the females. Breeding of the After a few months in Miami, the males began to show aggression towards human intervention. They Blue"rumped never really competed with each other, only with the feeders or people that came near the cage. When no one (Psittinus cyanurus cyanurus) was around they were content to sit on their perches and sing to amuse or by Rick Jordan stimulate the females. Their song con­ sisted of three different whistle tones sung high to low. Their threat posture was to fly at the front wire, flaring the The Blue-rumped Parrot (Psittinus males. In many cases the dominate tail, lifting the wings, dilating the eyes cyanurus cyanurus) is a small parrot female actually fought off both males and repeating the whistle tones in from southwestern Thailand. It is also also. a distinct staccato manner. If a p­ found through Malaysia and on sev­ Not knowing a whole lot about this proached, they would return to the eral of the islands of Indonesia. Psit­ particular species, I began my breed­ perch and continue the tail and wing tinus c. cyanurus is the smallest ofthe ing trials by placing both pairs in movements. After a few weeks the three known sub-species with an cages that were next to each other. female would retreat to the immediate adult size approximately the same as This later proved to be a mistake as interior of the nest and observe the some ofthe larger love . the hens spent several hours a day male's defense posture. This was the fighting through the wire. Cages were first time the female was seen entering It is quite common throughout its constructed of one inch by one half the nest. range. Until quite recently it has been inch, 14 gauge wire. Both cages meas­ In June of 1992 the rains drenched very rare in captivity, probably due to ured two feet wide by three feet tall by the nest box and the interior was an unusually high mortality rate dur­ three feet long. The food was placed soaked and somewhat muddy. In ing importation, the cause of which at the front of the cage and the nest earlyJuly, when tlle rains stopped, the has never been explained. In the past was placed at the rear. weather turned very hot. At this point three or four years the shipments of Nest boxes were designed by myself the nest dried out but the nesting this species have consisted of young and built by a friend, Rob Gibson. material needed to be changed. On birds and survival rates have increased They were salt of an "L" shape with a July 11 th, I purchased a new bag of dramatically. 4" x 4" entrance box nailed on the pine shavings to clean the nests that Sexual dimorphism is marked in front. This entrance box actually stuck had been rain soaked. When I opened mature birds. Males are distinguished into the cage with the remainder of the box onJuly 12th, an egg was in the by a pale blue head and red upper the box extending onto the outside. In middle of the dirty shavings and the mandible whereas the females' heads this manner there was an entrance hen was standing nearby. I made a are brown and the upper mandible is that was internal and the hen had to decision not to change the nest until brownish-red in color. This dimorph­ climb through a four inch hallway, she appeared to be brooding. ism is very similar to that of many of turn right and go down a 12 inch corri­ On July 14th, the second egg was the Asian parakeets. As a matter of dor before reaching the actual nest laid. The filth in the nest was too fact, the behavior and physical attri­ quarters at the bottom. I was hying to much for me so I changed the nesting butes of the Blue-rumped Parrot are simulate the depth and feel of a hol­ material and replaced the eggs. That similar to many of the para­ low branch rather than that of a tree entire day the hen stayed out of the keets except for their lack of a long trunk. The inside measurements ofthe box and fought through the wire with pointed tail. corridors were only six inches by six the female Blue-rumped in the next My original pair and an extra male inches. cage. The fighting continued the next were purchased in tlle late summer of Neither pair showed any interest in day and I decided that something had 1990. The proven hen is on breeding the nest boxes in the first year. They to be done. I moved the second pair loan from Ernie Colazzi of Dallas, consumed large quantities of seeds, of birds to the other side of the breed­ Texas. All four birds were placed in fruits, figs, berries and branches cut ing area where they could not be one cage to allow for pairing with the from the large ficus trees (Ficus ben­ seen, only heard. The two eggs were mates of their choice. The pairs estab­ jiamana) in the yard. Raw sweet corn removed from the nest and placed lished themselves very quickly and was relished as well as most other under a broody cockatiel. The dirty they began to fight amongst each vegetables and fruits. The seeds were nesting shaVings were removed and other within a week. The alpha pair consumed as a second choice. replaced with fresh pine shavings. consisted of the oldest hen and oldest In November of 1991, the two pairs On July 16th the third egg appeared male. They always perched in the were moved to Miami, Florida. The in the cleaned nest. By this time the highest space available and they ate original cages and nestboxes were hen had returned to her duties in the before the second pair was allowed provided once again. Both pairs were box and in the following four days near the food. After a week, the two side by side which seemed to stimu­ laid two more eggs, on July 18th and pairs were separated. Fighting was late the males. Singing was noticed in 20th. usually between the females, not the both the males and, less frequently, By this time the first two eggs under

