Comprehensive BIRD and relevant Talking WORDS information EVERY forbirdpeople MONTH $4 parrots, finches, budgies,BB canaries, pets, fancyi ipoultry, fancyrr pigeons, veterinarydd advice, world news,ss conservation June 2016

Sun conures simply stunning

Don Burke Old seed Jacarinis Gouldian on budgies bad for hate Cuban feathers and clubs canaries finches wanted Profile of ANZ hit Advice on Fence fight a special by kiwi rehoming over night peacock greenies pet birds parrot PARROT IMPORT REVIEW STARTS THIS MONTH IN YOUR MAGAZINE THE Federal Department of Agri- from New Zealand remain in force. culture and Water Resources has The next step is to prepare and is- Australasian feathered news in brief 3 Forthcoming events 30 started a review to consider risk sue a draft report to provide stake- Avian vet directory 17 Health: A very special peacock 16 management measures for the im- holders the opportunity to com- Aviary Marketplace 28 International feathered news in brief 4 portation of household pet and non- ment on the analysis. The depart- Budgies: Don Burke pushes heritage 13 Mallee emu-wren new research 29 commercial parrots into Australia. ment will announce when the draft Canaries: Seed deterioration 12 Night parrot fence argument 29 The review was commenced after report is placed on its website and Club and avian vet listings 31 NZ conservationists threaten ANZ 17 requests from pet parrot owners comments will be invited. Club news 30 Parrots: National convention 18-27 and hobbyists. Following the consultation peri- Fancy pigeons: Focus on owls 14 Parrots: New beak for palm cockatoo 4 Conditions for importing parrots od the department will consider all Feral cats project in Queensland 17 Parrots: Sun conure simply stunning 7-8 from all countries were suspended in comments when preparing a final Finches: Gouldian feathers wanted 11 Parrots: Variety the spice of life 5-6 1995, conditions for importing birds report. Finches: Jacarinis hate Cubans 10 Pet birds: Assessing rehomed parrots15

