Bourkes on the perch at last.

[poohbear]

Another Bicheno chick dead this morning Unfed?....I don't know.That just leaves one out of 7.Damn shame.
In all the years keeping finches I've never had mortality like this.I'm thinking of catching up the rest and caging them for the winter.Pity,because they're athletic little birds and seem to love the space.

[lovemyfinch]

So sorry Paul I just doesn't seem fair, that after all of your hard work and long wait to start over that things like this are happening.

[L in Ontario]

Losing 6 of 7 chicks when they are fully feathered? Not good. I would try cage-breeding to see if they like the security more. That's all I can suggest.

[B CAMP]

Very sorry to hear of the bad luck with the owls,hope you can work something out to get better results with your breeding good luck

[Pukasand]

Oh, that is too bad. So sorry to hear that. I can imagine how you must feel. Here's hoping the last little guy makes it.. and better luck with the next clutch. Such a wonderful aviary, too.

[annague]

Oh Paul, that is so sad.

I hope you figure out what is going on and can fix it!

[cindy]

Paul, I just got ack into town and saw this thread...your new little additions look like a split to rubino, possibly a pink. http://merga.net/mates/bourkes.php Are the eyes red? Rubino have more pink to the head and face...time will tell as they color out and deepen. it could be you have a rosey split to pink/rubino. Can't wait to see the color out come.

I have been gone a week and came home and my little rosies are a deeper color already. Absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to add these to my flight, the breeder has them on eggs right now.

I am sorry to hear about your losses...hope this turns around for you.

[poohbear]

Yes...they have red eyes.All healthy and feeding well.

[cindy]

Very pretty, keep those pictures coming Paul!!!

[GOULDYGIRL]

Those burke babies are gorgeous!!! I love their coloring!!

Sorry to hear about your owl babies.

Renee

[Leel]

Whoa, they're such a lovely mutation, and I've never seen so many Bourkes in one place

[Ursula]

Whoa, they're such a lovely mutation, and I've never seen so many Bourkes in one place

Off topic: I love your signature line!

[poohbear]

Whoa, they're such a lovely mutation, and I've never seen so many Bourkes in one place

As I work round the aviary the Adult Bourkes ignore me unless I get too close then they will just flit a couple of perches further away.And so will the two from their first clutch....But...these three youngsters...

I have a small door that I feed through,and I'm always careful that no birds fly past me when I open it...I shoo any birds away that are too close.



These three youngsters refuse to 'shoo'.... I tap on the plastic sheeting (that I've covered the aviary with for winter)...just an inch or two away from them...no effect.
The last couple of days I've literally had to carefully put my hand in and nudge them with my finger to make them move.Most peculiar for birds that aren't hand reared.

[annague]

Brave little beasties!

[Nipper06]

Bourkes are great flyers so don't worry if your babies are just getting the hang of it.

I got my first Bourke last year and I really like her. Mine (named "Twitter") was hand-fed and partly wingclipped when I got her. She was skittish at first but now is very tame and friendly - and has been fully-flighted for almost a year. She is very skillful flyer and knows her way around my entire house and sunroom - and lands on my head, shoulders, and arm whenever she is out of the cage - usually twice a day. As a tame pet, she has all the personality of a Budgie but never bites. I think they make great aviary birds too and are peaceful with finches.

There's a blog out there specifically about Bourkes and Splendid (Scarlet chested) Parakeets, which you might be interested in:
http://thesplendidbourkebirdblog.blogspot.com/







I also have a Splendid (Scarlet-Chested) Parakeet, named "Peeper", who is even more gentle.