Cardinal, Phone Murray 0402 276 082
Ornate, Violet-necked Plus more… Breeders of
GANG GANGS
Lory Breeders Since 1974 RED-TAILED BLACK
Phone 0419 646 861 COCKATOOS
NORTHERN ROSELLAS
NICARAGUAN
SCARLET MACAWS
Freight Aust Wide
Phone (08) 9535 3983
(Mandurah, WA)

Your Trusted Booking Agent DELAND AVIARIES BIRD SALES

Specialise in Birds, Reptiles, Fish, Frogs etc. MUTATION QUAKERS KEMPSEY MACLEAY BIRD CLUB Inc.
We Move ALL Animals Opaline, Pallid, Cobalt,
Mauve, Lutino & Albino Sunday, 4th July 2021
Freighting Australia-Wide MUTATION TWENTY-EIGHT PARROTS
Yellow & split unrelated pairs Kempsey Showground, Sea Street, Kempsey
24-hour (Business Hours) Notice Required to ENTRY FEE: $1.00 per bird
Phone Dean 0434 021 921 TRADE TABLES: $25
Process Booking Request and Payment
Phone 0405 738 968 COCKATOOS—Aviary bred and parent reared (Please bring your own outdoor coverings)
Carnaby’s White-tailed Black Red-tailed Black NSW Code of Practice will apply to all and be a member
Email [email protected] C. b. samueli Major Mitchell’s
Phone Colin (WA) 0417 937 370 of an Affiliated Bird Club to sell birds or products.
Online Quotes & Bookings COVID-19 Restrictions will apply to all –
RED-TAILED BLACK COCKATOOS— 1.5m Distancing rule, Sanitise upon entry,
feathersandscalesfreight.com.au/booking-request/ Three-year-old C. b. banksia and one-year-old
C. b. macrorynchus females. BLACK-HEADED Contactless QR Code sign in or Computer entry.
CAIQUES—parent reared young. Phone Ken BENCHING: Saturday 4pm – 6pm
0490 037 799 Sunday 7am – 10am
Open to public from 10am to 1pm
PROMOTE YOUR $2.00 entry fee per person
BIRD SALES & CONVENTIONS
Food and drinks available from the Canteen
IN THIS SPACE Raffles Drawn at 12 Noon

Contact Sheryll on [email protected] with your details CONTACT: Peter O’Dell 0429 923 541
for more information

UBSSA 2021 SEMINAR

Sunday, 25th July 2021

Sfera’s Convention Centre
191 Reservoir Rd, Modbury SA

Speakers and Proceedings
see page 535

Enquiries and Bookings
Contact Brian Reichelt

on 0418 896 995

Twenty-eight Parrot Blue

SINGIL PRESS BOOK SPECIALmutations in the collection

of Rodney Stevens—Opaline
(left) and Khaki Blue

$30 For Full Details see www.birdkeeper.com.au
Email: [email protected]
each + $15 post
within Australia 537VOL 34 • ISSUE 9 • JUN-JUL 2021 BIRDKEEPER.COM.AU •

This is a saving of $20 to $40
(prices have varied over the series previously).

