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Susan Clubb gave us an update on Proventricular Dilatation Disease. For the first time in years we have a break through with the discovery of Avian Borna Virus. Find out more about recent PDD virus discovery on the CDC website. Donald Brightsmith talked about the clay licks at the Tambopata Research Centre in Peru. There had been much speculation on why the parrots eat clay. These include aiding digestion by providing grit, and the removal of toxins from poisons in the food that the birds consume. He believes that the answer may be the birds eat the clay for sodium. This belief is supported by extensive research at clay licks where parrots actually eat soil. In areas of the tropics where the same species eat the same food sources, there is no source of clay, yet the species’ distribution is not affected. Don showed that clay eating is inversely proportional to the natural level of sodium in the parrots’ environment. The soil tested where the birds were feasting was high in sodium and it was not as high in other areas of the cliffs. However, he compared this to people eating ice cream for calcium. Visit Don’s blog from the field. Neiva Guedes talked about the subject of her doctorial thesis and her lifetime work – the propagation of Hyacinth Macaws in the Pantanal. She discussed the many factors that influenced reproduction, from weather and nest availability.  Visit the Projeto Arara Azul website.

Bennett Hennessey, who is well known for his work with Blue Throated Macaws, has had a lodge built at the Red-fronted Macaw nesting cliffs in Bolivia, and would like to offer a tour during which people will see 10 difference species of macaws. The dilemma at this time is a lack of beds for the lodge. A friend and I spoke to him after his talk and my friend is going to try to find someone to donate the needed beds.

He also developed a program to stop people from using macaw feathers in their headdresses, funded by Parrots International. During traditional festivals in the Beni Department of Bolivia, hundreds of people wear headdresses filled with macaw tail feathers. These headdresses were made from the feathers of many dead macaws. Bennett proposed a contest, funded by Parrots International, to see who could make the best headdress using alternative materials; first place was $500 or the equivalent of six month’s salary for the local people. The first place winner’s headdress was beautiful and he is now teaching others to make and sell these featherless headdresses.

Yarra Barros is one of the speakers who really touches my heart. She has been working for IBAMA many years, trying to save the Spix’s Macaw from total extinction. She talked about their failures as well as their successes. Most people only discuss their successes. Her passion, courage and conviction are inspiring. She no longer works for IBAMA, however, her new employer is allowing her time to continue to work as the captivity coordinator on The Spix’s Macaw Recovery Program.

Robin Bijork talked about her work in using a radio transmitter that she devised that will withstand the bite of a macaw . Using this radio transmitter, she tracked the migration of Mealy Parrots across the Guatemalan lowlands, and the movement of the Great Green Macaws in Costa Rica. She is currently working on a project to reintroduce Scarlet Macaws to El Salvador.

Mathias Dislich is the staff veterinarian at Foz Tropicana Parque das Aves. His topic was the about the reintroduction of a viable population of Green-winged and Blue and Gold Macaws into the Iguassu Falls area of Southwestern Brazil.

Steve Martin’s talk was also superb. He showed many of the videos that Susan Friedman uses in her lectures. However, he also had videos of lions and hyenas that learn to move their sides against the bars of an enclosure to accept shots. He had some amusing videos of primates. Steve emphasized the use of scientifically sound, non-aversive techniques to teach parrots and animals of all kinds to behave in a way that is harmonious with humans.

Frank Lavac provided a veterinary Q&A that is always well received. He gave a talk that was practical for anyone who keeps or works with parrots. He also discussed first aid and avian health concerns.

Jafet Velez-Valentin, the Luquillo Aviary team leader for the US Fish and Wildlife Service Puerto Rican Amazon Recovery Program, informed us about the progress of the Puerto Rican Amazons. He explained about the difficulties getting the new Iguaca Aviary up and running, and compared the difference, problems and appeal of each facility.

Roan Balas McNab’s talk was fascinating to me, since I am a Scarlet Macaw enthusiast. Roan presented data on his pioneering use of GPS transmitters on Scarlet Macaws, the signals of which are received by satellite and the data transmitted to a real time display. The problem they encountered was insufficient battery life on the GPS transmitter. However, I found his videos of forest falcons going into Scarlet’s nests in Guatemala – and killing the baby Scarlets – very upsetting. Since falcons do not have zygodactyl feet, it was assumed that they would not be able to exit a macaw’s nesting cavity. Therefore their preying on macaw chicks was unexpected. The falcons just flew in killed the chicks and flew out with the dead babies. They are looking for a way to prevent these deaths..

Glaucia Sexias focused on the Blue-fronted Amazon in the Pantanal. She is fearful that this species will soon become threatened. Her comprehensive long-term study of the species, that spanned a 12 year period, includes radio telemetry monitoring, reproduction, diet, release of confiscated parrots and education of the local population.

Darrel Styles discussed the many diseases that affect parrots. However, his primary focus was on the terrifying bird flu or H5N1, and how it, or some change in it, may affect us.

Mark Stafford presented an overview of sixteen Parrots International supported projects. His presentation included updates from the field projects, video footage and extensive still photography. Mark introduced three new projects to the Symposium attendees: The Pfrimer’s Parakeet Project (Central Brazil), The Slender-billed Conure Project (Southern Chile) and the Iguassu Falls Macaw Reintroduction Project (southwestern Brazil).

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I have attempted to say at least a few lines about everyone’s lecture and I have not done them justice. All the speakers were enthralling and they had superior videos of their work bringing the action to the audience. We were able to see all the highlights at their best angles in the comfort of the lecture hall. Attending a Symposium like this one permits more than the opportunity to hear a lecture and indulge in good food. So much learning takes place when socializing with speaker and anyone else who is attending the symposium. This is as valuable as any aspect of a symposium. However, it is spontaneous and there is always some pleasant and unexpected experience. Today I look forward to the 2010 International Parrot Symposium.