Wot's New!

January 2007

And now for some fun!!!!

Our volunteers came up with this for your amusement ..... enjoy!!!!

(see our Its Fun section)

Visitors from the largest Rescue Centre in Canada.

We welcomed Horst Neumann & Wendy Huntbatch from the World Parrot Refuge in Canada, who called in for a visit during their recent holiday visit to Costa Rica. Wendy enjoys the climate here, which proves to be very good news for her breathing - she suffers from the age old problem of feather dust.

It was really nice to see them both and hear all about the updates of their wonderful new Rescue centre. They brought with them video footage of their new facilities and some of their birds, it is always interesting to chat to Wendy about problem birds that she encounters, as the solutions if there are any, are stored away here for general use if and when needed. So thank you Wendy for your expertise.

Latest Update from Curu

Ilona Thewissen our biologist and Michelle Eglinton our zookeeper, visited Curu during January and although the trip was only a brief one this time, they came back with an update of how the birds are fairing there. (see reports section)

News from Palo Verde

Thanks to Horst and Wendy and also Jorge Hernandez, we have a very brief but interesting report from our birds in Palo Verde.

Horst and Wendy visited this month and were happy to see the birds in good condition and flying free - albiet in a zoo environment, and some extreemly tame, as mentioned by Dale previously. (see reports section)

February 2007

Mauricio Jimenez and his team

We were delighted to be able to help Mauricio Jimenez and his students in collecting blood samples for analysis in Germany. Mauricio is always kind enough to constantly afford us his services, so it is with pleasure that we can reciprocate now and again.

The samples are for Psittacosis and Polyoma. They are taken at random and are sent to the Costa Rican students who are currently taking part in their onsite work study at a University in Germany. The taking of the samples, the analysis and the results all form part of the students final thesis.

We have helped the students in this way before, and all the samples were negative!

Veterinary Surgeon from Matthews. USA.

We were very pleased to welcome to Amigos de las Aves, Frank Rutowski, veterinary surgeon from Matthews in North Carolina, USA.

Frank came to us via mutual acquaintances and he and his wife Michelle, came with a tour group from Swiss Travel here in Costa Rica WWW.

The whole group brought some wonderful goodies for the refuge birds, which they are currently enjoying destroying!?!?! And also some much needed Macaw Baby Food for this breeding season.

Whilst he was here, it was a much too good an opportunity for us not to pick Franks brain about one or two of our birds, and he very kindly afforded his expertise and knowledge.

He and Michelle returned here before leaving for home, and toured our Breeding Centre facilities. We do hope that they will both return and that we can enjoy a long and happy relationship.

Animal Care Hospital of Matthews.

New Book for Rosemary Low

Rosemary has just published a new book called "A Century of Parrots"

Describing how the life of the parrot as we know it has evolved.

"People had never heard about times when folk ran past pet shops with handkerchiefs pressed against their faces (fear of psittacosis), when a lady could buy a hat decorated with the heads of 15 Blossom-headed Parakeets and wealthy aviculturists sent their collectors to New Guinea to bring back rare parrots. It was a different era, when you could keep a Carolina Parakeet or a Glaucous Macaw (now both extinct) as a pet, and its stories were in danger of disappearing forever."

The culture of the early part of the century contrasts with that of the last years. Rosemary Low tells a fascinating story that will keep parrot lovers turning page after page.

Rosemarys book is available from herself or her publisher.

(see our publications section)

New Aviary in Tiskita

A new aviary in Tiskita has been built recently. At the end of the last year, the old aviary was taken down, it had been built in the 90's and the wood was rapidly declining and becoming a hazzard, so with Peter Aspinalls kind help, he has replaced the old flight with a new one.

His workers finished the structure in 2 weeks and we are very proud of the results.

The birds have always used the flight as a "meeting & greeting" point, and since the old flight was taken down, the 'meetings' have not been so frequent.

However, since the new flight was erected, the birds have been congretating at their 'coffee breaks' again, and having good old 'chats' amongst themselves. So clearly, the flight is an integral part of the release site and to the birds themselves.

From our point of view, we like to see the birds at some point during the day and the "meeting and greeting coffee break" provides us with just the opportunity to monitor the birds a little closer - interactions, heirachy, feeding and health issues, are all watched for very carefully at this time and provides us with valuable information for our database.

How to get to Tiskita...