afa WATCHBIRD 21 the cockatiel were showing signs of On the morning of August 7th, the her time in the nest and the chicks fertility. Since I had heard such hand­ second egg had pipped. The first snuggled close together in the center rearing horrors of this species, the fer­ chick had been fed corn and other of the nesting area. Only the male was tile eggs were returned to the original vegetable matter. Once again the hen observed eating. Blue-rumped hen to be hatched and, would not leave the nest but remained August 16th the youngest chick was hopefully, fed. at a distance and allowed me to pulled for handrearing. Despite the During the next two weeks the eggs observe and weigh the chick. On this warning I had received that these were candled every other day, to day (day two) the chick weighed five birds were difficult to rear, I decided assess fertility. The hen was surpris­ grams with a little food in the crop. I that there would be nothing learned if ingly participatory and moved aside would estimate the crop capacity at I didn't give it a tty. At eight days old, for the task. The third egg was fertile about one half to three quarters of a the eyes were slit and there was a blue but died very early in development. milliliter. color to the skin on the wings and The fourth and fifth eggs were infer­ On August 8th by 10:30 a.m., the back where the feathers would even­ tile. After two weeks of brooding, the second chick had hatched and had tually sprout. This skin color pattern three bad eggs were removed which already been fed. The crop contents of was very similar to the young Rose­ left the hen with the two normally the second chick also consisted of ringed Parakeets of about the same developing eggs. some type of white liquid. The egg­ age. The beak was a light horn and While incubating, the hen was never shells of the hatched eggs had disap­ orange and the feet were pink with a seen leaving the box. It is assumed peared immediately after hatch on grey overcast. Feeding response was that the male fed her as he consumed both occasions. I suspect that the easily solicited by touching the end of large quantities of food and was female consumed the eggshells and the beak. Upon entry to the nursery always busy flying back and forth to these somehow became part of the the chick weighed 19 grams. the nest entrance. He never entered first and second feeding ofthe chicks. Handrearing proceeded as it would the nest. This behavior is also very The hen continued to spend all of for any other type . I experienced typical of most Psittacula parakeets. The hen is usually very aggressive and has been known to kill a male that approaches the eggs or young. There are exceptions, of course, but for the Blue-rumped Parrot Nest Box most palt, the males are only allowed to come to the entrance hole and are 16" forbidden to enter the nest. On August 4th one egg had pipped t and the chick was moving about in Front View the aircell. On the evening of August 6" 5th a chick was seen in the box and ..1'------....""1 the unhatched egg was still beside it. 5-f------.....'". , The chick was strong and stood on its , Rear 16" own power from the very beginning. I Inspection Door Internal I Description Ladder , The offspring ofthis species are velY , Nesting Chamber similar to Psittacula chicks. Beak is Entrance Foyer I horn colored with some orange pig­ 4" x 4" with 1.5" hole ....t_ mentation. Body and head structure is ..... 6,,11 similar to that of a young Moustached ~6"4k Parakeet. Very short white down on back from the neck to the tail. The 4"1~ down feathers are very thin and short I J. +~~ _ like little needles. It gave the chicks a r - ..--, crew-cut look. this was the only , ,... ~ , 16" noticeable difference between this i II .. ) I species and that of the Asian para­ 16" r-..----- l -- J " keets. I 10"~ By the follOWing morning the chick I had been fed by the hen. Minute amounts of corn could be seen in the +-+-'----Rear Inspection crop as well as some type of white Door --..J-r- 6" ~ liquid. The hen remained in the upper chamber ofthe nest box and observed my interruption. The chick weighed Side View four grams with the tiny bit of food in its crop. Rear View 22 October/ November 1993 no crop problems and no bacterial existed on the top and front of the An important factor to remember is problems during the entire rearing head. This species seems very active, that Biue-rumped are female process. The chicks were brooded in similar to fig parrots, and they will fly aggressive. They do not bond during the same manner as any of the Psitta­ out of the weaning cages as soon as the non-breeding season and will not cula parakeets that were being reared the door was opened. roost side by side. This does not indi­ at the time. Once the down feathers September 18, Cages 42 and 44 cate that the pair is incompatible. were replaced by