16 Bird Scene - February & March 2014

BIRD ISSUE SIXTEEN: FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014

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THE MAGAZINE FOR HOBBYIST BREEDERS AND CONSERVATIONISTS

PORT LINCOLN PARROTS FROM SOUTHERN AND ARID ZONES AND THE TWENTY EIGHT

THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION INFORMATION FOR THE 12TH OCTOBER 2014 SHOW

IS S 1S UE T 1 20 M 7 O 14 AY UT

ISTORY OF THE KNOWN HIT H CURRENT W RY THIS CANA NDARDS A EXHIBITION ST

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THE BORDER CANARY

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

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PARROT SOCIETY MAGAZINE: 33

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CONTENTS

BIRD SCENE: FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014

CONTENTS 06 06

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THE BORDER CANARY A highly interesting article on this popular canary kindly produced

by Colin Egner

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

CONSERVATION OF THE MAJOR MITCHELL’S COCKATOO (PART 2) A continuation of the article by our Chairman David Coombes on this beautiful cockatoo.

THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION The ‘run up’ to our meeting on Sunday 27th April at Coventry.

PORT LINCOLN A top quality article by Bob Philpot from Australia a leading breeder of these birds.

ON THE COVER

BIRD ISSUE SIXTEEN: FEBRUARY / MARCH 2014

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THE MAGAZINE FOR HOBBYIST BREEDERS AND CONSERVATIONISTS

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THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION INFORMATION FOR THE 12TH OCTOBER 2014 SHOW

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OF THE KNOWN HISTORY CURRENT THIS CANARY WITH RDS EXHIBITION STANDA

PORT LINCOLN PARROTS FROM SOUTHERN AND ARID ZONES AND THE TWENTY EIGHT

SU 1S E T 17 20 M O 14 AY UT

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IS

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THE BORDER CANARY FR

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THE MOSZKOWSKI’S KING The experiences of UK breeder Jim Hayward accompanied by excellent images from Tony Tilford.

BIRD SCENE: Issue Sixteen: February / March 2014 BIRD SCENE is run by The Parrot Society UK, 92A High Street, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 2BL, England. FOR SALES AND EDITORIAL ENQUIRES Telephone or Fax: 01442 872245 Website: www.theparrotsocietyuk.org E-Mail: les.rance@theparrotsocietyuk.org

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INTRODUCT

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

T

his is now the sixteenth edition of Bird Scene and I am really pleased with the progress that has been made with this ‘new’ e-magazine over the past two and a half years. For twelve years I have edited the Parrot Society magazine which has been very interesting but from its very nature is limited to parrot species excluding the Budgerigar. Bird Scene allows me to study and enjoy all the other species of birds that are kept within UK aviculture many of which are exhibited at The National Exhibition which will again be held at Stafford on Sunday 12th October 2014. In fact one of the major objectives of Bird Scene is to publicise The National Exhibition and the bird clubs who have joined with The Parrot Society to allow their members to exhibit birds in a large exhibition. I keep Cape Doves, Java Sparrows, Gouldian finches and Forbes Parrot-finches all of which have their own individual needs and challenges and give me great pleasure to maintain, my birds are not show standard but good aviary birds. There is no doubt that to breed a nest of healthy youngsters of any of these four species

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gives great satisfaction and all the time I am increasing my knowledge of my charges.

In this edition is an article from the International Border Breeders Association giving readers an insight into one of the great canary varieties kept and enjoyed by very many people in the UK. We are also continuing the excellent article on the conservation of the Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo that beautiful Australian bird that has been in need of support due to losses from Monitor Lizards and nest site competition from the Rosetae Cockatoo (Galah). These birds are such beautiful cockatoos but need our support so our tree tinning activities have greatly assisted their numbers in the area we operate.

I am also pleased to include another article on an Australian bird the popular Port Lincoln parakeet written

by Bob Philpot from his personal experiences of keeping this species.

There is no doubt that original work from experienced breeders is very well received by readers as there is always so much interesting information in

TION

BY THE EDITOR

LES RANCE

@theparrotsocietyuk.org Bob’s articles and his photography is excellent.

Another article is from a leading UK writer Jim Hayward and I would like to thank him for his work on the Moszkowski’s King Parrot, as you will see from the images a really top class bird, this is an item that is a ‘must’ to read and marvel at the images.

The words on the progress that is being made on the 2014 National Exhibition are down to me so really at this point there is very little that is worth adding, just enjoy this publication and rest assured that the 2014 event will be the best ever.

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T

he origin of the Border Fancy Canary is still left in doubt, although many articles and letters attempting to fix its ancestry have been published in the general and Fancy press. Previous to the year 1826 we have only circumstantial evidence to go by. Certainly we have proof that the domestic Canary existed in this country early in the eighteenth century, and was then known as the Canary Serin.

The former part of the name indicates its country of origin and the latter its true name, meaning Serin Finch. The original colour, we are told, was between green and grey. From the drawing of the Serin Finch we may see that our Wee Border still maintains its true outline and basic characteristics in general more than other variety of its progeny which appears on the show bench. We have therefore to thank the original breeders for much that is graceful and beautiful in the Border Canary. Nowhere in the early days of this century could you find keener fanciers than the shoemakers and weavers of the Border Counties of Scotland. Among them, the bird was bred in great numbers and what they did not know about the breed in general was not worth knowing. Each town or village had a distinct variety, some favoured clears, others the even marked variety, and a very few greens. Cinnamons at that time were very rare. The bird was known then as the Common Canary of Scotland. The bird is said to have been introduced into England by a shoemaker who took his birds with him from Langholm into Cumberland.

