rotlets are listed under Appendix II of Breeding the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora An Overview and Fauna (CITES). Anyone desiring to breed parrotlets by Matthew M. Vriends, Ph.D. Rocky Point, NY must first decide which species they want to keep and breed. It is highly rec­ ommended that one starts with a mini­ ue to the increasing populari­ importing them. Unfortunately, in mum of three unrelated pairs of ty of these charming, much those early days priority was never per species or subspecies. The three Dsought after companion par­ given to the responsible captive breed­ pairs must not he related in any way, so rots, demand often out trips upply. It ing of the hirds because they were that the young produced from thes i thu important that aviculturist usually easy to ohtain or replace. So pairs also are unrelated; in other word' know how to breed their birds in order why would one 'hreak one's neck" we will have three groups of unrelated to minimize importation from the wild. trying to breed them? offspring that can he paired up. Although, due to the recent regula­ Today, however, the situation is Experience ha ~ shown that each pair tions, importation has come to an quit different. Because th supply of of birds are better housed in their own almost complete stop anyhow. ild caught birds from their native breeding cage or (even hetter) aviary. In the 1920' most wild-caught par­ countries is likely to dry up in the not In this way it is less difficult to leg hand rotlets were imported into Germany, too distant future, future demands will (dian1eter 4 - 4.2 mm) the young accu­ the etherlands, Belgium, and have to he met hy captiv hreeding. rat ly and to keep an accurat record. Denmark; this gradually increased into Fortunately, most species are not yet Without accurate records (a card sys­ the 1950 when almo't the whole of dir ctly endangered in the wild hut, in tem, for example) it is ilnpos 'ihle to western Europe and England were spite of this (and rightly so), all par- maintain a healthy, noninterbred series of breeding pair. Don't forget that many species, especially hens, ar quite difficult to distingui ~h, which can lead to unwanted hyhridizations if inadequate care is taken. Always take care in detern1ining the The Paqfic Pan'otlet s species (or subspeci s) you ohtain' plu1l7age is Ilot at it be t {{iter being hal/sed in a don't just ,tudy illustrations in one !Jlall cage. Although the book but check various puhlication' is smaller thall a (i.e. Forshaw's q(the World [3rd Bl/dv,erigar. it like' a roomye1l1'ironment. edition], Alderton s The Atlas q(Parrots, and Junip r and Parr's Parrots). My hook The Parrotlet Handbook (fall 1999, Barron s) will show many species and subspecies in color as w 11 but mo t of these hirds are captive­ bred and therefore sometimes look nicer when compared with wild­ caught specimens. Due to the difficulty in determining the various species (and subspecies), it is recommended that heginners start with three unrelated pairs of Pacific or Celestial Parrotlets coelestis. Apart from the re-discovered suh­ species F. c. lucida (see Molenda's arti­ cle in Watchbird; Volume XXII, No.5' Septell1ber/Octoher, 1996 pages 20­ 22), which is rarely commercially available, the ha no subspecies to cause confusion.

This is a hybn"d male Green-rumped Panvtlet x BLue-u!f1lged PC/nvllel. \"ote ubat has We must set out to pair up pure happened to the u'ings an£! nlrnp. 77Je 110n7inateform qfthe Greell-rllmped has a hirds, so that they in turn produce pure green rump; the male Blue-u'inged has Cl cobalt blue lower back {{nd rli I7lp. Olle homozygous offspring; pairing doesn't have to be a Rembrandt to see what happens u 1hell those .pecies are C1vssed. 36 July/August 1999 Birding Books from Yale

Parrots Owls A Guide to the Parrots a/the World A Guide to the O\l'ls a/the World Tony Juniper and Michael Parr Claus Konig. FriedheIm Weick, and Jan-Hendrik Becking Illustrated by Kim Franklin, Robin Restall. Illustrated by Friedheim Weick Dan Powell, David Johnston. This book, accompanied by recordings of the and Carl D'Silva distinctive voices 01 owls on a double CD, is an '"This fine ... book ... is uniquc in that it is invaluable aid to identifying owl species the tirst ever written to be used primarily as a throughout the world. The book details field guide to all the world's parrots.... This owl ecology and rcproductive behavior. important work [is] surely destined to become a describes three ne\\ tropical owl species, classic quick reference identification and conserva­ and presents 64 beautiful color plates of tion guide 011 ."-Ian Hinze. Bird Talk these elusive birds.

