Birds International
Encyclopedia
Birds International Incorporated or BII (not to be confused with BirdLife International
, an environmental non-governmental organization and not affiliated with the short-lived quarterly publication Birds International by Joe Forshaw) is a company
working in the field of aviculture
established in 1975 by Antonio de Dios
. It is located in Quezon City
near Manila
, the capital
of the Philippines
.
Birds International functions as a research and breeding center especially for endangered species
of exotic
birds. The company thus uses the sub-title "Avicultural Park & Research Centre." It is the largest captive bird breeding facility in the world also regarded by many to be the best. The company especially specializes in and is most notable for parrot production and therefore is also referred to as a parrot breeding facility. It is reputed to have the largest parrot collection in the world.
According to the website Zoos of the World Birds International has a total area of six hectare
s hosting 6,000 animals from 198 species
only one being a mammal
and the rest birds. The number of staff is 167. The facilities are not open to the public. The location of Birds International is suitable since the tropical climate of Philippines is conducive to the breeding and propagation of exotic birds.
The company is evaluated to be "the biggest and most successful breeder of exotic birds in the world". It has 20,000 exotic birds at any given time. Most of them are exported to Asia
, Europe
and Japan
. Prices can be high, for instance US$500–1,000 for a Blue-and-gold Macaw making Birds International a successful business venture and thus a model for similar enterprises.
It has also been pointed out as a model for aviculture industry in Australia where, as in the Philippines, commercial trade in native exotic birds has existed for decades. In the Senate report titled Commercial Utilisation of Australian Native Wildlife an entire paragraph is set apart for Birds International experience based on a submission: "As an example of the potential for expansion, Ms Anderson noted that an avicultural enterprise in Manila, 'Birds International' which houses six thousand birds on a 6 acres (2.4 ha) property, breeds to order large quantities of birds for overseas markets. They retain 15 per cent of stock bred each year for future breeding. Ms Anderson believes that 'similar establishments could be developed in Australia to house specifically Australian species of birds and the benefit to the Australian economy in terms of trade would be substantial'. Flow-on effects could include a boost to domestic markets for birds and a rejuvenated interest in breeding birds in captivity which could assist the recovery of rare species in the wild." Indeed G. R. Wilson mentions "some international competitors such as Birds International" as a source of "considerable competition when they target markets with low animal-health standards" in his entry on trade in native birds in the The New Rural Industries handbook of the Australian Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
.
The company carries out activities other than breeding and sales of birds. These include veterinary and quarantine
services and aviary and cage construction. The veterinary clinic received attention in 2002 for carrying out surgery on a 2.5 foot (0.762 m)-tall Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), a rare, almost extinct animal, rescued by the authorities after being wounded by a bullet and named "Amianan". The animal eventually died of a fungal infection and was stuffed.
, and flamingos.
The species are marked either by open/closed leg-band or by microchip implant. Microchips are used for specimens with body weights over 80 grams (2.8 oz).
" (Cyanopsitta spixii, also known as the Little Blue Macaw), a species that has become extinct in the wild
in 2000 after the last known male disappeared according to Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA, Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources in English).
Birds International participated in the Permanent Committee for the Recovery of the Spix’s Macaw, called CPRAA, established by IBAMA in 1990 and its the Ararinha Azul Project (Little Blue Macaw Project). Other participants included BirdLife International, WWF
-Brazil and the American Federation of Aviculture and most of the funding came from IBAMA and the Fundación Loro Parque (Loro Parque Foundation ) of Spain
. Birds International became a party to CPRAA only when the government of Fernando Collor de Mello
granted an amnesty to all private owners of the Spix's Macaw in order to boost the conservation efforts.
Several exchanges of birds were made between institutions and individuals for increasing the probability of breeding based on DNA
analysis as part of the program. Birds International's efforts turned out to be the most successful: "Dr. Hammerli was the first aviculturist to produce young Spix's macaws in 1984, however, Antonio de Dios has had the most successful breeding results at Birds International. This collection has achieved a second generation breeding, a real breakthrough for the future survival of this species." Birds International also facilitated the transfer of birds from São Paulo Zoo to Loro Parque for breeding by donating two young males to the former as the transfer that would leave the Zoo with a single crippled male was politically unpopular. It also gave another captive-bred female to the Chaparral facility in Recife, Brazil in order to replace the mate of their male that was left to the wilderness with the hope that it would mate with the last known male. However Natasha Schischakin, who is critical of Antonio de Dios, states that "The owner of BII, Antonio de Dios offered to donate these birds to the reintroduction effort, but only with the establishment of rigorous protocols and involvement of his staff in the reintroduction program."
