... We have quite a rainy (which is gorgeous, the island has turned green) and rather cold winter. As temperatures rarely reach 18C, the now lonely gouldian hen began sleeping in one of the nests. (The male is inside, in a quarantine cage.) In January I was lucky to get a good priced seagreen parrot finch, quite young, and as far as can be told, a female. She joined the gouldian from a beginning, but the gould hen chased her. Now they begun to share the nest during nights... I thought. But they alternate, during daytime, which means there must be eggs. The gouldian hen has already laid eggs last year, without 'help' from the male then.
The possible conclusions are obvious. In three weeks we'll know more. Because of the wet and cold weather I don't want to make nest inspections.
Are there any records of gouldian x red headed parrotfinch? I've never heard of it. I am not fond of hybridizing deliberately, and I never thought it could happen between these two species.
Now, as it seems possible that the seagreen is a male, I admit I am intrigued to see the offspring. Though, if it happens, it might mean I need to build a second aviary or big cage to keep the hybrids separated. If, that is, there are viable fledgelings.
