Park Birds Singing Birds
other birds upon request • Also have high
quality nectar diets! AUrea _,,-,_:- Dick Schroeder Don Wells (619) 73to~7~~~IlJ~!±871-8330
The Crowned Pigeons (Goura cristata, Goura scheepmakeri,
Goura victoria)
Kansas City Zoological Gardens
Welcomes new members,
Crowned Pigeons have been main­ tained and bred in captivity since the late 1800's. These birds do well on a variety of diets, we feed Purina Pigeon Chow Checkers with supple­ ments of fruit and monkey biscuits. Our pair often takes Purina Monkey Chow and soaks the biscuits until they are soft enough to eat.
These birds readily hybridize with each other and the resulting off­ spring appear to be fertile. Wild hybrids between G. cristata and G. victoria have been reported in the Siriwio River area. Some hybrids are still produced in captivity in the U.S. and England. As there is little if any­ thing to be gained by such hybridiza­ tions, it is hoped that this practice will not continue.
In zoos, most of these birds are dis­ played as single pairs in large, mixed species, walk-through aviaries. Here for the most part they are benign inhabitants peacefully coexisting with other ground dwelling species. Occasionally a pair or an individual will attack and may kill other birds. Pairs have also, on occasion, attacked visitors. In the Wild, these birds are normally encountered in small par­ ties with larger congregations occur­ ring at waterholes and feeding areas.
The nest in the wild has been reported as proportionately larger and more compact than other pig­ eons (Goodwin 1983). In captivity, it is often flimsy and may consist of just a few twigs. These birds will often utilize an artificial nest structure. A single white egg is laid by all three species and both birds incubate. Hatching occurs in 28 to 29 days. The altricial chick is fed "pigeon's milk" and remains in the nest lor apprOXimately 30 days. As the chick grows, the adults add increasing amounts of grain and fruit to the "pigeon's milk". The adults may con­ tinue to care for the chick for several
Found on the island of New Guinea (in both Papua New Guinea and Irian ]aya) and a few small adjoining islands, the three species of Crowned Pigeons of the genus Goura are the largest members of the pigeon family. These magnificent birds are popular both as zoo exhibits and in private breeding facilities.
Taxonomists have long debated the status of these birds. Currently, three distinct species are recognized. Recent DNA mapping (Bohmke & Patton 1987) seems to support this. The apparently extinct Microgoura meeki of the Solomon Island chain may have been their closest relative. Trugon terrestris may be their clos­ est liVing relative with M. meeki haVing been the link between the two liVing genera.
Crowned Pigeons are currently on Appendix II of the CITES convention. Individuals in Rotterdam are develop­ ing a petition to have these birds placed on AppendiX I, further restricting trade in wild-caught birds (Nijboer, 1991). The reasoning for this is clear. Little data currently exists on their status in the wild. What little is known is that they have been locally extirpated wherever man has established settlements (Collar & Andrew 1988; Coates 1985; Beehler 1985; Bell, 1982, 1970, 1969; Pearson 1974). Despite laws prohibiting the taking of these birds by shotgun or nets, shooting and col­ lecting continue. While there is little trade in wild-caught birds within the U.S., there appears to be a Significant trade in eastern Europe and southeast Asia. Reportedly one dealer based in Singapore took some 900 G. cristata from waterholes in Irian]aya in 1987 (Nijboer 1991). This same dealer was holding approXimately 300 individu­ als at two locations in southeast Asia in 1990 (King 1991).
We publish a monthly bulletin on all aspects of aviculture. For member­ ship information please contact: Helen Hanson, (714) 780-4102, ASA, Inc., P.O. Box 5516, Riverside, CA 92517. Yearly dues $20. Foreign members please add $5 to cover post­ age (U.S. funds only).
AVICULTURAL SOCIETY OF
QUEENSLAND Welcomes new members
An Australian Society catering to all birds both in captivity and in the wild. We publish a bi-monthly magazine on all aspects of aviculture and conser­ vation. Anyone interested in membership please contact Ray Garwood, 19 Fahey's Road, Albany Creek, 4035 Queensland, Australia. Annual subscription: 522 (A) airmail, or 516 (A) surface. Please remit monies or bank drafts in AustralIan currancy.
