|
|
NANDAY PARAKEET
Nandayus Nenday |
|
|
| |
|
Though this parrot species is usually classified in genus Aratinga, especially because of the sounds they make, Nanday is the only representative of its own genus. It is 35 cm in size (middle- sized parrot). This species was imported in Europe in 1870. and first successful reproduction in captivity was achieved in France in 1881. It was noticed that it easily acclimates to new habitat and new temperature conditions, including European wintertime. They also handle frozen water and easily break icy surface with their beaks, but if the temperature is below 0 o C they suffer frostbites, so if they are in outdoor cages, they may loose their claws or even toes. |
|
|
When living in nature, they inhabit areas of South America , so smaller flocks were reported in Bolivia , Brazil , northern Argentina and Paraguay . Smaller colonies nest in tree cavities. Sometimes they ground, and sometimes enjoy in climbing bushes and treetops of various trees. Color of these birds is dominantly green, with brighter chest and darker back; head is black with a pair of big and bright eyes. The beak is rather strong, massive and intensive black as the primaries are (primary flying feathers). In older birds, the chest has a dash of blue in upper region which is not the case in younger individuals. Legs have red “socks” that make them very attractive. Besides the color of the chest, young birds can be differed form the older ones by the color of the legs. In the young, the legs are black whilst the elder ones have pink legs (this is exception in bird world; normally legs of the older birds are darker).
Their diet is seedish mix consisting of: light seed, oat, millet, sunflower, canary seed, corn, sorghum and hemp with addition of apple, carrot, spinach and other fresh food.
Nandays have strong, screeching voice, that is specially expressed in the early morning, evening and during mating season.
|
|
|
Female hatches 5-6 eggs in two- day intervals, and broods for 25 days. After hatching form the eggs youngsters stay in nest for 45-50 days, and then they leave. Interestingly, the young keep coming back to the nest to spend the night even if they are up to two months old. Nanday have very intelligent and piercing expression, a characteristic of all South American parrots. |
When you have a Nanday for a pet, you should keep it in a well- adjusted wire cage and feed it with previously mentioned mix of seeds and fresh food additives. They should also be provided with vitamins, in liquid or solid state, and the cage must be equipped with food cup containing granular vitamins. The best quality vitamins and minerals are the ones produced by “Vitakraft” (Germany ) and “Vitamineral” (Belgium).
Aside from its aggressive appearance, if bought young and if given care and attention, this bird can learn to imitate great number of words, to stand on your shoulder while you are doing stuff or just sitting, doing nothing and soon, you'll feel a bit like Defoe's hero, Robinson Crusoe. Tamed Nanday will make very loud noise only when unknown person is present, so in some way it can become your ‘feathery dog”.
For all the above reasons I strongly recommend Nanday for a pet. The choice is yours, and it's an exceptional one, since the parrot world among all others is far the most various.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
