Growing to approximately thirty centimeters in size, Rosellas are one of the smaller parrot species. They are divided into two general groups, namely the white cheek and blue cheek group. Within these groups are various different Rosellas, such as the Tasmanian Eastern Rosella and the Golden Mantled Rosella that fall under the white cheek group, while the Crimson Rosella and the Adelaide Rosella are in the blue cheek group. They make wonderful pets as they have a lifespan of more than twenty years. Housing a Rosella in a metal cage or aviary is advisable, as they enjoy chewing on timber and wood. Cages and aviaries should also be large enough so the Rosellas are able to fly and get a certain amount of exercise. They do enjoy human companionship, but need a little freedom to enjoy a fulfilled life. A small bath is also recommended, as Rosellas enjoy bathing and playing in water.

These magnificent birds have a wide variety of dietary needs, so owners should be vigilant in offering their Rosellas more than just the usual mix of grey striped sunflower seeds, canary seeds and hulled oats. Rosellas also eat seeding grasses, berries, fruit and nectar, which are essential to their wellbeing. Breeding pairs should be kept on their own, as this will prevent the production of hybrids and birds should only be allowed to breed when they are between eighteen to twenty-four months old. Breeding pairs have been known to raise young until the age of ten years old. Over and above being spectacularly beautiful, Rosellas are very rewarding birds to have as pets. They are colorful companions and make wonderful additions to the family.

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For more information, visit the Blank Park Zoo website at http://www.blankparkzoo.com/index.cfm?nodeID=18240&audienceID=1.

Date: 9 August 2010
Venue: Blank Park Zoo
City: Des moines, Iowa
Country: United States

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For more information in regard to the judges, competition rules and vendors, visit the Sydney Royal website at http://www.sydneyroyalshows.com.au/.

Date: 31 March 2010
Venue: Wynne Pavilion, Sydney Showground
City: Sydney
Country: Australia

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The State Bird Fair and Expo 2010 is hosted by the Parrot Society of Australia, and will take place on the 28th of March 2010, from 10 am to 1 pm. For more information, visit their website at http://www.parrotsociety.org.au/.

Date: 28 March 2010
Venue: RNA Showgrounds
City: Fortitude Valley, Brisbane
Country: Australia

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It has long been known that migrating birds embark on particularly long and grueling journeys when they cross the oceans. What hasn’t been known for sure is whether or not they somehow stop along the way – until now that is. A Bar-tailed Godwit has been bestowed with the title ‘endurance champion of the animal kingdom’ after completing his epic 7,200 mile flight across the Pacific Ocean nonstop.

It’s no secret that Bar-tailed Godwits undertake an annual migration from Alaska to Australia and various islands in the southern hemisphere each year to breed. What scientists really wanted to know was if they made pit-stops along the way. That was the goal behind a recent study wherein nine Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lapponica baueri) were fitted with electronic tags before setting off into the sunset on their mammoth migration flights. The birds flew between 4,355 miles and 7,258 miles, depending on which route they chose to take, with their journeys lasting 6-9 days correspondingly. What makes the research particularly interesting is that the flight paths reveal the birds were unlikely to sleep during the time and even more significantly – that they did not feed along the way. That means that their wings did not stop flapping from their point of departure to their point of arrival! This makes their journey even more remarkable, since it sets new precedents for endurance in animals. According to scientists, the energy required to complete this sort of migratory journey is the greatest in the animal kingdom.

The international scientific team, under the leadership of Bob Gill of the US Geological Survey, has said: “These extraordinary nonstop flights establish new extremes for avian flight performance and have profound implications for understanding the physiological capabilities of vertebrates.” According to Theunis Piersma of the University of Groningen (Netherlands) who worked on the study, the energy requirements of the birds was the greatest known energy requirement in the animal kingdom. During their week-long, non-stop journey, the birds would have been consuming energy at around eight times their resting basic metabolic rate (BMR). This is in sharp contrast with other measurements, such as a professional cyclist who may manage to function at around five times BMR for just a few hours. Piersma appropriately summed up the results with this remark: “There is something special going on here. For a vertebrate this kind of endurance is just extraordinary.”

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The Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) is a large flightless bird found in the Seram Islands of Indonesia and the tropical rainforests of Aru, as well as New Guinea and northeastern Australia. Cassowaries have a reputation for being bad tempered and dangerous, a reputation that has been reinforced by the 2004 edition of the Guinness World Records, which lists the Cassowary as the most dangerous bird in the world.

