New Caledonian Horned Parakeet bred at LPF

LPF NEWS

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The peculiar name of this parrot is endemic to New Caledonia and derives from the feathers on its head that look like horns with brilliant tips.

We placed our young couple, both one-year-old, in a separate and a quiet breeding enclosure. The surrounding vegetation enhanced the comfort and tranquillity of the couple and enriched the natural environment. Twice a week we provided pine branches, palm tree trunks, grasses in order to keep the couple stimulated. Part of the enrichment was as well artificial rainfall and changes in the diet like a suitable calcium supply.

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Aviary for New Caledonian Horned Parakeet (c) Marcia Weinzettl

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New Caledonian Horned Parakeet breeding pair (c) Marcia Weinzettl

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(c) Marcia Weinzettl

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Two parent raised chicks, 7 days old (c) Marcia Weinzettl

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Three chicks which are being parent raised (c) Marcia Weinzettl

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During reproduction, we gave them a variety of fruits mixed with cooked seeds. Grapes and figs were also well accepted. In the evenings we provided a specific mix of balanced grains for Australian parrot species. The seeds should never be given on demand so that the birds do not consume excess fat. Each pair receives a mix of 20 g seeds.

The couple laid 4 eggs and one chick was born. After a month, the parents began to lay again.

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Two hand raised chicks, 3 weeks old (c) Marcia Weinzettl

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Hand raised chick, almost weaned (c) Marcia Weinzettl

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New Caledonian Horned Parakeet, adult pair (c) LPF

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We removed the chick from the nest to raise it by hand in case of any problem during the following clutch. Just less than a month later, three more chicks hatched. The couple raised their new offspring well, although we observed that the smallest one developed slowly. The hand-raised chick developed very well being fed on a mash containing 21-22% protein and around 8-9% fat. In two weeks’ time, its weight was around 70g, in 3 weeks, 100g and in 4 weeks it weighed 111g and started to become independent.

Consequently, we can satisfactory conclude that this is a prolific species, whose reproduction can be also achieved in other breeding centres boasting a genetic variability and following a right management.

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Authors:

Marcia Weinzettl (Bird Curator, LPF)

Rafael Zamora Padrón (Scientific Director, LPF)

Lubos Tomiska (Assistant Curator, LPF)

Title photo: Marcia Weinzettl / LPF

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