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Moustache parakeets (Psitticula alexandri) 12 July 2001 This is one of my new babies, hatched in late June. He is approximately 2.5 weeks old in this picture. You can see pin feathers (young feathers that resemble quills) beginning to grow on his wings. This is what I refer to as the "porcupine stage". Pin feathers are covered in a sheath, which is later shed to reveal the feather inside. He and his clutch-mate eat approximately every 4 hours from 6 AM through 12 midnight. The are kept in a brooder set at 85° and moderate humidity.

13 July 2001 I weigh the babies daily to make sure they are thriving. Today their weights are 127 and 103 grams. Hookbills lay eggs 2 or 3 days apart, and the babies hatch in that order. So the older baby is bigger. I am surprised that these little fellows are so quiet... perhaps it is because two babies are a relatively small clutch. The parents lavished them with attention and food, and they didn't have to call to remind them it's time to eat.

15 July 2001 The babies' weights have increased to 138 and 120. Their feathers are coming in - they look much pricklier! And they are getting an undercoat of down. They are still quiet, except they growl at each other when one pushes the other out of a preferred spot. They are very sweet, and will nibble on my fingers gently. They also seem to enjoy it when I stroke their heads.

17 July 2001 Both babies are now covered with a light grey down. On the older chick (right), you can see the ends of the wing feathers starting to appear. Note the green color. The older baby is holding his weight of 138 (which is a healthy weight), and the younger one now weighs 125 grams. Both are alert and don't hesitate to growl at me if I should disturb them.

28 July 2001 This is the "little" one! You can see the wing feathers are almost all in, though his head is still covered with pin feathers. You can also see a faint "moustache" over his nostrils. This will turn a distinct black once he is fully feathered. Both babies weigh approximately 152 grams now and are beginning to lose a little weight. This is normal - babies will drop some weight when they begin to fledge. And both babies are practicing flapping their wings! They both are nibbling on millet sprays. And they make soft, sweet little sounds when I talk to them.

More pictures will be posted as they become available.

If you are interested in purchasing a young, hand-raised Moustache parakeet, you may contact me at kackoff@iusb.edu. I live near the Chicago area. I do not ship birds. Serious inquiries only please.

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Updated July 2001