Parrot Breeders Association of Southern Africa Pasa/Pvsa

14/11/2024

Do you own Rose-Ring Parakeets?
Alien Invasive species are by law prohibited without permits.

In 2014, the DFFE declared Rose-ringed Parakeets a Category B alien invasive or restricted species in South Africa.

This means that any individual who owns, breeds or transports these parakeets is required by law to apply for a permit from the Department.

Follow our awareness project on:

PASA Rose Ringed Parakeet Awareness group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2825947697585912/?ref=share&mibextid=WaXdOe

page: https://web.facebook.com/ParrotBreedersSA

Pinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/parrotbreederssa/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/

14/11/2024

For up to date info on CITES and Alien Invasive species, the impact and all new projects from PASA follow our page and visit our website

News PASA Rose Ringed Parakeet Awareness Do you own Rose-Ring Parakeets? Alien Invasive species are by law prohibited without permits. In 2014, the DFFE declared Rose-ringed Parakeets a Category B alien invasive Read More » November 9, 2024

13/11/2024

08/11/2024

Have you ever discussed “avian gastric yeast” or heard the misnomer “megabacterium”, aviculturists? Let’s take a minute to get into the nitty gritty of what this disease is and its importance in avian populations!

Visit the AAV Amazing Aspects of Aviculture blog here:
aav.org/blogpost/1787676/505235/Macrorhabdus-ornithogaster

08/11/2024

31/10/2024

Orders now open for 2025 bird rings. Order in advance to avoid the rush.

PASA is the only Association in South Africa that truly represents you as the parrot breeders. PASA not only represents you at National level with the DFFE ,but Internationally advocates for your rights, to keep and breed parrots, on all levels at CITES. Thus keeping the wheels of our industry turning.

Show your support by buying products from PASA.

https://pvsa.co.za/products/

28/10/2024

We're committed to saving the Cape Parrot, restoring forest habitats, revitalising the Okavango Delta, and strengthening freshwater ecosystems for the benefit of everyone.

24/10/2024

Although you may already be aware, some may not know that chilies are extremely beneficial for your birds! Each one has vitamins, helps with residual pain and helps keep worms under control. You should try to feed one each day. They may not like them initially so perhaps introduce a piece at a time. Don't forget to wash your hands.lol. Picture taken from Parrot First Aid. It was their post that reminded me that you might not know this fact.
Thanks to Patricia Hall.

24/10/2024

24/10/2024

Frequently asked question.
My breeding pair is not breeding anymore. On questioning about the pair like are they your home bred birds, how long have you been having them.
The answer in some cases is that they purchased the pair, a week or so ago and that it laid and raised chicks. But did not breed again after that. Some say that they bought a confirmed breeding pair only after confirming that they were breeding pair by checking the nest box to confirm eggs or chicks in them. The seller retained the eggs or chicks and gave them the breeding pair.
I have been in this hobby for nearly 47 years now. I have also gone through similar situations in early stages of my hobby. Just give me one good reason as to why a seller will selling you his breeding pair and retaining the chicks, when it has to be another way around.
If a pair bred within week of purchase and never again. Then it means the female has mated with a fertile male before it was passed on to you. The present male is not the father of the clutch. Eggs and chicks in the nest do not mean that they are of the pair in the cage. They could be planted ones to convince a new hobbyist who is in a hurry to breed.
If your birds are having breeding issues that are not related to above situations. It could mean young birds, immature male, not compatible pair, both males or both females, Management issues etc.

