New Babies at Fauna: Pacific Parrotlets & Swainson Lorikeets

Pacific Parrotlets are a very small species of parrot native to Ecuador and Peru. They have been routinely bred in captivity in the United States since the 1930’s. Since then, there have been a number of color mutations that have been developed through selective breeding of naturally occurring mutations.

Baby Parrotlets

Commonly seen colors include the normal greens, blues and yellows with dilute varieties of each as well as some combos and pieds. Parrotlets make engaging little companions with big personalities for their small size. Females are often more assertive than males and tend to rule the roost. While speaking ability is limited in these tiny parrots, they are quick to learn and are eager for contact. The babies we currently have (as of 3/25/13) are all female clutch mates with two normal greens and one blue. They are just starting to eat some Totally Organic Pellets on their own at the moment and still accept three feedings a day of formula by hand.

Swainson Lorikeets are one of over 32 sub-species of rainbow lorikeets and are native to Australia. As many already know, lories and lorikeets are one of the few parrot species that are nectavores – feeding on flowers, leaf buds and a few insects, as well as fruit. In captivity we feed them a prepared liquid nectar, fruits, and a few select vegetables.

This baby lorikeet was incubator hatched because his parents have a history of destroying the eggs while in the nest. It currently is being hand fed with ZuPreem Embrace formula once every hour around the clock. Eventually it will be switched over to the nectar formula after about three weeks when it’s protein requirements are slightly lower. Feel free to stop in and check it out after he comes out from the brooder in about two weeks!

To learn more about Fauna NYC, visit our website!

Meet the Staff: Gen Katz

Gen Katz had recently been figuring out what his future could hold. After attending Syracuse University for a year and a half, he decided to search for something that he had a true passion for.

Gen Katz

During the last semester however, there were two prominent items in his apartment, a 10 gallon freshwater aquarium and an attempted saltwater aquarium. He didn’t put much thought into the tanks at the time until he returned to NYC and had the opportunity to get a much larger aquarium. It was the beginning to a new endeavor that eventually led to a new career.

Plastic decorations weren’t satisfying enough for Gen and he felt there was more that he could accomplish with an aquarium. The thought of having a saltwater aquarium was something he considered, but with no true experience it seemed too intimidating. As he started to browse YouTube videos and other online aquarists forums, he found the answer; a planted tank.

From the moment Gen aquascaped his first planted aquarium, the passion for planted tanks took off. Gen has since gone through many planted tanks to find his style of aquascaping. As he began setting up tanks he decided to vlog his process throughout all the tanks. Having this video record has allowed Gen to occasionally look back at where it all began.

Once Gen found Fauna he quickly became part of the family and decided to plant some roots of his own! After revamping the freshwater plant department, he soon had the store littered with small planted aquariums throughout.

Within a few short weeks of working at Fauna, Gen found he also had an interest in dart frog terrariums. After designing a few planted terrariums he knew it would be something he would pursue. Gen finds himself now with planted aquariums, a marine tank and a few dart frog terrariums in his home.

To learn more about Fauna NYC, visit our website!