Award Winning Habitats That Address the Most Important Elements of Quality, Functionality,
BIRD CAGES AND ~ ACCESSORiES and Safety
• OU15ide FeederSystem • 5 YearWarranry • Bird ProofDoor Latch • Unique Lower Apron and Disposal Tray System
• Four Cage Sizes Accommodate Conmes, Cockatiel~
Amazons, Cockatoo~ Macaws and More • Three Non- Toxic Cage Colors: White, Gray, Almond
CALL NOW FOR FREE CATALOG AND INFORMATION ON mE FINEST BIRD CAGES AND ACCESSORIES AVAlIABLEI
1-800-336-BIRD or 1-619-438-4442 2270 Camino Vida Roble • Suites I & J • Carlsbad, CA 92009
FAX: (619) 438-6636
30 August / September 1992
weeks after it leaves the nest. Egg lay­ ing, at least in captivity, may occur at any time of the year and the pair may recycle within 12 days of losing an egg.
One perplexing problem with these birds is their propensity to. lose eggs. Pairs will often hatch two or three eggs in a row and then go for a year or more laying numerous eggs without hatching another. Eggs are either infertile or the pair abandons them at some stage of development. In the mixed species environment of most zoos, an abandoned egg rarely lasts long. This problem has been reported by numerous institutions as well as by individuals. Currently there is no obvious common factor which can account for this behavior. If the egg hatches, the pair usually rears the chick. Only rarely has it been reported that a pair has deserted a chick.
Hand-rearing has been accom­ plished by a number of institutions and individual breeders. Many of these chicks are smaller than those reared by the adults and as yet only a few have successfully reproduced. The diets used for hand-rearing vary. One institution tube fed their bird on monkey chow. The chick we most recently reared in Kansas City was fed on soaked pigeon pellets and finely diced fruit. Others have fed diets which have included baby cer­ eals, yogurt, peanut butter, Isomil and Esbilac. The leading cause of death in hand-reared chicks has been bacterial infections. The second most prevelant cause of mortality is mechanical injury during feeding.
Goura cristata (pallas 1764) The Common or Blue Crowned
Pigeon is currently the most abun­ dant species in captivity. The most recent N.A. regional studbook lists 39.30.8 (male.female.unknown) in
32 participating facilities (Wetzel 1991). The European Regional stud­ book lists 24.24.24 in 24 facilities (Nijboer 1991).
Adults of this species range from 60 to 70 cm in length. Overall body coloration is shades of blue grey. Back and most upper wing coverts maroon. Tail tipped with lighter grey­ blue. Wing speculum white. Iris and legs are red. Two subspecies are cur­ rently recognized based largely on size, identification to this level may only be accurately accomplished if the location of capture of the bird or its parents is know.
These birds are found in lowland forests, both wet and dry, from sea level to elevations up to 110 meters.
Goura cristata cristata (Pallas) is found in northwestern New Guinea east in south to Etna Bay and east in north to the Siriwo River. This sub­ species is slightly larger than the fol­ lowing (Rand 1967).
Goura cristata minor (Schlegel) is found on the western Papuan Islands of Misol, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeu (Rand 1967).
Goura scheepmakeri (Finsch 1876)
Scheepmaker's Crowned Pigeon has the smallest population in captiv­ ity. The N.A. studbook records only 4.8.1 in 6 institutions most being descended from one pair (Wetzel 1991). The European population is only slightly larger with 12.9.2 in nine institutions (Nijboer 1991).
The largest of the Crowned Pigeons these birds range from 70 to 77 cm in length. As with the preced­ ing species, two subspecies are cur­ rently recognized. These are easily recognizable due to their substantial color differences.
Found mainly in lowland forests but locally to 500 meters.
Goura scheepmakeri scheepma-
IRICK's We carry a full line of quality
~ >. "'d """ ,I '''''"'bI'II £QiI .:;.J prices. The most Important - '.' ~ features of any bird scale are
::J accuracy and consistency. BIRD(f) We have tested many digital
;-- -' scales and found that scales that have a load cell
weighing mechanism give results that do not change when the weight is moved from one side of the platform to the other. All digital scales are NOT created equal.
MADE WITH PRIDE IN THE U.S.A. ELECTRONIC DIGITAL BIRD
SCALE WITH T-PERCH $79.00 shipping included.•
This scale has astate of the art Load cell weighing mechanism. It was design­ ed for us specifically as a Bird Scale and it is manufactured and assem­ bled in the U.S.A. It weighs in 1gm. increments all the way up to 2200 grams. Also weighs in 1/10 ounce incre­ ments up to 5 lb. Same scale without perch: $75.00. Perch is not removable but
scale converts easily to a ~~~~~~Jbaby bird scale by attaching a stainless steel converter dish with perch grippers (small $10.00, large $15.00). Uses 9V battery or optional AC adapter ($11.00) One inch diameter perch is standard. Larger diameter perches available. 'Dusty' the African Grey pictured.
