That Bird Blog » Birds in History

How Pink Pigeons Saved me from Life as a Lawyer

findiviglio — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:51:37 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. First, I should explain the odd title. I grew up near the Bronx Zoo and dreamed of a career there since early childhood. Early on, however, responsibilities made it impossible for me to consider zoo work, a notoriously low-paying field. By the early 1980’s, however, things changed and I was volunteering at the Bronx Zoo and doing everything else I could think of to break into the field. But I was a lawyer at the time, and, despite years of experience with well-known animal importers and bird breeders, the zoo’s management did not believe I seriously intended to abandon such a lucrative profession. Then the Pink Pigeons came to the rescue…

“Thanks, Pigeons”

After a year of failed attempts, I managed to land an interview for a position as bird keeper. As the curator and I walked and talked, I caught sight of a group of unusual birds, and stepped closer. I thought they might be Pink Pigeons, Nesoenas mayeri. I was shocked, as there were but 12 individuals left in the wild at the time, and captive breeding efforts had only just begun.

The curator was surprised that I knew anything at all about the relatively unstudied birds. As luck would have it, I was smack in the middle of Gerard Durrell’s wonderful Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons, and so their plight was fresh in my mind. It also turned out that these rarities were the curator’s “pet project”. There were many highly-qualified candidates for the job, but in that moment, she made her decision and my life took on a new and fortunate course.

Breeding Pink Pigeons at the Bronx Zoo

One of my first rotations in the Department of Ornithology involved the breeding of Pink Pigeons and Birds of Paradise. We relied upon a technique known as “double-clutching” to bolster our Pink Pigeon population. The first eggs produced by each female were removed, whereupon she would lay another clutch. The first clutch was then placed under the care of a female Ring-Necked Dove.

Pigeons feed their young with “pigeon milk”, a unique food generated from the lining of the crop. Dove “milk” was suitable for Pink Pigeon chicks, but how they manufactured enough of it I’ll never know. Within weeks, the Pink Pigeon chicks were twice the size of their “foster-moms”. The doves would perch on the pigeons’ backs when brooding…looking like bizarre little “bird hats”!

My work with the pigeons was fascinating, and I threw myself into it with a passion. Due largely to the efforts of legendary conservationist Gerard Durrell, Pink Pigeons are doing better these days…I like to imagine that I have aided their recovery in some small way, and perhaps “paid them back” for helping me land my dream job.

Natural History

The Pink Pigeon is found only on the island of Mauritius, which lies east of Madagascar, off the coast of southeastern Africa. By 1980, deforestation, cyclones, and introduced monkeys, mongooses, cats and rats had reduced the wild population to 12 individuals. “Pigeon Wood”, a 15 acre stand of Japanese Red Cedar Trees, comprised their entire range.

Mauritius’ best known bird is the now-extinct Dodo, but other species, many endemic, have suffered as well. Kestrel, Fody (please see photo) and Fruit Bat populations plummeted, and both native tortoises were extinct by the mid 1800’s. The island is also home to the world’s rarest Psittacine, the Echo Parakeet (please see article below).

As was his way, Gerard Durrell took up the task of saving the Pink Pigeon from certain extinction. Today, over 350 individuals live on Mauritius, and the species is well-established in captivity. The Pink Pigeon story stands as a fine and all-too-rare example of what can be accomplished, even in the direst of scenarios.

Keeping Exotic Pigeons

The Rock Dove, or “city pigeon”, has given many of its relatives a bad rap, but bird enthusiasts know that the family Columbidae contains some of the world’s most gorgeous species. From fantastically-colored fruit doves to the massive blue Victoria Crowned Pigeon, a surprising number are well-established in captivity. Please see this article for further information.

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

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

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Fossil Allows Researchers to Distinguish Sex of Ancient Bird-Like Creature

findiviglio — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:08:51 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Pterosaurs (incorrectly labeled “Pterodactyls” by old-timers such as I) flew the skies during the Mesozoic Era, some 220-65 million years ago. The huge head crests sported by many have baffled scientists since the first specimen was found in 1784 (please see drawing). However, a recently discovered fossil hints that sexual dimorphism may be involved, and has allowed researchers to determine the sex of fossilized Pterosaurs for the first time.