Reaching a weight of 85 kgs, the Southern Cassowary is the second largest bird in the world (after the Ostrich), and is the largest of the three-member Cassowary family. It has hard, stiff plumage, a blue face and neck, a brown casque (horn-like crest) and a red nape. Because of the two red wattles hanging down its throat, the Southern Cassowary is also referred to as the Double-wattled Cassowary or Two-wattled Cassowary. The plumage of the Southern Cassowary is sexually monomorphic, but the female is larger than the male, is dominant and has brighter colored bare parts, as well as a longer casque. The plumage of the immature Southern Cassowary is plain brown.

This solitary bird only pairs in the breeding season, which occurs in late winter or spring. The male Southern Cassowary is a stay-at-home dad. He builds the nest, incubates the clutch of three to six eggs and raises the chicks. The nest, which is a mattress-like structure made out of herbaceous plant material, is built on the ground in a sheltered area, such as among tall grass.

The Cassowary is an elusive bird, preferring to hide out in dense foliage and long grass, avoiding contact with humans. But when disturbed, and especially when cornered or threatened, Cassowaries are known to lash out with their powerful legs, and are fully capable of inflicting a fatal blow to an adult human.

The Cassowary’s prehistoric-looking casque is the subject of much debate among avian experts as to what its purpose is. One possibility is that it serves as an identifying feature for determining the sex of the bird, with the female’s casque being longer than the males. Other suggestions are that the casque is used by the bird to batter its way through thick underbrush; is used as a tool for pushing leaf litter aside when foraging; or it may be used as a weapon in dominance disputes. Research indicates that it is very likely that the Cassowary uses its casque in some form of acoustic communication.

Fruit on low branches, or fallen fruit, is the mainstay of the Cassowary’s diet. In rain forests they serve an integral role in the ecosystem as they swallow the fruit whole and distribute seeds in the excrement across the jungle floor. They are also known to eat fungi, insects, snails, frogs, insects and even snakes.

Sadly, loss of habitat has caused a drastic decline in Southern Cassowary numbers. In the Mission Beach area of Australia alone, Cassowaries have lost around 50 percent of their vital habitat over the past decade. With the encroachment of man, hand feeding the birds has become a problem, as the food offered is seldom good for their state of health. Southern Cassowaries are listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) Red List of Threatened Species, which means that avian conservationists are aware of the problem and will no doubt take whatever steps are necessary to stop the decline, and even reverse the current situation.

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Found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Torres Strait Island and eastern Australia, Birds of Paradise are members of the family Paradisaeidae, of the order Passeriformes. Birds of Paradise are possibly best known for the males of most species, which boast flamboyant plumage, with elongated and elaborate feathers extending from the wings, the beak or the head. Their magnificent plumage along with their intricate mating displays, have made Birds of Paradise a popular subject for nature and wildlife programs.

The name “Birds of Paradise” originates from specimens of the Greater Bird of Paradise (Paradiseaea apoda) that were brought back to Europe by explorers who had been on trading missions. Unbeknown to the explorers, the wings and feet of these specimens had been removed by native traders, apparently for decorative purposes. This led to the belief that the birds used their plumes to remain permanently in the air, giving rise to the name “Birds of Paradise”, as well as “apoda” meaning “without feet”.

The forty-seven species of Birds of Paradise range in size from the 50gram King Bird of Paradise to the 430 gram Curl-crested Manucode, with most species having complex mating rituals, including lek-type mating. A gathering of males for the purpose of competitive mating displays is known as a lek, taken from the Swedish word meaning “to play”. Before and during the breeding season, leks gather on a daily basis. Generally the same group of males meets at the same venue, with each taking up the same individual positions in order to occupy and defend their small territory. Each male will put on an impressive performance, which may include intricate dances, plumage displays, vocal challenges and occasionally sparring with a neighbor. These displays attract a number of females, which gather around watching intently before choosing a mate.

The hunting of Birds of Paradise has been going on since the beginning of human settlement. The beautiful plumes of many Birds of Paradise have been used in rituals and dress for centuries in places such as Papua New Guinea. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the indiscriminate killing of Birds of Paradise for their plumes for use in the millinery trade in European countries was common. Hunting and habitat destruction, mainly due to deforestation, has resulted in some species being reduced to endangered status.

Today these magnificent birds enjoy legal protection, which is good news for bird watchers who would like to see this fascinating bird family preserved for future generations of birding enthusiasts to enjoy.

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Up until 1840, most Europeans were familiar with the green parakeets that first arrived from Australia in 1770. It was John Gould soon introduced a new group of pet birds when be brought budgies (Melopsittacus undulates) back to England. From here, the race was on to breed some of the most colorful budgies, or budgerigars, and in 1870 a yellow budgie with red eyes was bred, even though this colour variant did not survive. Today, there are more than two hundred and fifty color variants to choose from.

Budgies are a popular choice as first pet birds, as they are small, easier to maintain than their big parrot counterparts and are very social as pets. With a lifespan of anything between six to twenty years, they make wonderful companions and bring color to an otherwise dull home. Show budgerigars can be approximately nine or ten inches in length, which makes them somewhat larger than those which are found in the wild.

