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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
golden
conure, queen of Bavaria, golden parakeet |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Aves |
| ORDER: |
Psittaciformes |
| FAMILY: |
Psittacidae
(true parrots) |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Aratinga
(bright and macaw-like) guarouba (type of
parrot) |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
As
its common name implies, in general the adult plumage
is a rich yellow color with dark green primaries,
secondaries and outer wings. |
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| SIZE: |
Approximately
34 cm (13.6 in.) |
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| WEIGHT: |
Approximately
240 g (8.4 oz) |
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| DIET: |
Includes
seeds, nuts, fruits, berries gathered in treetops;
often the fruit juices stain their feathers |
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| INCUBATION: |
Approximately 28-30 days |
| CLUTCH
SIZE |
2-6
eggs |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
Approximately
2-5 years |
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| LIFE
SPAN: |
20
or more years |
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| RANGE: |
Northwest
Brazil, south of the Amazon River |
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| HABITAT: |
Inhabits
rainforests |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Estimated
at 1,000-2,499 |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Endangered |
| CITES |
Appendix
I |
| USFWS |
Endangered |
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| 1. |
Due
to the small quantity of conures in the wild,
little is known about this bird. However, at one
time Busch Gardens had the largest population
of golden conures in the world outside of Brazil.
In fact, Busch Gardens began the first captive
breeding program for these birds.
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| 2. |
Though they are not known as a truly social bird,
pairs and small groups may be seen feeding in the
treetops together. |
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| 3. |
Conures
have a tendency to spend long periods of time in
their nest, even when not breeding. |
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| 4. |
They
are playful birds and are said to be clown-like. |
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| 5. |
This
bird is family oriented and will often care for
young from other birds! |
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The
golden conure was listed as endangered in 1975.
Its entire population is believed to be fewer
than 5,000 individuals. Long-term captive breeding
is vital to the survival of this species. Loss
of habitat and destruction of nests to obtain
young for the pet trade are the main threats to
its survival. Captive breeding programs are important
because in the event of the golden conure becoming
extinct in the natural environment, it will at
least survive in our aviaries. Due to the bird's
sweet nature, it is very unlikely that captive
bred birds can be released into the wild. We must
make every effort possible to keep whatever golden
conures are left, in their natural habitat.
The
Association of Zoos and Aquariums of America recognizes
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as the first to successfully
breed this species.
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|
|
| Austin,
G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press,
Inc. 1961. |
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| Forshaw,
J.M. Parrots of the World. New Jersey. T.F.H.
Publications Inc. 1978. |
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| Gotch,
A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained.
UK. Blandford Books Ltd. 1981. |
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| Marrison,
C. and A. Greensmith. Birds of the World.
New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc. 1993. |
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| Perrins,
C. (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Birds. New
York: Facts on File Publications. 1985. |
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| http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/search/simple/ |
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| http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html |
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