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We have been thrilled to observe the incredible development of our two Cayman Brac Amazon Parrots, born late May, to our mating pair, Mango and Beebop. As the only facility in Cayman with a permit to breed Cayman Islands parrots in captivity, we are especially proud of these two beauties! Born featherless with their eyes closed, our chicks had developed well at 10 days, under close medical supervision and kept in a warm environment, being fed by receiving regurgitated food from both parents.

Just over a week later, our chicks looked even stronger. Now, we found the older chick was the heavier of the two and its eyes had also begun to open, while the younger’s remained closed for a few days’ longer.

Soon, the chicks started imprinting on their parents, gaining their sense of species identification. Our older chick also started developing its pin feathers, so-called because they begin as short pin-looking shafts that poke out the parrot’s skin.

At three and a half weeks they were fitted with closed band rings, with their own unique ID numbers, for identification and tracking. Soon, both birds’ pin feathers were fully under way. Our older chick even started sprouting green feathers! Two weeks later, and many new green feathers appeared, the older developing its wing and tail feathers, becoming aware of its surroundings, and making calling sounds. More pin feathers opened out to reveal the emergence of beautiful green plumage. Tail pin feathers began to grow, along with faint facial colouring. The older began to show blue primary wing feathers characteristic of Cayman parrots. The chicks also become more energetic, noisy and mobile! Another week, and they were curious, trying to bite, taste and explore.

At seven weeks they were fully feathered and covered in emerald green feathers lined with black, the leading characteristic differentiation between the Grand and Brac sub-species, the black lining only found on The Brac species. Fledgling development at an end at eight months, as our chicks were becoming independent, emerging from their nest box, learning by observing and following their parent’s behaviours. Encouraged to develop natural behaviours eases their transition, improving their chances of survival once released into the wild.

At six months we reveal we have a male and female! The chicks will be raised in our Caribbean Aviary and released on The Brac late summer 2023.