When buying a budgie it is important to remember that these birds are quite active and need enough room to exercise and move around. Without being able to fly around a little, jump from one stick to another or even to flap their wings, budgies run the risk of becoming overweight, which could lead to serious health issues. A cage with a sliding tray makes it easier to clean and grit is essential, as it forms part of their diet. Food and water should be supplied every day and bowls should be positioned in such a manner that bird droppings into water and food bowls can be avoided. A nutritious food mixture, as provided by the pet shop, is recommended and supplements such as apple, carrots and other fruits and vegetables will only enhance the budgie’s diet. It is also advised that cuttlefish be placed in their cage for added calcium, and an iodine treat will assist them to keep their beaks short. Toys are another very important part of a budgie’s care. Items such as light balls and mirrors are quite popular, and this keeps them entertained and alert. Budgies are not destructive birds and owners can feel free to let them explore the house under their supervision, for a little adventure.

These spectacularly beautiful birds enjoy to preen themselves and love to take baths. Owners can therefore leave a small bath in the bottom of their cages for their pet to cool down or to frolic in. With a lot of attention budgies are able to mimic speech and other noises, but are also happy to just receive admiration and attention.

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There are two species of the ground-dwelling Australian Lyrebird: the Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) and the Albert’s Lyrebird (Menura alberti). The Superb Lyrebird is the larger of the two species and is found in the wet forest areas of New South Wales and Victoria, as well as in Tasmania where is was introduced by man in the 19th century. The Albert’s Lyrebird is found exclusively in a small area of rainforest in Southern Queensland. Albert’s Lyrebird was named in honor of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert.

Australia’s Lyrebirds are wary creatures which dodge and run through forest underbrush in an attempt not to be seen. Although they do not fly as such, their wings assist them in running and jumping up onto rocks and into low branches where they roost at night.

The male lyrebird’s tail, when it is displayed, resembles a lyre (harp-like musical instrument) with the two outer large brown and white feathers forming the frame and the thinner inner feathers resembling the strings, resulting in the name of Lyrebird. Apart from the male’s unusual tail feathers, the lyrebird is a rather unremarkable looking bird, about the size of a chicken and brown in color. In mating season, however, this feathered suitor puts on a display that his prospective mate finds irresistible. In order to be seen clearly, he piles up a small heap of soil, which he stands on. Then he spreads his tail up and over his head in the distinctive lyre shape at the beginning of his courtship dance. As he is dancing about he sings his own song, as well as mimicking other birds and various surrounding noises.

This ability to mimic just about anything, from the call of any other bird to artificial sounds, is what really sets the lyrebird apart from the other birds in their area. It is not uncommon for people to be fooled into thinking that they are enjoying the singing of many species of birds, only to find that it is the lyrebird going through its very impressive repertoire. The lyrebird’s vocal chords (syrinx) are the most complex of all songbirds, facilitating its vast vocal range. Lyrebirds have been heard to mimic all the bird species in their surroundings, including flocks of birds. It has been reported to successfully mimic chain saws, car alarms, car engines, fire alarms, dogs barking, camera shutters, rifle shots, crying babies and songs played on various musical instruments. The male lyrebird is the more vocal of the sexes, although the female does have the same ability to mimic.

Clearly, this elusive bird is a marvel and should you be fortunate enough to hear one, you will surely remember it forever.

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The largest bird nests of all, however, may be those of the megapodes of Australia and New Guinea. These chicken-sized birds use their giant feet (megapode means “great-footed”) to scrape sand, dirt and vegetation into a giant mound on the ground.

The mound-nest of the Scrubfowl, an Australian megapode, can be 15 feet (4 meters) high and an incredible 35 feet (12 meters) wide! Several birds work together to build it; then they bury their eggs several feet deep inside the mound.

In such a huge nest, how can the Scrubfowl possibly keep her eggs warm with her own body heat? The answer is: she doesn’t have to. The mound-nest itself act like a giant incubator.

The birds bury vegetation deep in the mound- they may even let the plants get rained on before covering them up with layers of dirt. As tropical sunshine warms the mound, this buried plant matter ferments, creating plenty of heat. The birds carefully regulate the composting in the mound, keeping its heat at a stable 35-39 degrees Celsius. To cool the mound, they remove layers of dirt; to warm it, they add more vegetation or sun-warmed layers of sand.

Some lucky birds living near volcanoes in New Guinea don’t have to work so hard- they build their nests where volcanic heat can keep their nest warm.

Incubated in this cozy nest, the chicks hatch fully feathered and ready to fly. But first they have to dig their way to the surface, through several feet of dirt – a process that may take several days.

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