Technically, Pterosaurs are flying reptiles, not birds. Yet they possess many bird-like qualities, so I thought that bird enthusiasts might be interested in this latest finding concerning their lives. In any event, taxonomy is constantly blurring the lines between various groups (for example, birds are now considered to be “modern dinosaurs”, and closely related to crocodilians), so perhaps Pterosaur classification may change in the future…

Mysterious Head Ornamentation

Sixteen Pterosaur families are known, with certain species bearing head crests that are up to 5 times the height of their skulls. Those without crests were alternately considered to be juveniles, a different sex or a different species from crest-bearing individuals. Therefore, their taxonomy and natural histories remained cloudy.

Fossil Detective Work

The finding that led to our most recent peek into Pterosaur life is a Darwinopterus fossil that was found in northeastern China. The specimen bore no crown, and, as it carried a fully-developed, was a female. As other Darwinopterus Pterosaurs do sport large head crests, researchers now believe that the species is sexually dimorphic, with males using the crests to attract mates or intimidate rivals.

This new information should help in unraveling the natural histories of these interesting creatures, taking us past identification and into an understanding of how they lived and why they disappeared. Harried museum curators may find it a mixed blessing, as Pterosaur collections must now be re-evaluated as to species identity.

How Pterosaurs Lived

Much like modern birds, Pterosaurs had hollow bones and keeled breastbones to allow for the attachment of powerful flight muscles. Brain, lung and skeletal adaptations parallel those evolved by birds as well. Once believed to be gliders, it is now clear that Pterosaurs were capable of actual flight.

The many species that have been identified exhibit a great diversity of forms and apparent lifestyles. Sporting wingspans ranging from 9 inches to 35+ feet, the toothed jaws of some species evolved into long, bird-like beaks. An analysis of beaks, feet and skeletons indicates that various Pterosaur species fed in a similar manner to flamingoes, albatrosses, puffins, herons and other modern day birds.

Quetzalcoatus, the largest known flying animal, had wings that spanned 35 feet and may have weighed in excess of 500 pounds (please see artist’s recreation). Much like today’s storks and cranes, it is believed to have stalked small animals on land.

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

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

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

How Long do Birds Live? Record Ages for Parrots, Canaries and other Birds

findiviglio — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 15:42:42 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Parrots are reputed to live to great ages – over 100 years if some reports are to be believed. Less well-known are the incredible longevities racked up by some very small pet and wild birds. I’ve kept a casual tally of the ages attained by many of the species I cared for at the Bronx Zoo, and recently reviewed some published studies on this subject.

100-Year-Old Parrots?

A recent review of zoo collections, published in the International Zoo Yearbook (please see below), did not uncover any 100 year-old parrots. The most celebrated parrot in this category, a macaw named Charlie, is reputed to be 104 years old. Said to have been owned by Winston Churchill, Charlie now lives in Surrey, England, where he passes his time by screaming anti-Nazi sentiments. Unfortunately his history, and connection to his renowned former owner, could not be traced.

Among parrots known to live to ripe old ages, such as Amazons and Macaws, 50 years or so was found to be the maximum longevity, although several individuals reached ages of 65-70. Cockatoos of several species lived longer than most of their relatives, and reproduced well into old age. Larger parrots tended to have greater life-spans than smaller species, but there were some notable exceptions.

Parrots and other Pet Birds

Following are a few of the more impressive published longevities for parrots and others kept as pets. Please write in for information concerning these species in the wild.

African Grey parrot- 73 years

Green-Winged Macaw – 64 years

Blue and Gold Macaw – 43 years

Military Macaw – 30 Years

Canary – 24 years

Pekin Robin (please see article below) – 15 years

As one might expect, Rock Doves (Common Pigeons) are hardy souls. One captive reached age 35.

Zoo Birds

I’ve had the good fortune of working with several remarkable old birds, including a Maribou Stork (please see article below) and a Milky Eagle Owl. Each approached, or perhaps exceeded, 60 years of age. I was also very surprised to find that several Sandpipers and other tiny birds under my care had been in the collection for 25-30 years. Flamingoes, despite their “fragile” appearances, often lived into their 20’s, and occasionally reached 30+ years of age.

Other groups of birds that do well in zoos and regularly live into their 40’s include storks, herons, cranes, eagles and owls; both Brown and White Pelicans have topped 50 years of age. Hummingbirds, which might be expected to “burn out” early, typically live for 4-6 years. However, individuals belonging to at least 2 species have reached 12 years of age.

