Nesting Activity - Indian Ringnecked Parrot

I thought I best produce a timeline of nesting activity for the Indian Ringnecked Parrots

1st August - Introduced nesting box (height 43cm, width 23cm, depth 23cm) on a shelf at the rear of the aviary about two thirds from the ground and I half filled it with non toxic saw dust.

A few days after introducing the nesting box I witnessed breeding and noticed removal of some nesting material from the box.

12th August - Found the first egg in the box, this was followed by an egg every two days after until there was four by the 18th August. It was noted during this time the female "Nelly" would spend most of the day outside the box but sleep inside during the night.

5th September - In the afternoon I discovered the first egg started to hatch; I found the following morning that the hole was only slightly bigger.

Egg the following morning (6th September)

"Nelly" with eggs (a rare sight)

6th September - First egg hatched and it was promptly followed by the second egg the next day. I went away for the weekend leaving for two nights and when came back on the Monday afternoon the further two eggs attempted to hatch (cracked holes) but had failed and the chicks died. I have since removed the eggs from the box.

16th September - The chicks have grown well and I have handle each for the first time; the parents food intake has increased for the chicks also. It appears one will be a light colour (Albino, Creamino) and the other will be darker (Blue, Pastel Blue); this seems to be obvious by the eye colour (the older is darker and the younger has lighter eyes).

20th September - The chicks growing well and are obviously two different colours. I have been handling them the last few days (once in the morning and once in the afternoon).

Light eyes

Dark eyes

Gouldian Finches

The Gouldian Finches have also made there intentions made clear that they would like to start laying eggs. They built a make shift nest out of grass on the side of the aviary with in two days.

As a result I have introduced the finch nesting box back into the aviary using there dried grass a internal nesting material. I craft a hollow round ball in the nesting box out of the dried grass. I have been told Gouldian Finches are particularly lazy in building there own nest; something definitely not shared by my pair. The male has since taken up century duty at the entrance as the female has disappeared inside. 

Dried grass used as nesting material in a commercial "finch" sized box

New breeding season

The signs of a new breeding season are beginning to show. The interaction between pairs are a real sign but my hand rared male Indian Ring Neck parrot has given his real and obvious intention to produce young. 

He has become aggressive!! as he does every year until the eggs are hatched; he generally goes for my hand while I try to change the water.

Non toxic saw dust used as nesting material

I have thus introduced the nesting box back into the aviary. I'm expecting eggs by the end of August.