Breeding rate and mortality in Australian parrot (Melopsittacus undulatus) in captivity at Bahawal Pur, Pakistan
Main Article Content
Abstract
The present study was conducted to find out the breeding rate and mortality of Melopsittacus undulatus (budgerigar), a famous species of Australian parrots. A total of 100 birds (50 pairs), kept in a farm house at Bahawal Pur, Pakistan were used in this study. Number of eggs, clutch size, number of hatchings, hatchlings and fledglings were recorded for estimation of breeding rate. Total number of eggs was 537 during whole breeding season. Clutch size varied from 1-9. The hatching and hatchling success was found to be 29.69% and 81.76% respectively. The clutch size and number of eggs laid in breeding season were adequate for rapid increase in population. The hatching rate and fledging rate indicated good reproductive success in captivity.
Keywords: Budgerigar; Clutch size; Hatching success; Fledglings