Abstract
Importing Birds into Colorado for the
Purpose of Sale or Transfer
Section 35-80-108-(2)-(d) states that it is unlawful. .. for
any person (including Bird Hobby Breeders) ... to import (into
Colorado) .. . any pet animal (including birds) for the purpose
of sale ... unless that person is the holder of a valid pet animal
facility license. The type of license required may be different
if this person is selling their own birds or those raised by
someone else.
Application for a Colorado bird breeder identification number
and/or license may be made by contacting the Colorado
Department of Agriculture, Animal Industry Division, 700
Kipling Street, Suite 1100, Lakewood, CO 80215, Attn: either
Dr. John Maulsby or Dr. Keith Roehr. Their phone number
is (303) 239-4161.
A requirement for a health certificate accompanying any
bird entering the state has been discussed by the department.
I will furnish information on this once a decision bas been
made.
Please contact me if you need further clarification.
Ray Vander Leest, P.O. Box 124. Elizabeth, CO 80107, (303) 646-0885 e
Co-operative Breeding Program for
Toucans Approved by USFWS
On February 24, 1995 the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
approved the application for a co-operative breeding program
for toucans submitted by the Toucan Preservation Cenrer,
a non-profit organization. This approval marks the first time
the USFWS has approved an application for a co-operative
composed of private aviculturists, and is one of only four
approved co-operatives overall. The other three are for birds
of prey.
The toucan co-operative breeding program covers four
species, the Keel Bill Toucan, Toucan Ramphastos sufphuratus,
the Red Breasted Toucan Ramphastos dicoforus,
the Saffron Toucanet Baillonius baiffoni, and the Chestnuteared
Aracari Pterogfossus castanotis. The permit issued the
Toucan Preservation Center allows for the importation of
one hundred individuals of each species for captive breeding
purposes.
The co-operative consists of eight individuals and institutions,
the largest such co-operative. The members are Diane
Fell, Tulsa Zoo, Tim Kitchens, Kris Kuchinski, DVM, Dick
Schroeder, Bob Seibels, Riverbanks Zoo, Mac Sharpe, Chuck
Siegel, Dallas Zoo, and Jerry Jennings, Director of the Toucan
Preservation Center.
The group will import its first birds under the program
in April, with a group of Keel Bill Toucans, and expects
to acquire additional birds during the remainder of 1995.
For further information, please contact the Center at Rt. 6,
Box 14, Fallbrook, CA 92028, tel. (619) 728-2226. •
Spix's Macaw Release Takes Place
The fax machine slowly printed out a letter of confirmation
to the Loro Parque Foundation of an event which had been
anticipated for several months. The writer of the letter, Dra.
Maria lolita Bampi, Vice-President of the Spix's Macaw Recovery
Committee, reported that the long-awaited release
of the female Cyanopsitra spixii back into nature had finally
taken place on the 17th March, 1995.
This historic event is the result of years of planning and
preparation-the released bird was hatched and reared in
the wild but had spent many years in captivity in Brazil.
Some six months prior to the release, the bird was installed
in a large, specially-designed cage to become used to the
natural habitat environment of the site and the new food
source which would form the basis of its diet once released
from the cage. By the middle of March, the team who had
been carefully monitoring the female Spix for several months
decided that the bird had adapted sufficiently and that the
timing was right for the release to take place.
The door to the cage was opened at 6:30 a.m. on the
morning of March 17th and the female soon flew from the
cage, initially flying about 300 metres before resting for
some I 0 minutes. It later flew a further 300 metres and
rested in a Pinhao tree where it spent its tirst night roosting
in liberty. The team monitoring the bird report that it has
already been seen to utilize other food types in addition to
the Pinhao, which it had been fed during the adaptation
period. It is not yet flying great distances but recordings
of the vocalization of the wild male Spix 's Macaw are being
played in an attempt to stimulate more movement from the
female.
The wild male is currently still paired with an Ara maracana,
(Illiger's Macaw) at present some distance away from
the location of the released female.
News of this release has been a source of great excitement
to the Loro Parque Foundation, who as the principle funders
of the Spix's Macaw Recovery Project from its very beginnings,
feel that they are now seeing worthwhile
achievements resulting from the effort, time and money which
has been provided over previous years. e
March 17, 1995
Bird Regulations Update
Attention Bird Hobby Breeders and persons out -of- tate
desiring to sell birds in Colorado.
The Banding of Psittacine Birds
Required in Colorado
The Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act, section 35 -80-108-
(l)-(i), states that any Psittacine birds in your possession ... for
the purpose of sale or transfer ... must be banded with a type
of leg band authorized by the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture.
The act states that this requirement also applies to
Bird Hobby Breeders who are exempt from other sections of
this law.
An authorized band must be a traceable seamless band containing
the letters CO, a Colorado bird breeder identification
number issued by the Commissioner, and the last two numbers
of the year in which the band was used. Also allowed would
be a United States Department of Agriculture Quarantine Station
leg band or a band approved by another state. There are also
provisions for obtaining authorized seamed bands for those
Psittacine birds not banded as babies. •