The Bahaman Amazon

The Bahaman Amazon, also known as the Bahama Parrot, is closely related to the Cuban Amazon (please see photo).  It is limited in distribution to the Bahaman Islands of Grand Abaco and Grand Inagua. 

The Problem with Ground Nesting

In addition to the usual pressures of habitat loss and over-collection, the population on Grand Abaco is at risk due to a unique nesting strategy.  The island is composed largely of limestone, which (as is typical of limestone) is riddled with natural cavities and sinkholes.  The parrots there nest on the ground, within these holes. 

This was a useful strategy in the past, especially considering the absence of suitable arboreal nesting sites, and has allowed biologists to study the species in detail.  However, raccoons and house cats have now been introduced to the island, and they too have easy access to the nests.  It is believed that their predation on eggs and nestlings is currently the most serious threat faced by the Bahama Amazons on Grand Abaco.

A Conservation “First” for the Bahamas

Although precipitous declines in Bahaman Amazon numbers have been well-documented, a coordinated conservation effort on the birds’ behalf has been a long time in coming.  A management plan, the first for any Bahaman animal, has finally been implemented. 

The plan focuses on predator control, land use planning and the generation of public support (i.e. the Adopt-a-Nest Program, please see below).  Importantly, it also summarizes all that is known about the parrot’s natural history, so that biologists can make informed decisions concerning the future of this specialized island dweller.

The Puerto Rican Amazon – World’s Rarest Parrot?

Sadly, a few parrots vie for this title, but the Puerto Rican Amazon, also known as the Iguaca, is definitely one of the world’s 10 rarest birds. Despite decades of intense, well-funded conservation efforts, the entire population numbers less than 300 birds.  That is, however, an improvement – only 13 individuals could be found in 1975.

Sugar cane farming, housing developments, poaching and introduced predators added to losses inflicted by hurricanes to push this island endemic to the brink of extinction.  Ironically, this much-abused parrot may have had a role in leading Columbus to land in 1492 (please see article below)…I guess the parrots regret that move now!

Although the Puerto Rican Amazon’s situation continues to improve, conservationists believe that more can and should be done.  Consequently, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Puerto Rican Department of Natural Resources, the Lincoln Park Zoo, Mississippi State University and other organizations have banded together to review and revise the recovery plan.  Please see my article The Long Uphill Battle to Save the Puerto Rican Amazon Parrot for more information.

Further Reading

Informative Parrot’s International video featuring wild and captive Puerto Rican Parrots.

A researcher’s Bahama Parrot Blog.

Read about the Puerto Rican Parrot’s place in history: Did Parrots Help Columbus to find America? 

Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival.

Please write in with your questions and comments. 

Thanks, until next time,

Frank Indiviglio

A. leucocephala in Grand Cayman image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Phillip and Snowmanradio

Post from: That Bird Blog


Parrots of the Caribbean – Saving the Bahaman and Puerto Rican Amazons

Although several of the Amazon parrots are well-known to aviculturists and have long been pet trade staples, most species are actually quite rare in captivity and the wild, and several are, unfortunately, extinct.  Today I’d like to introduce you to some that are not often seen outside of their native ranges.  Please see Parts I and II of this article for information on commonly-kept Amazon parrots.

Extinct Species

Various Caribbean islands were the sites of several recent Amazon parrot extinctions.  The Guadeloupe Amazon, Amazona violacea, was last observed in 1779, and was apparently hunted to extinction shortly thereafter.  The Martinique Amazon, A. martinicana, was, according to the field notes of several naturalists and explorers, exceedingly common on its home island in the late 1700′s.  By the year 1800, however, it too had disappeared – also a victim of over-hunting.

The Lesser Antilles (the string of islands stretching from Puerto Rico to Trinidad) were reportedly home to at least 2 other distinct Amazon parrot species.  Unfortunately, today they exist only on the pages of travel logs and naturalists’ notebooks – preserved specimens are unknown.

Imperial or Dominican Amazon, A. imperialis

Reaching 18 inches in length and splashed in purple, brown and maroon, this magnificent parrot is the largest of its genus.  Limited in distribution to a single mountainside on the tiny island of Dominica, it is also among the rarest.  The wild population is estimated at 80-200 birds, and there is a small captive breeding effort.

