The breeding season has begun at the Loro Parque Fundación breeding station where we can now hear the new bird songs, like the sorrow songs of the Kea parrots during the late afternoon. Some species just start early, while others have already stopped breeding. This is the case of the northern rosella (Platycercus venustus), also known as Brown’s parakeet or smutty rosella. Thanks to a compound feed diet, we were able to stimulate the breeding behavior and have recently welcomed two magnificent specimens.
This is a significant success for the Loro Parque Fundación, since it has not been possible since 2000. At this time a male was born, who is still waiting for a partner. This bird species is quite sensitive. That is the reason why breeders and zoological societies only achieve minimal breeding success. It is also difficult for the young brown parakeets to survive the first moult if they don´t have the propitious circumstances. Another obstacle is the frequent infertility in this species. In addition, the males become aggressive when the chicks reach their independence phase.
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Platycercus venustus baby
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Our conservation team has been able to find on their discovery tour a lot of eggs in various nests. Some of them were laid early. This is the case of all the Brotogeris species. While these small parrots lay their first eggs, the cockatoos are in the middle of the mating process. The Pyhrrura parakeets have also started to lay their shining eggs. All these are indicators that a successful breeding season is awaiting us.
Our Iris lori couple (Psitteuteles iris) had offspring at the end of last year and it has also achieved breeding success during the coldest months of this year. We are hand raising the offspring in order to protect their tiny parents from the temperature fluctuations between day and night. The two chicks are growing up healthy and strong and can be seen by the visitors at the Baby Station of Loro Parque.
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Brotogeris cyanoptera chicks
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Triclaria malachitacea male
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The blue or purple-bellied parrots (Triclaria malachitacea) which are endemic to southeastern Brazil already had their first offspring of this year. This bird species usually synchronizes their reproduction with the other bird couples of the breeding station. The blue-bellied parrots have already started breeding. The male guard his nest from outside with a pretended passive attitude in order to attract attention to its bluish-purple patch on the belly instead to the nest. It is now the best time to listen to its whistled, melodic call, that is characteristic to the mates of this species and which is fairly quiet and therefore easily overlooked by breeders. This singular melody is only comparable to the song of the lesser vasa parrots (Coracopsis nigra) during their mating season.
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Title photo: (c) LPF
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