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Parrot family birds


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28

Parroi Family Birds













Left to right: Lesser Hill Mynah, Assam Greater Indian Hill Mynah, Javan Hill Mynah, showing comparative size of head and wattles. Note small triangular head of Lesser Hill Mynah with elephant-like lappets, Assam Greater Indian Hill Mynah with characteristic short, little developed lap­pets, Javan Hill Mynah with three times larger head and medium lappet development. Total lengths from beak to tail tip are: Lesser, nine inches; Assam, eleven inches; Javan, fifteen inches.

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True pair of Assam Greater Indian Hill Mynahs showing broad breast of

six-year-old cock, left, and slimmer breast of seven-year-old hen, right.

This variety may live thirty years.

Hill Mynahs 29

Assam Province, India, the native boys called me Mynah Bap (father of the Mynahs), as I kept several as pets.

In India, the Hill Mynah inhabits heavily forested hill tracts. They are not often seen around since they prefer the jungles. This has given the public the idea that they are rare birds, which they are not. They are more likely to be met up with as a native's pet. In Assam Province, Northwestern In­dia, Hill Mynahs frequented forested sections, and I would see several of them around a certain wild fruit tree, feeding at times with the beautiful Indian Oriole (Oriolus xanthornus). This species was the Greater Hill Mynah.

While visiting in Calcutta, I often went to visit the very large animal market there, having several talks with the dealer, Mr. Hussain, who exports Indian fauna all over the world, from an Elephant to a Strawberry Finch. The market extended for two square blocks, with rows upon rows of cages in the aisles and along the walls. Hill Mynahs were kept in two foot square crates and rather too many to a crate. They were all very young, and at the fledgling stage. Many required hand feeding. They learn to talk best when between 2 and 6 months old, also becoming very tame. The dealer fed Hill Mynahs and other young birds on "Gram Powder" moistened with water. "Gram" is a leguminous plant grown for food in India, the bean of which is ground to a powder.

In their southwestern range, cardamon and coffee plan­tations with their lofty evergreen shade trees form a perfect habitat for these birds. Pairs or flocks of 15 to 20 of the Less­er Hill Mynah are met with, feeding on ripe figs and other fruits in company of Hornbills, Green Fruit Pigeons and other frugivorus birds. The nectar of Coral, Silk Cotton and Silver Oak flowers is often eaten, and these birds are good pollin­ators for these trees. Their creaky shrieks can be heard in the forest, and their wings produce a whirring sound when in flight.

DISTINGUISHING THE SEXES

The sexes are alike in coloring, but can be differentiated by the males having longer bills, tail and flight feathers,

30 Parrot Family Birds

stronger whistles and deeper voice when talking. As in Can­aries, the cock's head is longer, broader, and not rounded as the hen's. The back and chest are also broader.



NESTING

Birds that are too tame usually don't make good breed­ers. In any species of birds, it is usually the wilder ones that reproduce themselves. Hill Mynahs are no exception. To breed them a 10 to 20 foot outdoor aviary including 4 foot shelter would be required. One corner of the shelter should have evergreen boughs or other dense growth. A box-type nest, 9 square inches, with a hole large enough for the birds to get in (3 inch diameter would be suitable), with a perch near the entrance. Hill Mynahs coming from the jungle, and being more of a pet than most tropical birds, require strict solitude. Since they like attention, the hen or cock will read­ily desert the nest if they see a human being approaching them. The more of a pet they are, the worse parents they will be. In their Asiatic habitats, the breeding season is from March to October. The nest, a collection of grass, leaves, feathers, etc., is placed in natural hollows 30 to 40 feet from the ground, in lofty trees often standing isolated in a forest clearing. The eggs, two or three in number, are a beautiful deep blue, sparsely spotted and blotched with reddish brown.



