Splendid Scarlets!

[Catbird]

Hi guys,

Well, I got my 'bird money' for the month and could resit buying two young Scarlet-chested Parrots (normals). They are both about two months old, and I think I have a cock and a hen?

The 'hen' bird I chose based on she was in a box with another bird from the same nest. This other bird had a lot more blue on the face and the yellow belly was brighter. The other bird was also very vocal and active and slightly larger. The other bird I bought, the 'cock', was from a different breeder, he was very vocal and has no white stripe under the wing. One thing I noticed was that their ceres are different colours? One has a dark cere and the other pink - is this an indication of age?

They are such delightful little birds and are having fun fluttering around their new home ... any hints or tips for keeping this species would be much appreciated!

- Claire

[AussieBirds]

Hi Clair
This is undoubtebly the most colourfull of the Neophema parrots. Many breeders describe them as a soft or weak bird and thy can be a bit tough to breed or even keep. They must be kept in protected from damp draughty conditions, they dont like humidity and prefere it if the days are hot and dry and the nights are cold and dry.

The most obvious difference in sexing them is the hen lacks the scarlet chest of the cockbird and her blue colouring is duller and and there is less of it on the face. There are lots of colour mutations and they are a beautifull bird, but they can be a bit of a heart breaker at times.

John

[Catbird]

Thanks John,

They are only 2 months old, so no red on them yet (otherwise it would be easy ha ha ha). This is the third neophema species I have kept. The notes on the damp conditions is of particular interest. It can get quite wet here in winter, so I may need to make some changes.

They are happy getting stuck into the seed mix I use for the rock parrots, but this is very low in fat - is this a suitable diet? Finch mix with added hulled oats.

- Claire

[AussieBirds]

I would add budgie mix rather than finch mix Clair, finch mix is not really suitable for them, I would also add canary seed. An ideal seed mix for them would be 6 parts Canary seed 1 part french millet 1 part grey Sunflower and half a part of hulled oats, they love sprouted seed as well.

John

[fischer]

Hi Claire, The diet John suggests is ideal for Scarlets, but watch they don't eat too much sunflower seed as they are prone to getting too fat.
They like plenty of fresh greens too, like silverbeet , chickweed,
etc. John is right about damp condtions too, Iv'e found this to be the main cause of death in these Neophemas.
As to breeding, Iv'e 5 pairs at the moment, and they are all on thier second clutches this season, so I think they are pretty free breeders.
Scarlets are wonderfull little bird's, and can become very tame even in an aviary situation, I think you will enjoy keeping them Claire.
Cheers Tony