AVICULTURAL ORGANISATIONS

AFRICAN LOVEBIRD SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA INC ASSOCIATED QLD FINCH SOCIETY INC.
meets on 3rd Wednesday bi-monthly, February to December at BIRDKEEPERS OF
Thompson Hall Activity Room, Baulkham Heights Estate, 92 Seven Hills AUSTRALIA INC Receive “Finch News” the monthly colour
road, Baulkham Hills. We have a quality bi-monthly magazine. Meetings glossy magazine dedicated to finches.
are friendly and informative, commencing at 8pm. Phone Colin Isbister UNITY IS STRENGTH
on (02) 9674 4256 At the same time joining the most progressive
Your Watchdog club in Aviculture and reap the benefits.
AVICULTURAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA INC Protecting our Hobby Australia A$45
meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the Geilston Bay Boat Club, Public Liability Insurance Overseas (PDF only) A$45
DeBomford Lane, Geilston Bay. New members and visitors welcome. Send Subscription to:
Enquiries PO Box 714 Moonah TAS 7009. Phone 0408 720 130 available to CLUBS The Membership Registrar,
www.asst.org.au
For Membership Details PO Box 1074, Park Ridge, Qld, 4125, Australia
BUNDABERG BIRD BREEDERS CLUB INC. Phone Craig Jeffery Ph: 07 3802 1511
PO Box 5471, West Bundaberg Qld 4670. Meetings are every 3rd
Tuesday of the month, at Family Centre, Old Bundaberg Showgrounds, Phone/Fax (02) 4464 3229 or THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY OF SOUTH
Bundaberg at 7.30pm. New members and visitors most welcome. 0457 591 118 AUSTRALIA INC Founded 1928
Enquiries Phone Kim Chapman 07 4126 1495
Visit the ABA’s website BIRD KEEPING IN AUSTRALIA
DOWNS BIRD BREEDERS ASSOCIATION INC www.birdkeepers.com.au the monthly full-colour magazine features articles on all
Meets second Friday of each month at 7.30pm. Venue—Win Building,
Toowoomba Showground, Glenvale Road, Toowoomba, QLD. AVICULTURAL SOCIETY aspects of aviculture. Sample copies available
Phone Richie Waters 0424 488 132 Secretary Downs Bird OF AUSTRALIA INC. Monthly meetings held at The Freemasons’ Centre,
Breeders Association Regency Road, Broadview, at 8:00pm on the second
The monthly journal Australian Aviculture features original Tuesday of the month. Also two country branches
GOLD COAST AVIARY BIRD ASSOCIATION INC. PO Box 7003, articles about Australian birds and related topics.
Gold Coast Mail Centre, Bundall QLD 4217. Meeting third Friday For further details contact the Secretary,
of each month. Mudgeeraba Show Grounds 7.30pm. Meetings held at 8pm, fourth Wednesday every month, P.O. Box 485, North Adelaide, South Australia, 5006.
Lynne Bodman 0407 700 195 Email [email protected] The Pines Learning Centre, 520 Blackburn Rd,
www.goldcoastaviarybird.org.au Doncaster East VIC 3109 Melway ref 34 D5 Ph (08) 8337 7134 or
email [email protected]
ILLAWARRA PARROT CLUB INC. meets every 4th Monday of the Subscription – Australia – $45 with Journal,
month at Dapto Ribbonwood Centre (behind McDonald’s) at 7pm. $25 Non-Journal – Overseas $75 www.birdkeepinginaustralia.com
Club contact number is 0455 613 457 or
[email protected] and website Stephanie Gough 52 One Tree Hill Rd, Ferny Creek, VIC 3786 THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY
www.illawarraparrotclub.org.au Email [email protected] OF NEW ZEALAND (INC)
Website www.birdclub.org.au
President: Dave Creed Ph +64 3 9428989
MACARTHUR AVIARY BIRD CLUB Vice President: Luke Greenfield
Meet First Tuesday of the month 7.30pm. Catholic Church Hall [email protected]
58 Edgar St. Macquarie Fields. NSW 2564 AGM once a year
Visitors always welcome More info 0413 526 307
Bi-monthly magazine and weekly email trading
MORNINGTON PENINSULA AVICULTURAL SOCIETY INC. service for members
PO Box 4210 Frankston Heights LPO Vic 3199. Meets on every
3rd Monday of the month at 8pm at Baptist Church Hall, Craigie Rd, Overseas members welcome
Mt Martha. Visitors always welcome. Excellent guest speakers. For membership details email the Secretary,
More details contact David 0428 518 646 www.mpas.webs.com Amber Greenfield on [email protected]

ORANGE BIRD SOCIETY meets every 3rd Wednesday of each month www.facebook.com/aviculture
(excluding December) in Senior Citizens Centre 77 Kite Street.
Secretary Gisela Deasey Phone (02) 6368 7319 or Fax (02) 6368 7294 PARROT BREEDERS & EXHIBITORS SOCIETY OF NSW INC.
PO Box 87, Casula Mall, NSW 2170. Hon. Sec. Mark Gallagher
Phone 0459 251 182

PARROT SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND. High quality magazine
including colour. Enquiries to PO Box 79202, Royal Heights, Auckland,
New Zealand. Rates: NZ$45.00, Australia $55.00, Rest of World
$85.00. www.parrot.co.nz

THE AUSTRALIAN BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY INC.
Meetings held on the third Thursday evening of each month at the
Eagleby Community Hall, 4 Cowper Avenue, Eagleby QLD 4207. Show
Table with up to 82 budgies benched, Mini Workshop, Guest Speakers,
Events discussed, FREE supper provided by Café ABS, super raffles.
www.absbudgieclub.org.au/

AVIAN VETERINARIANS

NEW SOUTH WALES QUEENSLAND VICTORIA

Dr M. Cannon BVSc MACVSc (Avian Health) Dr Bob Doneley BVSc FACVc (Avian Medicine) CMAVA Dr Pat Macwhirter BVSc (Hons) PhD FAZCVS
Dr Kym Fryer BSc BVSc MANZCVSc (Avian Health) Registered Specialist in Bird Medicine Veterinary Medical Centre, Dr Matthew Gosbell BVSc MANZCVS (Avian Health)
Cannon & Ball Veterinary Hospital, 461 Crown Street, West Wollongong, School of Veterinary Science University of Queensland, Gatton Melbourne Bird Veterinary Clinic 1 George St (corner Stud Rd), Scoresby,
NSW 2500, Phone (02) 4229 8888 QLD 4343, Phone (07) 5460 1788 VIC, 3179, Phone (03) 9764 9000 www.melbournebirdvet.com