short pins, the days), both birds are eating spray mil­ When the hen comes into breeding chicks were brooded at room temper­ let and vegetables. They vocalize for condition she will accept the court­ ature with a clutch mate. food, perch continuously, and fly out ship ritual of the male and allow him Chick 1 was still with the parent of the cage the second the door is to breed her. Do not break up pairs birds. At 11 days of age the eyes were open. The beaks are orange and the unless they are constantly fighting. If open, the beak was light orange, feet plumage is similar to that of the adults there is tranquility between the two pink with a grey overcast, and the except not as bright. Their heads were birds they may very well breed. feeding response was strong. This green, unlike the adult birds and the chick, even though parent fed, was maroon wing patches consist ofonly a Statistics not shy and did not resist human inter­ few red feathers. Handfeeding contin­ Eggs Measured: vention. ued three times a day but the crops 1. 27 mm x 21 mm August 17th, the hen was seen out were not filled to allow for the chicks 2. 27 mm x 22 mm of the box eating. She consumed large to eat on their own. 3.27.8 mm x 20.5 111m quantities offresh corn and vegetables September 25, (ages 49 and 51 4. 25.0 mm x 20.0 mm as well as a little seed and spray millet. days), the chicks were completely 5. Not measured. August 18th, chick 1 in the nest has weaned. They eat all day and will Incubation Period: 23 days pin feathers approximately a quarter accept formula if offered. The beaks Leg Band Size: Cockatiel inch long on the edges ofthe wings. It began to turn back to a horn color Weaned: ApprOXimately 50 days is now very aware and makes small with brown streaks throughout. They Weight Gains: growling noises when approached by were extremely active little birds and Chick 2 (Nursery) humans. Chick 2 in the nursery is fol­ vocalized constantly. When the nur­ Day 1 - 4 grams lowing an expected normal digestion sery keeper entered the nursery they Day 7 - 16 grams pattern on our regular feeding form­ would chatter amongst themselves. Day 14 - 29 gmms ula. Weight gains are good and the For the next two months there was Day 21 - 42 grams chick has a good attitude. little change in the birds. Their wean­ Day 28 - 55 grams August 23, Hurricane Andrew was ing weights were 76 grams for the Day 35 - 65 grams heading for the Florida coast so I young bird and 80 grams for older Day 42 - 75 grams pulled the oldest chick from the par­ one. In the beginning of December it Day 49 - 76 grams ... Weaned ent birds. It had very little fear of was noticed that some dark brown/ 150 Days - 74 grams humans and only growled when han­ maroon feathers were appearing on dled. There was no hesitancy to eat the heads ofthe chicks. This color pat­ Chick 1 (Nest) when formula was offered. The crop tern continued to develop until the Day 1 - 5 grams capacities of both birds was approxi­ entire head was covered. It is a color Day 7 - 20 grams mately five to six milliliters. Both similar to that of the adult females but Day 14 - 33 grams chicks sleep together. has a more maroon tone to it. They Day 21 - 45 grams September 6th, the chicks have sil­ would be easily distinguished as Day 28 - 58 grams ver pin-feather shafts on the head, young birds if placed into a cage of Day 35 - 68 grams back, crop area, and legs. Feathers adults. Day 42 - 72 grams open on wings and tail. The tail is Unlike the Asian parakeets, these Day 49 - 80 grams ... Weaned approximately one inch long. Both birds continue to be calm and can be 150 Days - 77 grams birds are very vocal, they call when handled at 150 days of age. Their they see the nursery keeper. Both plumage more closely resembles that Feeding Formula beaks are a pale orange with a black of the adult females except that much 50 Zoo Preen Primate Chow Biscuits area at the growing edge near the of the dark blue in the wings and body 1 Tablespoon ofSunflower Oil nares. Eyes were dark but defined is replaced by green on the young 1 Tablespoon Wheat-grass Powder when in the light. Feet grey, nails birds. The beaks of both birds are 1 Tablespoon Spirulina Powder black. Crop capacity has increased to beginning to lighten considerably and 1/2 cup raw, shelled sunflower 12 to 14 milliliters and digestion is are now a light horn color. They are Place all ingredients into blender rapid with a three to four hour refill extremely active birds and will eat and cover with water. Blend until time. almost anything that they are fed. smooth, adding water if necessary. September 12, Cages 36 and 38 Sometimes the two birds tend to bic­ Cook in microwave for 10 minutes days), the chicks preferred to perch on ker between themselves but as yet and be sure to bring mixture to a boil the proVided stick rather than sit on these little spats are not dangerous aound the edges. Thin to proper con­ the bottom ofthe cage. They both nib­ aggression. When properly estab­ sistency with water and ice cubes. bled at spray millet and fruit. Pin lished in captiVity, these little birds Add four teaspoons of Nutrition Plus feathers were open on entire back and will make enchanting companion or vitamin powder when formula has nape but the silver pin-shafts still aviary subjects. cooled to 105°Fahrenheit..

