On Monday I visited Healesville Sanctuary. A pair of Orange-bellied Parrots live in an aviary labelled ‘Endangered Species’, but I was very concerned to see that the female was minus most of her breast feathers, so that she looked quite pink down the front. A FOTZ volunteer guide told me that this was a stress response to the presence of two pairs of Scaly-breasted Lorikeets in the same aviary. The Lorikeets are larger and apparently bully the OBPs. This is no weather for any bird to be without much of its body feathers. It seems very poor management and lack of proper care for an endangered species.
Anthea Fleming ===============================
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Anthea,
Healesville – especially in the Avian department. I am confident that they would be on top of such issues.
In my screening of parrots for PhD it was somewhat common to see some individuals with larger bare patches at breast than normal (not disease or stress related) – recently showed Avian Vet and there was no concern expressed.
May I suggest that if you would like follow up to your concern that you contact the Veterinary department at Healesville directly – they will be able to reassure/inform you explicitly about the individual and any management they are employing. If you would like a contact please let me know.
Michelle Plant
—–Original Message—– href=”mailto:birding-aus-bounces@vicnet.net.au”>birding-aus-bounces@vicnet.net.au [mailto:birding-aus-bounces@vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of brian fleming Sent: Wednesday, 14 July 2010 8:34 PM href=”mailto:Birding-aus@vicnet.net.au”>Birding-aus@vicnet.net.au
On Monday I visited Healesville Sanctuary. A pair of Orange-bellied Parrots live in an aviary labelled ‘Endangered Species’, but I was very concerned to see that the female was minus most of her breast feathers, so that she looked quite pink down the front. A FOTZ volunteer guide told me that this was a stress response to the presence of two pairs of Scaly-breasted Lorikeets in the same aviary. The Lorikeets are larger and apparently bully the OBPs. This is no weather for any bird to be without much of its body feathers. It seems very poor management and lack of proper care for an endangered species.
Anthea Fleming ===============================
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