Wild Birds

Tagged wild birds have provided ornithologists with many surprises. Two in particular, both oceanic species that undertake epic migrations, are especially impressive.

Recently a Laysan Albatross (please see photo) was identified as the oldest known free-living bird. First tagged by biologists in 1956, this Albatross and her chick survived a direct hit by a large wave generated by the devastating March, 2011 tsunami in Japan (the bird was nesting on Midway Island). She is over 60 years old and still breeding, and in her travels has logged approximately 3 million miles – or 6 trips to the moon!

Just as impressive is a Manx Shearwater (a small seabird) that was tagged 52 years ago and has travelled an estimated 5 million miles – which would have taken her around the world 200 times!

Information Needed

Unfortunately, we do not have an accurate way to track the ages of most of the birds living in zoos and private collections. So please write in with your own records or those you may know of…I’ll be sure to include them in future articles.

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

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Presely the Spix’s Macaw – the Real Story Behind the Movie Rio

findiviglio — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:36:37 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The animated movie Rio tells the story of the last 2 “Blue Macaws” on earth, and their adventurous efforts to save their species from extinction. The touching yet realistic conservation story has captivated adults and children alike, and the movie posted ticket sales of $40,000,000 on its first weekend…a record for this year. Many fans may not realize that a real endangered species – the Spix’s Macaw, Cyanopsitta spixii, and a real individual bird – Presely, inspired director Carlos Saldanba to create the movie.

Extinct in the Wild

The Spix’s Macaw became extinct in the wild in the year 2000, when the last known male disappeared. He left no purebred offspring as, lacking a female Spix’s Macaw, he had mated with a Blue-Winged Macaw.

The ashy to brilliant blue Spix’s Macaw dwelled only in a tiny area of northeastern Brazil, where it was limited to a dry-scrub habitat dominated by Caatinga Trees (please see photo). Although there are no more wild Spix’s Macaws, plans are being made to reintroduce them to Brazil in time, and local schools are actively involved in the process (please see article below).

Seventy-one Spix’s Macaws are known to exist in captivity, with an estimated 50 additional individuals possibly being kept but not registered with conservation authorities.

The USA’s Only Spix’s Macaw

Presely is a male Spix’s Macaw that came to light in the year 2002. Believed to be the only Spix’s Macaw in the USA, Presely was being kept as a pet in Colorado (please see article below for photos).

His existence became known via a call by his owner to a veterinarian’s office; the person who answered the call realized the significance of such a bird, and followed up by visiting the owner. Presely is approximately 25 years old, and has spent most of his life in a cage. The recent death of his companion, an Amazon Parrot, had depressed him and his owner was concerned for his health.

Presely Returns to Brazil

After months of negotiations, and with the help of the World Parrot Trust, Presely found a new home at Brazil’s Sao Paulo Zoo, and from there was transferred to a breeding program. It is hoped that he will pair-up with a female Spix’s Macaw and reproduce. However, as parrot-owners well know, this can be tricky, so Presely’s DNA will also be preserved so that he can in that way contribute to the survival of his species.

Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook. Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable. I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible. Please also post your questions and comments here…I’ll be sure to respond quickly.

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

New Evidence Proves that the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker is not Extinct

findiviglio — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:51:21 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. One of the USA’s most hotly-debated conservation questions seems finally to have been answered. For years, ornithologists have considered the huge Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, Campephilus principalis, to be extinct, but many well-respected biologists continued to report sightings. Down to an estimated 30 birds by the 1930’s, none had been observed for decades despite intensive searches and rewards, including one of $50,000 posted by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Recent video and acoustic recordings (Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, please see below), however, seem to establish that this magnificent bird is still with us.

Confusion with the Pileated Woodpecker

A researcher from the US Naval Research Lab observed and recorded what appeared to be an Ivory-Billed Woodpecker as early as 2006. However, in common with other sightings, there was some confusion – the bird sighted could also have been a Pileated Woodpecker, which is similar in appearance to, and nearly as large as, the Ivory-Bill. It too favors the remote, flooded swamplands of the American Southeast (please see photo of typical habitat).

A Clue Over-looked for 70 Years

Video recordings of the bird were also contested, because certain unique characteristics in the Ivory-Bill’s wing-flapping style were missing. However, a careful review of earlier evidence led to an over-looked clue contained in a photo taken in 1939. With this new knowledge, woodpecker experts were able to determine that recent videos did indeed depict an Ivory-Billed Woodpecker.

