FEATURE


Ann Bollen has done field research in seed dispersal of plants in Madagascar, in which Vasa Parrots play a role also. From her observations it is seen that Vasa Parrots pick seeds from fruits and only eat a small part of the flesh. She describes Vasa Parrots as fruit predators. Like other parrots they are messy eaters, which often gnaw fruit to drop it to the ground and attack the next fruit thereafter. Jonathan Ekstrom was one of the first scientists who has done field research into the behaviour of the Greater Vasa Parrot. Vasa Parrots, both Greater and Lesser have polygynandric behaviour. This


means that both males and females have multiple partners. Vasa Parrots breed in the dry season, when relatively little food is available. Therefore hens mate with several males. During breeding the hen is fed by all males with whom she is associated. This increases the chance of survival of the chicks considerably in times of food scarcity. In my aviary hens feed each other also. Also hens are fed by males they don’t mate with, even males feed each other, in short a complete orgy.


The moment when the young birds fledge is around the beginning of the rainy season


BIRD SCENE 19


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