Copublished wilh Pica Prcss For sale in NOl1h and Soulh America Copublished II ilh Pica Press 1200 color i1lus. (88 colorplales) 555.00 For sale ill NOl1h and SOllth America 64 color pi ales and maps Swifts 55000: CD S:17.50 A Guide to the Swifts and Treesll'ifts a/the World Nightjars Second Edition A Guide to the Nightjars. ,Vighthmvks. and Their Relatives Phil Chantler igel Cleere Illustrated by Gerald Driessens Illustrated by Dave umey "This guide tackles one of the most difficult families.... A great This book, with 36 superb color plates that capture the enigmatic deal of trouble has been taken to consult authorities on particular beauty of nightjars, is the first to species and areas in order to produce species accounts and describe in detail every species of the distribution maps that are as up-to-date as possible.... Those nightjar order. an order of I 19 species visiting parts of tropical America, Africa, or Asia will need in five families to add this guide to their luggage." -Bulletin a/the British Ornithologists' Club '"Most highly recommended for Copublished wilh Pica Press those wishing to identify nightjars in For sale in N0I1h and South America 24 color illus. 54000 the field as well as for anyone curious about this lll1usual group of birds'" Rails -Dan R. Kunkle. Wildlife Activist A Guide to the Rails. CJ·akes. Gallinules. Copublished with Pica Press and Coots a/the World For sale in NOl1h and Soulh America S40.00 clolh: S20.00 paperback Barry Taylor Illustrated by Bel' van Perlo The Origin and Evolution "This [book] sheds a great amount of light on rail identification, biology. ecology. evolution, and of Birds conservation status.... The species descriptions Alan Feduccia are quite comprehensive and the introductory material is "The best analysis available by far of this subject. ot only excellent. ... Very highly recommended"'-II'ildlife Actil'ist should it be on the bookshelves of all ornithologists and Copublished wilh Pica Press biologists. both professional and amateur, who are intcrested in For sale in NOl1h and Soulh America $49.95 fossil birds and their evolution. it should be read carefully." -Walter.J. Bock. The I/uk The Covenant of the Wild Winner of Ihe 1996 AAP Professional/Scholarly Publishing Division Annual Why Chose Domestication Award Competition in Ihe calegory of Biological Science Stephen Budiansky 534 illus. S29.95 paperback with a new introduction by the author '"A subtle look at the mysteries of evolution and a stinging response to -rights extremists.... Ambrosia for anyone­ whether In agreement with Budiansky or not-who appreciates thc beauty ofan argument that combines careful scholarship with common sense."-Kirkus Reviews For sale in U.S. and Canada only S14.95 paperback

Yale University Press www.yale.edu/yup/· 1-800-YUP-READ

the afa WATCHBIRD 37 between nominate and subspecies is U.S. and Canada it has heen intensive­ al short altercation, they will soon taboo. Pacific Parrodets, moreover, are ly imported during the last five or so make up with renewed tenderness. easy to obtain in the U.S., Canada, and years and has been hred widely. The They will separate themselves from Europe and are thus readily available future of this species in aviculture other aviary inhahitants, and will chase even in the yearly breeding season. looks rosy. them away if they get too close. They Several color mutations are availahle in All of the other species have one or sleep, in their favorite spot, pressed this species (which are given full atten­ more suhspecies, some of which are tightly to each other and, when the tion in above mentioned hook). In extremely difficult to distinguish from hen is incuhating, the cock will often order to keep specific color mutations each other. If you want to hreed these spend the night with her in the nest pure, they must he paired carefully, species/suhspecies (which is quite hox. Parrotlets can thus he correctly and it may sometimes he necessary to possihle), you must he very familiar called the "lovehirds of South inhreed them. For this reason, I would with the various suhspecies, so that America." However, hefore this is all advise heginners to concentrate firstly false pairings and inhreeding can he possihle, cock and hen must he willing on the "normal" wild colored hirds avoided. At this point I will