TRAINING TO TALK

Hill Mynahs are excellent mimics, and hen and cock are equal in talking ability. The hen has more of a falsetto, but a very clear voice. They are able to imitate all kinds of whist­ling, cough like an asthmatic old man, and cackle with womanish laughter. The same method in teaching them should be followed as is given in this first part of this book.



GENERAL CARE

Hill Mynahs are usually very healthy, easy-to-keep birds. Where an importer will lose some percentage of small Finches in a shipment, when importing Hill Mynahs the loss is usu­ally nil. In winter, these birds are comfortable when kept in a room of 55 to 60 degrees, not lower. They can stand the hottest weather in Summer, India being very hot and humid from April to October. Like all birds, they should never be



Hill Mynahs

31

in a draft, and because of their tender skin cheek patches and head wattles, should never be in an outdoor aviary in winter, where a Canary would be comfortable. Birds don't perspire any more than dogs do, so when feeling too warm or when excited about something strange or unusual, Hill My­nahs open their big mouth to pant.

BATHING

Hill Mynahs enjoy a bath given in a large pan, such as a large flower pot saucer of tepid water every day in warm weather, and only on bright sunny days during the winter.





A young Greater Indian Hill Mynah (Gracula r. intermedia). When trained

between two and eight months old and hand raised. Hill Mynahs make

the most distinct talkers of all birds. Photo by William P. Short,

Detroit, Michigan.

32 Parrot Family Birds

They should be placed in the sun to preen and dry out. This type of bird loves sun bathing also. On a cool day, they will stretch their neck out sideways at an angle, and with wide open beak and glazed eyes, enjoy the benefit of the sun rays.

Being softbill birds with loose droppings, newspaper should line the cage bottom, with a sprinkling of sand, saw­dust or peat moss over it. Replace this every evening. When kept in a small cage, two one-inch diameter perches should be placed about two inches from the cage bottom, to keep the bird from getting tail and feet fouled from its own drop­pings, which are normally very moist. Even so, their drop­pings should be of a firm consistency. If too liquid, they are consuming too much fruit, which means trouble and a shorter life. By the way, I've heard of a Hill Mynah in California which is over 30 years old.

Although kept by some people in a smaller cage, the recommended size in a home, is a cage two feet square to allow for a little exercise. The larger cage you can give it the better. Any bird kept in captivity, should have a chance to do some flying to keep it lively and in good trim. In Sum­mer a large outdoor aviary is always preferable. Birds kept in small cages should be permitted some flying in the room every day for at least a half hour.

A pair of Hill Mynahs of the opposite sex get along well although if they are both confined in a small cage together during the breeding season, harm will befall the hen as the cock starts feeling his oats, and becomes very aggressive with the sex urge upon him. He will pin her down on the bottom of the cage and peck her viciously; hardly a way to treat a lady love. A pair are best kept together in a large pen, unless they are both young fledglings, when they may be kept in a small cage together. If Hill Mynahs are in an aviary with other species of birds, these birds should be of the same size or larger. Smaller companions would surely be killed or at least very much harassed, depending upon the smallness of the aviary. The owner of a tame Hill Mynah should not (when perching it on his finger) place the bird near his face when talking to it as they will peck a nose, ear or eye. They

Hill Mynahs 33

should not be placed on one's shoulder either, as they let go with their droppings whenever the spirit moves them, which is often.

Hill Mynahs like to pull the sheets over themselves at night. That is, they will pull up the clean newspaper from the bottom of their cage at dusk and get under it, as they feel more secure. In a large enclosure, they may be tempted to use a box type nest with hay on the bottom for sleeping at night.

FEEDING

Hill Mynahs are omnivorous, that is they have a wide range of human food suitable to them. They do not eat seeds and rarely insects. Diet for them should be varied and bal­anced. The elements missing in one type of food may be present in another. Mynah droppings are normally moist, specially if they had been eating grapes or other fruits. It is not diarrhea. Boiled potato or rice and dog meal moistened with thin honeywater will make them firmer. Cut up fruit should be mixed in with dog meal, also boiled vegetables.



