Queen of Bavaria's Conures

    Queens appear to be very hardy birds as are the other conures. I have known several breeders to report thin egg shells and egg binding which may indicate the need for a higher calcium diet such as the African Gray Parrots. Mine are fed 50% formulated diet, 30 % vegetables and the other 20% is made up of a seed mix, nuts and fruits. They are considered to live 40+ years in captivity.
Adult Male Golden Conure    Although Golden Conures are one of the most charming birds that I have ever run across they do have some annoying traits. Their screech is very ear piercing, but I don't find it as irritating as many of the other large conures and they are feather chewers as young birds. The pair I house will be in perfect feather and decide to chew off their tail feathers and their primaries. The female will sometimes chew at her chest feathers and the male seems to keep the feathers on her cere pretty well plucked. They are improving with age and when they were breeding they were so preoccupied that they were in beautiful feather after sitting the 2nd clutch of eggs.Adult Pair
    These birds are so rare that they should only be kept in pairs for breeding. I am a firm supporter of the permit process that they fall under. Queens have a very charming and clownish personality and they are so entertaining that they make you want to pick them up and play with them. I look forward to raising some of their young in the near future and experiencing the pleasure of working with these birds one on one.
    After thoroughly questioning Mr. Michael Reynolds of the World Parrot Trust at the IV International Parrot Breeder's Convention in Tenerife in September 1998 I have found that even the conservation organizations know very little about this species. I questioned him as to their status in the wild and to what measures were being taken to preserve this species, seeking information for my web page. The last known study was done on these birds between 1981 and 1984, which indicated that they were not in imminent danger of extinction at that time because of the remote region that they reside in. Their numbers were estimated at about 5000 birds left in the wild.
     Since that study, there has been considerable destruction of their habitat. The completion of 2 major highways has made their range dangerously accessible.  More recent, brief and informal studies indicate that this species is most likely in immediate danger. The local population needs to be educated about these birds. Surveillance of their habitat needs to be established. The preservation of this species will require protection against hunters, trappers and the continued deforestation of their range.
    The only way to accomplish this is to implement a field study to ascertain the actual requirements necessary for the survival of these birds.  Mike Reynolds and I found that we had a mutual interest in this species when we met for the first time in Tenerife. As a result of our mutual admiration for this bird The World Parrot Trust initiated a fund to finance a field study, which started January 1, 2000. The study is being done by Dr. Carlos Yamashita, Brazil's leading parrot biologist. Information about the WPT-USA Golden Conure Fund can be found at my Golden Conure Fund Page. This fund has been set up as a special fund within the WPT-USA fund to guarantee that 100% of the money collected will go directly toward this field study. The WPT-USA has matched the first individual donation of $1000.00. Mike Reynolds and I have started the fund with a $20 donation for each Golden Conure that we hold in our aviaries. We are asking that all Golden Conure owners do the same.  As of February 2001 we have raised over $20,000 for the field study and the acquisition of pertinent tracts of land. It is estimated that much more will be required to save this species from extinction. A formal proposal written by Dr. Charles Munn III is available for viewing at the fund page. As more information comes available the fund page will be updated (updated 3/8/2000). Since we are the financiers of the Golden Conure Fund, the fund page will provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate information that is available on Golden Conures. The outstanding wildlife artist Grant Hacking has provided a painting of the Golden Conure and T-shirts bearing a Golden Conure original by Cyd Riley of Fire Fly T-shirts is available. The painting will be auctioned off to benefit the fund. We have also produced limited edition prints of the painting, which are currently available through our US and UK administrators.
    Majestic Cocka2s and Avicultural Care & Nutritional Research Inc. are supporters of the World Parrot Trust. If you have questions as to how to become a member or where to make donations to assist in parrot conservation please e-mail me or contact the World Parrot Trust.

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