Where are all the BLUE THROATS?????

When the import of wild birds was banned, two things were accomplished.


1. Somewhat slowed down the decline of wild bird species.

2. Cut off the life blood of avian society!(Ok, a little over the top... just a little)


With some of the rarer species of parrots, we as bird lovers need to make sure that they are being bred to un-related stock! This is a must if genetic diversity is to remain strong and the species is to maintain its strength.


This blog is going to be pointed at a specific species of parrot known as the Blue Throat Conure. These are beautiful birds that are rare in the wild and rarer in U.S. aviculture.



BEAUTIFUL visit this site to see more pics "Click Here!"


The Blue Throat Conure is a gorgeous bird from Brazil. The problem came when the import of wild birds was banned. Europe had imported Blue throats, but the U.S.? Not that many.


More problems arose when Brazil stated that all Blue Throats were illegally exported from the country. This made it appear that whomever owned a Blue Throated Conure was in illegal possession.


Well, now here's the problem. We have a limited genetic pool to work with and a very big blockade in the way, which keeps these birds from making their way from Europe over to the U.S. In Europe you need to register any offspring that are had from the birds before you sell them to new homes. This allows the government and CITES to not only keep a record of how many birds are around but also where they originate from. I have been doing my research on trying to find a way to import a pair of non-related birds so that they could be bred here in the U.S. but after talking to some fellow bird lovers in one of the email groups I am registered with, I have come to find out that since Brazil says these birds were originally exported illegally, that even offspring from these animals are prohibited from being imported!!! Umm...Ok let me get this straight.



1. Original birds exported illegally from Brazil
2. Ban on all wild bird imports
3. Blue throats dying off in natural habitat.
4. Not many breeding programs in place for this animal.
5. Aviculturists are unable to import new blood from domestically bred animals to mix with their breeding stock.
6. Some people in Europe who own these birds let them colony breed season after season without separating out the related blood lines.



Ok, maybe it's just me, but I feel that if this animal is to be resurrected in captivity, then we need a little more leniency in the regulations.


I am all for the registration and tracking of all animals of this species, and even understand that all animals should be given to a breeding program once imported. I just don't understand how you could be trying to save a species by limiting its interaction with people who would like to breed offspring in order to increase its numbers and diversify its genetic pool....



I don't know, seems like one day we're gonna have to ask, "WHERE HAVE ALL THE BLUE THROATS GONE???"