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Presently, I have a Red-masked Conure and an Unbrella Cockatoo.
I haven't decided which I want to try first. I know that
when discussing birds such as finches and budgies, there isn't as
much of a problem. Once you get into the larger species, such as
Conures, Cockatoos and Mackaws the difficulty increases.
I guess what I'm looking for is success stories along
the lines that might give me a better than average chance of
creating a mating pair with either of the two that I presently
have, or for that matter, any others I might get in the future.
It seems to me the easiest method would be to buy, say
for instance, 6-8 Conures to create one mated pair, than sell
off those that didn't mate. The main problem here though, should
be obvious.... 8 Conures at anywhere between 3-600 a bird!!!
And if you were to do the same with the Cockatoos - Well, I'm
sure my point is taken.......
Dan G.
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| If you know the sex of your bird and the sex of a bird you want to
acquire, you don't need to to the 'flock-pick your own partner'
approach with the conure. See if you can find the opposite sex
to your red-masked consure(also called cherry-head conure here in the
eastern part of the U.S.). I have successfully bred many species of
conure. Let me know if I can answer any other questions, here or
directly. Your price looks high for a cherry-head. Around here a
wild-caught can usually be purchased as a breeder for about $100.
They cost more if they are tame and talking, and perhaps three times
that or more if they are domestically bred, closed-banded birds.
Your cockatoo is a different story. I have never tried to breed them
but hear awful stories about the males killing or maiming the hens if
the situation isn't just right for the pair. This species is usually
attempted by more experienced breeders for that reason alone. The
cost of the birds and the need to have older birds for breeding are
a couple of other reasons that often it is the more experienced
breeder who attempts this species. (Takes a strong stomach to cope
with what you can find after a male has not been pleased with his hen.)
But _somewhere_ out there lots of folks are breeding them successfully,
at least to produce fertile eggs that are incubated, give the availability
of umbrellas for the pet trade. Wingsong Aviary, here in Merrimack, NH,
has bred umbrellas for years. Maybe they could give you some advice:
Call 603/880-6383. They were extremely helpful to me when I firsted
started out breeding birds. They publish an educational newsletter
as well if you want to ask to be on their mailing list (its free).
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