Crimson Rosellas chick mortality

[Philip Veerman <>]

My suggestion “The Crimson Rosella parents could have died (from predation or whatever)……..” is based on this quote: “After a week or so of no activity”. If the chicks had died first, whilst the parents were still trying to feed them, I would expect the parents still to visit for a while and to be quite noticeable about it. That quote suggests to me that the parents stopped coming, most likely due to being dead, which would result in death of the chicks. It doesn’t need for both to die. The mother does most of the feeding, if she died, then the father could abandon it, if it too difficult.

 

Also if the problem is reduced food, then it is more likely that one or two but not all chicks die, and not at the same stage but at different stages, as they would probably try to keep one going for longer or one be better at competing for food.

 

Philip

 

From: Michael Lenz [
Sent: Tuesday, 24 December, 2019 2:52 PM
To: B&RGraham
Cc: chatline
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Crimson Rosellas chick mortality

 

Thanks Bill for forwarding these observations.

 

My guess is that food shortage rather than heat may have led to the demise of the young Crimson Rosellas. The adults could not meet the food demands of the growing young.

 

In general, to date I have seen very few young rosellas (either species) and also only very few young Galahs.  

Michael Lenz

 

On Tue, 24 Dec 2019 at 12:08, B&RGraham <> wrote:

 

Hi,

Here is a report of chick mortality that has occurred in the hot conditions. Report attached.

 

best wishes,

 

Bill