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ARTICLE BY COLIN EGNER

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THE BORDER CANARY

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About that time the variety began to spread from its stronghold throughout all the counties on both sides of the Border.

Its outstanding charm when exhibited at the local shows captivated all who saw it, but its chief supporters were still to be found around the Border Counties of Dumfries, Roxburgh and Selkirk.

From the year 1882 to 1890 (when the Border Fancy Canary Club was formed) a very long, keen and heated controversy took place in the Fancy Press of that time between the breeders of Scotland and England, The bird was exhibited in Scotland as the Common Canary and in England as the Cumberland Fancy, each country claiming to be its birthplace.

The late Mr J B Richardson of Dumfries, writing under the nom de plume of Veritas clearly proved the fact that it was bred in Scotland long before it was known in England.

Perhaps an account of the formation of the Border Fancy Canary Club may be instructive and interesting to readers and to any members who are not quite clear concerning its origin. On 23 June 1890 a circular was sent out by the late Mr Thomas Arnot, of Hawick, to all secretaries of shows asking them to elect

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a delegate to represent each district at the meeting to be held in Hawick on 5 July to decide on a suitable name for the variety and to discuss the desirability of forming a club to draw up a standard of points and further the interests of the breed.

A large number of delegates attended and appointed Mr Richardson chairman, After a friendly discussion a resolution was passed disapproving of the names Common Canary and Cumberland Fancy and declared that on and after that date the bird should be known as the Border Fancy Canary. A club was then formed and called the Border Fancy Canary Club, Mr J B Richardson was appointed president and Mr Thomas Arnot of Hawick, secretary, with a committee of six. Messrs Richardson and Arnot were largely responsible for the formation of the club and the drafting of the rules, and I can confidently say that without their enthusiastic leadership the Border Fancy Canary would never have reached the high state of perfection to which it has attained.

At a meeting in Langholm in 1891, held to select a model from the leading birds shown that season the two leading judges appointed were Mr Bell of Jedburgh and Mr Davidson of Dumfries.

The bird finally chosen was shown by Mr McMillan of Langholm. This model is one of the wonders of the Fancy and a portrayal of the bird was for some years contained in the rules as a guide for the aspirant to follow and attempt to equal.

The above is printed by the kind permission of the Border Fancy Canary Club, the founding club.

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The Modern Border

STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE The first two essentials of a Border Fancy Canary are type and quality.

The general appearance is that of a clean cut, compact, proportional, close

feathered canary, showing no tendency to heaviness, roughness or dullness, but giving the impression of fine quality and symmetry throughout.

Points Position & Carriage

Gay, jaunty, with full poise of the head standing at an ideal angle of 60 degrees.

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Body:

The profile when viewed to the side will have a well 15 filled and rounded body showing no heaviness with a curve to the chest and back in harmony running in a straight downward curve to the root of the tail.

Viewed from above the shoulders shall be in balance with the depth of body showing a nicely rounded bird from all angles. Splits in the chest feathering to be avoided.

Colour:

Rich, soft and pure, as level in tint as possible throughout, but extreme depth and hardness such as colour feeding gives are debarred. Any exhibit showing the effects of colour feeding will be disqualified.

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Head & Neck: Head, well rounded and neat when viewed from any

angle, beak fine, eyes clear and positioned to rest on

an imaginary line drawn as an extension to the line

between the upper and lower mandible of the beak,

very slightly forward of a central point of the head.

Neck in keeping with the head, showing a distinguishing

break between head and shoulder. The size of the head

should be in balance with the body. Cuts or openings in

the feathering between the head and the body should be avoided.

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Wings:

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Compact and carried close to the body, covering the back, with a full compliment of primary and secondary flight feathers meeting at the tips.

Outer flight tips to meet at the root of the tail.

Primaries and secondaries to be pointed.

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Plumage: Close, firm and fine in quality, presenting a smooth,

silken glossy appearance, free from browiness, frill or

roughness and cuts or splits in the chest and neck feathers.

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Health:

Condition and cleanliness shall be essential.

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Legs & Feet:

Must be of sufficient length and showing thigh all in harmony with the size of the bird allowing it to adopt a gay jaunty stance. Feet in keeping with the legs, both to be clean and without blemish.

Size:

The ideal length from the top of the head to the tip of the tail is five and three quarter inches ( or 14.61cm).

Length should be in proportion and balance with other features of the bird.

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Tail:

Close packed and narrow, being nicely rounded and well filled in at the root.

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Total: 100

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bird2pp.qxd

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Page 1

THE BORDER CONVENTION OF GREAT BRITAIN APPROVED 2005 PICTORIAL BORDER FANCY CANARY IDEAL MODEL

Copyright 2005 ' The Border Convention of Great Britain.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS ILLUSTRATION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT OWNER.

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Show Definitions

Clear Birds A clear bird shall be clear, but the presence of dark flue, which cannot be seen without unduly disturbing the bird, or the natural discolouration of legs and beak, shall be ignored.

Ticked Bird A ticked bird shall be one with one mark, coverable by a penny, on a body, or three dark feathers on wing or tail, side by side to form a solid mark. Any grizzle mark covered by one penny to be classed as Ticked.

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Foul Birds A foul bird is the opposite of a ticked bird. Light marks on dark feathers.

Variegated Birds Shall be those, which have other markings.

Variegated More light than dark.

Heavy Variegated More dark than light.

FEATURE ¾ dark must conform to the standard of excellence with regard to Type and Quality. Poor or bad colour should be penalised just as it is in other sections.

