March 2010

A new year, a new issue of PI Press – and all of us at Parrots International wish all of you everything of the best for 2010.

Our Feature Article this issue hands plaudits to two heavyweights in the world of conservation – Fundación ProAves and the Loro Parque Fundación – for their magnificent efforts to protect the Yellow-eared Parrot and its habitat, the Wax Palm.  Our feature, 10 years of saving the Yellow-eared Parrot, tells how these two organisations, with the help of more than 180 people and 47 other organizations worldwide, have laid the foundations of securing the future of these two vital species in Colombia – a project which we fervently hope will go from strength in the years to come.

Way over in the Antipodes, Luis Ortiz Catedral writes about the conservation project to protect the Red-fronted Parakeets on the Islands of the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, and photographer, Peter Odekerken, presents us with an amazing portfolio of parrots seen on one of his guided parrot tours – this one in South-west Victoria, Australia.

Over to Africa, and we hear once more from Steve Boyes, who this time presents the findings on his research into the only parrot found in the Okavango Delta, the Meyer’s Parrot, which he describes as “ a little-known, but topical and important, African transcontinental parrot”.  Still in Africa, David Waugh of the Loro Parque Fundación gives an update on the recent capture and trade of wild African Grey Parrots – with particular reference to the situation in Cameroon.

One of our two contributions on aviculture focuses on an African bird as well – the Black-cheeked Lovebird, endemic to south-west Zambia, and considered the most endangered of all African parrots.  Jörg Asmus presents a compelling case for the preservation of this beautiful little bird.  In Pauline James’ article on the Blue-throated Conure, she describes a clever, though simple, solution  to the problem of egg destruction by the parent birds.

In our section devoted to Companion Parrots, Jessie Zgurski writes on clicker training as a method of managing and handling aggressive birds – her motivation being a particularly difficult Sulphur-crested Cockatoo whom she was fostering.  Leslie Morán explains the benefits of giving your birds fresh juices – both fruit and vegetable – to maintain their health, and provide an interesting addition to their diet – and ours, as well!

Also on the subject of diet, avian veterinarian, Chris Hall, deals with obesity in parrots – a condition which he says is becoming increasingly more widespread, as are diseases caused by poor diet.  He examines this complex subject, and the health problems which can develop as a result.

The Oasis Sanctuary in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the organization which features in Making a Difference this issue.  Founder Sybil Erden tells how the Sanctuary came into being, developing from what was initially a haven for a random selection of unwanted birds, to well known and highly regarded rescue facility in the United States today.

We have two book reviews for you in this issue – each one dealing with a very different aspect of the world of the parrot.  Marie Stafford reviews Rosemary Low’s new book, Go West for Parrots!, which she says is a ‘must read’ for all parrot lovers, and those who’d enjoy a virtual trip with Rosemary on her South American birding adventures.  Leah Lemieux has been reading Irene Pepperberg’s account of her life with Alex, her African Grey, who finally put paid to the use of the phrase “bird brain”, and how together they changed the way that avian intelligence was regarded by the world of science.

As always, we hope that you’ll find much to enjoy in this issue, and even if you don’t necessarily agree with some of the views put forward, may we remind you that all opinions and statements are those of the author of each article, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial team or Parrots International.

We’d also like to encourage any of our readers who’d like to write an article for PI Press to send their ideas to:  editor@parrotsinternational.org – they’ll be most welcome!

Gilly Lloyd

Editor