New Parrot finch babies

[monotwine]

nope not cutting, I just give it to them like that. Don't underestimate how strong their little beaks are. They are very good at poking them and then getting the goodies out.

[monotwine]

If they really don't take to the corn on the cob, try adding the frozen corn to their soft food on offer (again as is, just thawed out). Then they may get a taste for it.
I often offer them whole peas and corn with their soft food. The parrot finches love it.

[cjkrit]

Congratulations!!!! Well done!!

I lost 2 redhead parrot finch fledglings on Saturday morning - we had a minus 10 degrees - was too much for them.

[MariusStegmann]

Bad luck Chris. The problem with birds that originate from tropical areas is that they don't realise that the babies need them to sit on them for longer than when it is summer.
My redhead parents stopped sitting on the babies after about 5 days. That was a while ago. The babies are still alive, but then again we have not had a severe winter in the cape yet this year. Most days seems like summer. Still waiting to get snow on the mountains.

[MariusStegmann]

It looks like my Parrot finch babies are going to make it. It is as cold as it is going to get (7 Celsius overnight). They are getting feathers will soon be able to keep their own body heat in. The parents stopped sitting on them about 5 days after hatching. See pic.

[monotwine]

So glad for you.

I have two fledglings that are out the nest and giving me grey hairs daily. They out in the flight during the day bashing about "swimming" as they land because the aviary was wet in the recent downpours. They making it though.... so far. Wish they would just stay in the nice warm dry and comfortable shelter area.

[MariusStegmann]

Thanks Monique. I apologise that I am like a child with a new toy. I promise by the next time they breed again I will be less exited. Did you get a lot of rain? We got about 35 ml. I live against the hill, so everything goes down hill. Hopefully the rain will stay away, that you can sleep peacefully at night and not try and resque birds at night.

[Sally]

MariusStegmann You have every right to be excited! To have success so soon with a new species, with the weather working against you as well, that is something to get excited about! Love that picture of them peering out.

[monotwine]

Here here Sally! Marius I still get excited when I get babies in the nest!!!! Do get egg-sited and let us know about it. Its a miracle every time. Something to really enjoy. We love hearing the progress too.

Yip we got lots of rain, but thankfully drainage is working well so just very muddy and not a lake for a yard as is the usual. My birds get locked in their shelter in the evenings now. I won't chance a night fright and them dying of exposure when its this wet. They all know the drill. Moon up, lights on... fly to light and mom closes window. They all snug as a bug till morning when I again give them access to the planted flight.

[MariusStegmann]

Thx Sally and Monique. You know the feeling when you are so exited with one or the other thing pertaining to the birds, that you really have to talk to someone about it, but you can't because none in your family would ready understand what you are going on about. Then it so great to share on Finchforum with people who understand exactly what you you are exited about.