Suitable meals are any well-balanced commercial dog meal. Suitable foods for Mynahs are: boiled vegetables, ber­ries, cut up fruits, little raw hamburger. Orange is too messy to give to Mynahs. An apple or pear stuck on a perch holder every other day will give great enjoyment. If fresh greens are given, they should be chopped up fine and mixed with fruit. Whole wheat bread dipped in milk is beneficial, and most Mynahs like fresh or condensed milk. Give just enough daily to be cleaned up soon so that it doesn't lie around all day.

If available, a pinch of a feeding supplement (vitamin-mineral) powder may be added to their feed. Two drops of cod liver oil added twice a week is beneficial.



34 Parrot Family Birds

LORIKEETS AND LORIES

These birds are found only in the Australian region and among the many South Seas Islands.

The Lory and Lorikeet are differentiated by the former having a short broad tail, while the latter has a long pointed one. The Lorikeets are smaller than Lories. They both pos­sess the most brilliant colors of all the Psittacine Birds, and are the only ones which have brush-tipped tongues instead of the smooth tip of the other Psittacines. The Lorikeets are about 6 to 8 inches long, and the Lories from 7 to 12 inches.

These birds are recommended for the experienced fan­cier only. They are rather expensive and, although not diffi­cult to keep, a fancier who has kept birds will better under­stand their wants. The amusement they will give you is well worth the expense. Lorikeets especially are real bird come­dians, constantly active, clambering around the cage netting, twisting around their perches, swinging from a branch up­side down, and doing other acrobatics. Their voices are squeaky and shrill, and they are swift fliers, so be careful when entering their aviary. These birds do not talk except perhaps for the Chattering Lory, which may say a few words. Both species seem to display more intelligence than other Psittacine Birds. They are difficult to sex, but the cock is usually a little brighter in coloring.



GENERAL CARE

Both species have very liquid droppings, hence if kept in a two-foot square cage, newspaper with sand, peatmoss or sawdust on the bottom should be changed every evening. These birds don't thrive so well in a cage, however, and if you can give them a larger enclosure, it would suit them better. They enjoy frequent bathing every sunny morning, and should be given a large enough flower pot saucer in which to do this. This non-glazed pottery is very satisfactory for small birds, as they won't slip around in them too much when splashing.



Lorikeets and Lories

35

FEEDING

In the wild, these birds live on blossoms and flower nec­tar (which their brushy tongue enables them to secure), soft fruits like bananas, paw-paws, mangos and berries. Never feed Lories or Lorikeets on seeds even if they will eat them. Many fanciers have found out to their chagrin, that sooner or later a seed diet will bring on paralysis of the legs, or fits which will prove fatal. Sunflower is a soft seed, and a very







Poryphyry-Crowned Lorikeet

Lorikeets have long, pointed tails and are usually smaller than the Lories,

which have short, broad tails. Both make amusing, acrobatic and

intelligent pets.

36 Parrot Family Birds

few grains may be given to them as part of their regular diet. Their system cannot properly handle other hard seeds.

In captivity a varied diet may be given them. This may consist of brown or wild rice boiled in milk with brown sugar or honey added, boiled corn or a piece of fresh corn on cob. Fruits are good when fed with something more solid like mashed potatoes (white or yams). Soaked raisins, grapes, cher­ries, berries, fresh fruits in season, canned fruit salad and canned baby foods are good. Soaked in milk or in honey thinned with water, you may give fruit cake, sponge cake or whole wheat bread, which incidentally may be buttered, also dried dates or figs soaked in hot water. Fresh greens should be supplied daily, such as dandelion, chickweed, lettuce, green celery stalk, sprouted seed, etc. If you have a garden and can give them some fresh flowers such as Morning Glory, Four-O'Clocks, etc., they will extract the nectar from them. It is particularly advisable in feeding these two species that a small daily pinch of a vitamin-mineral food concentrate be added on their food. In winter give a few drops of cod liver oil, and hang up a strip of bacon. When breeding or moult­ing, a pinch of fish or bonemeal should be added daily. Fresh water should always be before them. Some fanciers make their own nectar of honey or maple syrup thinned with water, and placed in a small side dish. If you want to really tame them, offer a tablespoon full of milk. They will hold the spoon with a foot while drinking. The large variety of nu­tritional items are given because most fanciers don't know what to feed these birds, and many haven't even heard of them.