Canley Heights Veterinary Clinic, Shop 6, Harden Street and Avoca Dr A. Gallagher BVSc (Hons) MACVSc (Avian Health) Dr. Susan Bibby BVSc (Hons), BAnSc, MANZCVS (Avian Health)
Road, Canley Heights, NSW 2166 Phone (02) 9604 9792, 9604 9300 Brisbane Bird Vet 248 Hamilton Road, Chermside, QLD 4032. myvet Strathfieldsaye, 942 Wellington Street Strathfieldsaye VIC 3551
Phone (07) 3359 2233 www.brisbanebirdvet.com.au Phone (03) 5439 5066 clinic@myvetstrathfieldsaye.com.au
Dr R. Marshall BVSc MACVSc (Avian Health) Carlingford Animal [email protected] www.myvetstrathfieldsaye.com.au
Hospital, 772 Pennant Hills Road, Carlingford, NSW 2118.
Phone (02) 9871 7113 Dr Peter Wilson BVSC MACVSc (Wildlife) SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Currumbin Valley Bird, Reptile and Exotic Veterinary Services
Avian Reptile and Exotic Pet Hospital, University of Sydney 1596 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Valley, Dr Anne Fowler BSc (Vet) (Hons), BVSc MANZCVS
415 Werombi Road, Camden NSW 2570, Phone (02) 9351 1798 Gold Coast, QLD 4223 Phone (07) 5533 0381 (Avian Health, Wildlife Health, Unusual Pet Medicine)
Adelaide Bird and Exotics Vet Centre, 129 Richmond Road, Richmond
Dr Mathew Grabovszky BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Avian Health) Dr Deborah Monks BVSc (Hons) SA 5033 Phone (08) 8443 4838 Fax (08) 8443 4758
Pacific VetCare Coffs Harbour 320 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour CertZooMed DipECAMS FACVSc (Avian Health) [email protected] www.abevc.com.au
NSW 2450. Phone (02) 6652 3455 www.pacificvetcare.com.au Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Service
diagnosis@pacificvetcare.com.au 191 Cornwall Street (Corner of Earl Street), Greenslopes, QLD, 4120 ACT
Phone (07) 3217 3533 www.bbevs.com.au
Dr Kathy Fearnside BVSc (Hons) MANZCVSc (Avian Health) Inner South Veterinary Centre
Hills District Veterinary Hospital Unit 1, 276 New Line Road, Dr Stacey Gelis BSc BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Avian Health) 47 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah, ACT 2604
Dural NSW 2158 (02) 9653 9992 Lamington Terrace Veterinary Surgery Phone (02) 6295 0770 www.innersouthvets.com.au
18 Lamington Terrace Nambour QLD 4560
Dr Melinda Cowan BVSc (Hons) FANZCVS (Avian Medicine) Phone (07) 5441 3333 [email protected] WESTERN AUSTRALIA
MANZCVS (Unusual Pets)
Small Animal Specialist Hospital 1/1 Richardson Place, Dr Ray Butler BVSc MACVSc, Dr Ian McDowell BSc BVMs &
North Ryde NSW 2113 (02) 9889 0289 Dr Toni Cockburn BSc BVMs MANZCVS (Avian Health)
Avian & Pet Practitioner Risley Veterinary Clinic
Unit 13, 110 Holme Crt, Myaree WA 6154 Phone (08) 9329 9222

538 • BIRDKEEPER.COM.AU VOL 34 • ISSUE 9 • JUN-JUL 2021

OUT OF PRINT ABK A GUIDE TO BOOKS

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON AS DIGITAL VERSIONS

& AV I A R Y PARROTS, FINCHES, SOFTBILLS & MORE
VOL 34 ISSUE 8 • APR-MAY 2021
ON BIRDS, PET

THE BEST WORDS

ESTABLISHED 1987

BClouec-keayteodo BluAeM-frAoZntOeNd

The World’s Best Bird Magazine &FINCHESSOFTBILLS

AVAILABLE AT SELECTED PET SHOPS, PURPLE-LCORROIWKENEETDS
NEWSAGENTS AND BY SUBSCRIPTION
GaMlahustAa&YtMiAoLRnAoPvAeRbAKiErEdTSs
56 Colour Glossy Pages • Print and Digital Formats

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

Available at www.birdkeeper.com.au Available Online at
or Phone 07 5568 0011
www.pocketmags.com.au

Australia New Zealand Overseas 6 Issues $35
12 months $140 3 Issues $22
12 months $90 12 months $120 24 months $270 1 Issue $10
24 months $170 24 months $230

Email: [email protected] Phone: 07 5568 0011

Website: www.birdkeeper.com.au

June Sale 50% OFF*

Discount Code for Online Checkout 50% OFF*
Last Sets & Mugs as shown While Stocks Last*

Garden Friends Range
by Katherine Castle

All items $12.95* each

Marini Ferlazzo
Collection

Superb Fry-Wren

Cockatoo

Kookaburra King Parrot Gang Gang Galah

Quality Porcelain Plates & Cups $14.95* each Double Insulated Stainless Steel Drink Bottles $24.95* each

Keeps water COLD for 24 Hours & water HOT for 9 hours

Pete Cromer
& Collection

Quality Porcelain Mugs $9.95* each Double Insulated Stainless Steel Drink Bottles $24.95* each

*All Prices Plus Post

GREAT GIFT IDEAS

distribution Available from ABK Distribution www.birdkeeper.com.au or Phone 07 5568 0011