Greens The correct colour shall be rich, pure green and should be likened to the topside of a young holly leaf (buff green). Colour should be pure and level throughout, free from bronze, brown or olive tints. Pencilling to be finer but in harmony with that on the back. Beak, legs and feet to be dark, but failure in this respect does not lead to disqualification, but simply counts against the bird, according to the extent.

Cinnamons The correct colour to be a rich deep cinnamon throughout. The buff cinnamon to be a softer shade. Back and flank markings as with greens but of a brown shade and fainter. Greenish or light tints to be avoided.

Three Parts Dark To be 75% dark.

Self Bird A self bird shall be one having no light feathers visible. Light flue under region of vent shall not merit disqualification.

Light tips to otherwise dark feathers, wherever seen, shall be counted as light marks, so that a dark bird with such features is either foul, three parts dark or variegated according to the extent of such markings. The Self or Foul Border just as the clears, variegated and

Blue The correct colour to be as clear a shade of blue as possible in the yellow feathered bird. Of softer shade in the buff form. Other points as for the greens.

Fawn Colour of soft pinkish form. Otherwise as for cinnamons.

Notes When judging self birds or foul birds where type and quality are on a par or thereabouts every credit possible should be given to birds of the correct colour and markings.

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CONSERVATION OF THE MAJOR MITCHELL’S COCKATOO IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA T PAR

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ARTICLE BY: DAVID COOMBES NESTING OF MAJOR MITCHELL’S COCKATOOS IN THE WILD Do Major Mitchell’s cockatoos mate for life?

Yes they do and can nest together for up to 50 years.

If one bird dies or gets killed does the remaining bird seek out a new mate?

Yes What type of tree do Major Mitchell’s nest in?

Dry gum trees and Cypress Pine that is alive or dry.

What time of year to Major Mitchell’s go to nest?

Late August to early September.

Do they pick out a special tree?

Yes they do: usually on a sand ridge or in open country away from other trees.

They like to be able to see what is going on around them. It’s a precautionary thing so that they can identify any predators including mankind.

Do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos nest in big trees?

Not really. Some may pick out a dry Cypress Pine tree that has no top or a broken limb that has left a hollow.

Some trees are small and nests that are 5 metres from the ground are common.

Do Major Mitchell’s like a special entrance to their nests?

Yes they do. Major Mitchell’s like an entrance to their nest that is shaped like an upturned canoe. * Note – it is important to know that when looking for nests.

Do Major Mitchell’s take long to prepare their nesting site?

No they don’t. Both birds go into the nest chamber and pare off small chips of wood to form a soft base to lay their clutch of eggs. This usually takes only a few days to prepare.

They like to be able to see what is going on around them. It’s a precautionary thing so that they can identify any predators including mankind.

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Figure 10 - Two eggs of major Mitchell’s Cockatoos in nest hole in ‘John’s Tree’

How far down from the entrance do Major Mitchell’s lay their clutch of eggs?

That can vary but usually about ½ a metre.

Who sits on the eggs?

They take turns. The Cock may sit during the day and the Hen at night or vice versa.

How many eggs do Major Mitchell’s lay each year?

Depending on the season. If it’s a good year with lots of herbage on the ground they will lay up to four eggs.

However the norm is three eggs.

(Figure 10)

Is it easy to find the nest of Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos?

No it isn’t easy. They are very secretive birds when nesting and can hear footsteps approaching a long way from the nest tree.

How long is the incubation period or how long does it take to hatch from egg to chick?

28 days.

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When is the best time to find a Major Mitchell’s Nest?

When they are on eggs or have small young. Before or after that time is difficult.

FEATURE * Note – It is important to note that Major Mitchell’s return to the same nest site every year and will continue to do that unless the tree is lost to fire or habitat-loss through logging.

How can I study a nest once I have found it?

Walk slowly toward the tree and identify the nest entrance. You must walk very quietly or he or she will leave the nest and not return until you have gone. The best way to study a nest is to build a hide just away from the tree and wait and watch. At no time should you disturb the nesting procedure.

If Major Mitchell’s lose their nesting tree because of fire or land clearings do they leave that area?

No they don’t. Usually they try and select a new nest site in the same area. It may not be the same type of tree, so if a nest is lost look for the new site and it should be found within a half kilometre.

How long do the young stay in the nest?

Approximately seven weeks. When the parents want the fledged babies to leave the nest they will encourage their young to climb up to the nest entrance and feed them there. This is an extremely dangerous time, when predators will attack the young and the parent birds become very aware of that.

Are Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos reliable breeders?

Most certainly. Almost all Major Mitchell’s return to the same tree every year. Usually around mid August.

What is the average clutch size of nesting Major Mitchell’s?

Average: 2.5 some raise 2, most raise 3 and 4 is not unusual.

How far do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos fly from their nesting site in the off season?

Up to 300 kilometres.

How long do the baby birds stay with the parents after leaving the nest?

Approximately six weeks then they join together into a small flock.

How long before young birds can breed themselves?

Three years.

If Major Mitchell’s are such good and reliable breeders in the wild, why then isn’t the overall population increasing?

Good question.

• First and foremost it is predators.

• Secondly it is bad management of fire.

• Thirdly it is land clearing.

• Fourthly it is competition from other tree hollow nesting species that take over nests of Major Mitchell’s.

You must walk very quietly or he or she will leave the nest and not return until you have gone.

The best way to study a nest is to build a hide just away from the tree and wait and watch. At no time should you disturb the nesting procedure.

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Are baby Major Mitchell’s noisy feeders when being fed in the nest and can that noise be heard from a distance?

Good question! Yes they are noisy feeders and that is to their detriment.

The major predators are Goannas which each year kill large numbers of baby Major Mitchell’s and in the early part of the season also take the eggs.