24/10/2024

Psittacus is a genus of African parrots in the subfamily Psittacinae. It contains the two species: the Congo African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) and the Timneh African grey parrot (Psittacus timneh).
For many years, the Congo African grey parrot and Timneh African grey parrot were classified as subspecies; the former as the nominate the latter as P. e. timneh. However in 2012 the taxa were recognized as separate species by BirdLife International on the basis of genetic, morphological, plumage and vocal differences.
These parrots are found in the primary and secondary rainforest of West and Central Africa. They are one of the most intelligent birds in the world. They feed primarily on palm nuts, seeds, fruits, and leafy matter, but have also been observed eating snails. Their inclination and ability to mimic speech and other sounds have made them popular pets.
Growing to 28–33 centimetres (11–13 in) in length and weighing 275–375 grams (9.7–13.2 oz),[1] the Timneh is a medium-sized parrot. Its plumage is mainly a mottled grey, with a white face mask and pale yellow eyes. Compared with the only other recognised Psittacus species, often known as the African grey parrot or Congo African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus), the Timneh is smaller and darker, with a dull, dark maroon (rather than crimson) tail and a horn-coloured patch on the upper mandible.[2] As in the nominate species, the Timneh parrot is also a very[citation needed] intelligent bird and a skilled mimic. The Timneh parrot may be less nervous and more outgoing around human beings, and can learn to talk at a younger age than the Congo grey
The Timneh parrot is endemic to the western parts of the moist Upper Guinean forests and bordering savannas of West Africa from Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone and southern Mali eastwards to at least 70 km east of the Bandama River in Ivory Coast. There is no natural range overlap with the Congo parrot although, as both taxa are common in aviculture, escapes can occur and hybridization between Congo and Timneh greys has been observed in captivity.[1] The birds typically inhabit dense forest, but are also seen at forest edges and in clearings, in gallery forest along waterways, savanna woodland and mangroves. Though they are sometimes found in cultivated areas and gardens, it is not clear whether these habitats contain self-sustaining populations; the birds may make seasonal movements out of the driest parts of their range in the dry season.

24/10/2024

ARE BIRDS COLOR BLIND ?

Do Birds See in Color?
A bird's eyes are unique in many ways. A bird can see in color as well as near the ultraviolet range.
By Margaret A. Wissman, DVM, DABVP — Avian Practice

Birds do see in color. Birds that are active during daylight hours have the best color vision and, conversely, birds active at night usually have very good night vision. I find it fascinating that diving birds, such as kingfishers, have eyes adapted to aerial and aquatic vision due to some unique adaptations to the deeper structures of the eye. Water birds and birds that live on open plains have a specialized area in the eye that allows them to fix the horizon accurately as a reference point.

Birds also have brightly colored oil droplets within the eye that are involved with interpretation of color vision. It is thought that the different colored oil droplets enhance contrast by acting as in-the-eye light filters. For example, the yellow oil droplets would remove much of the blue color from the background, which would increase the contrast between an object and the blue sky. The red oil droplet would remove much of the green from the background, which would greatly improve the contrast between an object and trees. The enhanced contrast would considerably increase visual acuity.

Some pet birds seem to have color preferences and aversions. I always try to avoid wearing red when working on pet birds, especially African parrots, including African grey parrots and members of the Poicephalus genus. If anyone walks into a nursery of baby African parrots wearing a bright red shirt, it is almost guaranteed to elicit quite a response from the babies! Adult African greys seem to react badly to red clothing, as well. I find this especially interesting, as the Congo African greys have gorgeous, bright red tail feathers. Red fingernail polish and toenail polish also seem to disconcert some parrots.

Birds are also thought to be able to see light into the near ultraviolet range. This might be why they can identify individual birds that look exactly the same to us, due to the secretions of the uropygial gland that have been spread onto the feathers during preening.

Birds are also known to be able to better detect and follow movement. While a bird and a person might both be able to see a mouse from a height of 250 feet, a person can only do so if his attention was accurately directed to the mouse, but the bird can see it without even directly looking at it. Moreover, the bird is able to see all the mice in a field in a single glance, but we could only do that by scanning the area meticulously. A bird’s vision is truly special and remarkable.

23/10/2024

https://pvsa.co.za/news/biosecurity-for-bird-breeders/

MicroSafety Solutions

Introduction In aviculture, protecting bird health is crucial. For breeders and owners, stringent biosecurity measures are vital to prevent disease outbreaks and ensure effective infection control. Key measures include: Understanding Biosecurity Biosecurity involves practices to minimize disease tra...