Our zookeeper Michelle and Franck Dzuibak the photographer, have made the trip to Tiskita via air recently, and they took some pictures which will give you an idea of the coastline of Costa Rica and the trip to our very own "bird land". Enjoy!

Pictures courtesy of michelle, franck and lotte.

Once you are there...

(Pictures courtesy of ilona and michelle)

Tiskita from a Zookeepers point of view.

This is now the middle of the breeding season for the wild Scarlet macaws in Tiskita, and so we sent Michelle Eglinton down to the release site to view things from a zookeepers prospective.

(see reports section)

Mindy and the gang are back!

Mindy Lighthipe and her group of photographers and artists arrived on their yearly visit this month. Her largest group yet, about 20 people. We were delighted to see her, Nancy and Doug who had visited before, and to meet all the new visitors.

Margot and Richard were on hand to answer all the questions and queries, of which there were many - otherwise silence prevails as everyone got to work!

People were sketching and taking photos everywhere! The juvenile flight, the patio, the garden, all very busy and industrious. And some wonderful results too.

Mindy brought some of her new paintings - mostly of frogs - which you will be able to see on her website.

Youngest sponsor for adopt a bird.

They say it's best to start young with education in conservation, and this is no exception.

We are proud to let you meet Amanda Sorensen, who at the age of six, decided that after seeing our birds in the Adopt a Bird section, would like to sponsor Mrs. No. Wing.

To raise the money to do so, Amanda has been making bracelets to sell, to reach her goal, and she is just completing her task.

We were delighted to welcome Amanda to our Adopt a Bird Club. As she seemed to be so talented, we asked Amanda if she would like to make us a drawing of Mrs. No. Wing, that we could place on the website and hold a crayoning competition. She was happy to do this and the results, with competition details can be seen in our education section.

We are thrilled that Amanda is adopting Mrs. No. Wing. We love her spirit and applaud her enthusiasm and dedication to stick to her goals, and we hope that Amanda is going to be a budding conservationist in the making! So thank you and well done!!!

Scarlets flown to Tiskita for next release

This month, we flew 12 birds to Tiskita for our next release. The journey began very early in the morning - 4am to be precise for a flight time of 6am.

They were accompanied on their journey by Michelle Eglinton our zookeeper and Franck Dzuibak the renowned French photographer.

The birds landed safely in Tiskita and were greeted by a very inquisitive "person" and our biologist Ilona Thewissen, and her two assistants, Sophie and Helen from Imperial College in the UK.

They are now happily installed in their new aviary - which was newly rebuilt for them by Peter Aspinall.

March 2007

Baby Joy 2007

Our first baby birds this year were two Great Green babies born in March.

They are growing rapidly and we thought you might like to see them!

It is interesting to note, that even though the babies are parent raised, their weights are very similar on a day to day basis with their ages.

The Guymi Indian Reserve

Our release site in Tiskita borders on the indian reserve of the Guymi indians which is situated towards the south of Tiskita, between Tiskita and Panama.

The Guymi Indians are forming their own conservation group with assistance from biologists, which aims to have their shoreline and beach front declared a protected reserve and thus ensuring the health, safety and protection of this stunning area. Thus ensuring the future protection of their wonderful inheritance.

Tuna Farming in Tiskita - we don't think so

Over the past year, there has been great concern in Tiskita area as several companies have proposed to start a 'tuna farm' in the area.

Conservationist are greatly concerned, this would have devasting results for Tiskita and the surrounding shore.

There could be as many as one hundred cages as big as soccer fields, filled with tuna, pooh would destroy everything beneath the cage area, the use of drugs and pestacides (to keep the tuna population healthy) would cause huge pollution and contamination of coral and fish alike. Part of the tuna diet would be small fish caught elsewhere. There is a natural accumulation of Dioxcines & Mercury and heavy metals in wild fish, so many of these fish in such a small area would produce a massive and harmful concentration.

Such large quantities of fish in the area would encourage Sharks, bull sharks and hammerheads, tiger sharks, to come near the shore. This would greatly affect tourism, especially as the area is know for its beauty and has some of the best surfing in the country. It would render the beaches unsafe.

Peter Aspinall, all the local people, business's and conservationists, have been battling against these large corporations. They are all currently winning the battle, which is great news.

