lou@masscomp.UUCP (Louis Lung) (04/27/89)
To fellow bird owners...
Judging by the recent amount of bird related mail in rec.pets, it would
seem that there are a good number of netters who own birds; so here's my
question :
I own, (amount others), a Nanday Conure (Stanley) and a Peach Front
Conure (Paula), and was wondering if anyone knows if it's possible
for these 2 "types" (sorry - I never did well in bio, so "type" will
have to do) of conures to mate ?
(Now please, no flames about breeding different species of birds, and how
it's a bad practice and many birds are losing there habitat etc. )
First let me say that neither bird has been sexed, so this question might
just be moot (and they may be misnamed !).
My reasons for asking however are two-fold. First, I'm in the
process of remodeling my bird cages and if mating is possible, I would
add a breeder box to their cage. I make my own cages (anyone price cages
lately ?) so adding a box is not that big a deal, but structurally, the cage
design will be affected by the breeder box. Secondly, if mating is possible,
I would consider sexing them.
A little background on these birds :
Both birds were purchased from a local pet shop, where they were housed
together. I bought both of them when I realized how tightly bonded they
were. The two are inseparable, and their difference in size and color make them
even more interesting as a pair. As pets, they are quiet (even the Nanday !)
well behaved, and for the most part, are tame. I would never
seperate them, or try to add another Nanday or Peach Front to pair off
with these birds. Talk about buddies, the two stay together like glue,
with the smaller Paula usually hiding behind Stanley when she gets scared.
In fact the only time they ever scream loudly is when the two are
seperated (as during wing clipping time).
I do not know their age, although I have had them for more than a year.
They are both in excellent health, eating a balanced diet of safflower,
fruits and veggies; and have execellent plumage. I have never seen any mating
bahavior between the two. I have seen many hand raised Sundays (Sun + Jenday)
among other hybrids, but never a Nanday/Peach Front hydrid. Since the two
birds are different "types" of conures, I never expected them to breed but
I figured it was worth asking.
Thanks in advance for any comments.
lou
email : ..!{harvard | ulowell | uunet}!masscomp.com!lou