afa WATCHBIRD 23 Breeding of the Blue~rumped Parrot by Robbie Harris La Habra, California The Psittinus cyanurus, is com­ The Blue-rumped Parrots are distri­ around, a true pair did finally form. I monly known here in the u.s. as the buted from south-western Thailand now had a pair that was truly compati­ Blue-rumped Parrot or Malaysian and southern Burma, through Malay­ ble. Now it was just a matter of Blue-rumped Parrot. They are also sia to Borneo and Sumatra, Indonesia. patience and time, along with making referred to in some books by the They inhabit forested areas feeding on sure this pair was completely happy names of Little or Rainbow Parrot. The fruits, seeds and blossoms. I've been and at ease with their surroundings. Blue-rumped is a small type of parrot, told that where these birds nest is velY The pair was set up outdoors in a similar in size to the Peach-faced warm. The temperature stays at about wire cage, no added heat or cooling (I Lovebird. The adult plumage of these 95° with the humidity about 90% day live in Southern California in an area birds is very striking, especially in the and night. where the weather usually does not males. Like the Eclectus Parrots, males Many years back, I purchased some drop below 40°F). The cage measured and female are colored quite differ­ Blue-rumped parrots from an impOlter 36/1 wide, 33/1 tall and 23/1 deep. A ently from each other. The male has a who brought a small number of these wooden nest box measuring 9/1 x 10/1 blue head, with a dark blue color on birds into the U.S. They were young by 14/1 deep having a 3/1 in diameter the lower back and rump. The wings birds, not yet in their full adult plu­ hole was offered to the pair. The nest are green with each feather edged in a mage. Visual sexing did not work well box was lined in a dark cork, which light yellowish color. A small maroon on these birds. I had some surgically was adhered to the inside with non­ patch is on the upper wing coverts. sexed to find that one of the "hens" toxic glue. To the bottom of the nest The flanks and under the wings are with somewhat of a brown head was a box three inches of pine shavings was red, The upper mandible is bright red, young male. It took almost a year for added to use as a base. I now use the with tl1e lower brownish. The iris is a the Blue-rumpeds to color into their cork lining for many types of birds yellowish-white. Feet and legs are full splendor. After years of intense with great success. grayish. The males have more of a work and study of these birds, beauti­ As a safety precaution their cage is blue wash over their body, where the ful healthy chicks were finally pro­ inside a large wire enclosure. This females' color is slightly yellowish­ duced. I successfully reared two wire building has many pairs of birds green. youngsters to weaning. When I say set up in individual cages for breed­ The female has some of the same the word "work" with these birds, I do ing. They do not seem to be bothered characteristics in color as the male, mean it. by their close neighbors of different such as the yellow feather edging, red Lots of close work and observation species, and the neighbors do not under the wings, feet color and iris went into breeding these birds. Here mind the Blue-rumpeds either. Next to color. My hen has a solid dark brown is how it all went ... Success and true the Blue-rumped Parrot's cage are head. As young birds feather into pairing just was not happening. I tried Philippine Blue-naped Parrots. Spec­ adult plumage, they will either start to to observe them close up and from tacled Amazons, Timneh Gray Parrots "blue up" in the head feathers or go afar. But the birds would just usually and P] um-crowned and White­ brown. As my domestically raised sit motionless, not doing much. A crowned Pionus Call of which are birds approached a year old they lost video camera is what told the real breeding). their baby coloring and have a solid story on these birds. After much The diet I provide for the Blue­ dark brown head, just like their observation, studying tapes of the rumpeds is very similar to the diet I mother. Blue-rumpeds and changing mates offer to most of my other parrots. They have available to them at all times a variety of dry seeds consisting of ParrotBands • Cockatiel Bands • Lovebird Bands medium size gray sunflower seed, saf­ flower seed and a parakeet mix