OHAUS TRIPLE BEAM BALANCE WITH REMOVABLE T-PERCH $119.00
shipping included' Includes stainless steel baby bowl. Weighs in 1/10 of 1 gm. increments. This scale has acapacity of 610 gm. or you can order the optional weight set ($19.00) which increases the scale's capacity to 2110 gm.
OHAUS TRIPLE BEAM BALANCE WITH REMOVABLE PERCH & TARE BEAM $134.00'
Same scale as above except that it has a4th beam (tare beam) which allows you to "tare out" the weight of perch or bowl. This eliminates the need to subtract the weight of the perch or bowl after weighing bird. Optional weight set. ($19.00).
OHAUS Hanging Pan Balance $149.00' For EGGS and very small babies. Weighs in 11100 of 1 gm. increments up to 311 grams.
We also sell a 5000 gm. DIGITAL bird scale ($99.00) with large T-perch for very large birds. Other brands of digital scales include OHAUS and SUNBEAM. Both are $119.00 with perch. Other scales with perch starting at $33.00.
ELECTRONIC DIGITAL THERMOMETER WITH STAINLESS STEEL PROBE
$19.95 battery included' For checking the temperature of baby bird for­ mula. Easy to read digital display reads in 1110 of 1 degree increments up to 23QO F.
CALL OR WRITE FOR FREE BROCHURE. Not avail­ able in pet stores. To order send check or M.0. to: RICK'S BIRD SUPPLIES, 4373 Raymir Place, Dept. A Wauwatosa, WI 53222. Phone (414) 461-8138 COD orders, $4 add'l. - • Shipping in­ cluded in continental USA. We have been stand­ ing behind our scales with a100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE and a1YR. WARRANTY SINCE 1988.
afa WATCHBlRD 31
keri (Finsch) southeastern New Guinea from Hall Sound to Orangerie Bay (Rand 1967). Ventral sides of neck, upper breast and upper wing coverts maroon. Wing speculum ivory-white. Remaining body grey­ blue. Tail tipped in lighter blue-grey. Iris and legs of both are red. Crest long and lacy.
Goura sheepmakeri sclateri (Sal­ vadori) southern New Guinea from Mimika to Fly River (Rand 1967). Similar to above, no maroon on wings and maroon extends further down on breast. Wing speculum pale grey.
Goura victoria (Fraser 1844) This is the second most common
species to be exhibited and arguably the loveliest. In the N.A. studbook, 34.30.7 are registered jin 27 institu­ tions (Wetzel 1991) while in Europe 29.28.13 are recorded from 22 insti­ tutions (Nijboer 1991). Adults similar in size to G. cristata.
Crest feathers are tipped in white. Ventral portion of neck and breast maroon. Wing speculum grey-blue. Tail tipped with grey-blue. Body overall blue-grey in color. Iris and legs red. As with the preceding spe­ cies, two subspecies are recognized. Wing speculum and tail light grey­ blue. Like G. cristata these are based predominately on size and identifica­ tion is difficult at best.
Inhabits wet and dry lowland forest but locally reaches elevations up to 600 meters.
Goura victoria victoria (Fraser) islands of Geelvink Bay Oapen and Biak (Introduced?») (Rand 1967).
Goura victoria beccarii (Salva­ dori) north New Guinea between head of Geelvink Bay (at Siriwo River) and Astrolabe Bay, also south­ eastern New Guinea in Collingwood Bay region (between Holnicote Bay and Mt. Maneao) (Rand 1967).
Experiences at the Kansas City Zoo
The Kansas City Zoo currently maintains a single pair of Victoria Crowned Pigeons which are housed in a tropical free flight aviary with 40 additional species of birds. The male was hatched here in 1978 while the female hatched at the Rio Grande Zoo in 1985.
This hen has laid 26 eggs in a four year .period. Of these, five have hatched with four chicks being reared. Most of the eggs were found broken and fertility could not be
32 August/ September 1992
Scheepmaker's Crowned Pigeon (G.s. sclateri) - MemphiS Zoological Garden and Aqual~ium
Q5 .ti ~ Q)
j1 Q5 .D oa: .D Q5 I >-
.D o <5..c Cl.
L Box
Super T - With Baffles large· J6'x 27" x 15'· Assembled S9S00
MedIUm-JO'x27"xlS'-Assembled S8S.00
One size 36·x 12" Assembled - $75.00
• Wood lining available. • Boxes ordered
unassembled come without wood lining.
