2005 (No 5) - Gibraltar Ornithological & Natural History Society

GONHS
PROBABLE NESTING OF THE BLUE-CROWNED
CONURE Aratinga acuticaudata IN GIBRALTAR
John Cortes
Strait of Gibraltar Bird Observatory, GONHS, PO Box 843, Gibraltar.
Exotic bird species are regularly observed in Gibraltar, mostly attributable to
escapes from captivity. Many of the species concerned are tropical and most of
these are parrots Psittacidae. Several species of parrots have been recorded flying
free in Gibraltar, including Senegal Parrots Poicephalus senegalus, African Grey
Parrots Psittacus erythacus, Monk Parakeets Myiopsitta monachus and several
conure species, including individual Blue-crowned Conures and White-eyed
Conures Aratinga leucophthalmus. Colonies of Monk Parakeets, Ring-necked
Parakeets Psittacula krameri and Nanday Parakeets Nandayus nenday are established
in nearby Spain (Barros & Rios 2002), with this last species nesting in
Sotogrande, Cádiz, approximately 10km north of Gibraltar. However there have
been no conclusive records of any parrot nesting wild in Gibraltar.
Free-flying parrots in Gibraltar have been seen largely to frequent garden
areas, mainly in the South District, where the combined grounds of the Mount, the
Botanic Gardens in the Alameda and other smaller areas cover approximately 18
hectares. There are many broadleaf trees: especially Olive Olea europea, Nettle
Tree Celtis australis, and Narrow-leaved Ash Fraxinus angustifolia, palms: largely
Phoenix canariensis, and shrubs including Tecoma capensis, Lantana camara and
Viburnum tinus. Since 1997, confiscated or rescued parrots of several species have
been kept in captivity at the Botanic Gardens, adding to the attraction of the area
for free-flying escapees, which frequently visit and interact with the captive parrots
and perch on their cages or adjacent trees.
Adult Blue-crowned Conure, Upper Rock, Gibraltar (E. Shaw)
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