stress to pair up in the first place. (but be careful that you use genuine again, that only strict selection of pairs The easiest way to pair up hirds is to wild-colored birds that are not split of pure nominate or suhspecies can place several unrelated youngsters (all with a certain color mutation). guarantee the continuing existence of leg-handed) of the same species (or Another particularly attractive the pure form. suhspecies) in a flight (indoor or out­ species, without suhspecies, is the easy For example, a nominate hen of the door, as long as we can keep adequate to recognize Yellow-faced Parrotlet well-known Green-rumped PaITotlet, controD, and allow the hirds to pair up F01PUS xanthops. This species is Forpus passerinus, paired with a cock themselves. This is not always as easy extremely colorful, and is not especial­ Blue-winged Parrotlet, Forpus xan­ as one may want it to he, as certain ly difficult to ohtain in Europe. In the thopte1ygius, will produce offspring that undesirahle pairings may ensue (such are not only racially impure, hut they as hrother x sister). And, once the hirds also closely resemhle the father Blue­ are paired up it is almost impossible to winged Parrotlet. Inexperienced avicul­ separate them without causing them an l.4ifetillle turists would often mistake these off­ inordinate amount of stress, so you spring for pure Blue-winged Parrotlets. must keep a close eye on them. ,\\ellillel·slI ill Such hybrids have demanded high Once you see which hirds have $1,000 prices when sold as "suhspecies of the shown an interest in each other, you Installment $1 OO/month Blue-winged Parrotlet." Such fraudulent can remove these individual pairs and for 12 months. representations have no place in the place each pair in a roomy breeding Installment plan available with avicultural community. cage or aviary (each pair should have Credit Card payment only. It is also very advantageous to its own run). know if the birds you are considering Another simple method is to place are wild caught, or captive hred. It is two hirds of opposite sex together in a l~e'JIII;)I· not possihle to estimate the age ofwild hreeding cage or other roomy cage caught hirds, and hens must he at least and hope that they will show interest ,\\elllllel·slIill one year old hefore they can he safely in each other. This usually poses no hred. Additionally, older, wild caught difficulties if previously unpaired Individual - $30 hirds are not always anxious to pair up young hirds are hrought together. Family - $35 when placed together in a cage or Older hirds that have already hred, Supporting - $50' aviary (see below). Such difficulties are those in which one of the pair have Commercial - $100' died, or pairs which have shown 'Supporting, Commercial andLifelime Members minimized if you use captive bred receiveFast News/Fast Ads by 1st Class Mail. stock. I would therefore advise begin­ unwillingness to hreed and need to be ners to deal only with captive bred remated (for example: in order to main­ Name _ birds, using a trio ofunrelated pairs, in tain a particular color mutation) are, Address _ order to build up a line. unfortunately, not always ready to City _ accept a new, strange partner. This is State & Zip _ Selecting Breeding Pairs especially the case when a hird can still Phone _ Parrotlet partners are very faithful see or hear its old partner, even when Fax or Email and devoted. This is very easy to they are in different accommodations. ------You can leave the newly introduced MCNISA #------ohserve in their behavior. Should one Expiration Date bird fly to a perch, or nest box, the pair together for a few weeks but if, ------1 other will follow almost immediately. after two months, the birds have shown American Federation of Aviculture If it flies to feed or drink, the partner no interest in each other (by sitting well P.O. Box 56218, Phoenix, AZ 85079-6218 will join it without hesitation. The birds apart on their perches, etc.), then it is phone 602-484-0931 • fax 602-484-0109 will frequently preen each other mutu­ advisahle to try again with totally new ally. Though they have their occasion- partners and, perhaps, a change ofcage 38 July/August 1999 or aviary. eedless to say, best results "Quality Leg Bands With A Worldwide Reputation!" can be ohtained when newly formed pairs are not in the position to see, or PARROT BANDS' COCKATIEL BANDS' BANDS·' PARAKEET BANDS Since hear, any of their previous paltners ­ CAr\ARY BANDS· fiNCH BANDS' STAINLESS STEEL FEEDING NEEDLES 1978 hetter to be safe than sorry. ALL SIZES PLASTIC BANDS. FEEDING SYRINGES' CLAW SCISSORS BAND CUTTERS' PIPETTES' NETS