Goannas bite into and suck out the contents of the eggs. If the Hen Cockatoo lays a second clutch, the Goanna will usually return for a second time. It is important to note that Goannas know that Major Mitchell’s return to the same nest each year so immediately they come out of hibernation they do the yearly rounds of the nests.

Other predators at the nests are feral cats, possums and foxes, once the baby Major Mitchell’s leave the nest and at this early age are unsure of predators.

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Is it possible to prevent predators from attacking the nests of Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos?

Most certainly: The most effective method of preventing predators from climbing nest trees is to attach a collar around the tree with the base of the collar one metre from the ground.

What is the collar made of?

Smooth galvanized tin or heavy duty plastic. Both need to be one metre wide and can be cut to size and nailed around the tree.

This method has proven to be fully successful. The tin or clear plastic is very slippery and doesn’t allow the predator to climb the tree.

Research has shown that where Major Mitchell’s nesting trees were collared up – not one nest was lost to predators.

Very successful deterrent to protect nests, who thought of that?

During October 1990 an elderly English birdman from the English Parrot Society (sic = PSUK), Mr John Mollindinia, conducted a study on Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos in Western NSW. This study clearly indicated that almost 80% of these Cockatoos’ nests were taken by predators that climbed the nest trees from the ground.

On his return to England following his study he indicated to the English Parrot Society (PSUK) that it should fund a trial project to protect the nesting trees of the Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos in Western NSW. That could be achieved by placing a smooth tin or plastic collar around the

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trunk of each nest tree making it impossible for predators to climb to the nest.

That trial project set the benchmark for tinning trees to species such as Major Mitchell’s or Glossy Black Cockatoos to mention just a few.

Since that time a new heavy duty flat plastic is now available and has proven to be an upgrade on tin.

Also clear plastic does not stand out and makes it almost impossible for any person to identify the nest tree. The English Parrot Society (PSUK) is very proud of being able to fund a project to protect one of Australia’s most outstanding Cockatoos. The fund has been ongoing for many years thanks to Mr Mollindinia. The Parrot Society attached a plaque at the base of a Major Mitchell’s nesting tree in honour of the late John Mollindinia for his outstanding work.

So how can we find the nests to collar them up and how do we inform the landowners?

Firstly you have to search for the nests when the Major Mitchell’s are on eggs or very early young. Following that time they are difficult to find at the nest site. A good pair of binoculars is essential as well as getting out of bed early! Try to get to an elevated spot

The fund has been ongoing for many years thanks to Mr Mollindinia.

The Parrot Society attached a plaque at the base of a Major Mitchell’s nesting tree in honour of the late John Mollindinia for his outstanding work.

The most effective method of preventing predators from climbing nest trees is to attach a collar around the tree with the base of the collar one metre from the ground.

Figure 11 Hen major Mitchell’s Cockatoo showing red/ brown eye colour, and yellow in crest feathers

and watch for the white birds. Once you find a nest you must remember where it is so you can return and collar the tree, provided the landowner agrees.

How do we get this message across to landowners whose properties are the habitat of Major Mitchell’s?

Any coverage by local newspapers and other media is good value. Let them know how important this issue is. Take pictures of any tree protection you are doing and give talks at school meetings.

What about Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo nest trees in national parks? Do the managers protect breeding trees?

Most state national parks have their 20

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own management strategy.

There is evidence that some parks are constructing artificial nest sites at great expense. Whether these additional nests will attract Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos is yet to be clarified.

At this time I do not know of any tree that hosts the nest of Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo being protected by way of collars, either tin or plastic in national parks – but it works!

How do you tell the difference between the Cock and Hen Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos?

Both birds are the same size: Cock – has black eye and not as much yellow in the comb (feather crest) as the hen.

Hen – has pink/brown eye and more

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Major Mitchell’s fly just above tree height and in fact sometimes between trees. yellow in comb. (Figure 11) How do you tell the difference between the Eastern race of Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo and the Western race called ‘Mollis’?

Mollis has a longer crest and upon maturity, ie 3 years, has a comb without yellow. (Figure 12) Do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos fly at great heights when travelling?

No they don’t. Major Mitchell’s, no matter how far they are going, do not fly at great heights.

In essence Major Mitchell’s fly just above tree height and in fact sometimes between trees. I believe the reason is because they are white and are slow flyers compared to other cockatoos. The tree line allows them to identify hawks or eagles that may attack them and escape into that tree line as a form of protection.

Background of Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos Other Names: Genus – Cacatua Cacatua leadbeateri • Chockalott • Cocklerina • Desert Cockatoo • Inca Cockatoo • Leadbeater’s Cockatoo • Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo • Pallid Cockatoo • Pink Cockatoo • South Australian Pink Cockatoo • Southern Pink Cockatoo

• Wee Juggler Distribution Semi-arid and arid interior regions of Australia with the exception of North East Australia Sub Species Cacatua leadbeateri mollis Distribution West of Ceduna SA West to Esperance WA – North to Carnamah WA Other Names • Mathews Pink Cockatoo • Western Pink Cockatoo What do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos feed on in the wild?

Like all birds Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos have a built-in mechanism that allows them to follow an annual food pattern.

Listed below are some of the most common seeds utilised by Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos:• Wild Orange [Capparis mitchells] • Crows Foot [Eleusine indica] • Wilga [Geijera parviflora] • Camel Melon [Citrullus lamatus] • Paddy Melon [Cucumis myriocarpus] • Currant Bush [Exocarpos aphyllus] • Murray Cypress Pine [Callitris preissii murrayensis] • Mallee Cypress Pine [Callitris preissii verrucosa] • White Cypress Pine [Callitris columellaris] • Black Cypress Pine [Callitris endlicheri] • Mulga [Acacia ameura] BIRD SCENE 21

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• All other acacia beans Introduced Seeds • All cereal grains • Almonds • All citrus species Do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos drink every day?

