Tasmania Zoo swift parrots at Tasmania Zoo

Chlidonias

Chlidonias

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an old story I just found from July 2009, but Tasmania Zoo doesn't get mentioned much so thought I'd post it
Endangered bird on display - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
The endangered Swift Parrot goes on show in a Tasmanian zoo today for the first time.

A Hobart breeder gave 15 parrots to Tasmania Zoo near Launceston to take part in a breeding program.

The zoo's owner Dick Warren says it's a great coup for any wildlife park.

"It's been on the endangered list for a long time and they're getting very rare," Mr Warren said.

"We've been fighting for six years to get the Swift Parrot and to have a breeding program."

"We've been fighting for a fair while now for permits and we've just got them through - we've had to build a special enclosure," he said.
Click to expand...
 
Why didn't the just buy some if they wanted them soo much. I sold my pair when I left Adelaide, but young pairs were only selling for $800. They aren't hard to get hold of on the mainland, and even easier is Tasmania.
 
Yeah I thought they were pretty available in Australian aviculture. Maybe its something to do with the state's zoo licences (seeing they mentioned they had been fighting for permits), or maybe it just makes a better story
 
As far as I remember Swifts were fairly easy to hold in Tassie. It may their exhibited animals permits.
 
No clue how it is in Australia but if you want swifts here in Netherlands the question is how many do you want :). And the price is quite low as well around 125 euro a couple.
A very nice bird and also easy to keep and breed.
 
DDcorvus said:
No clue how it is in Australia but if you want swifts here in Netherlands the question is how many do you want :). And the price is quite low as well around 125 euro a couple.
A very nice bird and also easy to keep and breed.
Click to expand...

The problem in Australia is heat, getting them to rear young on the mainland has been fraught in the past. Maybe we need new techniques.
 
I used a small parrot box with half of the back wall removed and replaced with wire. the box was about 7cm off the tin. also very little nesting material. Mine bred twice a year, they tended to lay first in August and then again in December (which is really hot in South Australia!)
 
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