Puerto Rican Amazon, A. vittata

With only 30-35 individuals remaining in Puerto Rico’s Loquillo Mountains, this is quite likely the Neotropic’s rarest parrot.  A related subspecies on nearby Culebra Island became extinct in 1912.  The captive population of approximately 100 birds (which suffered serious losses due to thievery in 2001) is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. 

An intensive reintroduction program is in effect, with captive reared birds being given predator-avoidance training (the island hosts a large population of red-tailed hawks).  However, less than 1% of the species’ natural habitat remains, and introduced black rats and mongooses pose a grave threat. Image referenced from Wikipedia Commons here.

St. Lucia Amazon, A. versicolor

I was very fortunate to have observed this colorful and rare bird while working with leatherback sea turtles on its tiny island home.  I had not really expected to see it at the time, and the intervening 20 years have not dulled the very pleasant memory.

The species’ name – “versicolor” – suits this most strikingly-marked of the Amazons well.  Its bright green feathers are rimmed in black, while blue and purple mark the head and red colors the throat and upper breast.   Wild specimens, which likely number less than 500, keep to St. Lucia’s mountain forests. Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Brennan Mulroony

St. Vincent’s Amazon, A. guildingii

Another oddly marked (for an Amazon parrot) Caribbean island denizen, this parrot’s plumage contains a good deal of black, blue and violet, offset by orange, red and white about the head.

Advanced aviculturists and several zoos are working to produce captive offspring to offset the massive decline in the wild population. Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Stavenn.

Yellow-Billed Amazon, A. collaria and Black-Billed Amazon, A. agilis

Jamaica’s only 2 parrot species are both highly endangered.  Neither was very well-known in US collections until comparatively recent times – the yellow-billed being first bred in 1963 and the black billed in 1978.  Both are now occasionally available in the pet trade, and deserve serious attention from those with the experience and resources to attempt captive breeding.

Red-Browed Amazon, A. rhodocorytha

The word “bright” comes to mind the first time one views this bird’s brilliant blue, green and red plumage…usually that view is of a photo, unfortunately, as the bird itself is exceedingly rare.  All but 2 of the specimens known to be in the USA are housed at Florida’s Rare Species Conservancy.

Captives breed fairly well, but, as only 2-10% of its rainforest habitat in eastern Brazil remains, re-introductions are not likely.  The scant reports that filter out of that area indicate that nest-poaching and deforestation continue at an alarming pace. Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Duncan Rawlinson

Please write in with your questions and comments.  Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.

The Houston Zoo has long been involved in parrot conservation efforts, and was the first US institution to breed the St. Vincent’s Amazon.  You can read about their recent progress with this species at:

http://www.houstonzoo.org/en/rel/?101

Post from: That Bird Blog


Introducing the Amazons: New World Parrots of the Genus Amazona, Part III – Rare and Extinct Species

Spectacled or White-Fronted Amazon Parrot, Amazona albifrons albifrons

Reaching only 11 inches in length and hailing from Mexico and Central America, this smallest of the Amazons is also the most affordable of the group.  This may be in part to its somewhat undeserved reputation as a “screamer”.  Its voice is loud and high-pitched, no doubt, and, like many of its relatives, the spectacled Amazon is quite vocal in general. 

However, these vocal propensities render this red, white and blue-crowned parrot a very good mimic.  Due to their relatively modest cost, spectacles were quite common in the trade when I first began working with birds, and I had the chance to work with quite a few.  They seemed often to revel in their abilities…those I’ve been around have been most enthusiastic talkers, always ready to show off. 

I heartily recommend spectacled Amazons to those with some parrot-keeping experience…properly socialized and handled, they make wonderful pets.  They are not for those seeking a quiet parrot that will blend into the background, but are ideal for those who want a responsive, active household member about.

Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrot, Amazona (ochrocephala) auropalliata

Yellow-napes are considered by many to be the ultimate parrot pet, and certainly their reputation for great intelligence is well-deserved.  Large (to 16 inches), boisterous, vocal and active, the yellow-nape is best acquired as a hand-raised youngster.  Birds that are not well-socialized when young are a real handful, and best left to very experienced (and patient!) aviculturists.  Yellow napes do tend to use their powerful beaks to “make a point”, a further reason why well-tamed individuals are recommended.

Yellow-napes often take well to lots of physical contact with favored people…they may roll onto their backs and paw at you with their feet and engage in all sorts of similar games.  Their size and sturdy build suits them well for controlled rough-housing, much more so than many parrots.

