FEATURE T


here are several colour mutations of the Red-fronted Kakariki. In September 2007 I purchased a young pair of Black-eyed Golden Yellow Red-fronted Kakariki, I understand that these birds are selectively bred Pieds that show 100% yellow feathering. Although the hen was very keen to breed, laying two rounds of infertile eggs in the spring of 2008, the cock was not so enthusiastic, however, in the summer of 2008 he fertilised his first clutch. The resulting 4 young were two cocks and two hens. Kakariki are fairly easy to visually sex as the beaks of the cocks are heavier (larger and broader) than the hens. The easiest way to see this is to hold a bird in each hand and move their beaks to within 2” of each other, if there is no discernable size difference the birds are the same sex. If they are a pair this is clearly observed. I left the youngsters with the parents for 3 months and then moved them to the next door aviary in the block. This aviary was laid out in exactly the same manner as the flight they were bred in, same size, same perch location, food in exactly the same spot and they were in full view of their parents. They were only separated by the 2” cavity formed by the double wiring of the aviary. Two youngsters were fine with no signs of stress but the other two became very


BIRD SCENE 43


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