In 2001 two pairs of Spix’s Macaws were transferred from Birds International to Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation
(AWWP) in Qatar
. In 2003 and 2004 the entire remaining 25-strong population of the birds in Birds International was transferred to AWWP making its collection the largest population of the species in the world. Low yield of breeding since 1999 and the threat posed by avian influenza in its environment were behind the decision of Birds International to transfer the ownership of the birds. The transfer of birds to AWWP has been a source of controversy leading to the dissolution of CPRAA. Tony Juniper
who has been involved in the efforts to save the Spix's Macaw has harshly criticized the private holders of the birds including Birds International; because he believes that reintroduction of the Spix's to its natural habitat is more important than captive breeding.
, the Black Palm Cockatoo
, the Guaiabero
Parrot and Victoria Crowned Pigeon
s to name but a few".
Marc Boussekey of Espace Zoologique, France, has observed that the Red-vented Cockatoo
population of the company is "healthy and really well maintained" (Boussekey also covers Birds International among other parrot breeding facilities in a scientific article). Antonio de Dios has made a publication about their protocol for the species.
animal species for commercial purposes", shortly referred to as "Register of captive-breeding operations." Birds International's registration covers the species Cacatua haematuropygia and Guarouba guarouba making it the only CITES registered operation for both of them.
Birds International also follows the meetings of CITES. It has participated to the Fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties held in the Hague, Netherlands
in 2007 and the Twenty-third meeting of the Animals Committee held in Geneva
, Switzerland
as an observer.
The company presented eight proposals for the registration of some of its bird breeding operations to the CITES Secretariat in 2006 and 2007. The proposals were discussed at various CITES meetings. During the Fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties all of its requests for registration were rejected based on the grounds that the birds in question were not native to Philippines and the company could not verify the legality of its acquirement of their breeding stocks. However the vote was a close one, members of the European Union
supporting registration and some countries that are the homelands of birds in question objecting. Had the request been approved Birds International would have been able to commercially trade the following birds: Goffin's cockatoo of Indonesia, yellow crowned Amazon parrot of Central and South America, yellow headed Amazon parrot of Central America, red crowned Amazon parrot of Mexico, hyacinth macaw
of Brazil, blue-throated macaw
and red fronted macaw of Bolivia and the military macaw of Central and South America.
Its local affiliations include Manila Zoo, National Museum of the Philippines, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau and Philippine Council for Agricultural Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development.
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
, an environmental non-governmental organization and not affiliated with the short-lived quarterly publication Birds International by Joe Forshaw) is a company
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
working in the field of aviculture
Aviculture
Aviculture is the practice of keeping and breeding birds and the culture that forms around it. Aviculture is generally focused on not only the raising and breeding of birds, but also on preserving avian habitat, and public awareness campaigns....
established in 1975 by Antonio de Dios
Antonio de Dios
Antonio de Dios is a "bird aficionado" known in the relevant circles from the Philippines who established in 1975 Birds International, Inc. , a company working in the field of aviculture.He...
. It is located in Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
near Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, the capital
Capital City
Capital City was a television show produced by Euston Films which focused on the lives of investment bankers in London living and working on the corporate trading floor for the fictional international bank Shane-Longman....
of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
Birds International functions as a research and breeding center especially for endangered species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of exotic
Introduced species
An introduced species — or neozoon, alien, exotic, non-indigenous, or non-native species, or simply an introduction, is a species living outside its indigenous or native distributional range, and has arrived in an ecosystem or plant community by human activity, either deliberate or accidental...
birds. The company thus uses the sub-title "Avicultural Park & Research Centre." It is the largest captive bird breeding facility in the world also regarded by many to be the best. The company especially specializes in and is most notable for parrot production and therefore is also referred to as a parrot breeding facility. It is reputed to have the largest parrot collection in the world.
According to the website Zoos of the World Birds International has a total area of six hectare
Hectare
The hectare is a metric unit of area defined as 10,000 square metres , and primarily used in the measurement of land. In 1795, when the metric system was introduced, the are was defined as being 100 square metres and the hectare was thus 100 ares or 1/100 km2...
s hosting 6,000 animals from 198 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
only one being a mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
and the rest birds. The number of staff is 167. The facilities are not open to the public. The location of Birds International is suitable since the tropical climate of Philippines is conducive to the breeding and propagation of exotic birds.
Commercial operations
Birds International provides captive-breed birds to pet lovers, hobbyist, zoos and parks. In South East Asia Goodwill Birds Training is the sole agent for the birds of Birds International. In Europe it is represented by Dr. Med. Vet. F. Janeczek.The company is evaluated to be "the biggest and most successful breeder of exotic birds in the world". It has 20,000 exotic birds at any given time. Most of them are exported to Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Prices can be high, for instance US$500–1,000 for a Blue-and-gold Macaw making Birds International a successful business venture and thus a model for similar enterprises.
