The breeding season at Loro Parque Fundación is progressing successfully, especially for the amazon species. It is summer at our geographical location and the young amazons are starting to emancipate under the watchful eye of our curator Marcia Weinzettl and her team. We have noticed this year an important difference in the development of the amazon group due to changes in the handling and protocol optimization. The Jamaican amazon (Amazona collaria) belongs to the genus Amazona that had a successful breeding season. Thanks to these breeding results we have now a stable range of this species which is rare in aviculture and not easy to breed in captivity.
The chicks that already have grown up this year are quite different among them; some have more pink over their gorgeous young plumage that is still opaque. But we can already see the first sketch of their definitive plumage which is going to be more beautiful after passing the moulting phase.
The Jamaican amazon is not the only species that has reached good breeding results. The turquoise-fronted parrot (Amazona aestiva aestiva) also got offspring after two unsuccessful seasons. The breeding success is due to the new parameter handling.
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The absences of breeding usually occur in the breeding centres. In these cases the breeders dispense with the existing breeding stock. There are many ways to reverse these absences of breeding and all of them require perseverance, knowledge and confidence in the animals. In addition we must always offer our animals the right conditions so that they can develop their natural life cycle.
The offspring of other species like the Rose-breasted cockatoo (Eolophus roseicapillus) and the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) is also developing well. In the case of the latter, we got a successful breeding season and count now again with a stable population of this flagship species for conservation. The offspring of the Moluccan cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis) and the Leadbeater’s cockatoo are in the same phase of development since they already started to eat independently.
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The healthy growth of a small baby of the thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) seems to augur a good season for this genus in Loro Parque Fundación. The couples showed courtship behavior during the mating season and they frequently visited the nest, which has resulted in a fertile egg laying. The pine occupies an important place in the environmental enrichment of their aviaries since their natural habitats are rich in pine forests. Their life is closely tied to these trees and its consumption is indispensable for a correct development of its metabolism. This is the reason why the pine is part of their daily consumption: the bark, its leaves, fruits and nuts.
The pileated parrot (Pionopsitta pileata), also known as the red-capped parrot, have managed to breed successfully along with the red-shouldered macaw (Diopsittaca nobilis). Several offspring have coincided in the hand rearing facility. This coexistence offers us wonderful images of socialization between species which is vital during their growing phase in order to get strong and healthy.
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The red-capped parrot is still rare in aviculture and although their management protocol requires some dedication, the yearly breeding reward is enormous. The red males, absent in females, stand out along with their charismatic behavior within the parrot world.
It is also worthy to mention that Loro Parque has been recognized as the best zoo worldwide by TripAdvisor which is the world largest travel site based on customer reviews. Loro Parque already boasted the first position in Europe and has moved to the top position of zoos worldwide. Siam Park that belongs to the same group also repeats consecutively as the best aquatic park of the world. Our dear visitors have rewarded our good management and animal welfare. Thanks to their repeated visits and good experiences throughout the years we could achieve this excellence.
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