Clever Little Budgies
By Phil Irving
Yes, like most other birdy blokes, my first entry into breeding in the mid 50's, was a pair of budgies. I can still remember seeing their first egg protruding from the hen's feathers as I checked the nest box after school.
Many years and many species have since added to my experience with this hobby.
After a long break from these little parrots and enjoying a single pair of violet pieds, I have been reminded of the characteristics which make this parrot stand alone without close relatives.
Their survival instincts were entering this world wage by latest nest of young were entering this world. We are aware of how most parrot and other species on average lay 3 to 5 eggs and usually start sitting with the with the third egg etc except the little budgie who starts laying and sitting from day one.
This particular clutch I have at the moment went through the normal steps over an extended period and produced 7 eggs. During this period because of a holding cage, the previous 3 chicks continued in and out of the nest box with mum hot on their tails. I did check with my torch and removed one egg which was obviously clear. Checking every couple of days first one, then two and surprisingly three chicks hatched which is normal for this hen.
After many days and three plump chicks, I was surprised, No1 to find a fourth had just hatched but was tiny compared to his three nest mates.
I left the last two dirty eggs as warmth for the chicks as they were now being used as soccer balls.
Surprise No 2: After many days a further chick hatched and entered the contest for survival of the fittest leaving the last dirt covered egg as the water bottle football.
By this time the three older chicks were covered in feathers and doing laps around the nest box.
It was now time for a three day trip to Gunnedah Sale and on my return and box Check, Surprise NO3 was a recently hatched chick ( no6) being fed by mum.
I know of no other species that shows this remarkable survival instinct and it probably shows why they can breed by the thousands out west when conditions are right.
A very unique little bird!!
Many years and many species have since added to my experience with this hobby.
After a long break from these little parrots and enjoying a single pair of violet pieds, I have been reminded of the characteristics which make this parrot stand alone without close relatives.
Their survival instincts were entering this world wage by latest nest of young were entering this world. We are aware of how most parrot and other species on average lay 3 to 5 eggs and usually start sitting with the with the third egg etc except the little budgie who starts laying and sitting from day one.
This particular clutch I have at the moment went through the normal steps over an extended period and produced 7 eggs. During this period because of a holding cage, the previous 3 chicks continued in and out of the nest box with mum hot on their tails. I did check with my torch and removed one egg which was obviously clear. Checking every couple of days first one, then two and surprisingly three chicks hatched which is normal for this hen.
After many days and three plump chicks, I was surprised, No1 to find a fourth had just hatched but was tiny compared to his three nest mates.
I left the last two dirty eggs as warmth for the chicks as they were now being used as soccer balls.
Surprise No 2: After many days a further chick hatched and entered the contest for survival of the fittest leaving the last dirt covered egg as the water bottle football.
By this time the three older chicks were covered in feathers and doing laps around the nest box.
It was now time for a three day trip to Gunnedah Sale and on my return and box Check, Surprise NO3 was a recently hatched chick ( no6) being fed by mum.
I know of no other species that shows this remarkable survival instinct and it probably shows why they can breed by the thousands out west when conditions are right.
A very unique little bird!!