On 4th October, I reported that the pair of bulbuls was moulting after their first nest of 1 chick. At Michael's request, I kept the pair with the view of continuing to breed them for him after the moult.
The moult was completed towards the end of October as I could tell from their new feathers and from their calls. These were becoming louder and more challenging.
At the beginning of this month, I returned their cup nest with the old nesting material still in it. I also placed new nesting material on the floor of the aviary as I expected from my experience with shamas that the bulbuls would want to mend the nest. Nothing happened. Then last Saturday, my helper reported that the female was on the nest in the morning. The female was again on the nest yesterday morning and this morning. Late this evening, she went onto the nest. I expect she has commenced to brood.
From my experience with the first nest, if the eggs are fertile, they should hatch about 11 days from now. I will update.
Showing posts with label Red-whiskered Bulbul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red-whiskered Bulbul. Show all posts
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Data on Breeding the Red-whiskered Bulbul
Having little experience with breeding bulbuls, I searched the net to see what I could find. Below is information that I found. My comments from my limited experience accompany the notes.
# It is not too difficult to breed the Red-whiskered Bulbul. The level of difficulty is classified as “intermediate”.
# Breeding season is January to August with 2 to 3 broods per season.
# Bulbul chicks are fed almost exclusively on insects and a plentiful supply should be available in the aviary when the chicks hatch. Comment: Insects are lacking in calcium and supplementation of this mineral in some form will probably be necessary.
# Average clutch size is 2 to 4 eggs.
# The nest is cup-shaped and usually constructed at the fork of plants or trees.
# The incubation period is about 12 days. Comment: In my first attempt at breeding, the period was about 10 days.
# It will take about 12 days for the chicks to fledge i.e. emerge from the nest. Comment: The chick emerged from the nest in 9 days in my first breeding attempt.
# Nesting hens are easily disturbed.
# The parents will usually raise 2 young per nest even if more than 2 eggs are laid. Comment: Three to four chicks per nest have been seen from free-ranging Jambuls in Singapore.
# The aviaries of breeding pairs should not be close to each other. Otherwise only 1 pair will be successful and raise young.
# It can be difficult to get a pair to breed on a regular basis. If possible, a successful pair should not be split or transferred to a new aviary as it may take a long time before they start to breeding again.
# When the young leave the nest, they are small compared to the adults but able to fly.
# It is not too difficult to breed the Red-whiskered Bulbul. The level of difficulty is classified as “intermediate”.
# Breeding season is January to August with 2 to 3 broods per season.
# Bulbul chicks are fed almost exclusively on insects and a plentiful supply should be available in the aviary when the chicks hatch. Comment: Insects are lacking in calcium and supplementation of this mineral in some form will probably be necessary.
# Average clutch size is 2 to 4 eggs.
# The nest is cup-shaped and usually constructed at the fork of plants or trees.
# The incubation period is about 12 days. Comment: In my first attempt at breeding, the period was about 10 days.
# It will take about 12 days for the chicks to fledge i.e. emerge from the nest. Comment: The chick emerged from the nest in 9 days in my first breeding attempt.
# Nesting hens are easily disturbed.
# The parents will usually raise 2 young per nest even if more than 2 eggs are laid. Comment: Three to four chicks per nest have been seen from free-ranging Jambuls in Singapore.
# The aviaries of breeding pairs should not be close to each other. Otherwise only 1 pair will be successful and raise young.
# It can be difficult to get a pair to breed on a regular basis. If possible, a successful pair should not be split or transferred to a new aviary as it may take a long time before they start to breeding again.
# When the young leave the nest, they are small compared to the adults but able to fly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