These Cockatoos visit watering places usually twice daily, very early morning and late afternoon.

Major Mitchell’s have that very special mechanism for finding water and will travel many kilometres to drink.

They very seldom drink from rivers, they like small dams, water troughs or house tanks.

During very hot weather they may visit their water base several times each day.

Do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos bath?

Major Mitchell’s are always lovely and white in all weather yet after 60 years studying them I have never seen one bath.

The Council of The Parrot Society UK 22

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sincerely hopes that the above notes, which obviously took Ray some considerable time to compose, help the school children of Australia to make every success of this new venture. We will continue to monitor this exciting new development that will - we hope do much to increase the status of the rare indigenous Australian Cockatoos.

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

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S

even years ago The Parrot Society started out on a venture of hopefully rebuilding “The National Exhibition”. The defining factor was whether it was possible for all branches of our hobby to jointly pull together and ‘make it work’ after recording such a success in the first year the question was then whether the enthusiasm would be sustained. It has indeed worked each year since the first Show in 2007 the numbers of exhibits have increased. We can only thank the bird club officials that have all worked so hard to increase the number of exhibits year on year and made this exhibition the success it has become. I am also pleased to announce that the Norwich Canary Club and the International Border Breeders Association who joined our ranks last year will again be present to exhibit their member’s birds again this year. By combining this exhibition with the already highly successful Parrot Society October Sale Day at the superbly equipped Staffordshire County Showground a large proportion of the exhibitors were familiar with both the location and the available facilities.

UK bird exhibitors now view this event as the premier ‘all variety show’ on the UK calendar.

26

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THE NA EXHIBI 12TH OCTOBER

FEATURE

ATIONAL ITION 2014

ARTICLE BY: LES RANCE

BIRD SCENE 27 07

We are delighted that the exhibition is obtaining increasing support from both continental judges and breeders who travel long distances to attend this event it is exciting to think that in a very short time this exhibition has been able to attract these dedicated fanciers from all over Europe.

The continental influence is not only limited to the fanciers, there is an increasing demand from continental traders to

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attend this event, further increasing the range of products available to all our enthusiastic visitors. As it is located only a few miles to the east of junction 14 of the M6 vehicles can quickly arrive at the Showground.

Arrangements are well in hand for the next Show on Sunday 12th October 2014 a meeting with representatives of all the supporting clubs is being held at The Quality Hotel Coventry on Sunday 27th April. Each time we organise this Show we aim to improve both the exhibitor experience and that of the viewing public and the points discussed at this meeting prove invaluable in ensuring improvements continue to achieve these goals.

FEATURE “The National Exhibition” has been kindly sponsored once again by Richard Johnston of Johnston and Jeff and Malcolm Green of The Birdcare Company, who have both supported us from the start. This year their generous sponsorship has also financed additional new staging as exhibits are set to increase and the added attraction of supplements and bird seed as prizes can only help increase the numbers benched.

We are indebted to the management and editorial staff of Cage & Aviary Birds magazine for the production of a very well designed insert, with our contribution being the collation of the information from all the exhibiting clubs.

The supplement will appear in their 3rd September 2014 edition and will as previously carry advertisements from all the exhibiting clubs and information on how to obtain the Show Schedule for your chosen species. This supplement has now become a feature of “The National Exhibition”.

Since the show took on the name “The National Exhibition” in 2010 the demand for trade space has significantly increased, with some new traders making their

first appearance this year. So whatever your bird keeping requirements they will be on offer at Stafford on 12th October.

The Sandylands Centre and half of the Argyle Centre will again be used to accommodate the exhibits with the ‘booking in’ and club stands filling the remainder of the Argyle Centre. This facilitates the management of the exhibition during the judging of the birds and allows both exhibitors and general visitor access to the exhibition at the earliest possible time on the day.

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

BIRD SCENE 29

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F

or a writer as well as a keen aviculturist there are various reasons for selecting a topic to discuss, in this particular instance there are two major factors for compiling this article on the Australian parrot the Port Lincoln -- Barnardius zonarius.

The first instance is that although the Port Lincoln -- the nominate form and one sub-species the twenty eight – 28 – B. zonarius. semitorquatus would probably be the most commonly seen parrot in so many areas of Western Australia, yet I am still amazed at the number of people who keep parrottype birds and are not familiar with the difference between the two. A valid reason is possibly due to the fact that there are numerous birds that fit the characteristics of each specific type plus there are other birds where those two forms meet in the natural state and intergrading occurs, the resultant offspring may then show characteristics of either form to a lesser or greater degree.

In the second case in a previous article that I had written I mentioned that the Port Lincolns – southern form -- that I had observed both in aviaries and in

A totally Australian bird, Port Lincolns occur in fairly extensive areas of both South Australia and the Northern Territory, while the largest habitat area is in Western Australia where they occur over much of this large state.

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ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPH

HS BY: BOB PHILPOT ©

FEATURE

PORT LINCOLN Parrots From Southern and Arid Zones and The Twenty Eight

[5]

E

ON T R PA

BIRD SCENE 33

the wild had no red above the cere -although in some instances some males had a small dot of red near each nostril.

Wow did I get shot down in flames, instantly one aviculturist contacted me to say that as a youngster he had lived in farming districts where the Port Lincolns were very common and all those that he had observed had a red band above the cere similar to the 28 although he considered the band was not as wide.

