[chapala]

Poor birds! I hope there is a good rescue organization where you are that can help with these two if you can't keep them.

Yes, do change the seed for a healthier mix. I converted an Amazon recently that had been on sunflower seeds, peanuts and corn-on-the-cob for many years, a very restricted and high fat diet. She is now a feathered piglet and eats whatever I put in the cage, gobbles up the fresh Mash. It took about two weeks to convert her to a better diet by offering the new food in the morning, sunflower seeds later (no peanuts at all!).

Sprouted grains (or overnight soaked) usually work well to get them eating something besides dry seeds. Just buy several different whole grains at a natural foods or other grocery store that sells bulk food in bins - wheat berries, kamut, spelt, raw buckwheat, millet, quinoa, hulless (not pearl) barley, whole oats. Rinse and soak a small amount, maybe 1/4 cup, in a cup or small bowl overnight. Drain into a strainer in the morning, rinse and serve some then, and continue to sprout the rest by leaving the mix in the strainer that sits over the cup or bowl to catch water drips, rinsing a few times during the day until the next morning or following afternoon. Then after they are reasonably dry (not completely dry, not sopping wet), the sprouts can be refrigerated and keep for several days. The sprouts are ready just when you see white roots emerging from the grains.

I might cover one part of the cages to give these birds some sense of security.