The Eclectus Group
BY LAURELLA DESBOROUGH
Copyright Laurella Desbrough (eclectusbreeder.com).
All rights reserved by the author.
A new organization
called the Eclectus
Group was formed this
spring. For some time
now, a specialty
organization
representing the
Eclectus parrots has not
existed. On May 1, 2000,
the Eclectus Group
became a formal society,
planned as a nonprofit
service organization for
the breeders of Eclectus
parrots. It is designed
to provide accurate and
reliable information to
members concerning diet,
housing, husbandry,
health, disease,
subspecies
identification and
management. It is also
designed to represent
the interests of
Eclectus parrots in an
official capacity.
The Eclectus Group
serves as the official
contact for breeders of
Eclectus parrots to
Birdcoop. (Birdcoop is
the forum where
representatives from the
American Zoo and
Aquarium Association [AZA]
and representatives from
various psittacine
societies exchange
information and
coordinate plans for the
long-term management of
psittacine species in
the United States.)
The Eclectus Group is
directed by a four
member board of
directors: Joe Baker,
Laurella Desborough,
David Ivey and Cathy
Kelly. The overseas
consultant is Graham
Taylor of Australia, and
the veterinary advisor
is Dr. Brian Speer,
certified avian
specialist.
Membership in the
Eclectus Group is open
to the following:
Individuals
or organizations that
breed Eclectus parrots;
Zoo
bird curators and
keepers working with
Eclectus parrots;
Scientists
and conservationists
interested in working
with Eclectus parrots.
Currently, there is no
membership fee.
Communication within the
Eclectus Group is done
primarily through
e-mail. If a member does
not have access to
e-mail, then he/she can
use regular mail.
Persons wishing to
become members of the
Eclectus Group should
contact Joe Baker, P.O.
Box 1015, Kurtistown, HI
96760. All membership
information remains
confidential unless the
member decides
otherwise.
Individuals
or organizations that
breed Eclectus parrots;