BREEDING

Lories and Lorikeets aren't too difficult to breed if the proper accommodations are supplied them. An enclosure 8 feet long x 5 feet wide x 6 feet high will do for up to three pairs. One pair to a pen is better. Fresh tree branches should be placed at either end. In keeping any bird in an aviary, it is better not to place any perches in the center; thus more space will be available for flight from one end to the other.

Lorikeets and Lories 37

For a nest, a hollow log or plywood nest box such as is used for Shell Parrakeets (see chapter on them) will be found suitable. In the concave nest bottom, place a thin layer of either damp peatmoss, sawdust or turf with roots up. These birds like nest boxes to sleep in also. Two to five eggs will be laid in a clutch, depending on the species. The young are reared with regurgitated food. If you should have to feed the young by hand, use a medicine dropper. In hand-feeding you may vary a nestling's diet with honey thinned with water, plain milk, or canned baby foods thinned out with milk or water. When hand-raising nestlings, a small pinch of a min­eral concentrate may be mixed in the formula. When they become older oatmeal or pablum moistened with water may be fed with a toothpick.

A few species of Lory and Lorikeet are here described:

BLUE MOUNTAIN or SWAINSON'S or RAINBOW LOR­IKEET (Trichoglossus novae-hollandae or h. moluccans) Habi­tat: New Guinea to Celebes, and in Eastern Australia from Cape York to Victoria, also Tasmania.

This may be one of the prettiest of the Lorikeets. The head and throat are a brilliant purplish-blue. Nape of neck greenish-yellow, abdomen blue. Under tail-coverts yellow at the base and green at tip. Under wing-coverts are red with mottled red breast. Feet slate grey, bill red with yellow tip. Truly a rainbow-colored bird. Length 12 inches of which 5%" are tail. Sexes very similar, with the hen a little paler.

In the wild, they associate in small flocks, but do migrate periodically in Australia, flying at great heights in huge flocks when blossoms of Honeysuckle and Gum Trees are open.

The hen lays 3-4 eggs, and they often have been bred in captivity. The young in first plumage have the breast yel­low with hardly any tinge of red, also the greenish-yellow band of the adult is scarcely visible. Swainson's is mainly an aviary bird.

38 Parrot Family Birds

RED-COLLARED LORIKEET (Trichoglossus h. rubritor-quis). Habitat: North Australia. This pretty species has a bright orange breast and a red collar.

STELLA'S LORIKEET (Charmosyna papou stellae). Hab­itat: Southeast New Guinea. This is said to be the loveliest of all. The body is bright red, with a black patch on the neck tipped with blue. Wings and upper back are green, abdomen dark blue. The tail feathers are long delicate filaments o* green, red, orange and yellow. The sexes may be told aparc, as the rump in the cock is scarlet and blue, while in the hen it is yellow and blue. This species is difficult to obtain, and is extremely rare in collections.

Among the Lories, the following may be mentioned:

RED-FRONTED LORY (Chalcopsitta sintillata chlorop-tera). Habitat: Eastern New Guinea.

YELLOW-BACKED LORY (Domicella garrula flavopal-liata). Habitat: Moluccas. This species is a shining scarlet with a beautiful golden-yellow patch on its back.

