Blue faced parrot finches

12 May 2010, 00:57

Are blue faced parrot finch babies noisy like gouldians? The adults have been in and out of a nest for ages now probably about 6 weeks, But I haven't heard any cheeping from the nest. Im not looking because it will just my luck that they have babies and they will toss them.

12 May 2010, 02:13

Six weeks is too long.
They are not as noisy as Gouldian chicks but you can hear them.
One point though the entrance to the nest particularly if it is in a nest box becomes quite soiled with droppings.
If you disturb the nest the young will dive out even if half feathered and getting them back can be a problem. I generally stuff them back and use my hanky to block the hole.Then quietly remove it about 15min later and you will find the chicks generally will stay in.
By even brushing past a box can get them bolting out of the box.

12 May 2010, 03:37

Like the idea with the hanky.If the hanky wasnt soiled before it was put in the hole,I bet it is when its pulled out

12 May 2010, 05:46

I agree with E Orix that 6 weeks is too long. They are almost as loud as Gouldian chicks but more of a whistling sound. Most pairs will wait until you're out of sight before going into the nest to feed but they can be heard from quite a distance. I wouldn't have a problem with checking their nest as they're pretty tolerant.

12 May 2010, 16:59

Well, I waited till the adults were out of the box and took a very swift look this morning.......babies, two possibly three. Only a few days old by the look of them, which is why I haven't heard any noise. I reckon they must have laid some eggs that didnt hatch and started on a second lot which have.

12 May 2010, 18:50

Congratulations. Good to hear.
LML

17 May 2010, 08:38

Congratulations on the newbies,A lot of time for the parents invested in them.

31 May 2010, 15:29

E Orix wrote:e point though the entrance to the nest particularly if it is in a nest box becomes quite soiled with droppings.

You weren't kidding about the soiling of the nest box at the front.

Matt wrote:They are almost as loud as Gouldian chicks but more of a whistling sound.

I heard them, and yes there is a shriller note to their calling.

Two babies fledged this morning.

Question: Do they return to the nest at night? I want to get rid of that mucky nest and put clean bedding in, but it will be pointless if they go back on a night.

Question: I have noticed that one of the babies has a lot more yellow on its beak that the other one, is this a very early way to tell the sex?

31 May 2010, 22:20

Blue faced wont go back to the nest after they fledge. The parents may occasionally re-use the same nest straight after the young have fledged but more often than not they will already have a new nest already built just before fledgling. It would be safe to clean the nest now.

Can't say that i've noticed any early sexing methods. My guess would be that the one with the yellower beak is just a little less advanced than its sibling.

01 Jun 2010, 11:58

I have cleaned the nest out and put a fresh starter nest in there. So whenever they are ready.......

The chick with the most yellow on the beak is the largest of them, thats why I thought the yellow beak might mean that it was a male. I have put leg bands on them and noted the yellow beak on the notes so I can refer back when they finally get the adult colours.