Summary: This was the year that I bred:
Bronze Winged Pionus, Peach Faced Lovebirds, Senegal Parrots, Celestial Parrotlets, Cockatiels, Cherry Finches, Star Finches, Java Sparrows, Mexican House Finches, Lineolated Parakeets, Java Doves, Diamond Doves, Zebra Finches, Ringneck Doves, Garden Doves, Canaries, Italian Quail, Mandarin Duck, Muscovy Duck, Bantams.
The collection included:
White Tailed Jays, White Crested laughing Thrushes, Green Aracaris, Malibar Starlings, Mexican Green Jay, San Blas Jays, Broad Eyed Zostertops, Rheas, Spreo Stralings, Senegal Parrots, Bronze Winged Pionus, Peach Faced Lovebirds, Celestial Parrotlets, Cockatiels, Lutino Kakariki, Cuban Finches, Lavender Finches, Saffron Finches, Bichenos, Orange Cheeked Waxbills, Cherry Finches, Starfinches, Java Sparrows, Mexican House Sparrows, Canaries, Zebra Finches, Bengalese, Diamond Doves, White Java Doves, Ringneck Doves, Garden Doves, Italian Quail, Mandarin Duck, Muscovy Duck, Goose, and Bantams.
White Tailed Jays
The pair spent from spring through summer carrying, building and being territorial. The hen sat for a while in June, though it seemed to be an empty nest. In August when they were moved to a satellite aviary, they made their most serious attempt. They definitely had three eggs which looked dark and fertile. Just after the expected hatch date the nest and contents disappeared. It may well have been interference from field mice or perhaps the nest which was built by Laughing Thrushes was just not substantial enough. They remain a very attractive a pair of birds to keep, though a little frustrating to try and breed.
White Crested laughing Thrushes
Following last year's small breeding success, I had high hopes for the pair. It was relatively easy to get them to build a nest and lay the eggs, but caring for their young was the biggest hurdle. One attempt saw the young tossed from the nest at a couple of days old. The last attempt they were virtually quarantined, their aviary boundary a 'no go' area and just the food quietly changed a couple of times a day. They were offer ample live food as well. This attempt ended with the discovery of a dead baby in pin feather, his head bruised as if the parents had decided to kill it.
Their behavior when nesting was quite notable. Tremendously noisy while establishing their territory, quiet to the extreme when incubating, even the non sitting parent remaining in hiding. Eager hunters when chicks are evident.
Green Aracaris
An early clutch of eggs were the final ones laid by hen. She was found dead in the nest box after laying them.
The male bird was loaned to Bristol Zoo who also bred this species in 2004.
Malibar Starlings
An egg in a then lined out nest below in preparation for breeding was an encouraging start.
Ultimately, they were disappointing in making no further attempt.
Mexican Green Jay
They seemed to lay several eggs, but were not to sure about the chore of incubation.
San Blas Jays
An open fronted nest site obviously suited them as they built a substantial nest, spent a lot of time sitting, though I didn't actually witness any eggs.
Broad Eyed Zostertops
The Broad Eyed Zostertops were seen to carry nesting material and at one stage displaying. Whilst I am sure they are a true pair , no eggs were produced.
Rheas
The Rheas in their second year of egg producing, still didn't produce any young, but their breeding attempt was still fascinating to watch. The male sat for over six weeks but no babies were hatched.
Spreo Starlings
Eggs only produced.
Senegal Parrots
These were bred successfully.
Bronze Winged Pionus
A single baby was bred.
Peach Faced Lovebirds
These produced three babies.
Celestial Parrotlets
These were bred successfully.
Cockatiels
These were easily bred.
Lutino Kakariki
These produced eggs.
Cuban Finches
Lots of eggs, but babies were elusive.
Lavender Finches
Did not witness any eggs.
Saffron Finches
Eggs only.
Bichenos
Eggs in profusion, but no chicks.
Orange Cheeked Waxbills
They came into beautiful condition, making it easy to visually sex them. Being the smaller species in the aviary, they did not seem confident enough to breed.
Cherry Finches
In a large aviary, they proved to be easy breeders, and more cold tolerant than other species. Several clutches were produced.
Starfinches
These also bred, but waited for warmer weather.
Java Sparrows
A failure as pairs, but once in a colony several pairs bred.
Mexican House Sparrows
Having bred these before on several occasions, they again proved willing breeders.
Canaries
Several pairs were bred from.
Zebra Finches
Very obliging as usual.
Bengalese
Willing breeders.
Diamond Doves
These were bred in quantity.
White Java Doves
These were bred in some number.
Ringneck Doves
They bred.
Garden Doves
These were outside flying free and using the dovecote. Many pairs bred.
Italian Quail
Rather than collect and incubate the eggs, they were allowed the freedom of the 'Finch House', and whilst I could have bred scores by collecting the eggs, I just let them make their own nests and sit. Unfortunately, they are not the best parents, and the net result was just one pied baby. Hopefully, by retaining this youngster, a strain of 'parent reared' can be established.
Mandarin Duck
A beautiful species which obliged with a small clutch.
Muscovy Duck
It was the year of the Muscovy!
The Muscovy produced nearly 50 young, by hiding their nests and surprising me clutch after clutch.
Goose
Eggs but none hatched.
Bantams
Sweet chicks were produced.
We also kept and bred wallabies :)
See slideshow of images ....