The yellow-nape is considered by some ornithologists to be a distinct species, while others classify it as a subspecies of the widely-ranging yellow-crowned parrot.  Eight to nine additional yellow-crowned subspecies range from central Mexico to the Amazon Basin.  The yellow-naped Amazon is found from southern Mexico to western Costa Rica.  The various types have long been popular pets throughout their native ranges.

Vinaceous Amazon Parrot, Amazona vinacea

The vinaceous Amazon differs from its relatives in general personality traits, being rather shy and retiring.  Most have none of the “swagger” associated with its raucous cousins, and make gentle, affectionate pets.  They fare best in quiet surroundings, and should be approached slowly, even when well-habituated to captivity.

This striking bird is distinct from most other Amazons in plumage as well.  Its green feathers are rimmed in black and the forehead and chin are red.  The throat and breast are infused with a beautiful purple-red cast, which sometimes extends to the abdomen, lending this parrot a quite unique appearance.

Unfortunately, vinaceous Amazons are quite rare in their native habitat, which is limited to southeastern Brazil and Paraguay, with remnant populations hanging on in Argentina.  Deforestation is the main culprit in their disappearance from large tracts of former habitat.  Like most parrots, they depend upon tree cavities in which to nest.  Vinaceous Amazons seem even more demanding than most species as regards the size and location of nesting cavities, and hence are particularly sensitive to habitat loss.   Field studies have shown that they compete poorly with other cavity nesting birds and mammals (i.e. various opossums), and that introduced honeybees commandeer favored tree holes with increasing frequency.

Given their precarious situation in the wild, vinaceous Amazons are an ideal choice for those with the space and expertise to attempt breeding.

A bit about some very species next time.  Until then, please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, Frank Indiviglio.

Amazons have found use as “watchdogs”, and may have figured prominently in the Columbus’ journey the Americas.  Please see my article at http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatavianblog/2008/05/14/did-parrots-help-columbus-find-his-way-to-america/ and the references cited there.

Yellow Naped Amazon image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by SEWilco under Wikipedia Commons 

Vinaceous Amazon image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by TJLin under Wikipedia Commons.

Post from: That Bird Blog


Introducing the Amazons: New World Parrots of the Genus Amazona, Part II – the Spectacled, Yellow-Naped and Vinaceous Amazon Parrots

The 27-30 parrots in the Genus Amazona, collectively known as “Amazons”, are among the world’s most popular avian pets.  Indeed, they represent, at least to the general (i.e. “non-bird keeping”) public, the “typical” parrot.  But they are far from typical in any manner, and the various species, while sharing some characteristics, differ greatly from one another.

I’d like to devote a good deal of time to this important and popular group, with an emphasis on the general personality traits of the various species.  I’ll start here with those that are well-suited for beginners, and in future articles will cover larger Amazons, as well as some of the lesser-known and rare species.  I’ll also include information on Amazons in the wild from time to time.

Range

Amazons of one kind of another range throughout much of Central and South America, and also occur on a number of Caribbean islands.  The group includes quite common, rare and recently-extinct species.

General Characteristics

Amazons are feisty birds overall, much given to noisy bickering among themselves and nearly always on the go.  They are quite hardy, with longevities exceeding 80 years for some species.  They are considered by aviculturists to among the most intelligent and trainable of the parrots, and many individuals learn to speak well.  Most bond strongly to their owners, and so make great companions. 

Choosing a Species

Because the various Amazons are superficially similar – medium to large, mainly green, stoutly-built parrots with short, rounded tails, there is sometimes a tendency to lump them together, as regards their suitability as pets.  However, as I hope to illustrate, care should be taken to match one’s personality with that of the parrot when choosing a pet.  Of course, individual birds vary greatly within the same species, but there are some general species’ characteristics that can be helpful.

Surprisingly, the qualities mentioned in the preceding section render some Amazon species as poor choices for beginning parrot-keepers.  Some are just too strong-willed and feisty, and need a great deal of room and attention.  They quickly learn (almost always far sooner than their owners!) how to dominate their caretakers, and what they can get away with.  These types, which I’ll cover in the future, are best left to experienced keepers.

Neophyte parrot fanciers do best with the smaller, quieter varieties that tend to have calm demeanors and a less “pushy” personality.  I’ll start off with some examples of these.

Lilac-Crowned or Finsch’s Amazon, Amazona finschi

Although well-known in captivity, this delightful parrot’s natural range is limited to foothills and mountainous terrain in western Mexico.  The green feathers have a dark tint to their edges, lending the bird a quite unique appearance, and there is an attractive purple cast to the head.  One of the smaller Amazons, it tops out at about 12 inches in length.

