title: First captive breeding of the imperial parrot (Amazona imperialis).
abstract: We describe the rearing and development of the first imperial parrot (Amazona imperialis) hatched and raised in captivity. A single egg was hen-incubated for 28 days, and the chick was parent-fed for ∼14 days, after which it was removed for hand-rearing. Similar to wild, parent-reared imperial nestlings, the chick developed fully within 12 weeks, weaning at 540 g body weight. Endangered and endemic to Dominica, the imperial is a vital flagship for oceanic rainforest conservation. Chronicling the neonatal development of A. imperialis helps illuminate the natural history of this enigmatic species, whose secretive nesting habits and low population density have frustrated a detailed understanding of its ecology and reproduction.
authors.affiliation: Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, Loxahatchee Groves, Florida, USA. paulreillo@rarespecies.org
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Reillo
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Durand
authors.forename: Minchinton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burton
mesh_terms: D046708:Amazona / Q000502:physiology*; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D001947:Breeding; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D019424:Dominica; D056727:Endangered Species; D000077422:Enrofloxacin; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal
chemical_list: D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D000077422:Enrofloxacin; D015725:Fluconazole