It has also been pointed out as a model for aviculture industry in Australia where, as in the Philippines, commercial trade in native exotic birds has existed for decades. In the Senate report titled Commercial Utilisation of Australian Native Wildlife an entire paragraph is set apart for Birds International experience based on a submission: "As an example of the potential for expansion, Ms Anderson noted that an avicultural enterprise in Manila, 'Birds International' which houses six thousand birds on a 6 acres (2.4 ha) property, breeds to order large quantities of birds for overseas markets. They retain 15 per cent of stock bred each year for future breeding. Ms Anderson believes that 'similar establishments could be developed in Australia to house specifically Australian species of birds and the benefit to the Australian economy in terms of trade would be substantial'. Flow-on effects could include a boost to domestic markets for birds and a rejuvenated interest in breeding birds in captivity which could assist the recovery of rare species in the wild." Indeed G. R. Wilson mentions "some international competitors such as Birds International" as a source of "considerable competition when they target markets with low animal-health standards" in his entry on trade in native birds in the The New Rural Industries handbook of the Australian Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation is an Australian statutory Corporation formed in July 1990 under the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989...
.
The company carries out activities other than breeding and sales of birds. These include veterinary and quarantine
Quarantine
Quarantine is compulsory isolation, typically to contain the spread of something considered dangerous, often but not always disease. The word comes from the Italian quarantena, meaning forty-day period....
services and aviary and cage construction. The veterinary clinic received attention in 2002 for carrying out surgery on a 2.5 foot (0.762 m)-tall Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), a rare, almost extinct animal, rescued by the authorities after being wounded by a bullet and named "Amianan". The animal eventually died of a fungal infection and was stuffed.
Birds bred
The birds bred by Birds International are usually from the species that are threatened in the wild due to illegal poaching and forest destruction. Initially it bred parrots only; but the production line today includes other birds such as Asian doves, hornbills, gallinaceous birds, cranesCrane (bird)
Cranes are a family, Gruidae, of large, long-legged and long-necked birds in the order Gruiformes. There are fifteen species of crane in four genera. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back...
, and flamingos.
The species are marked either by open/closed leg-band or by microchip implant. Microchips are used for specimens with body weights over 80 grams (2.8 oz).
Spix's Macaw
Even though the company is breeding many endangered species "it has had exceptional success with the production of the Spix's MacawSpix's Macaw
Spix's Macaw is the only member of the parrot genus Cyanopsitta. They are critically endangered, possibly extinct in the wild The species is conserved through several breeding programs. It was found in Brazil, in parts of the Brazilian state of Bahia...
" (Cyanopsitta spixii, also known as the Little Blue Macaw), a species that has become extinct in the wild
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct in the Wild is a conservation status assigned to species or lower taxa, the only known living members of which are being kept in captivity or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.-Examples:...
in 2000 after the last known male disappeared according to Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA, Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources in English).
Birds International participated in the Permanent Committee for the Recovery of the Spix’s Macaw, called CPRAA, established by IBAMA in 1990 and its the Ararinha Azul Project (Little Blue Macaw Project). Other participants included BirdLife International, WWF
World Wide Fund for Nature
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
-Brazil and the American Federation of Aviculture and most of the funding came from IBAMA and the Fundación Loro Parque (Loro Parque Foundation ) of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. Birds International became a party to CPRAA only when the government of Fernando Collor de Mello
Fernando Collor de Mello
Fernando Affonso Collor de Mello was the 32nd president of Brazil from 1990 to 1992, when he resigned in a failed attempt to stop his trial of impeachment by the Brazilian Senate...
granted an amnesty to all private owners of the Spix's Macaw in order to boost the conservation efforts.
Several exchanges of birds were made between institutions and individuals for increasing the probability of breeding based on DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
analysis as part of the program. Birds International's efforts turned out to be the most successful: "Dr. Hammerli was the first aviculturist to produce young Spix's macaws in 1984, however, Antonio de Dios has had the most successful breeding results at Birds International. This collection has achieved a second generation breeding, a real breakthrough for the future survival of this species." Birds International also facilitated the transfer of birds from São Paulo Zoo to Loro Parque for breeding by donating two young males to the former as the transfer that would leave the Zoo with a single crippled male was politically unpopular. It also gave another captive-bred female to the Chaparral facility in Recife, Brazil in order to replace the mate of their male that was left to the wilderness with the hope that it would mate with the last known male. However Natasha Schischakin, who is critical of Antonio de Dios, states that "The owner of BII, Antonio de Dios offered to donate these birds to the reintroduction effort, but only with the establishment of rigorous protocols and involvement of his staff in the reintroduction program."