Lilac-crowned Amazons are shyer than most of their relatives, and well-suited to a calm owner and quiet household.  They are good talkers, and, if handled gently, make fine pets.

Blue-Fronted Amazon, Amazona aestiva aestiva

The large range of this parrot extends from northeastern Brazil to Paraguay and northern Argentina.  It seems, fortunately, to be a bit more resilient than other parrots as regards habitat loss, and is still to be found in good numbers in many areas. 

Slightly larger than the lilac-crowned Amazon, the blue-fronted is also a good deal more vigorous and definitely a bit more of a challenge,  That being said, it is an easily managed bird in the right hands, and is regarded as an excellent talker.  They are quite energetic, and need to kept busy if they are to do well.

Blue-fronted Amazons have always been popular in Europe, but lag behind other Amazons here in the USA.  Green in color and topped with a blue and yellow head, their unusually large eyes lend them a sensitive, “knowing” demeanor.

I’ll continue with other Amazons next time.  Until then, please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, Frank Indiviglio.

You can read about the natural history and conservation needs of the lilac-crowned Amazon at:

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1670&m=0

Lilac  Crowned Amazon Photo referenced from Wikipedia, originally published by Ruth Rogers, and shared under Creative Commons Share 2.0

Blue-fronted Amazon picture referenced from Wikipedia, originally published by Snowmanradio, and shared under Creative Commons Share 2.0

Post from: That Bird Blog


Introducing the Amazons: New World Parrots of the Genus Amazona – Part 1

Choosing a species and an individual parrot is an important step, and is best undertaken after careful research and discussions with the specialists in our bird room. I will write detailed articles about the care of individual parrot species in the future. What I would like to do here is to give you a general idea of the personalities and needs of some popular species, to help in your initial planning.

Please bear in mind that individual parrots vary greatly in their personalities and reactions to different people and environments, and that they quite often break the “species mold”. Their past care – how and where they were kept and raised – and your own actions will also have a great influence on their suitability as pets.

Fischer’s Lovebird, Agapornis fischeri
The behavior of these spunky little fellows often belies the “love” part of their name. True, mated pairs are quite attentive to each other, but lovebirds in general are among the most fearless of birds and will not hesitate to take on adversaries many times their size.

Years ago I kept a flock of Fischer’s lovebirds along with a pair of grey duikers (small antelopes) in an exhibit the Bronx Zoo. The birds were the bane of the antelopes’ existence, and would only allow the much larger creatures to feed after the flock had eaten its fill. They would even crowd around the glass that separated them from the meerkat exhibit — screening at the normally bird-intimidating predators and just itching for a fight!

Adult lovebirds are almost impossible to tame, but when acquired as fledglings they make very responsive and intelligent pets. Although not known for their talking abilities, they make up for this with their clownish antics and sociability. Their small size (6 inches or so) renders them ideal choices for those with limited space.

Black-headed Caique, Pionites melanocechala
Although not as commonly available as some of the other birds on this list, this caique (correct pronunciation is “kah-ee-kay”, but you will often hear “cake”), is well worth searching for. Although somewhat less “dependent” upon company than other parents (often to the point of seeming “aloof”), this South American beauty often bonds closely with one person. They are fairly small (10 inches) and possess only moderate talking abilities. Colored green with a yellow and orange front and black head and beak, this bird is quite stunning to behold.

Spectacled Amazon, Amazona albifrons albifrons
Often overlooked because they are relatively common in the pet trade, spectacled Amazons have much to recommend them. They are, however, quite loud and given to an almost constant chattering, and this can be a bit much for some people. These tendencies, however, render them fairly good talkers and their outgoing personalities can be quite charming. Those that I have worked with have unfailingly become the center of attention, and were quite are undeterred by large groups and noisy surroundings. They reach about 11 inches in length, and so need a bit more room than the birds mentioned up to this point.

Yellow-naped Amazon, Amazona ocrocephala auropalliata
This Amazon is less brightly-colored than others of the group, but makes a wonderful pet for the right owner. I say “right owner” because they are quite large and active, and tend to defend themselves vigorously when threatened. That being said, yellow-napes are also extremely curious and engaging, and are among the most acrobatic and trainable of the Amazons. They reach 16 inches in length and are best acquired as hand- fed babies.

