Most people who have known me since I first became a member here would be aware that I've been on the hunt for a pair of Golden Shouldered Parrots for nearly two years. 
But being able to snaffle a quality pair of birds has proved to be quite a difficult task.
Golden Shouldered Parrots are one of Australia's rarest parrots and are a highly endangered species. While habitat destruction and a very limited home range has played its part determining their current plight, wildlife smugglers really brought this species to its knees and it is estimated that only a mere 1500 pairs still survive in the wild on Cape York Peninsula in Northern Australia.
Fortunately there is a reasonable population of Golden Shouldered Parrots kept in the aviaries of Australia's Aviculturists. This particular pair are approximately 12 months old and the male (at the back) will need another 6-12 months to become "fully coloured-up".
Golden Shouldered Parrots are very closely related to Hooded Parrots (my avatar), but much smaller and weighing in at a diminutive 40-45g are very similar in size to a budgie. Like Hooded Parrots the male Golden Shouldered Parrots run on hormones 12 months of the year and are fairly aggressive birds. The rule when keeping these birds is one pair per cage or aviary and no other birds should share their quarters.
Tomorrow it's off to the Avian Vet to be checked out and have their leg bands removed...and while they're out of their cage we'll populate their cage with a few more toys. Unlike my other birds they took to their Banksia Pod swing straight away and it didn't take long for them to find their food and water despite the 3 hour drive home. Golden Shouldered Parrots are considered to be one of Australia's most beautiful birds and once the male is fully coloured-up will look like the adult male pictured below.
I hope you've all enjoyed an introduction to a species of parrot the most members here will have never seen before and if anyone has any questions please fire away.
So for at least the next month they'll be residing down the far end of the house in the spare bedroom for quarantine. I'll post some more pics once they've settled in properly.
But being able to snaffle a quality pair of birds has proved to be quite a difficult task.
Golden Shouldered Parrots are one of Australia's rarest parrots and are a highly endangered species. While habitat destruction and a very limited home range has played its part determining their current plight, wildlife smugglers really brought this species to its knees and it is estimated that only a mere 1500 pairs still survive in the wild on Cape York Peninsula in Northern Australia.
Fortunately there is a reasonable population of Golden Shouldered Parrots kept in the aviaries of Australia's Aviculturists. This particular pair are approximately 12 months old and the male (at the back) will need another 6-12 months to become "fully coloured-up".
Golden Shouldered Parrots are very closely related to Hooded Parrots (my avatar), but much smaller and weighing in at a diminutive 40-45g are very similar in size to a budgie. Like Hooded Parrots the male Golden Shouldered Parrots run on hormones 12 months of the year and are fairly aggressive birds. The rule when keeping these birds is one pair per cage or aviary and no other birds should share their quarters.
Tomorrow it's off to the Avian Vet to be checked out and have their leg bands removed...and while they're out of their cage we'll populate their cage with a few more toys. Unlike my other birds they took to their Banksia Pod swing straight away and it didn't take long for them to find their food and water despite the 3 hour drive home. Golden Shouldered Parrots are considered to be one of Australia's most beautiful birds and once the male is fully coloured-up will look like the adult male pictured below.
I hope you've all enjoyed an introduction to a species of parrot the most members here will have never seen before and if anyone has any questions please fire away.
So for at least the next month they'll be residing down the far end of the house in the spare bedroom for quarantine. I'll post some more pics once they've settled in properly.
And thank you for sharing the information as well. I had never heard of this species! 
