James Harris, DVM
Cross-genus eggs rarely fertile
 Our peach-front conure apparently mated with our whiteface cockatiel. The cages are side by side on two tables and we found two eggs in the conure's cage. Are these eggs fertile?
-- Carol Kemna
 No, they're not fertile. Not only are conures and cockatiels different species of parrots, they are from different genuses - Aratinga and Nymphicus, respectively - which makes chicks unlikely. A cross-genus pair might bond sexually, as your two birds have, and the female might lay eggs, but the eggs won't be fertile. Two different species from the same genus, on the other hand, can be closely related enough to successfully breed. For example, a Major Mitchell's cockatoo and a sulphur-crested cockatoo can produce chicks because although they are different species (leadbeateri and galerita, respectively), they belong to the same genus, Cacatau. Another example of two species that can successfully breed is the blue-and-gold macaw (Ara ararauna) and scarlet macaw (Ara macao).
James Harris, DVM is owner and medical director of the Mayfair Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia. He founded Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, Calif., and has served as medical director and chairman of the board for the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Berkeley. Dr. Harris' numerous professional honors include California and National Bustad Companion Animal DVM Awards.
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