Pairing Up Closed If you possess two hirds of opposite Month "New" of JUly sexes that you wish to pair up, then it is Stainless Steel Send self addrtSsed stamped best to place them together in a cage or Parrot Bands envelope for brochure! aviary, late in the afternoon. The birds ~eg will still have enough time to accustom L & M Bird Bands V1S4" I. P.O. Box 2943 • San BernardinO. CA 92406 Dept: AF b,~".,.:·"""".:",·J [eD] themselves to the new surroundings, to Phone: (909) 882-4649 • Fax (909) 882-5231 find the food and water dishes (but ~londa~ lhru Frida~' 8:00 a.m. 104:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)' E-mail: [email protected] keep an eye on them) and to find a suit­ ahle roost before darkness sets in. The following day, you will he ahle to see if the hirds settled together and tolerate each other. If one of the pair is acting aggressively to the other, it is best to remove the aggressor from the cage (or aviary), and to try again after three days. In the meantime, the "underling" will have had time to completely familiarize MARION, IWNOIS itself with its surroundings, and will be "Growers of live pet foods" in a better position to defend itself. In my experience, such are-introduction rarely results in serious problems and any minor skirmishes will soon dimin­ ish. After a week, a pair will be insepa­ rable and will have become "real love­ hirds." Should they fail to hit it off, then you have no choice hut to separate Mini, Sm., Md., Lg. them, and try the same process again. • STANDARD MEALWORMS In general, young parrotlets are ready to accept each other within a • GIANT MEALWORMS day and once they start preening each other we can rest assured that we have • SUPERWORMS Sm., Md., Lg. a new pair. However, this does not necessarily mean that the pair will start reproducing immediately. We should • WAX WORMS give them a little time before introduc­ ing nest boxes. • CRICKETS 10 standard sizes. Custom sizes available To sum up: the best breeding results are likely when each pair is housed in its own cage or aviary, with­ • OTHER WORMS &ACCESSORIES out the presence ofother birds (includ­ Enjor the highest quality live pet foods from Timbertine's state-of­ ing other species). If you have a num­ the-art growing facilities. Featuring unmatched customer sel'lfice ber of flights next to each other, the with Timbertine's extended business hours. And on" Timbertine adjacent walls should be shielded with vegetation, wood barriers, burlap, or offers Superwomls in three sizes to accommodate all rour needs. similar, in order to prevent birds injur­ ing each other through the mesh. For example: the Musschenbroeck's Lory, Neopsittacus musschenbroeki, and par­ Extended Customer Service Hours! rotlets (even smaller in size) will not release their grip once they have their ~~~·4~~·~~4~ f~~ (~1~) ~~1-4~~~ www.tim~~rli~~fi~~~ri~~,~~m beaks stuck "into their prey." • • Experience has shown that Mexican the afa WATCHBIRD 39 Parrotlets and Yellow-faced Parrotlets order to remove the babies should you own nesting material like the various breed most successfully in an aviary. wish to handfeed them. lovehird species of Africa do. You That applies also to the other species, Unrestrained hens, unfortunately, must place the nest material in the nest but most of them will also breed suc­ may have the habit of attacking their hoxes yourself, pressing it down into cessfully in a roomy breeding cage. young if you try and remove them the cavity with your fist. from the nest. You should ensure that The dimensions of the nest box can Nesting Facilities the nest box floor is provided with a he more or less the same as those Wild parrotlets are not particularly shallow cavity, so that the egg cannot required for the Peach-faced Lovebird, fussy with regard to nesting sites; they roll about and can be fully covered by but "the other way round" - height 25­ seem to be easily pleased. In the wild I the brooding bird. 30 cm (9.8-11.8 in), width and depth 30­ have found nests in hollow