red billed starlings

[clint]

hi everyone, its a long time since i last posted and would like some help if possible.
ive had a pair of red billed starlings for the last 12 months or so, they are kept in a large aviery mixed with finches etc but have made no attempt at breeding, can anyone suggest what i could do to increase my chances of breeding these lovely birds.

many thanks Clint

[laurab]

Hi Clint

I really hope you find the answer here as your birds are stunning! :razz:

[kenny]

hi clint
this link may help as it does mention the red billed starling

http://www.starlingtalk.com/index.htm


ken

[laurab]

Here is a link to one of Clint's photos'; I'll think you'll all agree it is stunning.

http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/showlargepic.cfm?photoid=471148

[kenny]

hi laura
that photo is brilliant what a beautiful bird!

ken

[laurab]

Clint is not only an aviculturist, but also a brilliant photographer!

[PAUL HEARN]

Hello Clint,

It's great to see you posting again,;-) could you please post more details regarding the housing (aviary size, planting etc), fellow occupants, diet and nest boxes supplied?
The quality of the photo and the condition of the cock Starling are both exceptional, but could you please post a photo of your hen?

Paul.:D

[Dolly-Bird]

Hi Clint.

This is probably one of the most obvious questions you will get asked, but are the birds a proven pair? I know that mum (Laura) has had a couple of problems like that, where she has been told that they are a proven pair, but actually turn out to be either both female or both male.

Hope you get the answer you're looking for.

Krissie :-D

[kenny]

hi krissie
just to say welcome back to the site,we haven`t heard from you in a while its nice to see you back

ken

[clint]

many thanks for all of your replys

to answer some questions, the aviery is about 30ft by 20ft with an indoor attachment,
as far as i know they are a true pair but as yet have not attempted to breed.
food includes fruit, bogena, meal worms, etc,, nesting includes large half front boxes, and them boxes that look like logs with the hole in them, . planting includes small trees around the aviery, ivy growing on the outside of the aviery and also mile a minuite which grows outside and inside.
fellow occupants include lavenders,green singer,grey singer,silverbills,bengalese,red eared waxbill,combassou,zebras,, a total of 15 birds.

http://www.ephotozine.com/gallery/showlargepic.cfm?photoid=471908

a shot of the female as requested.
many thanks for your help

[kenny]

hi clint
female looks as good as the male .superb photo also!

ken;-)

[clint]

hi Kenny, im glad you like her, they sure are lovely birds and it would be great if i could get some offspring

clint

[kenny]

hi clint
it certainly would mate they are gorgeous

ken

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Clint,

From the photos you have provided it is obvious that you have a true pair,;-) the size of housing is excellent, regarding diet I would also include Silent Crickets and Waxworms.
Regarding nest boxes the log nests are excellent, but half fronted are of no use, standard Parakeet nest boxes using only a hole are of more use to you.

Paul.;)

[paul a]

hi ,i bred these last year.the pr used a parakeet nest box 25cm square x 40cm high which they filled almost to the top with any nesting material they could find ,twigs,paper,grass etc.They laid 4 eggs per clutch which are incubated by both birds and the chicks hatched at 13 days they fledged around 3 weeks.The adults fed the young on small crickets,white mealworms and cranefly larva which i searched for daily under rotten wood, flagstones etc. they also chased any flying insect or anything which crawled on the floor .bark chippings and rotten wood are a good source of insects when left on the aviary floor.they would not take waxworms.Make sure any chicks that die in the nest box are removed as i lost a clutch as a late hatched chick was dead under the others and the parents deserted the nest.I bought the pr from paul hearn last year at stafford

[PAUL HEARN]

Hello Paul,

I'm really pleased to hear you bred from the Silky Starlings I took to Stafford for you,:D they weren't my own birds they belonged to a couple I know who have quit birdkeeping due to their living arrangements amongst other reasons.

It seems strange that the Silkies refused Waxworms, but accepted Leatherjackets,:roll: the only reason I can think of for this are the tiny hairs on the Waxworms.

Straying from the subject slightly I have found in the past that certain Salamander and Frog species take Waxworms but spit them out, again I assume the reason for this is due to the fine hairs?:roll:

Regarding the flying Insects your birds were chasing brings up my favourite source of Livefood, Fruit Flies,:D I assume that considering that similar sized birds such as Waxwings take these that Starlings will do so as well.

Paul H.