• Many others not pictured. • L Box and Z box have left
or right entry holes.
• Leading br d r of I rge P ittacine for over 25 ye r .
• Now off ring a proven product line for th riou avi ulturali 1.
• Eucalyptu chip and havings for bedding.
• Bre d r c ge and door pe ialty!
• Aviaryand ag wire now available at the low t pric s anywhere,
• Premium br der pairs and baby birds alway v ilable.
• Most item in stock for immediate hipment.
Introduces a new dimension in bird breeding products...
hen joins him. He will then leave the nest site and return shortly with a branch or dracena leaf. Presenting this to the hen, he goes in search of more nesting material allowing her to arrange it. in the nest. After the nest site has been selected and nest­ building is underway, either bird may bring nesting material to the other. Nest bUilding may last for several weeks or take only a few days.
After laying, the pair takes turns incubating the egg. Each nesting has
determined. One chick was hand­ reared in 1990 after the adults had abandoned seven previous eggs. Chicks were hatched and successa
fully parent reared in 1988, 1989 and 1991.
The male normally selects the nest site, either a basket located on a hori­ zontal branch approximately 10 feet above ground or on a wire ledge approximately 8 feet above the ground. After selecting the site, the male gives his booming call until the
Q5 N
afa WATCHBIRD 33
shown a different nest relief pattern. Both birds do seem to share equally in the incubation process. Both birds begin booming loudly if relief is late in coming. Often the relief bird brings a new piece of nesting mate­ rial and presents it to the sitting bird before sWitching off. The non-sitting bird normally stays well away from the nest site.
The naked chick is closely brooded for the first several days. We usually are first aware of the successful hatch when we observe feeding behavior. As the chick developes, it often sits with its head out from under the breast of the brooding adult. The chick grows rapidly and in 28 to 33 days leaves the nest. Once the chick leaves the nest, the adults continue to care and feed it for up to 30 days. The chicks begin picking at food items shortly after leaVing the nest.
Once the chick is on the ground, the adults usually remain close by. Each of the chicks here have shown a great deal of variation in their devel­ opment. Some are relatively bold and confiding while the most recent chick clearly avoids the staff. Chicks are normally removed from the exhibit within 30 days of leaving the nest.
On four occasions we have hand­ reared chicks. Three of these have been successful. We have used three separate diets (refer to table 2), and have been "successful' 'with all three. Our. hand-reared chicks have not grown as rapidly as those parent reared and should we attempt hand­ rearing again we will alter the diet to increase growth rate.
The first attempt occurred in 1984. At this time we utilized a diet based on information obtained by Me. Bruce Bohmke (our Curator of Birds at the time), from the Riverbanks Zoo and Me. John Moore. We encountered several problems with curdling in the crop and switched from Esbilac to a soy-based milk sub­ stitute, Isomil, on subsequent trys. during our most recent attempt we fed freshly soaked Purina Pigeon Chow Checkers and chopped fruit. Initially each chick gained weight very slowly (see graph 1) and only after the 2nd week did growth rate begin to pick up. Each chick also first feathered out in a very dark plumage rather than the blue-grey color of par­ ent reared birds.
The technique we use for feeding the chicks consists of gently inserting the bill into a baby bottle nipple and
34 August / September 1992
allOWing the chick to suck the food up out of the nipple. As the baby grows, we place the food into a lar­ ger receptacle. Our first chick took nearly four months to begin eating on its own; while our second took about three and the last chick two. Recently I was notified that the second bird we hand-reared had hatched an egg and was rearing a chick so hopefully these birds will be able to reproduce normally.
I have published a regional stud­ book for the North American popula­ tion including Canada, Mexico and the United States for the past five years. Joeke Nijboer of the Royal Rot­ terdam Zoo maintains a European regional studbook and is the EEP coordinator for this genus. Recently I was approved to develop an interna­ tional studbook for these birds. In addition to the North American and European populations, Crowned Pigeons are housed at numerous institutions throughout the world. Reportedly over 200 Crowned Pigeons, mainly G. cristata, were held in ten institutions in South East Asia (Yaacob 1990; King 1991).
While the orth American stud­ book accurately reflects the numbers of birds held in zoos, only a few pri­ vate breeders are currently participat­ ing. There is evidence that the num­ bers of G. cristata and G. victoria in North America are at least half again as large as those reported in the stud­ book, while only a few G. scheep­ makeri are not recorded. If you would like to register your birds, please contact me at the Kansas City Zoo, 6700 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Missouri 64132.