Two audio recordings made along Louisiana’s Pearl River, which were consistent with videos taken at the same time, add weight to the evidence that this rarest of North American birds still holds on in small numbers. One of the videos was especially important as it was taken as a bird flew below a researcher, who was perched high in a cypress tree. This image reveals defining characteristics not captured in other photos of suspected Ivory-Bills.

Other Sightings

Researchers in Florida and Arkansas have also submitted evidence indicating that Ivory-Bills may survive in those states as well.

The Cuban Ivory-Billed Woodpecker, considered by some to be a subspecies of the North American, has not been sighted since 1987.

The Recovery Plan

Once found in 13 states in the south-central and southern USA, this largest of all woodpeckers needs massive support if it is to survive. You can learn what is being done on it’s behalf in the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recovery Plan.

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

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

The Ornate Lorikeet – the World’s Most Colorful Parrot? – Part 1

findiviglio — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:47:28 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. “Most colorful” is a tough title to clench in the parrot world. The Ornate Lorikeet, Trichoglossus ornatus, however, must surely be a top contender. In fact, the name “ornate” does it little justice, as would any description of its plumage. No longer commonly kept in the USA, this is a bird worth searching for in zoos or among large private collections.

Description

The Ornate Lorikeet’s feathers span the rainbow – most are bright green edged in yellow, deep blue or brilliant red edged in dark blue, but there are other colors as well. The eyes are orange and the beak is a “screaming” orange-red. It’s hard to imagine all the color that is packed into its 10-inch-long body (please see photo)!

Range and Habitat

Indonesian island of Sulawesi, just east of Borneo, is home to an incredible array of animal “standouts” – black, ape-like monkeys, giant gliding possums and babirusas (odd pigs sporting tusks that grow right their skin, please see photo), to name just a few. So it seems fitting that a bird so uniquely-colored as the Ornate Lorikeet is found here, and on a few offshore islands, and nowhere else on earth.

Ornate Lorikeets favor mountain forest edges and overgrown scrub, and also frequent villages bordered by dense cover (imagine having these fellows as feeder visitors!). They are most commonly seen in pairs or small flocks and feed upon flower blossoms, nectar, pollen, fruit and some greens; insects may be taken as well, but field studies are lacking.

Captive History

I recall caring for Ornate Lorikeets when working for a bird importer as a teenager, but they are not at all common in the USA today. They have a reputation for being quite delicate as regards temperature, and even long term captive seem prone to respiratory and digestive system distress. When in the peak of good health, their voices are as loud, and far harsher, than are their colors!

On to diet and general care in Part 2. Please write in with your questions and comments.

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

Bird News – Parrots as Criminals, Crime Fighters and Stool Pigeons

findiviglio — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:08:36 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The quite unexpected antics of a number of parrots have made news this past week…from assisting drug cartel members in Columbia (unwittingly, of course!) to exposing the unfaithfulness of an owner’s partner (perhaps on purpose?), pet parrots continue to show that they are well equipped to trick, help and frustrate us…

Love Triangle Exposed

Parents learn very quickly to watch what they say around toddlers – parrot owners, it seems, should as well. Upon sitting down on a couch near her bird cage, a woman who owned an African Gray Parrot was surprised to hear her pet say “Oh Claire ,oh Claire, I love you!” – surprised because her name was not Claire!

Suspecting that her boyfriend was using the couch for purposes other than watching TV, the woman called him at work…only to find that he was at lunch with, as fate would have it, Claire. Within a day or so the woman caught the pair leaving her home at a time when they thought she was at work. Unfortunately, Harvey the parrot seemed to enjoy screaming out Claire’s name (perhaps he had heard it very often!) – so much so that his owner found him a new home!

“Attack Parrot” Assists Police

Burglars who broke into a UK pet store were given a rude shock by Jake, a young Sun Conure. Jack had the run of the store, and attacked the men with such fury that next morning the police found cloth and blood on his beak. They were able to collect DNA samples from Jake and from blood found on the floor, and believe it will assist them in arresting the culprits.

The store owner said that Jake had exhibited protective instincts towards other birds, and credited him with cutting short the burglar’s raid and saving them a great deal of money. As the men also killed a number of animals, in chasing them off Jake certainly saved a few lives as well.

