Green and white cheeks.

[Bird_brained]

Ok, I just got a cure baby green cheek named Kiwi and she took right to my white eared conure Bael. They are very happy togther. I think Bael couldn't warm up to a bird that was bright yellow and towered 8 inches over him.

My only concern is, that in a few years when Kiwi is old enough to breed, will I have to keep them apart? I really don't want white cheek/green cheek chicks, if that is possible. I have had stranger birds. I had a green cheek/blackcap once.

Should I be concerned?

[imported_Jason]

The Hybrid bird is a subject that has created large debates out there. It is possible to breed birds of the same genus. Both the White eared, and green cheek belong to the Pyrrhura Genus, which means they can possibly successfully breed. There are pros and cons to breeding hybrid. One example of a con is the fact that it could be possible for someone to sell a hybrid as a true breed, and someone else use it as a breeder, and down the line, you have a strain of birds that are not true pure bred. An example of a pro, would be you could possibly breed out the bad traits of a species.. so there are many ways to look at it.. I do have one question though... Have they both been DNA prooven? If not, then I would have it done.. There would be no harm in letting them stay together if they are the same sex.. lol... Just something to think about. There are several birds out there that are highly regarded, but are hybrids.. The Catalina Macaw for example.. I think breeding different species of the same genus, is something that has to be done responsibly, .. and a personal choice at that... I am not stating my personal opinion, just the facts.... Hope this helps...

Jason

[imported_David]

I'd like to add something to what Jason just said and it has to do with personality.
Each species and subspecies of a certain parrot has it's own unique personality. When mixing two different birds ( species to sub-species), another personality is formed. That personality is different in each chick of the same clutch. Then when that hybrid parrot is eventually bred to another bird ( pure bred or another hybrid) more different personalities are formed. Also mixing the species creates problems concerning it's life span. it also affects the hybrid's ability in the health dept.
The most obvious and drastic changes occur when mixing all types of macaws and that's because the differences can be easily seen. The color results are spectacular but the personality and length of life and it's ability to deal with health issues are heavily degraded-------Dave

Examples of personality differences
A CAG's personality is totally diferent than a TAG.
A Double yellow Headed Amazon is totally different from a Yellow Naped Amazon or yellow crowned Amazon
A B/G macaw is totally different than a Scarlett macaw or a green winged macaw or a military macaw etc etc----Dave

[Bird_brained]

Oh I don't want to breed them, and yes both have been Sexed, the little White earred is a male, and Kiwi is a female. I'm trying to figure out when I would need to separate them. And if at all it was an issue, but since they are in the same species, I will eventually?