Duly chastened I felt it important to pursue further research and over time I contacted other aviculturists on the subject. I have now been able to obtain and breed birds where the body colouring conforms to the Port Lincoln and yes there are those who do possess a narrow band of red see photo 1.

I decided to submit this further

[1]

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information for this article as well as details on the Port Lincoln birds from the arid zones.

THE BIG PICTURE: A totally Australian bird, Port Lincolns occur in fairly extensive areas of both South Australia and the Northern Territory, while the largest habitat area is in Western Australia where they occur over much of this large state.

So what is it that I am discussing? You will see from the following information that if the various authorities have difficulty arriving at a standard for this species what hope has the poor old Joe blow -- or Josephine -- aviculturist. So down to tin tacks, it is interesting to note that the Western Australian Museum in its Handbook of Western Australian Birds lists this particular group under the title of Australian Ringneck Platycercus zonarius -- Platycercus is the classification for the rosella family -- while other authorities designate them under the Barnardius family name. Being an aviculturist whose interest is in the keeping breeding and studying birds on a day to day basis I don’t intend to buy into this issue, suffice to say it creates some confusion. As an Aussie

FEATURE

An explanation for the differences in body shape size and colours of the various specimens comes down to the area involved and the habitat changes they experience. The entire range in which they can be found extends from roughly Port Headland in the north of Western Australia through to Albany in the south of the state a distance of roughly 1,500.kilometers. born in the West for the purpose of this article I will refer only to the birds found in Western Australia and continue to use the museum reference.

Platycercus or if you prefer Barnardius zonarius, belong to a family called Australian ring necks -- due to the band of coloured feathers encircling the majority of the neck -- in the case of all of the group that I am discussing the band is yellow – except in the situation of some colour mutations. The nominate subspecies P. z. zonarius is the Port Lincoln while P. z. semitorquatus is termed the twenty eight. In the most northerly area of distribution the WA museum classifies them simply as z. zonarius while other authorities recognise birds in this area as a further subspecies z. zonarius occidentalis, the northern, arid zone, or desert Port Lincoln.

An explanation for the differences in body shape size and colours of the various specimens comes down to the area involved and the habitat changes they experience. The entire range in which they can be found extends from roughly Port Headland in the north of Western Australia through to Albany in the south of the state a distance of roughly 1,500.kilometers. Now add the distance from the west coast of Western Australia to its border with

South Australia and we have an area of approximately 1,4000,000 sq kilometres a mighty big space you would have to agree. To quantify this size further, from the top of Scotland to the bottom of England would fit inside this Western Australian area almost twice, wow!

It is pretty safe to assume that within such an immense area changes to the structure and colour of a species have lots of opportunity to alter and for a non-boffin I would have to suggest that is what has occurred. Let’s start with the south west corner of its range it has a colder wetter climate with extensive heavy forests compared to the northern extremity of the bird’s range. In this southern area we find P zonarious semitorquatus the twenty eight. This is the largest member of zonarious and the physical characteristics for me is very simply a green chest and green abdomen -- although in different locations some birds may show an occasional very small amount of yellow in the belly. Moving north we enter more open forest, cleared areas for farming, areas of timber and remnant scrub this is typical habitat to find P zonarious. Finally further north are extensive pastoral areas not cleared for farming but for grazing stock, the climate is classified semi-arid to arid, with oodles of very hot days. The

BIRD SCENE 35

vegetation is open and in many cases sparse, in this area can be found the arid zone birds.

With the variation in climate there is also variation in the vegetation. Creeks and rivers that provide drinking water flow through different rock strata altering the types of shrubs bushes and trees. All of these factors can have an influence on the shape, physical characteristics and even colour of a race of birds that cover such an enormous area.

For the reasons mentioned previously a simple description would be to class the Port Lincoln as northern or southern form and within the southern form are those birds termed twenty eights.

WHERE TO GO FOR SPECIMENS? The most appropriate location for me was the WA Museum, during a previous investigation that I performed -- purely on the twenty eight -- I had the opportunity to examine hundreds of specimens of

birds of this Western Australian ringneck family. These museum specimens have been obtained -- then collated over time – throughout large areas of WA”, to me what was obvious was the enormous range of sizes and colour forms appearing in those examples.

[2]

Port Lincoln has a really dark green chest, c stomach, generally smaller than the 28 – a almost equaling the 28 in size.

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BIRD SCENE

FEATURE BODIES IN THE MUSEUM: I have categorised the birds that I examined at that time into the following simplified format.

Essentially there were: 1. Large bodied birds with green chest and lighter green abdomen, large bulbous beaks and large amounts of red above the cere see photograph 2.

Smaller bodied birds -- than 1 above -- that had very dark green backs and chests then a clear demarcation line between the chest and abdomen, below that line and stopping just in front of the legs is solid bright yellow.

The only birds that I paid attention to at that particular time had no red above the cere see photograph 3 while the beaks were generally smaller than those mentioned in item 1.

3. Large bodied birds with green chests and varying amounts of yellow -from an odd feather to a substantial quantity of yellow feathers -- on the lower abdomen. Some of these birds have large amounts of red above the cere others none, these particular birds are generally accepted as intergrading specimens between item 1 and item 2 see photograph 4.

4. Birds with slightly smaller bodies than item 2 with pastel lighter bluish/ green body while the yellow stomach colouring is paler than birds in item 2 and without red bands above the cere see photograph 5 (opening feature photograph).

clearly defined bright yellow although I have some Port Lincolns

[3] HOW I CATEGORIZE THE DIFFERENCES: The way I like to consider this group of parrots is that the twenty eight is all green and is the largest bloke with both sexes having a prominent red band above the nostrils.