In 2001 two pairs of Spix’s Macaws were transferred from Birds International to Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation
Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation
Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation is a privately owned wild life preserve in Qatar. The center is home to roughly 2,000 animals and has a staff of 200. It is one of the leading centers for breeding endangered and threatened species, including the Spix's Macaw, Beira antelope, Golden-headed lion...
(AWWP) in Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
. In 2003 and 2004 the entire remaining 25-strong population of the birds in Birds International was transferred to AWWP making its collection the largest population of the species in the world. Low yield of breeding since 1999 and the threat posed by avian influenza in its environment were behind the decision of Birds International to transfer the ownership of the birds. The transfer of birds to AWWP has been a source of controversy leading to the dissolution of CPRAA. Tony Juniper
Tony Juniper
Tony Juniper is a British environmental campaigner, author and commentator most recognised for his work as Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Vice Chair of Friends of the Earth International from 2000-2008.Juniper was the Green Party's parliamentary...
who has been involved in the efforts to save the Spix's Macaw has harshly criticized the private holders of the birds including Birds International; because he believes that reintroduction of the Spix's to its natural habitat is more important than captive breeding.
Other species
According to Roger Bringas and Sheldon Dingle from the American Federation of Aviculture who visited the facility, "some of BII's other notable successes have been breeding and hand rearing the Pesquet's ParrotPesquet's Parrot
Pesquet's Parrot also known as the Vulturine Parrot , is the only member of its genus, and its genus is the only member of the tribe Psittrichadini...
, the Black Palm Cockatoo
Palm Cockatoo
The Palm Cockatoo , also known as the Goliath Cockatoo, is a large smoky-grey or black parrot of the cockatoo family. It is the only member in subfamily Microglossinae and the only member of the monotypic genus, Probosciger...
, the Guaiabero
Guaiabero
The Guaiabero is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family, belonging to the monotypic genus Bolbopsittacus and closely related to the lovebirds and hanging parrots . It is endemic to the Philippines...
Parrot and Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Victoria Crowned Pigeon
The Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Goura victoria, is a large, bluish-grey pigeon with elegant blue lace-like crests, maroon breast and red iris. The bird may be easily recognized by the unique white tips on its crests. Both sexes are similar. It is on average 74 cm long and weighs 2,384 grams...
s to name but a few".
Marc Boussekey of Espace Zoologique, France, has observed that the Red-vented Cockatoo
Red-vented Cockatoo
The Red-vented Cockatoo, Cacatua haematuropygia, sometimes called the Philippine Cockatoo or Kalangay, is a critically endangered species of cockatoo that is endemic to the Philippines...
population of the company is "healthy and really well maintained" (Boussekey also covers Birds International among other parrot breeding facilities in a scientific article). Antonio de Dios has made a publication about their protocol for the species.
Relations with CITES
Birds International is registered under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, better known with its abbreviation CITES. It is one of the 164 operations in the world and two operations in the Philippines placed in "Register of operations that breed Appendix-Ianimal species for commercial purposes", shortly referred to as "Register of captive-breeding operations." Birds International's registration covers the species Cacatua haematuropygia and Guarouba guarouba making it the only CITES registered operation for both of them.
Birds International also follows the meetings of CITES. It has participated to the Fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties held in the Hague, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
in 2007 and the Twenty-third meeting of the Animals Committee held in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
as an observer.
The company presented eight proposals for the registration of some of its bird breeding operations to the CITES Secretariat in 2006 and 2007. The proposals were discussed at various CITES meetings. During the Fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties all of its requests for registration were rejected based on the grounds that the birds in question were not native to Philippines and the company could not verify the legality of its acquirement of their breeding stocks. However the vote was a close one, members of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
supporting registration and some countries that are the homelands of birds in question objecting. Had the request been approved Birds International would have been able to commercially trade the following birds: Goffin's cockatoo of Indonesia, yellow crowned Amazon parrot of Central and South America, yellow headed Amazon parrot of Central America, red crowned Amazon parrot of Mexico, hyacinth macaw
Hyacinth Macaw
The Hyacinth Macaw , or Hyacinthine Macaw, is a parrot native to central and eastern South America. With a length of about 100 cm it is longer than any other species of parrot...
of Brazil, blue-throated macaw
Blue-throated Macaw
The Blue-throated Macaw is a macaw endemic to a small area of north-central Bolivia known as Los Llanos de Moxos. Recent population and range estimates suggests that about 100-150 individuals remain in the wild. The main causes of their demise is capture for the pet trade and land clearance on...
and red fronted macaw of Bolivia and the military macaw of Central and South America.
Others
The organisation also co-operates with Fundacao Biodiversitas and Instituto Brasileiro to Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renovaveis from Brazil, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (also known as World Conservation Union), its Species Survival Commission and TRAFFIC Sudamerica.Its local affiliations include Manila Zoo, National Museum of the Philippines, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau and Philippine Council for Agricultural Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development.