Canadian students, working for a university associated with the United Nations, are currently studying the area to ascertain wether it is viable to protect the Gulfo Duce, between the Osa Peninsual and Golfito, Zancudo, Punta Banco to make it a protected marine reserve.

If you would like to help Peter - you can contact him on www.tiskita.com or email

Paradise...
And then it rained...

Baby in Palo Verde?

Jorge Hernandez from Minae has reported seeing three birds near a nest very close to Palo Verde.

(see Reports section)

New Bird Feeders for Tiskita

Along with the new aviary in Tiskita, we needed some new bird feeders.

They prove to be really popular with the birds there as you can see……

Escuela Central de Tres Rios, San Jose

Helped by Silvia, Damaris, Michelle and Sabina, just over 200 students came to listen to Amigos de las Aves!

We love chatting to the kids, help them understand about the Lapa's and how we are trying to help the birds.

Answering all the questions and seeing the enthusiam! Joining in the fun. (see kids & education section)

and another one...

Escuela Miguel Obregon Lizano, Alajuela, kindly allowed us to come and talk to the kids.

Silvia, Sabina, Michelle and Damaris, came to the fore again, and with best foot forward, entered the lions den of over 300 children!

We spread the word for the Scarlet Macaws and also Amigos de las Aves efforts of conservation. The children enjoyed themselves as you can see….. (see kids and education section)

More support from Philadelphia Zoo

What can we say.. we thank Philadelphia Zoo yet again, for their further support for our conservation project in Tiskita.

We are all so very pleased that we have recognition from such a prestigious zoo.

Philadelphia Zoo was America's first zoo, opened in 1874, and has grown into a prestigious and formidable entity, consisting of 42 acres and over 1,300 animals.

It is one of the foremost zoo's in the country and it's major aims are conservation, education and recreation.

To this end, the zoo has established some excellent exhibits for you to see, Primate Reserve, Rare Animal Conservation Centre, Reptile & Amphibian House, Carnivore Kingdom, The Childrens Zoo, African Species Exhibit, Exotic South America, The Animal Health Centre, and Wild Earth.

For further details of Philadelphia Zoo's work in all areas, including their huge work in conservation, just log onto: www.philadelphiazoo.org

Dr. Adrienne Allison and support from Kaytee

Again, it is with pleasure that we welcome Adrienne back to Costa Rica and Amigos de las Aves.

Adrienne is always willing to help with any medical and veterinary proceedure that occurs whilst she is here, from worming the entire flock of birds, to spaying a cat, to bandaging a leg, to taking fecal samples.

She kindly brings with her continued support from Kaytee in the shape of Exact Macaw Baby Feeding Formula. Always so very welcome, especially in the breeding season.

April 2007

Minae and exchange biologists.

35 Biologists decended upon Amigos de las Aves as part of an exchange program between Costa Rica and Germany. A twinning program with Alajuela.

Minor Gonzalez from Minae was accompanying the biologists to various projects within the Alajuela area for which he is the area manager.

We were delighted to see them and happy to note their interest in our project. We gave them a guided tour and told them how Amigos works and most especially about our reintroduction program.

The biologists will not only be visiting animal projects but all manner of programs here, including tree plantation, orchid propogation and conservation management

Raising money for Amigos de las Aves
Initiative starts with enthusiasm.

We were approached at the end of last year by Daniel Correa, who through Richard and Margots niece, came to discover Amigos de las Aves.

He had a school project to do and we were to be it! Daniel asked us if he could try and raise some donations and possible corporate sponsorship for us, and we were very happy for him to work on our behalf.

Daniel has since written a new manuel for our volunteers and he has organised a sponsored disco and raised over 40,000 colones.

He is in talks with several corporations in the hope of raising long term corporate sponsorship, and through his university, Universidad Interamericana de Costa Rica, has completed over 150 hours of work on our behalf.

So we would like to thank Daniel very much for all his hard work and time, and we hope that his enthusiasm encourages others to work in this very needed field to help conservation in Costa Rica.

May 2007

Congratulations and good luck

The Exotic Bird Hospital opens new doors

Dr. Rhoda Stevenson has finally moved into her new clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. The clinic boasts new operating theatres with state of the art equipment, more examination rooms and more space for laboratory work.

Rhoda has been in Jacksonville for over 20 years and with her highly skilled team of vets, Marnie Knight, DVM, Debbie Bushey, DVM and hugely experienced supportive staff, we hope that the new hospital will be worth the wait and all the hard toil.