fence posts Natural nest boxes also, as you will 35 cm 01.8-13.75 in); diameter of and holes in walls, as well as in tree imagine, have their good points; the entrance hole 4-5 em 0.6-2 in). The hollows. My cage birds are always interior will stay warm far longer than entrance hole is best situated in tl1e given a choice. A hollow birch stump in a board nest box. However, because upper, right hand comer, with the nest (or other "natural" nest box), or a nest the natural nest box cools slowly and cavity on the left side oftl1e floor. A few box made with planks. Strangely, pref­ gradually (which may he a prohlem in pieces of batten attached to the inside erence is often shown for the latter. The the warmer days of summer'), it could of the box just below the entrance hole main advantage of a "home-made" nest cause desiccation of the egg mem­ will make a "ladder" to enable the hirds box is that the eggs are seldom dam­ branes. Natural nest hoxes are quite to get in and out eaSily. aged, even when the parent birds stonn decorative in the cage or aviary, but If you have battery breeding cages tempestuously inside - which they do they are so heavy as to be almost (several cages stacked together in a frequently and may scare the liVing day­ unhandleable. Examination ofthe inte­ breeding room), it is necessary to light out of the inexperienced breeder. rior is also difficult to perform, without mount the nest boxes on the outside of Nest boxes made with one-inch sending the birds into a fit. the cages, to leave as much room as thick oak or beech are best as this As nesting material, we sho'uld pro­ possible inside the cages; in small cages wood is durable enough to withstand vide strips of willow bark (fresh) and parrotlets are more likely to squabble the gnawing of the birds for some somewhat moist humus, that can be than in runs or aviaries. The nest boxes time. Such boxes provide more room collected from rotting tree stumps. I are best fixed to the front, upper comer for the nestlings, and for the father bird don't recommend cedar bedding, of the cages, with the entrance holes when he spends the night with his wood shavings, or sawdust, as small facing the cage backs. In aviaries where mate. Vertical nest boxes do not pro­ particles can lodge in the eyes of the we can use natural or manufactured vide adequate space, so horizontal nestlings, or adults, and promote vari­ nest boxes, the boxes can be affixed as models are better. Additionally, the lat­ ous infections. And that is without high up as possible in a light area. If ter are easier to service when, for mentioning respiratory problems. possible, the entrance hole should face example, you may want to hold the From the above, you will have real­ south. All of the nest boxes must be hen back with a piece of cardboard in ized that parrotlets don't collect their hung at the same height; if you don't do this, you will notice that the birds will choose the highest boxes, making me lower hoxes a waste of time and expense. However, I would like to advise again to keep only one hreeding pair per run. Don't be surprised if me birds (espe­ cially the Green-rumped Parrotlets) push me nesting material you supplied FIND OUT WHY HUMIDAIRE into one comer ofme nest box, or even toss it out altogether. The nesting mate­ EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN THE rial must be returned because young­ CHOICE OF ZOOS, PRE­ sters reared on me bare floor can devel­ SERVES AND PROFESSIONAL op orthopedic problems (especially so­ BREEDERS WORLDWIDE FOR called rigid legs: legs mat are spreadea­ OVER SIX DECADES. WRITE, I gled at right angles to the bird's hody CALL OR FAX FOR YOUR and the joints seemingly fused; me FREE CATALOG! youngster is unable to bend mese joints due to close sitting ofthe female parent P.O. BOX 9, NEW MADISON, OH 45346 U.S.A. on a shallow concave, wim too little or TELEPHONE [U.S.A.] Toll-Free (800) 410-6925 no nesting material beneath me chick to WORLDWIDE (937) 996-3001 • FAX (937) 996-3633 E-MAIL [email protected] allow for me pressure). Species, uch as the Mexican 40 July/August 1999 Parrotlet have a hahit of pushing their eggs heneath the nesting material. In such cases you have provided too much nesting material, and you should remove enough to expose the eggs so LIVE PET FOOD that the hirds can hrood