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Wild Parrots 605

and they need space to become athletically fit. Height is very important during the pre‐release
stage. Parrots will naturally gravitate to the highest point, so make sure there is adequate perching
up high for all of the birds to prevent squabbles. Swinging perches attached to chains secured to the
rafters have proven the easiest to install and the longest‐lasting. Swinging motions mimic tree
movement and reinforce core strength and balance skills. Be aware of positioning and be sympa-
thetic to natural behaviors. Ensure adequate foliage cover above the high perches. Don’t leave
roosting birds exposed to the night sky; it is unnatural and not instinctive, and if birds get accus-
tomed to being exposed yet safe, it could prove fatal upon release. Take care also not to position
perches above food dishes for obvious reasons.

Indications­of Release­Readiness

As the birds progress toward release, they should be evaluated for release suitability. A complete
physical exam is necessary to assess the condition of joints, wings, and feathers, and observation of
the bird in flight will shed light on abnormalities or deficiencies. Social behavior is continually
assessed throughout the process. The birds should be cooperating and coexisting within the inte-
grated social group and be familiar to some extent with the appearance of natural food sources.
The aim is to release the group at the same time; being part of a social group greatly increases
everyone’s chance of survival.
Any injuries that significantly reduce a bird’s ability to survive should be assessed early in the
rehabilitation process so that the birds can be rehabilitated or given long‐term care with sympa-
thetic husbandry. Examples include permanently impaired flight, multiple complete toe amputa-
tions that reduce gripping ability, conditions leading to chronic pain or arthritis, joint issues, or
beak or bone deformities that preclude normal mobility or foraging. The aim is to avoid any inap-
propriate pair bonding between a releasable and a nonreleasable bird.

Catching­and Relocating­for Release
To catch birds for offsite release, we have constructed catch‐enclosures within the aviaries. In
these, although food is provided throughout care, we find that the birds become increasingly reluc-
tant to enter the area as the months go on. They become ever‐more suspicious of us, and leave the
area rapidly on our approach. As a result, catching the birds for relocation and release is incredibly
stressful for all parties. We have not yet found a perfect method of capturing birds from a large avi-
ary. The best we have come up with is to chase them to exhaustion with our long‐reach nets.
Ultimately, they don’t like us very much, which is, of course, the goal. Since offsite release often
involves a journey, catch the birds from the large aviaries 1–2 days before. Then, allow them to
destress in a smaller, more controlled enclosure where recapture can be swift and stress‐free. A last
dose of ivermectin before transfer is prudent.

Release­Site­and Timing

The location of an adequate release site can be an issue. The ideal site is located away from human
communities and activity as much as possible. The release location must have the correct habitat
for the birds, a current or historical population of wild conspecifics in the area with breeding habi-
tat close by, and the local human population must be sympathetic to the efforts and not set out to
recapture released parrots. A wild flock of conspecifics will greatly help the new birds to integrate,
learn natural behaviour, and locate food sources. Accessibility of the release site is also an issue