Next time I’ll cover several representatives from other parrot groups, such as conures, cockatoos and macaws. Until then, please write in with any questions that may come up in your search for the ideal parrot. Thanks, Frank.

You can read more about important considerations in choosing a pet parrot at:http://www.windhovervet.com/choosing.htm

Post from: That Bird Blog


Choosing a Pet Parrot – an overview of popular species

Click here to view the first part of this article.

Nesting
Most parrots lay their eggs within holes in trees, using little if any nesting material.

Lovebirds build true nests. Females wedge dried grasses and other nesting material into the feathers of their rumps for transport to the nest site.

Monk parrots build huge, communal stick nests. Escaped pets have established large colonies in NYC. At the Bronx Zoo I cared for a group that built a nest in their outdoor exhibit – their calls attracted free-living monk parrots, which added sticks to the exhibit roof, eventually forming an extension to the nest within the exhibit.

Golden-shouldered parrots (Australia) evacuate nests within terrestrial termite mounds, while New Guinea’s buff-faced pygmy parrot does the same in arboreal termite nests. It is assumed that the insects confer a degree of protection to nesting birds, although why they do not attack the parrots is unknown. The eggs may also benefit from the stable temperatures maintained within the mounds.

The Patagonian conure burrows into riverbanks and cliffs to a depth of 10 feet or more when nesting. Those I kept at the Bronx Zoo would not breed until provided with artificial burrows.

Ground parrots (Australia) nest in depressions below grass clumps.

Peach-faced lovebirds (East Africa) nest colonially – often commandeering the intricately woven nests of weaver finches after driving out the rightful owners.

The rock parrot is surely the oddest of all when it comes to egg-laying. Its nests have only been found below rocks, just above the high tide mark along the South Australian coast.

Breeding and Courtship
Most parrots form monogamous pair bonds that may last a lifetime. New Zealand’s kakapo and kea, however, are polygamous.

The nocturnal kakapos are the only parrots to display in leks – females choose mates from groups of males which gather in one place to compete with loud, booming calls. In contrast to other parrots, male kakapos provide no care to the young.

Courting parrots utilize a behavior known as the “eye blaze”, in which the brightly colored iris expands in size.

Male and female parrots are often indistinguishable from one another. Male Australian king parrots, however, are scarlet in color while the females are bright green. Male and female eclectus parrots differ so much in appearance that they were long thought to be separate species – males are emerald green with scarlet flanks and under-wings, while females are crimson red with violet-blue bellies.

Conservation
The IUCN Red Data Book lists 18 species of parrot as extinct, 32 as endangered, 17 as critically endangered and 82 as either vulnerable or threatened.

The spix macaw is likely extinct in the wild (although it survives in captivity) and the glaucous macaw has only been sighted twice in the 20th century. The flightless kakapo, threatened by introduced rats, cats and stoats, likely numbers less than 100 in its native New Zealand.

There’s plenty more, of course – please send in your own interesting facts and stories. Thanks. Until next time, Frank.

An article examining the relationship between natural and pet parrot behavior is posted at:http://www.realmacaw.com/pages/parrbehav.html

Post from: That Bird Blog


Parrots, Parakeets, Macaws, Cockatoos, Lories & Lorikeets – Interesting Facts and Figures – Part Two

Introduction
Parrots and their relatives have such a long history as pets (the first written record of a parrot in captivity is that of a plum-headed parakeet in Greece in 400 BC) that it is easy to forget how spectacularly adapted they are for life in the wild. Today I would like to pass along some information concerning the natural history of these fascinating birds, with the hope that it will help you to develop a better understanding and deeper appreciation of your pet’s unique qualities.

All 360 species of “parrot-like birds” (of the world’s nearly 10,000 bird species) are classified within the order Psittaciformes. They are divided into approximately 80 genera but belong to a single family, Psittacidae.

The hyacinth macaw, which reaches 3.4 feet in length and sports a wingspan of nearly 5 feet, is the world’s largest parrot. Papua New Guinea’s buff-faced pygmy parrot, fully grown at 3 inches, is the smallest. The flightless kakapo of New Zealand, at 9 pounds in weight, is the heaviest parrot.

Parrot bills are distinguished from those of other birds by the fact that the upper bill is hinged where it joins the skull, allowing for great flexibility and rendering it very useful as a tool. The thick tongue also helps give parrots their extraordinary ability to manipulate objects.

