Page 600 - Hand rearing birds second

Wild Parrots 601

remove a chick, check its weight, feed, then transfer to a clean crate at every meal. This minimizes
handling and stress and makes it easier to keep track of who has been fed. Group size in one large
dog crate may be up to 12 birds.
Low‐level perching is made available at around 6 weeks of age. Use movable, very low t‐stands
and position them at the front near the door of the crate. Most young nestlings huddle to the back
if they are not ready for perching or solid food, so the perch will not distress the younger birds of
the group. Increase the height and variety of perches as they are utilized by more birds.

Fledging
Fledging for most Amazons usually happens between 8 and 12 weeks in the wild (6–16 weeks
across all parrot species). In our captive‐rearing situation, pre‐fledge chicks are mobile, extra‐curi-
ous, perch well, and are proficient at eating solid fruits. They are much more difficult to hand‐feed
as they won’t remain in the feeding basket and they flap and explore once outside the crate. The
biggest indicator of a fledged parrot, however, is that they actually fly! Good protocol practice has
any doors closed at all times during feeding.
At this stage, start taking the fledglings to a close‐by outdoor enclosure so they can get used to
using their new wings. Solid foods are offered at multiple feeding stations throughout the enclo-
sure. Endure adequate climbing access for clumsy babies. Put a well‐perched, large dog crate on a
trolley or shelf as a safety retreat. The majority of birds will use these at some stage during the day.
Offer food and water in the crate in case they remain inside all day. If intending to leave the chicks
out at night, then the crate will provide security for sleeping initially. Enclosures must be 100% rat‐,
snake‐, and other predator proof. In the wild, chicks would never return to the cavity after fledging,
but this is not a natural situation for these birds. Wild parrots have incredibly strong parent–chick
bonds and the transferred knowledge and confidence of the parents is p aramount to survival dur-
ing this treacherous fledging stage. As compensation for the lack of parental protection and guid-
ance, a crate provides a safe‐haven for less confident chicks. With wild parrots, do not push chicks
to advance a developmental stage before they are ready. They all have different personalities and
we must allow for these idiosyncrasies throughout their rehabilitation.
As chicks mature, try not to leave a single younger bird alone in the feeding room. A pre‐fledge
age chick will be fine in the crate outside with his “siblings.” If concerned about falls from perches
or crates, then cushion the ground; use palm leaves or similar leafy branches. Otherwise, hold back
a couple of the less‐advanced birds for a few days to keep the youngest one company.
The first couple of nights the birds will cling to the wire as it gets dark. Either bring them in
overnight if concerned for their safety, or just keep putting them into the crate until it is too dark
for them to climb out. They will soon settle down.

Food­and Water­Tips

Once the birds are weaned, they are fed a large tray of food at the start of the day and then have no
contact with humans. When feeding outdoors, the food plate needs to be low enough that stepping
on the side doesn’t cause it to tip over. It needs to have holes to drain any water. It needs to be chew
resistant, or cheap enough to replace once chewing commences, and needs to be easily cleaned.
A double plate can be very useful: the bottom one is fixed in place and the top plate is placed (full
of food) onto the fixed plate (Figure 39.4). Offer full stainless steel bowls of water (for easy clean-
ing). Parrots are heavy and they will climb on the water bowl and play with it and overturn it. If it
is full of water, destruction becomes more difficult.