con­ Farakeet Bands • CanaryBands. Handfeeding Syringes taining 42% canary seed. Along with All sizes ofplastic bands. Band Ct tters • Nets the chy seeds the pair is given daily a Stainless Steel Feeding Needles bowl of fresh cut up frUits, vegetables Pipettes • ClawScissors F'AST and greens. Corn on the cob and cran­ SERVICE! berries are their favorite foods which Send self-addressed, stamped envelope are always the first to be eaten. I find it for complete brochure. amazing that two little birds can quickly devour an entire ear of corn L & M BIRD LEG BANDS and seem to be waiting for more. P.O. Box2943 • San Bernardino, CA 92406 In early spring, the male courts the (909) 882-4649 Monday thru Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (PST) Closed month ofJulyfor vacation. hen into breeding with his melodious singing. Soon she shows signs of nest-

24 October I November 1993 (/) .~ cr; ing by inspecting the nest box during I Q) the daylioht hours. A couple of eeks 15 .D before the hen lays her eggs she 't,llts o a:: > to spend a great deal of tinle inside the .D o ne t box, day and night. The 11lale is <5 ..c Q.. not seen entering the box at all. While the hen i' setting up housekeeping inside the box, he is standing guard much of the tin1e on the perch right outside the entrance hole. The hen starts to spend most of the day inside the nest box now, chewing on the inside of the box cutting away por-

Just hatched.! Psittinus cyanurus wasftrst bred in the United States in 1992 byRobbie Harris. Thesephotos show the developn1ent stages oj'ayoung Blue-r~t1npedParrot.

(/) .~ cr; I Q) 15 .Do a: > .D o <5 ..c Q..

Adult male (Psittinus cyanurus). The Blue­ rumpedParrot inhabits Thailand, south Burma, through Malasia to Borneo and Sun1atra. This species has hadsome dijj'icul­ ties surviving in captivity and ve1Yjew have Five weeks old. been reproduced.

(/) .~ cr; I Q) :.0 .Do a:: >­ .D o <5 ..c Q..

Eight weeks old. Adultfen1ale (Psittinus cyanuru.\).

afa WATCHBIRD 25 tions of the corking and creating, as some roommates for company to cud­ orange mixed slightly with a bit ofred. she sees it, a nest for her eggs to dle with, just in an effort to try any­ The eyes are yellowish. The head on come. thing to get them to grow better. The this chick is just slightly larger than Just a note; the hen can become roommates I selected had to be close that of the second chick. This chick quite aggressive towards the male, so in size and age so two Tovi Parakeets, seems to have more of a song in it's if she does not want him in the next one Peach-fronted Conure and two voice, but it is possible they have the box he will not attempt to cross her. Dusky-headed Conures moved in same song type voice. These birds are Hens can be very aggressive towards with the Blue-rumped chicks. The very quiet and normally make velY lit­ males, as well as other birds. Some Blue-rumped chicks appeared to be tle sound at all. The feet are gray, and years ago I had a hen kill another hen more comfortable with the company this chick is missing a toe nail on it's that was in the same large holding but their digestion was still slow. Their right foot. cage with her. These birds often formula just did not move through The second chick is very much the behave very much like some Eclectus their little bodies as fast as I'd like. A same, with just a few differences. On Parrots. Care and a velY watchful eye crop flush for the two became a daily this chick the horn colored beak has a is needed for some Blue-rumpeds. routine. bit of a yellow/orange color to it. The On April 16, 1992, I discovered the The added company of chicks underwing coverts are red, not first Blue-rumped Parrot egg inside seemed to help raise and keep the orange. This chick also has a spot of the nest. By April 25th' a total of six humidity in the tank higher. The Blue­ reddish color on the top of the wing eggs were laid. The hen did all the rumpeds also really seemed to like to just behind the shoulder (the first incubation, the male was never seen push their way into the crowd to regu­ chick does not show this color of red entering the nest box. Midway late their own heat as needed. They yet). through incubation I candled the eggs still had problems opening their eyes As personality goes, these little guys with my "Probe-lite" egg candler. since hampered by their too dlY skin. I have become very