properly. Take note ofthe hahits ofthe various pairs so that you know how much nesting MEALWORMS material to provide for the next round of hreeding. Fairly coarse humus is SUPERWORMS good as it is difficult for the hirds to CRICKETS huty the eggs. WAXWORMS Pairing, Incubation, and Rearing FLY LARVAE If you possess a harmonious pair and provide them with a roomy hreed­ ing cage or aviaI)', with the right kind of nest hox, chances of successful hreed­ Call for ing are high as long as the temperature FREE brochure doesn't fall helow 15°C (59° F.) and the 1-800-222-3563 humidity lower than 70 percent. A stim­ GrubcQ INCORPORATED ulus at hreeding time is the addition of 24 hour fax BOX 15001 vitamin E to the soft food which is fed 1-513-874-5878 almost exclusively to the young for the HAMILTON, OHIO 45015·0001 first few weeks. A good, commercial vitamin/mineral supplement is ade­ Visit our WEB SITE at quate. This soft food can he given http://www.herp.com:80/grubco/ throughout the year, hut if you want to use it just as rearing food, you must ensure the parents have access to it at least 6-8 weeks hefore the hreeding season commences. In aviaries and runs, nest hoxes are I Ij I II Looking For The Best usually inspected (hy the parents-to­ be) at night; hoxes in breeding cages I J/) Lory Diet? can be inspected also during the day, especially late afternoon and evening. ~ ;" ,-- You Just Found It! The cock takes the initiative and tries ,I - to entice the hen into the nest hox. After the courtship display, and once Lory Life Powder & Nectar the pair stays for prolonged periods in the nest hox and the male feeds the ,"~.,' hen with regurgitated food, we can •. consider that the pairing is "clinched." AUrea The first egg can he expected in a few Breeders of wries & Softbills days. However, don't think that the cock feeding the hen is necessarily a Also offering: Cuttlebone, Spray Millet sign of imminent breeding; this can Soak & Cook, Nest Boxes, Spirulina occur at any time, both in captivity and in the wild. KAYT~ct Under normal circumstances it is E~CT the cock hird that begins the courtship NUTRITION· NO MESS display. The wings are held out from the hody at the "elbow" while the , J CUTTLEBONE PLUS remainder of the wings are pressed P.O. Box 305, Fallbrook, CA 92088 tightly against the body. This hehavior (760) 591-4~51 ViM is repeated slowly, but the wings can Orders only: (800) 747-9878 • also be quickly raised and lowered as though the bird is trembling. The wing the afa WATCHBIRD 41 movements are usually accompanied have stated, hens brood alone and, dur­ At the age of about eight days the by bowing movements towards the ing incubation, rarely leave the nest. young will be large enough to be hen. The hen, in response, may drum During this time she is fed regularly by banded. with the help of a little saliva her beak against the branch or perch the cock bird. During the day, the cock or petroleum jelly (after banding, wipe on which she is sitting. The male, also, stays close to the nest box, ready to clean with a piece of wadding), hold sometimes may perform this beak defend it fiercely should danger threat­ the two front toes and the longer ofthe drumming. en. This is particularly applicable to rear toes to the front, leaving the short­ Occasionally the cock may approach wild birds. The cock frequently spends er rear toe to the rear. The diameter of the hen with tripping steps; but this is the night in the nest box with the hen the band is just a little greater than the only possible when there is adequate and, occasionally, may brood the eggs joint, and slips easily over it. You can room on the branch or perch. for several hours. Some hens, however, pull the small rear toe through the ring Sometimes the whole dance may be will not allow this to happen. (band) with a sharpened matchstick. performed on top of the nest box or, Brooding hens have white, fluid Check after 3-4 days if the ring is still in rarely, on the ground. In the wild, I droppings which they usually pass position. It is advisable to darken the have never observed the courtship dis­ only once per day, and then when ring with a black, felt-tipped pen in play performed on the ground in any they leave the nest box to feed. This is case the hen tries to toss it out of the species. If the hen is ready to