A Drug-Dealing Amazon

Police entering a drug cartel hideout in Barranquilla, Columbia were surprised when someone began yelling “Run, run, you’re going to get caught!”, because they had checked for lookouts and had found none. Who could blame them for ignoring Lorenzo, the innocent-looking parrot who, as it turned out, had sounded the alarm?

Lorenzo apparently had been taught to call out upon the approach of strangers. As bird-owners well know, many parrots are very good at associating objects and situations with phrases – in fact, the Columbian police report “arresting” over 1,700 parrots for “aiding and abetting” criminals!

Despite Lorenzo’s good timing and delivery, the police seized over 200 weapons, a stolen motorcycle and a substantial amount of marijuana from his criminal cohorts. Lorenzo, who was spared a jail cell, so delighted police and with his repertoire that they made extraordinary efforts to find him a new (and safer!) home (please see video below).

Breaking News – Prehistoric Bird’s Wingspan is Largest Ever Recorded

findiviglio — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:31:43 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. In terms of public interest, prehistoric birds generally stand in the shadows of the more dramatic reptilian dinosaurs. However, a discovery announced this week concerning a bird christened “Huge Pseudoteeth” (Pelagornis chilensis) was so startling that I thought I’d take a break from modern species and mention it here.

Writing in the current (September, 2010) issue of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, researchers at Chile’s National Museum of Natural History reveal that “Huge Pseudoteeth’s” wingspan measured an incredible 17 feet – longer than that of any known bird, present or past. At an estimated 65 pounds, it also outweighed today’s heaviest flying bird, the 40 pound Kori Bustard.

Thrills for Modern and Ancient Birders

I’ve worked with California and Andean Condors, whose 11-12 foot wingspans are largest known today, and was shocked when I first came upon one with wings fully-spread (please see photo). I cannot imagine seeing wings that are half again as long! Yet, our ancestors may have been treated to just such a spectacle.

It seems that a huge relative of the recently-described giant inhabited North Africa along with Homo erectus and other early humans. If someone out for a stroll back then had looked up – and who would not, upon seeing a 17 foot-long shadow fall across their own – they would have been treated to the ultimate addition to anyone’s “birding life-list”!

Natural History

“Huge Pseudoteeth” ruled the skies for approximately 50-60 million years (yes, a lot longer than we’ve been around!), then vanished about 2 million years ago. It was found in northern Chile (and perhaps elsewhere) and sported a long, slender beak lined with tooth-like projections.

The giant predator is believed to have soared over coastal seas in search of squid and fish. Paleontologists theorize that it glided just above the water’s surface with the lower bill submerged, snapping it shut when prey was contacted, much like the birds we know today as Skimmers.

Museum Exhibits

A reconstructed “Huge Pseudoteeth” will soon be on display at Frankfort, Germany’s Senckenberg Museum.

When in NYC, please take in the wonderful prehistoric bird display at the American Museum of Natural History; a wall-sized painting of prehistoric birds there has been mesmerizing me since childhood – don’t miss it!

Bird Extinction Announced – the Alaotra Grebe is Gone Forever

findiviglio — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:47:26 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Christening 2010 the “International Year of Biodiversity” has unfortunately been of no use to the Alaotra Grebe (Tachybaptus rufolavatus). The small waterbird, once endemic to Madagascar, has become the first avian species to be declared extinct since the Liverpool Pigeon disappeared in 2008. Birdlife International which recently (May, 2010) added the Alaotra Grebe to the IUCN Red List of Extinct Species, noted that it has not been sighted since 1985, despite surveys of the single brackish lake in which it dwelled.

The image posted with this article is the only known photograph of the Alaotra Grebe. Other recently extinct birds, such as the penguin-like Great Auk, are known only from museum specimens (please see photo).

Recent Bird Extinctions

The Alaotra Grebe joins over 130 other birds that have disappeared since the year 1500. Nearly all bird families have been affected, with parrots and flightless island dwellers being particularly hard-hit. In the last 25 years, 2 other grebes (the Columbian and Atlitan Grebes) have become extinct; Peru’s Junin Grebe is thought to be represented by a mere 250 individuals.

In the USA, Hawaii’s Po’ouli Honeycreeper is believed extinct. Worldwide, 190 species of birds are considered to be Critically Endangered and facing imminent extinction.

