Superb Parrot - Nswfmpa.org

Animal Care Studies - Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, RichmondLarger landscaped enclosures (refer Figure 16 and 17) can be effective for displaying P.swainsonii as a colony or for a mixed display. However, if breeding took place in largerenclosures there are concerns about young P. swainsonii taking off on erratic flight andpicking up sufficient speed to cause fatal injuries by crashing into the wire of the openflight sections. This problem could be overcome by screening off the higher open flightsections of enclosures with cut branches or external shade-cloth so that young birds areunable to see directly out of the enclosure. The screening could be removed once theyoung birds become more adept at flying and know the boundaries of their enclosure.(Sindel, S. 2004 pers. communication, 17 Aug)It would also be appropriate for the public viewing area to be maintained at a discretedistance from the outside of each enclosure. This would also assist in helping to reduceany disturbances caused by members of the public leaning on or hitting the sides of theenclosures, provoking a flight response and possible injury of the enclosed birds. Simplebarriers around an exhibit that would blend in with the exhibit surrounds (refer Figure 14and 17), which may include a landscaped garden area between the barrier and enclosure,may be sufficient to deter public access. The barrier would assist in reducing public riskby not allowing access directly to an enclosure i.e. bitten fingers, fingers or small handscaught in the enclosure wire.Figure 16. Shows a well presented landscaped enclosure but public access may be tooclose. More inclement weather protection and a service walkway may be required.Keith Naylor 28/3/2005 Version 3 26