Whydahs

[ad#blod-ad]

Whydahs are ideal subjects for housing with weavers or birds of a similar size. Because whydahs are among the largest and more aggressive species of finches, do not house them with birds of smaller or weaker species, such as smaller waxbills.

Keep them in a large well-planted aviary, since they must have adequate room to exercise their active nature. Once acclimatized, they will be hardy enough to withstand typical winter conditions in a temperate climate, providing they have access to a snug and protective shelter. During nights of very severe winter weather, however, you should lock your birds in to protect them.

Feeding whydahs is relatively easy, because all they require is a simple mixture of yellow millet, white millet, canary grass seed and rape seed, although an excellent supplemental seed diet can consist of teazle, sunflower seed, flax, niger seed, anise, sesame seed, oats and poppy seed. They will also appreciate a selection of livefood, such as small mealworms and baby crickets, and a limited amount of suitable greenfood.

In addition to the simplicity of feeding and accommodating them, the great appeal of keeping whydahs centres around the magnificent appearance of cock birds throughout the breeding season and their fascinating courtship behaviour. The cock whydahs grow magnificent tail plumes that can reach 28-40cm(11-16in) long. Out of breeding season, whydahs measure only 13cm(5in) and cocks and hens appear very similar, making sexing a difficult task.

Many whydahs are parasitic and will lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. This is why it is vital to choose carefully which birds to house with your whydahs. Most parasitic whydahs target particular species. For example, the paradise whydah parasitizes the melba finch in the wild and will also accept it as a host in
captivity. Therefore, if you wish to breed paradise whydahs, it is essential to house it with melba finches.

The pintail whydah parasitizes more than one species; in fact, it can lay its eggs in the nests of 19 different species of birds.

Although fascinating, their parasitic behaviour produces a poor breeding record in captivity. Nevertheless, you can encourage breeding by housing the birds in a large, naturally planted aviary with a plentiful supply of available nests. Providing the ideal environment is essential for breeding success.

Parakeets (Budgies)

[ad#blod-ad]

Parakeets vary in size quite dramatically, ranging from 14 to 40cm (12-16in), and the choice of species is equally wide.

Housing parakeets should present no major problems – the majority of species will thrive outdoors in the fresh air, although you must make sure that the aviary provides ample room for flight and exercise and a sturdy shelter to protect the birds from frost, wind and rain. It is also a good idea to cover a third of the aviary roof with plastic sheeting or similar material, as this enables the birds to shelter from any bad weather conditions but still remain outdoors. Almost all species of parakeets will survive typical winter conditions in a temperate climate, although you should lock them in at night during particularly severe conditions.

As for all parrots, an aviary housing parakeets must be able to withstand the attentions of their powerful beaks. If the aviary is made of wood, for example, it is vital to protect the exposed areas so that they are not destroyed. Even though you may not consider your birds to have powerful beaks because they are relatively small, they are very capable of gnawing the same area for a long period of time and causing extensive damage. This is why you should supply your parakeets with plenty of chewing materials, such as wooden perches, and replace these every two months.

A suitable diet for parakeets varies slightly according to the birds’ size. The basic diet for a small parakeet, for example, should consist of mixed millet, canary seed, hemp and sunflower seeds, with additional fruit and vegetables. Larger species will need more sunflower seeds and perhaps some small peanuts and pine nuts.

One advantage of keeping parakeets rather than the larger parrot species is that they make considerably less noise. Obviously they do still chatter, but this can prove to be pleasant rather than annoying. However, it is not necessarily a good idea to locate the aviary too close to your house, as they pick up the habit of chattering rather too early in the morning! Although it is possible to house some of the smaller parakeets in a mixed aviary, where they will happily live with even smaller birds, such as finches, they are happier housed on their own and this will also enhance their breeding prospects.