mate, she the best time to inspect the nest. nest, complete with its wearer. The will make little bows, and raise her tail. Should the clutch be too large, that is inner diameter ofthe band should be 4 The cock will then raise one of his feet to say at least six eggs, then the eggs mm in most cases, but for the larger on to her back while using one of his should be candled to assess any that species such as Yellow-faced Parrotlets, wings to hold her body; the second foot may be infertile. Infertile eggs must be Pacific Parrotlets and Mexican is held fast to the perch in order to removed. A clutch of five eggs is ideal Parrotlets, a Budgerigar band of 4.2 maintain balance. Copulation is not via for brooding. With more than five, one mm diameter is better. "back-sitting," but "sideways" - for par­ or more of the eggs may not be cov­ If all goes well, the young will have rots a somewhat unusual posture. ered during incubation, will cool down, their first feathers after 12-14 days. At Eggs are usually laid every second and the embryo will die. As the eggs are 20 days ofage the whole body is feath­ day, but sometimes a hen may lay frequently turned, interchanged, and ered and after a further 10 days they daily. I have observed this in Mexican moved by the hen, this can mean that a will have their complete juvenile and Yellow-faced Parrotlets. The usual high percentage ofembryos can be lost plumage. The young will leave the clutch contains 5-6 eggs, rarely more, when the clutch is too large. nest at 32-35 days. and seldom less than four. Exceptions On hatching, the deaf, blind, lightly­ As soon as the young have left the include the hen Pacific Parrotlet, which downed chicks, frequently herald their nest, they will begin to seek out their can lay up to 10 fertile eggs. arrival during the day with their loud own food. This will consist initially of Incubation (brooding) is carried out cries. The young of Blue-winged, soft food and germinated seeds (espe­ by the hen and begins usually after the Green-rumped, and Spectacled cially from millet spray). They learn to appearance of the second egg, so that Parrotlets are especially lively, and cre­ feed from their parents (especially the the young hatch in the order in which ate pandemonious sounds a few hours father), which continually make peck­ the eggs were laid. There can, there­ after hatching. From that time, the nest ing motions as though they were about fore, be a considerable time difference must not be disturbed for the first few to take up food. The young copy the between the laying of the first and last days. It is important to supply ade­ parents and in a short time, learn to egg, especially in large clutches. quate rearing food, millet spray, germi­ feed themselves. However, they will However, under normal conditions, nated seeds, and finely chopped still let themselves be fed by the par­ eggs take about 21 days to hatch. As we greens at this stage. ents who will allow this sometimes to continue for one to four weeks. For this reason, it is not advisable to remove the chicks from their parents NEW "ALEX THE GREV" VIDEO TAPE! too early, even if it seems they are no longer being fed. As long as the young TRAINING YOUR PARROT THE ALEX WAY $39.95+S&H continue to make begging calls, it is Dr. Irene Pepperberg & Chris Davis. 75 minutes VHS. 1998. probable that they are still being fed at This video tope features Dr. Irene Pepperberg and her famous research intervals. If the parents start making subieet, Alex the African grey. In it, Dr. Pepperberg demonstrates her training techniques, providing evidence for the model/rival technique to obvious moves to nest again, the chicks teach parrots to truly communicate rather than mimic. Bird behaviorist must be removed in case the father bird Chris Davis then adopts these techniques to train other parrots. should suddenly tum on his sons - this A percentage of all proceeds will benefit the Alex Foundation. can happen especially in those species with conspicuous blue patches in their ...... ~... AVIAN PUBLICATIONS r vr::~7~~~e plumage, such as the Pacific Parrotlet. = 6380 Monroe Street NE • Minneapolis, MN 55432 !_ \\,ek()me Young hens, however, are seldom ORDERS: 1-800-577-2473 • CATALOG: 612/571-8902 • WEB SITE: www.avianpublicatians.com attacked by their father. ~

42 July/August 1999