Disney’s Animal Kingdom
POB 10,000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
November 1, 1999

Dear Colleague,

The enclosed survey has been designed and developed by a panel of aviculturists, zoo personnel, curators, and research scientists, including the passerine TAG chair.

This survey is intended to collect data that will provide vital information toward influencing the successful reproduction of the Sturnidae species in captivity. The data collected will also include valuable information with regards to chick rearing, determining effective accommodation parameters, and important dietary elements, all of which will be translated into the Sturnidae husbandry manual.

It is important that you fill out the survey whether your Sturnidae have or have not reproduced-all behavioral and husbandry information gathered will be utilized. You must also make photo copies of the survey for each pair of Sturnidae in your collection.

This figure, reviewing ISIS data, shows the captive breeding history of just one of the 112 species in the Sturnidae family, the Golden-breasted starling (Lamprotornis regius). This breeding record reveals the fluctuating success and failure in reproducing these birds over the past 20 years. The Golden-breasted starling is one of the many starling and mynah species whose present success will determine its longevity in captivity. If each institution contributes its own experience with starlings and mynahs, collected through the survey, we will be given the opportunity to influence the future success of many species in captivity.

Prizes will be awarded to the first ten people who complete and return their surveys. We look forward to tallying the data and presenting the results which will be sent to all institutions.

Thank you for participating in what will become an informative tool useful for avian collections worldwide.

Sincerely yours,

Greg Bockheim and Susan Congdon
Telephone (407) 518-1611
FAX (407) 939-6391

cc: Jon Seltz, Former Curator of Birds, Jacksonville Zoo and Former Passerine TAG Co-Chair, Vicki Roth, Former Director of Potawatomi Zoo and Former Passerine TAG Co-Chair, Grenville Roles, Curator of Birds, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Beth Stevens, Ph.D., General Manager of Animal Programs, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Chelle Plasse, Aviary Zoo-manager, Disney’s Animal Kingdom