independent. They With the battery operated egg candler gently washed the skin area around are not friendly to me, nor do they I did 'not have to remove the eggs their eyes a few times a day and soon want to come out of their cage to play from the nest, as this candling did not their eye lids started to open and stay and be held, like many handfed disturb the hen. With the "Probe-lite" I open. On June 8, bee pollen, sun­ chicks do. As chicks they are not play­ could tell that all six eggs were feltile flower seed oil (raw) and mango juice ful at all, compared to other chicks and developing perfectly. were added to their handfeeding diet. like conures, African parrots and Brot­ On May 9, the first chick hatched With these additives and "sponge ogeris. They eat, drink and basically under the hen after 23 days of incuba­ baths" the chicks seemed to digest just sit on their perch until it is time to tion. The parents would not feed their their food better. These warm water eat again. These birds are mainly chick (this is the same thing I went sponge baths took place two to four enjoyed for their beauty, and the through last year with their chicks). times a day, as needed. The chicks pleasant sounds they produce. At first The newly hatched chick, weighing looked better, more pink in color and they did want attention, but once they four grams, was removed from the shiny as a result. were eating completely on their own, parent's nest and placed in my home­ By mid June the chicks started to they were no longer interested in me. made brooder for hand rearing by me. develop quills. The chicks were now When they were four months old May 11, the second chick hatched. progressing better in their growth and they were moved out ofthe house and This one, too, was not fed and also development. It seemed like a real were set up in an unheated outdoor had to be removed for hand rearing. battle to keep these two Blue-rumped building. As they settled in their new The third chick hatched May 12 and chicks alive and well but by the end of cage outdoors, the individual person­ was fed by the parents, it remained in June they weighted about 50 grams alities started to show. They were the nest box. The fourth and fifth each and were looking just great! By quite different in personality, as well chicks soon hatched. She cared for July 12, the chicks were eating on their as in some of their coloring. One was and fed all three ofthese chicks but, as own. They would eat parrot pellets, very curious, almost tame again. Upon I soon discovered, it must have been and soft foods, mainly apple at that seeing me, this one would break into done velY poorly. Within a few days time along with some grapes and song and just sing its little healt out as she started to lose her chicks. They bread. They quickly starting eating the clutch mate just stood by and appeared fed but had velY dry skin. seed offered, primarily parakeet mix. watched quietly. They even looked The two remaining chicks that I had Very soon sunflower seed and saf­ different, as one had a larger head be.en handfeeding also had very dlY flower seed along with other types of with bigger dark eyes. But after all that s~m problems. The humidity was kept parrot pellets were eaten by the speculation they still both colored out higher than usual in the brooder but chicks. just under a year old into their adult did not seem to correct this problem. The weaning chicks did not look plumage-as "girls". Presently the par­ Th~y developed slowly and digested like their parents in color. Their color­ ents are on another clutch. Maybe I'll theIr food too slowly. Their formula ing as youngsters was quite different. be able to do some trading? was thinned down with more water The chicks are mainly shades of than usual, and a few drops of oil green, body and head. Chick number Robbie Harris is the author of two books were added to the hand rearing for­ one has a horn color beak. The head published by T.F.H. - Grey-cheeked Parakeets mula. This may have helped push the is bluish green right on the top. Chest and Other Brotogeris and Breeding Conures. She food through a bit more qUickly. has been living with her two children and concen­ is light green and the rump is a royal trating on her bird breeding programs since I decided to give these two guys blue. The underwing coverts are light 1985.• 26 October / November 1993