Bert and Earnie Have Babies Page 2

It seemed as if these two would make it. Two weeks later, they were all beak, butt, and pin feathers! Mickie even surprised me by growing a classic Pearled pattern. Mickie was probably a GIRL! I knew because none of Bert and Earnie's other clutches ever produced a male Pearl. Together, Bert and Earnie took care of teaching them how to be birds, while I took them out, several times a day for short visits, to teach them how relate to humans. A lot of breeders remove the babies from the box to hand-raise them. With bigger parrots, this is often necessary, as the parent birds will either harm the babies or the human. I'm very lucky that my pair think of me as a "grand parront" and let me babysit, while they keep primary control over their babies' care.

For the next several weeks, they ate, slept, pooped, and grew. With their eyes finally open and their feet straitened and growing stronger, they started exploring thier new world. They would sneak peeks at me from the breeder box and peep plaintively to come out. Of course, I spoiled them rotten, with their proud parents standing on my shoulders to make sure none of us got into trouble. With all their babies, Bert has been responsible for teaching the males to talk and I've been responsible for teaching them all to fly. I guess this is because I had to teach Bert and Earnie, so they figure it's my job. We started when they were five weeks old.

By now, they were almost fully feathered. I could tell that Bonzai was a boy and Mickie was definately a girl. Bonzai did well with his speech lessons and was soon making wolf whistles and saying "Pretty Bird" and "Whatcha Doin'?" It was time for them to fledge, so I removed the nest box but kept them with Mom and Dad, as they were not quite weaned. I usually keep them with the parents until they are 3 months old or are flying well enough (and landing well enough!) for their first wing clip. After they are eating well on their own and not taking any food from either parent, I set up their own cage,next door to Mom and Dad, so they are not separated completely, but have more freedom... Everyone knows teens need their own space! The last photos show what they look like as adults (sort of, i.e. 4 months). Their favorite place to "Hang out" is on the blinds...Just like their Dad!

UPDATE: Bonzai was adopted by a lovely woman who had just lost her 22 year old cockatiels to old age. He's happy, now, and whistles "The Andy Griffith Show" theme and "Dixie" to her, as well as several words Bert taught him.
Mickey has been adopted by a wonderful woman who is in the process of remodeling her home, so Mickey is still living with Bert and Earnie until the renovations are completed.
Earnie has not decided to have any more clutches, yet.