So Amigos de las Aves wishes everyone a fruitful and happy association with the new clinic.

Acting in part with Cegep La Pocatiere, Canada for 2007

Following last years success apprenticeship of Janie Martel, joining us in our program this May is Marie-Aude Giguere. Cegep La Pocatiere sent Marie-Aude to Amigos de las Aves to complete just over three months of intensive study and learning.

Marie-Aude has fitted in extremly well with our program and will complete six weeks at our Breeding Centre and 8 weeks in the field at Tiskita. We hope that she will find our program beneficial to her future and we are particularly gratified at how she is fitting so well into our schedules.

It is always a pleasure to help with education and we are very happy to have such a successful relationship with Cegep La Pocatiere, which we trust will continue for many years to come.

Visit to Curu

Ilona Thewissen, our biologist, made one of her regular visits to Curu recently and found our macaws alive and well! (see reports section)

More Zookeepers!!

This time from Attica in Greece

We were pleased to welcome Stavroula Tsovolos to our volunteering team this autumn. Roula is a zookeeper working in Attica Zoo and specialising in birds. She joins us for two months to learn about the macaws and their breeding habits.

Released!!!

Our birds were released this month, over a two week period, and one in particular was of special interest. Twiggy is one of our first "Adopt a Bird" macaws to be released , and this picture was one of her first steps into the wild.

The release went very well and the birds were released in pairs, we try to release a male and a female, but bonded pairs work just as well. Over the course of the two weeks, several of the birds flew into nearby trees and stayed around the release site. One stayed for over a week and then took off further afield. Three took off nearly immediately further afield.

The birds already at the release site took an instant interest in the new release when the birds first arrived with the numbers increasing at the feeding station. However, having investigated further, most decieded they were not that interested after all and carried on with their daily routine.

The new birds did not seem to take too much notice of some of the older birds, heirachy not being a problem to them at this stage of the game and got on with the task of finding food, a roosting spot and friends to keep in touch with.

(see Release Sites - Tiskita section)

June 2007

More support from Oakland Zoo in California

We are highly delighted to have gained a further grant from Oakland Zoo in California. This is the second year that Oakland have added us to their impressive conservation efforts and we are delighted and extreemly grateful for their help to continue our program.

Conservation programs as far afield as Africa and Asia continue to be supported by Oakland which allows important research and programs to grow and flourish.

Their education programs start with conservation on their own doorstep and many a child learns about important issues in the US and around the world. Maybe even producing a budding conservationist!

Make sure you check out their website at http://www.oaklandzoo.org

July 2007

Exotic Bird Hospital supports us with staff

Jeannie Slaughter, a highly experienced veterinary technician at the Bird Hospital in Florida, spent more time with us this year and helped out with much need supplies and hard work. Jeannie is an invaluable member of staff on Rhoda's team and she helps us with her time, again and again.

Artistry on the walls - all the way from New Zealand

My house got a much needed face lift from volunteer Caitlin Kerr, with these wonderful paintings. Caitlin volunteered with us for two months during her year of travels this autumn - and when we learnt of Caits skills with the paintbrush - we set her to work!

Cait has been studying art at univeristy and will return to study for a BA Design degree in Interior Design next year. She has been staying with her grandmother who has a small and very comfortable bed and breakfast, Rin Conde Salas in Grecia, neatly situated in the mid central valley. (mimosa@mimosa.co.cr)

Harvard student comes to Amigos

Chris Kozak spent two months volunteering in Tiskita. He was in mid studies and took time out to realise a "dream of birding". Finally finalising his funding for his trip, Chris brought his enthusiasm and highly observant eyes to our project. Chris spotted over 124 species of bird in Tiskita and is going to send us a list for other bird spotters in Tiskita to try and match.

Limited Edition Artwork for Sale

When Richard and Margot returned from their trip to the US this year, they brought with them the most stunning charcoal drawing, which has since been taking everyone's breath away!!!

Drawn by daughter Joan, a very talented lady, this wonderful artistry of Richard's favourite bird, Figaro, a hyacinth macaw, is now gracing Margots living room in pride of place over the fireplace.

The drawing is an original and there are limited editions for those who would like to enjoy this marvellous art work. So if you are interested, then please get in touch with Richard and Margot at richmar@racsa.co.cr for further details.

New Cartoon for you to paint!