The Crowned Pigeons, like all pop­ ular aviary birds, must be managed properly if we are to assure their con­ tinued existence in our collections. As can be seen in table 1, this past year all three species showed a net gain, however small, in population. In the case of G. cristata, this slight gain was the result of bringing five adult birds into the registered popu­ lation. Four of these were acqUired from a foreign source and potentially represent new blood lines.
Both G. cristata and G. victoria have a good genetic base to work from. Through proper management, both species could have stable popu­ lations'in a short time. G. scheep­ makeri, in sharp contrast, is geneti­ cally un-sound. Currently there are only two reproductive pairs recorded in the N.A. population with seven of
the remaining birds being descended from them. The two males of these pairs are siblings. Two birds of unknown origin have yet to repro­ duce. If this species is to be main­ tained in orth American facilities, we will need to obtain new blood lines.
The Crowned Pigeons are one of the most striking members of the pigeon family. Their large size, color­ ation and demeanor combine to make them prized inhabitants of our collections. These same attributes, along with their desirability as a food source and continued habitat altera­ tion in their native land will continue to cause the wild population to decline. Many individuals and institu­ tions have bred these birds, and now must work together to assure their long term survival in captivity.
References Bechler, B.M .. 1985. Conservation of New
Guinea Rainforest. In: Diamond, A.W. & TE. Lovejoy 1985. Conservation of Tropical Forest Birds. ICBP Technical Publi­ cation 4.
Bell, H. L.. 1%9. Field notes on the birds of the Ok Tedi River Drainage, New Guinea. Emu G9(4): 193-211.
Bell, II. L.. 1970. Field notes on birds of the Nomad River Sub-district, Papua. Emu 70(3): 97-10ti.
Bell, H.L.. 1982. A bird community of lowland rainforest in New Guinea. I. Composition and density of the avifauna. Emu 82(1): 24-41.
Bohmke, B.W. & j.e. Patton. 1987. Genetic relatedness of nominate forms of Goura (Aves, Columbiformes) and its captive man­ agement implications. Unpublished manu­ script.
Coates, B.].. 1985. The birds of Papua New Guinea ineluding the Bismark Archipelago and Bouganvillc. Vol. I. Dove Publications, New York.
Collar, N.J. & P. Andrew. 1988. Birds to Watch, The ICllP World Checklist of Threatened Birds. ICBP Technical Publication 8. Smith­ sonian Institution Press, Washington D.e.
GoodWin, D. 198:,. Pigeons and Doves of the World, 3rd Ed. Cornell University Press, Ithaca.
King, e. 1991. Personal Observation. In: ijboer, j. 1991. CITIES proposal. Unpub­
lished paper. Nijboer, j. 1991. CITIES proposal. Unpub­
lished paper. Nijboer, j. 1991. The Crowned Pigeon Stud­
book 3. The Royal Rotterdam Zoological and I30tanical Gardens. (in public.)
Pearson, D.L. 1977. Survey of the birds of a lowland forest plot in the East Sepik District, Papua. Emu 75: 175-177.
Rand, A.L. & E.T. Gilliard. 1967. lIandbook of ew Guinea Birds. Ebenezer Baylis & Sons
Limited. London. Wetzel, D.L. 1991. Crowned Pigeon Studbook
1989-1990. Kansas City Zoological Gardens.
Yaacob, T.M.N. 1991. Association of Southeast Asian Zoos. Census 1990 Zoo Negara, Ampang.•
WHAT YOUR BIRD HAS BEEN WAITING FOR:
Taking Avicultu,e into the 2tst Century
1105 Kennedy Place, Suite 4 Davis, California 95616
(916) 756-8089 Fax: (916) 756-5143
loogen, the leading company in psittacine and avian biotechnology, can determine your bird's sex using a single drop of blood.
Convenience • Not age dependent.
• Samples can be taken in the first weeks of abird's life.
• Sample collection is simple and takes only 10 minutes.
• No refrigeration needed -- samples can be sent by U.S. mail.
Safety • No anesthetic is necessary.
• It is anoninvasive procedure.
• There is minimal stress to your bird.
Please consult your veterinarian or write to Zoogen for more information.
+ $30 S & H
OPTIONAL MEDICAL NEBULIZER
Temperature • Humidity INSIDE DIMENSIONS 17x17x17
[VISA] .. Call or write for our Catalog
\} Mobile Home (Portable Brooder)
\} Avian First Aid Kit
\} Closed Circuit 1V Systems
'v'" 421 N. Glenn Wichita, KS 67203
(316) 267-1656