pictorella

[murf]

Have a pair of pictorellas nesting(just about on the ground), and in particular, the hen keeps bringing back a piece a nibble size cuttlefish to the nest for her rotation. (have seen the male on occassions). Any ideas as to why she would do this? I wondered whether it was to absorb moisture from the ground. The nest is in a non-covered roof area. The hen, in particular eats plenty of grit/grounded cuttlefish combination.

[gomer]

Have they got plenty of charcoal available for nest building ? They tend to use charcoal as a liner for nests.I believe this is for both moisture and protection from spinifex grass.maybe they are using the cuttle bone as a substitute for charcoal.

[murf]

You descibe it just the way it is Gomer. Thanks. Only small quantity of charcoal available. Any fire restrictions yet? I know where there could be a small one coming up.

[Tiaris]

In my experience they prefer cuttlebone for this purpose above all else (including charcoal). Will continue adding small pieces of broken cuttlebone from start of incubation right through to large nest-bound young. I've found the provision of freshly broken up cuttlebone to be a great stimulator to get half-inclined Pictorella pairs fully inclined to go to nest - they just love the stuff.

[murf]

Thanks Tiaris, that's what they do have, plenty of broken pieces of cuttlefish (I keep stepping on it when going into the aviary). Anyway, the fire is out and tomorrow extra charcoal goes in.