Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Philippine Hanging Parrot Captive Breeding Notes


Loriculus philippinensis regulus

The following notes are based on a mature female Loriculus philippinensis regulus, G-8 CUSI and her mate a mature male, G-22 CUSI. The primary aim in posting these notes is to hopefully make the data easily accessible where it was near impossible before, to benefit conservation efforts and aviculture.

Background: G-8 CUSI was bought by former owner from the black market and has been with him for 3 years (unconfirmed) until sold to another owner 05Nov06. Age undetermined. First owner was unable to breed her hence sold her. There was inital concern on G-8 CUSI's conditon since the original owner fed her mostly seeds and minimal fruit. G-22 CUSI is a wild caught specimen.
Subject: G-8 CUSI and mate G-22 CUSI (unconfirmed)

AVIARY/FLIGHT CONDITIONS:

Flight Dimensions: LWH 2.4m X .6m X 1.2m, 1 inch wire mesh, Ga. 16, partially shaded, suspended flight (1.4m from cemented floor). Double walled from other flights of same dimension.

Flight Orientation: West to East, Shaded portion at West end. Communal flight with four other Cusi’s (2 Males, 2 Females). Perches are of Tamarind branches 20-50cm diameter.

Nestbox Dimensions: LWH 230cm X 300cm X 300cm, 12cm plywood, L-Boot type, rear viewing window.

Nestbox Entrance Orientation: Towards North

Nestbox Substrate: Wood shavings, Kapok tree (Duldol) branches.

Feeding Regimen:

Daily: 6:00-7:00 AM Assorted Veggies, Wetmix (Separate plastic dishes, removed at afternoon feeding).
2:00-3:00 PM Fruits, Canary Mix (Separate plastic dishes, removed at morning feeding).

Weekly: Eucalyptus and/or Mulberry leaves and branches.

Occasional: Hibiscus and Coconut flowers, Assorted Palm Fruits, Corn on the Cob.

Diet:

Veggies: Cucumber, Tomatoes, Chilli peppers, Bell peppers, Rice, Mung bean sprouts.

Fruits: Bananas, Papaya, Apples, Pears, Mangoes, Indian Mangoes, Chico, Native Figs, Water Apple (Macopa/Tambis), Java Plum (Duhat/Lomboy).

Wet mix: Refer to recipe or email me at gastonaviaries@gmail.com

Others: Water sprinkler turned on regularly around noon during summer months or at tmperatures around 29-30’C. Feeding dishes cleaned daily, changed twice daily.

(Thanks for the advice and guidance of Pavel Hospodarsky, Tony Vaidl, Helena Zimova, Robert Hererra DVM, Joel Sarmiento)

Thursday, February 12, 2009

10Feb09

G-8 CUSI observed copulating with adult male

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

03Aug08
Palm leaves offered to flight. G-8 CUSI was again exhibiting leaf tucking behavior but was not seen to enter the nestbox.

Friday, July 18, 2008

16Jul08
G-8 CUSI observed to enter same nestbox. Pair continues to be in near proximity of each other, aloepreening and mutual feeding.

Monday, July 7, 2008

7Jul08
Pair continues to be in near proximity of each other, aloepreening. G-8 CUSI not seen inside the nestbox.

Monday, June 23, 2008

23Jun08
Weather allowed inspection of nestbox. Chick found dead. Possibly died 19Jun08. Second egg unhatched and upon candling, chick dead in shell, not completely formed. G-8 CUSI might not have been able to maintain proper incubating temperature inside nestbox due to foul weather or due to inexperience. Female continues to beg from male G-22 CUSI (confirmed primary mate). Nestbox almost had equal amounts of shavings and leaves cut by the female. Nestbox was completely dry inside. Both nestboxes cleaned and treated with pyrethrin. Substrate replaced with new shavings. Unhatched egg dimensions: 17mm x 19.5mm

Sunday, June 22, 2008

22Jun08
Female G-8 CUSI seen staying outside of the nestbox.