BLUE-CROWNED LORY (Vini australis). Habitat: Sa­moa, with another race in the Fiji Islands. 7 inches. — Body green, with cheeks, throat and middle abdomen red. The crown is blue, lower abdomen dark purple. Bill and feet are orange-red. This very common bird lives in flocks.

PURPLE-CAPPED LORY (Lorius domicella). Habitat: Ceram and Amboyna.

There are ten members of this Genus, having a rounded tail with the two middle feathers longer than the others. Its length is twelve inches, and it is one of the most beautifully colored birds known. Most of the body feathers are scarlet, WHICH DO NOT FADE IN CAPTIVITY like many other red-feathered birds. The breast has a gold band. Wings are green with blue on the edges and under wing-coverts. The tail is red, having a band at the tip which is dark purple-red above,

Loriquets or Hanging Parrakeels 39

and golden-red below. The cap on the head is deep purplish-black.

The brush on the tongue of this species is less developed than other Lories, and is less dependent on a liquid diet. They are usually found in small parties of six or so, where they may be seen eating the soft fruits of the various kinds of wild figs.

Purple Caps usually lay 3 to 4 eggs on the bare wood in some hollow branch, although a nest box as described for the larger Parrakeets would be more appropriate in captivity.

This bird makes just about the perfect bird pet, being most remarkable for its gentle and affectionate disposition. It also can be taught to talk. This together with its gorgeous plumage, makes it much in demand as a pet. They become very attached to their owner. They will do a dance and bang their bill on the surface where they are resting in accom­paniment to their owner hitting his knuckles on a table in front of them. They are remarkable ventriloquists in throw­ing their voices to the opposite side of a room.

BLACK-CAPPED or TRI-COLORED LORY (Lorius lory) Habitat: New Guinea.

This is a close relative of the Purple-Cap, although it does not have a yellow gorget, and the entire abdomen is blue, throat red, wings green and black cap. It also makes an affectionate colorful pet.



LORIQUETS OR HANGING

PARRAKEETS

These are tiny birds (5 inches), mostly bright green with short, round tail, and having a shrill whistle and undulating flight. They are birds of the woods. While Loriquets don't have the brush-tipped tonque of the Lories and Lorikeets, the



40 Parrot Family Birds

method of feeding is exactly the same for them as they are nectar and soft fruit eaters also. (See previous chapter.) This species, too, is for the experienced aviculturist only as they are delicate in captivity. They may bathe on sunny mornings.

Hanging Parrakeets make amusing pets, and have the habit of sleeping or just resting upside down like a bat from a perch, which should be a tree branch renewed occasionally. A locking joint in the foot enables them to do this. In the house, a two-foot square cage will accommodate them. Out­doors in summer, a six-foot enclosure will do, especially if you wish to breed them. A hollow log or one of the types of Shell Parrakeet nest boxes with concave bottom is suitable for them. (See nest box illustrations.) They lay three small, white, round eggs, and their natural breeding season is be­tween January and April. It is best in preventing egg-binding in the hen to delay their breeding till March in the United States.

While in Calcutta, I've seen a cage full of these small birds, which were sold reasonably. I couldn't believe my eyes, and had to get closer to see them all hanging upside down from the top of the wooden-barred cage. At my ap­proach, they became frightened and dropped down so hard that I thought they had cracked their skulls. The Indian native keeps them as pets, also in Malaya and the Philippines. Among the various species are:

INDIAN LORIQUET or HANGING PARRAKEET (Lori-culus v. vernalis). India, Burma and the Andaman Islands. Body bright green with crimson rump. The cock has a small blue throat-patch which is absent in the hen.

JAVANESE LORIQUET or HANGING PARRAKEET (Loriculus v. pusillus). Java and Bali. This is a subspecies of the Indian Loriquet. Cock: Bill light red, green body, brighter on the head. Yellow on mantle and throat. Lower back and upper tail-coverts scarlet, blue under the wings and tail. The hen is similar, but without the yellow throat.


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