FEATURE I


was very young when I was first captivated by the Pyrrhura Conures. I kept and bred two species: Maroon-


bellied and Pearly. At that time (the 1960s) the species available to aviculturists was limited to these two plus the Black-tailed and White-eared with, more rarely, the Painted. They were definitely a minority interest. I loved the members of this genus because they were so lively and inquisitive and they nested readily. Their plumage colours were subtle and attractive. Most of these parakeets are also very friendly and confiding. To me, that is extremely important. I don’t want to keep birds that fly away from me when I approach their aviary! They ignited my passion for neotropical


OPULAR SAYS ROSEMARY LOW


parrots. This had a big influence on my life and resulted in me travelling to South and Central America on many occasions. My joy in seeing these birds in the wild never fades. Today, more than four decades later, the Pyrrhuras, especially the Green-cheeked, are among the most popular birds in aviculture. Their enchanting personalities, as aviary birds and as companions, are now fully appreciated. The proliferation of mutations in the Green-cheeked has added another element to their appeal. In this article I would like to


concentrate on two aspects of their care: accommodation and feeding. There are grave misconceptions on both accounts.


BIRD SCENE 17BIRD SCENE 07


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