BIRDWATCH is watching!

Another fun cartoon created by one of our volunteers - Jocelyn Eijkelenboom from Holland

Enjoy!
(see Its Fun Section)

August 2007

All the way from New Zealand
Jenny Pettigrew
Our own veterinary technician

Joining our team this month, is Jenny Pettigrew, qualified Veterinary Nurse, from New Zealand. Jenny joins our current team of zookeepers and gets to grips with the workings of a zoo in a third world Central American country. Slightly different to New Zealand and Wellington Zoo where Jen has just come from.

You could say organised chaos! With her hard work motivation and fun sense of humour, Jen will fit in well with us all.

We are delighted that Jen hasjoined our bird world.

Painting Competition results

When we visited the Escuela Central de Tres Rios in San Jose in March, we held a painting competition for the classes that we spent time with.

We had lots and lots of entries and we chose 5 Winners.

Keep an eye open at the Kids and Education Section in the next month or two, and see the winners and the prize giving.

Costa Rican Biology students given a learning tour by Margot

The Escuela CentroAmericana de Ganadria or ECAG, visited again this year bringing 20 students for a tour of Amigos and an informative talk given by Margot.

These students are training to be Park Rangers and Ecology advisors in Costa Rica, so they are eager to learn as much as possible during their time with us. All the students visit different parks and projects throughout their time as students and gain as much insight into the flora and fauna of Costa Rica from people who are experts in their own field. Although this is only part of their training, the information is vital to their studies.

September 2007

New Feed room for the birds

New guard birds!

We like to add as much extra security to our birds as we possibly can, and one of the more inventive is the addition of the two legged variety with feathers!

Meet, Longshanks, Lilli, Lulu and Lucy Goosey

Currently working a 24hour shift, 7 days a week. We hope that eventually they will produce youngsters that will be a match for any robber!!!

Birds return to Tiskita

The three birds that had decided to go 'walkabout' upon their release in Tiskita have now all returned. We breathed a sigh of relief! This is most gratifying and makes this one of our most successful releases.

(see Release Sites)

Veterinary Technican on her bi annual visit

Vet. Tech Michelle Burt visited us on her bi annual trip to Costa Rica this month. We are always delighted to see her and she always offers her professional help. During the last year, Michelle has had quite a turnaround in her life and now works as an independent veterinary technician in San Francisco whilst fitting in her other job of pet sitting.

Michelle has her own company which aims to offer a full and complete pet/house sitting business in Costa Rica. If you ever feel the need to avail yourself of her services, then please email Michelle on info@furandfeatherpetcare.com or check out her website www.furandfeatherpetcare.com

New feeders courtesy of Oakland Zoo

More new feeders have been made for the Scarlet Macaws in the breeding flight. It has always been difficult to provide sustainable feeding areas that do not get chewed and end up with hundreds of staples and more bits of wood added, and which invarieably, every day, end up on the floor!

So we are really pleased with the new feeders, which follow the same design as the feeders being used in Tiskita. They proved to be highly efficient, and as well as allowing the movement of free standing feeding stations, these feeders are durable and so far, have not ended up on the floor!!!

So we thank Oakland Zoo for their support with this particular project

October 2007

Isnt it amazing!

Three Scarlet babies, one being parent raised and two being hand reared - and look at the weights!

Our excellent ratters!

Parent reared Great Green Macaws Stuffed!

Quite unusual - even for us. Earlier this year one of our pair of Great Greens decided to get into our record books with four eggs in one clutch - and they were all fertile!!!

It just goes to show that no-one does it better than mum!!!

All in a days work..

December 2007

AMIGOS DE LAS AVES PROPOSAL
FOR ALTAMERA AREA SCHOOLS

Recent visits have been made to schools in the Tiskita area with the aim of teaching more about the Amigos de las Aves release program, with a comprehensive update to the local community on the progress of our release site in that area.

New posters will be given to the children, along with crayons and coloring books for school work and education.

Anna Cederman, a teacher from New Zealand will be in the area for two months to ensure the correct information will reach everyone in the area who enjoy seeing our birds, and emphasising the importance of our work and the safety of the birds.

Amigos de las Aves and the official Release Programs of Amigos de las Aves in Costa Rica, www.amigosdelasavescostarica.org and www.hatchedtoflyfree.org are not affiliated or associated with any other company, organisation or association, by name or in any other country.