Why the Alaotra Grebe was Lost

Although detailed studies have not been conducted, it appears that a number of sinister factors combined to seal the Alaotra Grebe’s fate. Two large species of predatory fishes that were introduced to Lake Alaotra, the grebe’s sole habitat, consumed chicks and out-competed the birds for food (small fish). Also, a drastic increase in the use of gill nets by local fisherman resulted in many grebes being drowned, and introduced plants have destroyed critical nesting areas.

Why Should We Care?

I have often faced this question when speaking of the disappearance of seemingly “inconsequential” creatures, especially when addressing children in NYC and others far removed from “nature”. The answers are numerous and complex, and I must admit that I was not always successful in generating concern.

Birdlife International has come up with a wonderful idea…readers can post their opinions as to why the extinction of this bird, or any plant or animal, should concern us. There are already a great many insightful comments…please add your own here.

Next time we’ll take a look at the status of rare and threatened birds in the USA. Until then, please write in with your questions and comments.

Thanks,

Frank Indiviglio

Conservation News – No Recovery Plan for the Endangered Thick Billed Parrot

findiviglio — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:43:55 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’ve been involved in a number of field research efforts, and so am somewhat familiar with the difficulties inherent in funding and implementing conservation work. However, I must admit that this situation is baffling – a recovery plan has not yet been formulated for the Thick Billed Parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha), despite the fact that the bird has been protected by the Endangered Species Act since the law’s inception in 1973!

Help for the US’s Last Native Parrot?

The Thick Billed Parrot is the only remaining Psittacine native to the US Mainland. The other, the Carolina Parakeet, was hunted to extinction in the early 1900’s. With less than 3,000 individuals surviving in the wild, this green and red parrot may be headed for a similar fate if remedial action is not undertaken soon.

To that end, the conservation organization WildEarth Guardians has filed suit against Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, seeking to compel the implementation of a recovery plan. Let’s hope for a “parrot-friendly” outcome!

Wild and Captive Status

Thick Billed Parrots regularly ranged into central Arizona and New Mexico until the early 1900’s, and sporadically until the mid 1960’s. Today they are virtually unknown within US borders. A reintroduction plan instituted by the state of Arizona was not successful.

Although far from common in captivity, the birds do breed well when properly provided for… a group I’ve watched for years is a star attraction at the Queens Zoo in New York City. Private keepers have had some success with this species as well, and even provided several of the individuals released in Arizona.

That Bird Blog » Birds in History

How Pink Pigeons Saved me from Life as a Lawyer

“Thanks, Pigeons”

Breeding Pink Pigeons at the Bronx Zoo

Natural History

Keeping Exotic Pigeons

Further Reading

Fossil Allows Researchers to Distinguish Sex of Ancient Bird-Like Creature

Mysterious Head Ornamentation

Fossil Detective Work

How Pterosaurs Lived

Further Reading

How Long do Birds Live? Record Ages for Parrots, Canaries and other Birds

100-Year-Old Parrots?

Parrots and other Pet Birds

Zoo Birds

Wild Birds

Information Needed

Further Reading

Presely the Spix’s Macaw – the Real Story Behind the Movie Rio

Extinct in the Wild

The USA’s Only Spix’s Macaw

Presely Returns to Brazil

Further Reading

New Evidence Proves that the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker is not Extinct

Confusion with the Pileated Woodpecker

A Clue Over-looked for 70 Years

Other Sightings

The Recovery Plan

Further Reading

The Ornate Lorikeet – the World’s Most Colorful Parrot? – Part 1

Description

Range and Habitat

Captive History

Further Reading

Bird News – Parrots as Criminals, Crime Fighters and Stool Pigeons

Love Triangle Exposed

“Attack Parrot” Assists Police

A Drug-Dealing Amazon

Further Reading

Breaking News – Prehistoric Bird’s Wingspan is Largest Ever Recorded

Thrills for Modern and Ancient Birders

Natural History

Museum Exhibits

Further Reading

Bird Extinction Announced – the Alaotra Grebe is Gone Forever

Recent Bird Extinctions

Why the Alaotra Grebe was Lost

Why Should We Care?

Further Reading

Conservation News – No Recovery Plan for the Endangered Thick Billed Parrot

Help for the US’s Last Native Parrot?

Wild and Captive Status

Further Reading