Parrot tails may be long, as in the macaws (2/3 birds total length) or nearly absent, as in the blue-crowned hanging parrots. The central tail feathers of the racket-tailed parrots of Indonesia and the Philippines are elongated and bare, and capped with flat, rounded tips. The function of their odd shape is not unknown. The New Guinea pygmy parrot’s stiff, bare tail feathers support the bird as it forages on tree trunks.

Parrots feet are termed “zygodactyl” – 2 toes point forward and 2 point backwards. This arrangement confers strength and dexterity. Parrots are distinctly “left-footed” or “right-footed” when it comes to handling objects with their feet.

Range and Habitat
The ring-necked parakeet, found from North Africa to China, is the widest ranging parrot. A group that escaped at Kennedy Airport in NYC still survives in the area surrounding the Bronx Zoo (an injured one that I came upon had lost some toes due to frostbite, but was otherwise in fine shape). Stephen’s lorry, the species most limited in distribution, survives only within a 13.5 square mile area on Henderson Island in the South Pacific.

The now extinct Carolina parakeet ranged to North America’s Great Lake region, making it the most northerly of parrots in distribution. Today that title is held by the slaty-headed parrot of Afghanistan. Tierra del Fuego’s austral conure ranges the furthest south.

Most parrots are associated with forested areas and even grassland species, such as the budgerigar (common parakeet) and Fischer’s lovebird, rarely stray far from thickets. There are however, a number of exceptions:
The kea lives at elevations of 2-6,000 feet in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, and is often seen rolling about in the snow. Other mountain dwelling parrots include the derbyan parakeet of the Himalayas and the Sierra parakeet of the Andes.
Australia’s ground parrot inhabits coastal sand dunes while the night parrot, also of Australia, is found only in desert grasslands.

Diet
While the vast majority of the world’s parrots feed upon nuts, seeds and fruit, several species take quite unique food items:
Black cockatoo – the larvae of wood-boring beetles
Kakapo – juice obtained by chewing leaves
Pygmy parrot – fungus
Lories and lorikeets – pollen and nectar

Perhaps the oddest parrot diet of all is that of New Zealand’s kea, which favors bot fly larvae. The kea hunts fly larvae by perching upon the backs of sheep and pecking at the skin – much to the dismay of both sheep and shepherds! This habit, and the bird’s inordinate fondness for carrion, has resulted in their being unjustly labeled as sheep-killers.

Post from: That Bird Blog


Parrots, Parakeets, Macaws, Cockatoos, Lories & Lorikeets – Interesting Facts and Figures – Part One

An oft-repeated story suggests that parrots, most likely one of the Amazons, may have figured prominently in the history of the New World as well. Legend has it that, after over 2 months of sailing through featureless seas, the crew of Columbus’ ship Pinta was ready to mutiny. The ship’s captain, Mr. Pinzon, advised Columbus to continue westward, as he had observed “forest birds” flying in that direction. Upon landing on San Salvador, Columbus observed the green birds seen by Mr. Pinzon in the huts of the people living there.

Some time later, tame parrots roosting near villages on several Caribbean islands were also said to have warned the residents of the approach of the Spanish conquistadors. The journals of generals Hojida and Nicuso show that in at least one case (Yuibaco, 1509) the villagers, relying upon their pets’ warning calls, were able to escape into the forest.

Human and avicultural history is rich with such stories… please pass along those you may know of. Thanks. Until next time, Frank.

An account of Columbus’ observations of parrots in the West Indies, drawn from his journals, is posted at:
http://wildbirdsbroadcasting.blogspot.com/2007/11/columbus-voyages-discover-birds.html

Post from: That Bird Blog


Did Parrots Help Columbus Find His Way to America?

One morning, we awoke to the gruesome discovery of a small pile of blood-spattered feathers below the birds’ roosting site – all that remained of the male. Tortuguero is home to a number of creatures, including ocelots, Leopardus pardalis, great horned owls, Bubo virginianus, and the unusual Linneaus’ false vampire bat, Vampyrum spectrum, that would be more than happy to snack on a plump parrot. Apparently, the dog that usually slept below the roost had gone “off duty”, and a nocturnal predator had made the most of the lapse in security. On the very next evening, with only the slightest of prodding, the female walked over into her cage and perched quietly while the door was secured – and, I’m told, she has done so each night since!

Thanks. Until next time, Frank.

Post from: That Bird Blog


Parrots and the Perils of Tropical Nights