Port Lincoln has a really dark green chest, clearly defined bright yellow stomach, generally smaller than the 28 – although I have some Port Lincolns almost equaling the 28 in size.

Dependent upon their locality they can be different shades of green compared to the 28. I have also seen some quite small Port Lincolns in overall body shape that I would term petite. There is much variation in the extent of red in the forehead of this group, some have none others from different localities may have varying size red bands.

Northern or arid-zone Port Lincoln, this is the smallest version of the species with slim body and overall pastel blue/ green replacing the brighter greens of the other two groups. The tummy on the arid zone is not the bright yellow of

BIRD SCENE 37

the southern Port Lincoln it is a creamy yellow colour. There is negligible red above the cere in the birds I have, some people say the head colour is a lighter black well I’ll hold my judgment on that.

Intergrading specimens, there is clear evidence of inter-breeding between both southern area Port Lincolns and the 28 due to the closeness of their range. The resultant birds may be as large as the 28 showing varying quantities of yellow on the

[4]

abdomen. Some of these hybrids will have small quantities of yellow others much more. When it comes to the cere there may be varying amounts of red in this

38

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area from nil through to virtually the same quantity as the 28. One name used to describe such intergrading birds is “wheat-belt hybrids” -- in other words a hybrid between the 28 and the Port Lincoln occurring on the fringes of wheatbelt farming areas where it meets heavier timber habitat.

Photo 4 is what I would term a typical male of the type, this specimen is a large bird though the green on the chest is Port Lincoln colour while the beak is large and red cere is prominent. It has a substantial quantity of yellow on the belly and on the bend of the wing -the wing flash – may show changes in colour to a typical 28.

Currently I keep and breed each of the variations mentioned above.

WHO COMES FROM WHERE? In Western Australia commencing from the coast on the west then travelling east to the borders with South Australia and the Northern Territory you encounter farming areas, open timber country, pastoral areas and sand plain localities, these provide just some of the habitat variation. The previously mentioned 28 is located in generally heavier timber country in the South-West corner of the state. The arid zone Port Lincoln occurs in drier regions in the North-West up to Port Headland.

FEATURE

One name used to describe such intergrading birds is “wheat-belt hybrids” -in other words a hybrid between the 28 and the Port Lincoln occurring on the fringes of wheat-belt farming areas where it meets heavier timber habitat.

SHADES OF GREEN: What is obvious to my eyesight is the difference in green appearing in the Port Lincoln and the 28. With the larger 28 type birds either totally green or with sometimes very small amounts of yellow in the abdomen I observed that the green of the back and chest varies across a wide range of shadings. My darling supervisor says that overall it is a yellowish-green. I guess this is a fair enough description when compared to Port Lincolns of the southern form whose green on their back is different while the chest is really dark dark emerald green.

Birds that closely fit the description of the twenty eight as well as the hybrid Port Lincoln/28 visit my property regularly and I occasionally see birds that are closer to the Port Lincoln characteristics.

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MY LOCALITY: I am located 45 km east of the Western Australian coastline in the Darling Escarpment, this is classed as a Mediterranean climate and temperatures vary from the occasional night temperature as low as six degrees C in winter rising to mid 40C daytime at the height of summer.

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THE MOSZKOWSKI’S KING (A.C. MOSZKOWSKII) ARTICLE BY: BY JIM HAYWARD

The much larger King group consists of th six sub species spreading from Peleng Isla through the Moluccas (ie the Spice Islands western tip of the Vogelkop of New Guine species Alisterus a.amboinensis (the Amb as well as Alisterus a. Sulaensis, A.a. buru A.a.hypophonius (the Blue-winged King), form) and A.a dorsalis (the most eastern fo 06 42

BIRD SCENE

FEATURE

T

Picture © Tony Tilford

he Indonesian ‘Island Kings’ with the and in their western limit, eastward s, now Maluku) into the most ea; these include the nominate sub boina King of Amboina and Ceram), uensis (the Black-billed King), A.a versicolor (the most western orm).

he King and Crimson-wing group have long been among the most desirable parrots for any enthusiastic parrot breeder, unfortunately – apart from the Australian King and Australian Crimson-wing – their sub species are either completely unobtainable in Britain or only very rarely available to the aficionado.

The Crimson-wings are the smaller group, with only two recognized species and two sub species; the Australian Crimsonwing (Aprosmictus e. erythropterus) from a wide area of east-central to northern Australia, its sub species the New Guinea Crimsonwing (A. e. coccineopterus) from coastal areas of southern New Guinea and the Timor Crimsonwing (A. j. jonquilaceus – from the island of Timor) with its sub species the Wetar Crimson-wing (A. j. wetterensis –from the nearby island of Wetar).

The much larger King group consists of the Indonesian ‘Island Kings’ with the six sub species spreading from Peleng Island in their western limit, eastward through the Moluccas (ie the Spice Islands, now Maluku) into the most western tip of the Vogelkop of New Guinea; these include the nominate sub species Alisterus a.amboinensis (the Amboina King of Amboina and Ceram), as well as Alisterus a. Sulaensis, A.a. buruensis (the Black-billed King), A.a.hypophonius (the Blue-winged King), A.a versicolor (the most western form) and A.a dorsalis (the most eastern form).

In all these types – to the initiated –

BIRD SCENE 43

In general, even to the knowledgeable breeder, the sexes are almost as vividly coloured as each other until they are fully mature, and even then the few indicators there are as to their sex can sometimes be misjudged. there is a lack of any striking differences between the appearances of the male and female, and even the young fledge with their full quota of brilliant red plumage – to all purposes they are sexually monomorphic. In general, even to the knowledgeable breeder, the sexes are almost as vividly coloured as each other until they are fully mature, and even then the few indicators there are as to their sex can sometimes be misjudged.

