Parrots 2006 Conference Report

[Tiki]

This is the first time I have ever attended a Parrot Conference and it was awesome! They had a very impressive line up of guest speakers both Australian and international. The USA was represented by Barbara Heidenreich (Good Bird) & Frank Miser, Magnolia Bird Farm, California.

I took a few pics, sorry for the quality. The conditions weren't the greatest, I was pointing a digital camera at a screen. Everyone had brought Powerpoint presentations on their laptops, some with video clips.

We had the most fascinating presentation from Ryan Watson who works for Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation Centre. (Location shown in photos 1 & 2)

He is involved with the Spix's Macaw breeding program and he is a true inspiration. He is totally dedicated to rescuing this critically endangered species and his dream is that one day they will fly wild and free in their native country.

[Tiki]

Spix's Macaws were rare to begin with, native to just a tiny area in Bahia, Brazil. When al Wabra started acquiring them from the Phillipines, unfortunately, they lost 2 of them to PDD. I am trying to get the video clip of the effects of PDD on the poor baby uploaded but having technical problems. It is truly heartbreaking to see what this disease does to any bird, let alone a critically endangered species.

[Tiki]

The breeding program is proving successful, Sheikh Saoud has the very best facilities and staff available from all over the world. They now have about 47 Spix's Macaws who will hopefully continue to breed.

I have a video interview with Ryan but it is 60MB and 8 minutes long so I can't upload it on Birdboard. One of the admin Kevins will need to upload it. So something to look forward too!

[Tiki]

The following morning (Sunday), Ryan gave a presentation on difficulties breeding Hyacinth Macaws. They are not a breeding priority as they are not so endangered and are successfully breeding in their native Brazil. They have had problems with feather plucking and success using Perphenazine to treat it. They also rehabilitated a baby Hy born with a deformed beak and he went on to fledge and grow. Today, you can barely tell his beak was ever deformed, it is only slightly crooked now.

[Tiki]

There was a delightful presentation by noted wildlife photographer Peter Odekerken. Once again, I can't give you the quality these photos deserve, they were stunning and certainly made me want to go out in the bush and seek out these spectacular birds. The black Cockatoos especially were gorgeous! It was a real treat for me to see wild Cockatiels too-I will definitely go there sometime to see them in person!

[Tiki]

Parrots 2006 was attended by about 150 people. There was a nice variety of trade stalls like bird supply & toy sellers, publishers and artists. No live birds were present. This Hawkhead Parrot statuette by Hagen was won during the gala dinner Saturday night--unfortunately not by me. I did win a coffee mug the next day though! The Caique statuette will be raffled off in the future so wish me luck! I'd still rather have a real live one!

Coming tomorrow: Part 2-Focus on Companion Parrot workshops!

If anyone has any questions about Part 1, please feel free to ask!

[Dustin]

Very cool! I wish there was something like that close to my area!

[CALVINS MOM]

Originally Posted by Tiki

Spix's Macaws were rare to begin with, native to just a tiny area in Bahia, Brazil. When al Wabra started acquiring them from the Phillipines, unfortunately, they lost 2 of them to PDD. I am trying to get the video clip of the effects of PDD on the poor baby uploaded but having technical problems. It is truly heartbreaking to see what this disease does to any bird, let alone a critically endangered species.

Thanks for all the interesting information. Lucky you to have the opportunity to attend!

Ah... PDD rears its ugly head once again. Thought I would take this opportunity to promote the Birds of a Feather Quilt to raise additional funding for PDD research. www.stoppdd.org. I do recall that there was a Spix's Macaw located on the West Coast of the US that was donated to the effort (I believe they were going to put the macaw into a breeding program to increase the population). Is this one of the 2 that died of PDD? I heard rumors but wasn't sure that was the case. In any event, it is so heartbreaking.

[MiniMama]

Wow, thanks for all of your hard work in posting this information. I really appreciate it!

[Lisa B]

Tiki...its wonderful that you attended, learned and TOOK NOTES!
People dont relize how much effort goes into these events so people can have the opportunity to learn and SHARE!
Thank you for taking the time to share with US!

Kathie, I thought the one on the west coast didnt survive because of birds of prey, and not knowing how to fend in the wild.

There was a time, not far long ago, there were something like 8 left in the world, 7 being in the wild, one being privately owned in Ca area, and most of the wild being male. (Real Macaw Parrot Club meeting subject one night)

Kathie, I'm sure somewhere in our 30 years we had to have had bumped butts in the NJ bird club circuts.........and just didnt know it.