Fledges!!

[Sally H]

Two of my babies came out of the nest today!! Four days early. They have their teardrops and black beaks and orange feet. They're up on the roosting perch preening. TOO cute!

Now, do I need to worry about the other two being fed still? Or any abandoment issues with chicks that may be developing slower?

[tammieb]

Hi Sally,

Normally they will continue to care for the young. The male may take on the feeding duties for the two that have fledged while the hen will feed the two still in the nest. Occassionally, she will begin laying eggs for the next clutch, with chicks still in the nest. If this is the case you should watch out that she doesn't become aggressive toward any of chicks, especially the two that haven't yet fledged. I had that happen last year and ended up having to put dad and the fledglings in a separate cage and give the hen a break. Dad did a fine job teaching the young ones on his own.

TammieB.

[Sally H]

The other two came out of the nest today. They get fed on the perch, I have no idea how they keep track of who got what but from what I can see each of the four babies is getting fed equally.

The female seems to be doing more feeding than when they were still in the nest when it seemed like the male did at least 80% of it. Twice today she went into the nest, I hope not to scope it out for laying eggs. I'm not going to let them breed right away. They're still pretty young birds, they deserve a good rest after doing such a great job.

Hey, two are a gorgeous fawn color. Will they stay that way or will it all change when they start to color?

[Sally H]

I removed the nest today. Somewhere I had gathered information and marked it on my calendar and according to that, I'm a week early removing the nest. I saw the female chase a fledge away from the nest today (they sit on top of it usually) and then the male was tugging at the greenery in the cage alot. When I saw him with a piece of string in his beak heading into the nest, I figured it was time to get it out.

They may have already mated but I will remove any eggs as she lays them. The babies pick at the millet spray but Im not sure if they actually eat anything on their own so I hope the aggression dies down some. The greenery is just in one corner of the cage and for a while both birds kinda chased or at least discouraged the babies from perching there. When I left for work they were all flying back and forth with no scolding but the mom was looking a little fluffy. Poor thing is probably exausted.

[tammieb]

I think you did right pulling the nest. Not only do the parents need a break but it will force them to concentrate on raising the fledglings. You may find that the greenery will need to go also as they will try to nest in it!

Determined little things!!

TammieB.

[Sally H]

You're right. I think that pretty little greenery was enough incentive to have them breed in the first place. It'll go out with the bathwater tomorrow.