However, as the genus Alisterus spreads on eastwards into the central bulk of New Guinea, it is represented by three forms of species which differs markedly in plumage from the Island Kings, and are also (like the Australian Kings, Alisterus s. scapularis and its smaller northern sub-species A.s. minor) fully sexually dimorphic in their colours.

These are the Green-winged King (nominate sub-species Alisterus c. chloropterus of north-eastern New Guinea) and its two sub-species the Fly River or Salvadori’s King (A.c. callopterus from a wide area of distribution stretching almost the full length of southern New Guinea) and Moszkowski’s King (A.c. moszkowskii) from north-west New Guinea. The nominate Green-winged King and the Fly River King have the distinctive pale green to greenish yellow wing stripes (like the Australian Kings), and have

08 44

BIRD SCENE

hens and fledglings which, having green heads and breasts, are very much duller than the brilliantly coloured adult cocks; but – importantly – though the Moszkowski’s hen is easily differentiated from her brighter partner in lacking his blue back and mantle, she favours the hens of her near relatives – the Island Kings in having a completely red head and breast; therefore this sub-species can be thought of as standing half way between the Island Kings and the other Green-winged (wing-striped) Kings.

During the times when parrots could be imported into Britain from Djakarta, it was the Island Kings (mostly Amboinas) which first reached us; the few examples of the Green-winged Kings to come here arrived much later. Of these, it was the Moszkowski’s (as in the photographs) which would have been the most accessible to the Indonesian trappers and their tribesmen helpers as they progressed more and more deeply into the lower areas of the heavy mountainside forests of the Indonesian sector of New Guinea. Due to the nature of its territory and the bird’s ability to keep itself obscure, it can be imagined that this parrot’s status in the wild must be difficult to judge, but it has been said that it is scarce over its range and only common in certain areas.

Imported birds were extremely difficult to acclimatize. Even when British bred

FEATURE

they are not regarded as hardy against our winters, so should be considered as highly at risk in outside flights during autumn/winter spells of strong northerly/easterly winds, hard frosts, snow, thick fog and periods of sub zero temperatures. So as to avoid frost-bite and pneumonia, it is wise to shut them into a large frost-free enclosed shelter during these times, but it must be large enough to house the birds comfortably so that they are not forced to remain too closely together or fighting may result in some cases.

These active birds need a flight of a minimum of 15ft long, 3ft wide and 6ft high; they are not destructive but may be capable of nipping through thin mesh, so – for safety sake – 16 gauge welded mesh should be used. Electric light should be provided during the darkest months of the year so as to extend hours of daylight a little and allow for longer periods of feeding during mid-winter. It is noticed that colder weather causes a greatly increased amount of solid food to be consumed by aviary birds.

Their diet can be made up of all kinds of large and small seeds and grains (some being soaked and germinated in the warmer months), nuts, berries, a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, buds and shoots of non toxic tree

species (willow is safest), green-food, seeding wild plants, bread and Soya milk or canary/parrot rearing food – and sometimes live food such as mealworms.

Presumably, as found with Island Kings, sexual maturity cannot be expected until the birds are at least three years old, but complete breeding success may not be achieved until they are even older and have made some false starts and gained experience by them. They have been known to attempt breeding as early as March, but should be dissuaded until better weather is likely in late spring which will help success become more probable; as with Island Kings, they are just as likely to go to nest in summer as in spring.

These parrots – and other Kings – generally prefer a ‘grand-father clock’ nest, a tall hollow log or a floor standing box of 3ft to 4ft high, and the hen nests at ground level; internal measurements of the nest should be eight to nine inches square. The usual number of eggs is two or three and incubation runs to twenty-one days. Parents of the Indonesian King species seem to suffer from the hard work required in rearing a full nest, and so, two to three fledglings can be considered an excellent and fair outcome.

Breeding condition can be noticed

These parrots – and other Kings – generally prefer a ‘grand-father clock’ nest, a tall hollow log or a floor standing box of 3ft to 4ft high, and the hen nests at ground level; internal measurements of the nest should be eight to nine inches square. The usual number of eggs is two or three and incubation runs to twenty-one days.

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Fledging times vary greatly with Kings, perhaps being dependent on the weather at the time of rearing, and also the depth of the nest, but the young should be expected to make their first outing at from six to seven weeks…

Picture © Tony Tilford

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BIRD SCENE

FEATURE to have commenced when the hen is heard to make low ‘mewling’ sounds in order to encourage the cock to make his courtship display, which consists of a low growling call, shivering of wings and positioning of the head to display ‘blazing’ eyes – after which regurgitated food will be offered and taken by the hen.

Fledging times vary greatly with Kings, perhaps being dependent on the weather at the time of rearing, and also the depth of the nest, but the young should be expected to make their first outing at from six to seven weeks; however, they need replacing in the nest for the first few nights after fledging and then watching at dusk to make sure that they have roosted in safe places after that. Green-winged Kings and Island

Kings can be double brooded with young fledglings as late as autumn.

Special consideration should be given to an adverse character trait of many parrots and not least by the Indonesian Kings; sudden bouts of aggressive behaviour even in pairs which have bred together can quickly develop into fights resulting in the death of one or a pair, so the sound of squabbling must be investigated immediately by their attendant and fighting birds quickly separated. Youngsters can also be attacked by one or other of their parents for no apparent reason.

True, that the Green-winged King is a beautiful and sought after aviary bird, but it should be regarded cautiously as a difficult subject to keep and suitable only for experienced breeders.

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