too early, but it seems normal, because in all my pairs the chicks left the nest box so early. I can imagine that in nature many young birds don’t survive, and that’s why Vasa Parrots produce relatively large numbers of chicks compared to other larger parrot species. Vasa Parrots are born having white beaks.
After about ten weeks the bill colour shall start changing to black. Around this time the parents stop feeding their offspring. Within about twelve weeks the beak of the young birds will be totally black. Shortly after the young birds have left
the nest box, the parents start moulting and the beak colour is changing to black. Because the chicks grow so fast parents
are only focused on food and feeding. The amount of food that passes through
during the breeding season is extreme. Besides the nearly double portion of seed
which I provide daily, for example one pair may consume one half a kilo of grapes extra. Almost daily I provide egg food if there are chicks in the nest box. There is much tampering and wasted as well. Sometimes the beak and head of the hen is smeared with food residues and the aviary should be cleaned more often. Especially when there are chicks in the
nest box, the parents are very nervous. Tame birds are clearly reluctant and are not so keen on the caregiver than usual. With some patience, the young birds are easy to tame. Although I noticed that especially males continue to bite long and hard as they are tried to be petting or touching any other way. Bird keepers keeping a Vasa Parrot as a cage bird don’t endorse this otherwise. Some have reported me that the birds certainly will be touched without biting reflex or other adverse reaction. I
After mating the entire genital organ hangs outside of the body of the male.
26 BIRD SCENE
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