Superb Parrot - Nswfmpa.org

Animal Care Studies - Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Richmond10.9 Ability to Breed More than Once Per YearThere are no records to suggest that P. swainsonii will produce more than one clutch ofeggs per year.10.10 Nesting, Hollow or Other RequirementsNesting FacilitiesP. swainsonii nest in the hollow limbs of native trees in the wild, mainly species ofEucalyptus. In captivity they will accept either natural hollow logs or artificial woodennest boxes in which to breed. Although hollow logs provide a natural nest site,consideration should be given to the loss of native habitat of wild P. swainsonii. Threatsto their habitat have largely resulted from clearance for agriculture. Live nest trees arethreatened by logging, particularly on private land, and artificially high water levels as aresult of irrigation. Dead nest trees may not be replaced when they fall or are cut forfirewood. Therefore to assist in preserving nest trees in the natural habitat of P.swainsonii the use of hollow logs in captivity should be discouraged and preference begiven to providing different types of artificial wooden nest boxes.Although hollow logs have the advantage of being natural and perhaps more attractive inan aviary compared to nest boxes the disadvantages far out weigh the advantages. Thedisadvantages of hollow logs are that they are difficult to clean, inspect, obtain andreplace. Usually the logs are heavy and difficult to hang and manoeuvre in an aviary.In comparison artificial nest boxes may not be as attractive as logs and generallyconstructed of dressed timber or plywood are more likely to be chewed by P. swainsonii.However, this in itself becomes an advantage allowing nest boxes to be renewed addingto the hygienic benefits of nest boxes. The other advantages for nest boxes are that theyare easy to obtain, prepare, clean, inspect, hang, replace and manoeuvre in an aviary.Figure 29. Suitable design for a vertical nest box.Keith Naylor 28/3/2005 Version 3 63