LAST month we reported on COMMENT efforts by the Australian Finch as an expert gardener and this Two groups in Society and the Canary and Cage Bird Federation of Australia to month budgie man Fred Wright try to find a solution to the delves into one of the garden Victorian ban on sale of exotics guru’s first loves — budgerigars at bird sales and this month in — where one of his main interests Tas. approach the adjacent columns we report is heritage varieties. THE Finch Society of Australia and somewhat paradoxically present in on efforts by those groups to fix Don also airs his views on clubs the Canary and Cage Bird Federation the majority of threatened species problems with importing birds and their pitfalls and what he has of Australia have made a joint sub- recovery efforts detailing attempts into Tasmania. to say will not find universal mission to the Tasmanian Govern- to reintroduce captive bred species The people involved know what favour. ment as part of that state’s Biosec- back into native habitat. I they are about and it is great to JACARINI HOUDINI: Jacarini urity Legislation Review, which will “The extreme difficulties encoun- see them addressing the problem. finches are great escapologists, address problems encountered when tered during such captive breeding always finding any tiny hole in I SEED PROBLEMS: Canary man importing birds into that state. recovery and release efforts provides the wire of their enclosure Jeff Leaney this month delves The two groups said they support ample scientific evidence as to the through which they can pass. into the way seed deteriorates as trade in captive-bred birds national- low risk of captive birds establishing This month finch man John well as providing valuable ly and internationally, particularly sustainable populations.” Buchan profiles jacarinis and information on the various seed with regard to achieving outcomes The submission said all captive reveals their all-consuming types and how they affect birds’ related to securing critically en- populations in Australia are numer- hatred for fellow American bird wellbeing. dangered and endangered species. ous generations distant from wild the Cuban finch. He recommends feeding seed to “To achieve such outcomes re- birds and should be considered dom- I It’s often canaries in a flat dish, because REHOMING PARROTS: quires efficient processes that are af- esticated. The submission made no picnic when parrots are canaries feed only on what’s on fordable, manageable and realistical- these recommendations for inclu- rehomed for whatever reason and the surface, which can often be ly accessible,” the submission said. sion in the legislation: this month companion parrot largely made up of husk. The submission said attempts to 1. All avicultural species to be clas- expert Rachel Riley provides I Reading assess the probability of feral popu- sed as domestic stock (may be im- STUNNING SUNS: advice on how to ensure that those between the lines of Joy Pym’s lations establishing in the wild must ported, bought, sold or held without birds adjust to new surroudings contribution this month it include all significant parameters. permit) for the purpose of importa- and to new people. quickly becomes apparent that “The Tasmanian system for asses- tion into Tasmania. It’s never simple and Rachel sun conures are one of her sing establishment risk is based on 2. Form a consultative committee of advocates comprehensive favourite parrot species. the model developed by Mary Bom- avicultural, veterinarian and scien- assessment of those birds in order She describes them as ford, known as The Bomford Model,” tific experts with responsibility to: to ensure that they fit in as they endearing, charming, playful the submission said. “This model was a. Collaborate and develop a robust should in their new homes. and personality-plus, which never intended to assess establish- import risk assessment process for Once again an informative and sums them up magnificently. ment probability for escaped captive avicultural species. varied magazine, hopefully you’ll I Don Burke is bred domestic species populations.” b. Provide expert recommendations BURKE’S VIEW: enjoy it. well known throughout Australia — Lloyd Marshall The submission said acclimatisa- on the rejection or approval for im- tion societies released large num- portation of new species. bers of wild caught birds in multiple c. Provide an appeals process should locations over many years and that import of a species be rejected. those birds were protected and pro- 3. Acknowledge the scientific, con- vided with feed to encourage estab- servation, economic and social value lishment, and that in many cases of aviculture in terms of positive they established, while avicultural outcomes for Tasmanians. EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING DISCLAIMER species failed to establish. 4. Acknowledge the fact that no cap- Lloyd Marshall The publisher of Talking Birds newsmaga- “Scientific evidence supporting tive avian species has established a Telephone...... 03 5983 2566 zine accepts no responsibility for the con- the low establishment risk of escap- sustainable viable feral population Email...... [email protected] tents of advertisements submitted for publi- ed captive bred birds in Australia is in Australia. Website ...... www.talkingbirds.com.au cation by the newsmagazine’s clients. It is the PO Box 216 Balnarring VIC 3926 Australia advertisers’ responsibility to ensure that their advertisements are honest and accurate. It is Wierd food source DEADLINES FOR ADVERTISING also the advertisers’ responsibility to ensure IT’S been a queasy season for nest ODD SPOT BOOKINGS AND COPY that any sales of birds, goods, services and cam viewers at Pennsylvania in the Everything seemed normal enough July 2016 edition products comply with the relevant legal re- US, with a peregrine falcon feeding until the second egg hatched. Display advertisements...... June 20 quirements. Talking Birds and its publisher three chicks to another hatchling. Hope fed the second hatchling to Aviary marketplace...... June 20 will not become involved in disputes between The infanticide was seen live by the first. SUBSCRIPTIONS advertisers and people who have dealt with thousands via a live-streaming nest When the third chick died she fed advertisers as a result of reading information Subscriptions to Talking Birds, which cost camera at the University of that bird to the first chick and Hope $4 a month anywhere in the world, can be contained in advertisements in Talking Birds killed the fourth bird before it fully newsmagazine. The publisher of Talking Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning. arranged by filling out the subscription form Hope the female falcon laid two hatched, eating part of it herself and on the final page of this edition and send- Birds newsmagazine accepts no liability for any dispute resulting from information con- eggs this season before her mate died feeding the rest of the chick to the ing it together with the appropriate pay- tained in advertisements published in Talking and she then laid a third egg just a first youngster. ment or credit card details. The form can Birds newsmagazine. The newsmagazine’s few days after his death. Art McMorris, peregrine also be found at www.talking birds.com.au publisher reserves the right to refuse to pub- She later had a fourth egg, which co-ordinator for the Pennsylvania COPYRIGHT lish any advertisement presented for publica- must have been fertilised by another Game Commission, said that type of Copyright for all editorial copy and photo- tion. Opinions expressed in editorial material male. behavior has not been seen before. graphs published in Talking Birds remains and in advertisements published in Talking with the author or photographer and can- Birds newsmagazine are not necessarily not be reproduced in any media without those held by the publisher of Talking Birds COVER: SUN CONURE PAIR. PHOTO: JOY PYM. the author’s/photographer’s permission. newsmagazine. SEE: BRILLIANT SUN CONURES ARE SIMPLY STUNNING — PAGES 6-7. Talking Birds, June 2016 2 FEATHERED NEWS FROM AUSTRALASIA IN BRIEF Canary book scam Penguins’new patch Balloon ban possible Coloured cockies THERE is a probable scam operat- THREE endangered fairy penguins A BID to ban balloons has been float- COLOURED sulphur-crested cock- ing on the Internet involving The were recently spotted swimming in ed in the blue-ribbon Perth suburb atoos in Sydney’s eastern suburbs Australian Canary Handbook, with Sydney’s Darling Harbour, further of Cottesloe, leading to warnings have residents and experts scratch- a PDF of the book offered after join- west than their usual fishing grounds. that council rangers may burst into ing their heads, with two theories ing the service for a fee and after Chris Jenkins was eating his lunch kids’ birthday parties to confiscate put forward to try to to explain the paying other costs via credit card. when he saw the birds and guessed balloons if a by-law is passed. peculiar plumage. The book or others may never ar- they were fairy penguins. Most councillors voted in favour of The Wentworth Courier’s Face- rive or involve cancellation costs, etc. “They lingered around for a while a report on a balloon-ban bylaw book post on the story was shared The book offered is an illegal copy and then dived down and swam very after being shown images of a bird more than 1700 times and reached of the first edition hard cover ver- close to the edge of the walkway” he that died with the remains of a bal- upwards of 310,000 people. sion published 25 years ago, which is said. loon in its stomach. The post sparked a long debate on covered by copyright. It is not the how the cockatoos became coloured, latest 2016 edition. with bird rescuer Josh Cook saying it The latest soft cover version has could have happened during the re- been revised and updated, and in- Falcons move to high-rise garden cent Color Run in Sydney, where cludes many new photographs so IF you are getting sick country’s most thousands of people participated, why anyone would try to sell an old of mowing your lawn spectacular vertical throwing non-toxic corn starch pow- book on the Internet is a mystery. and trimming your gardens was fuelled by der at each other. hedges spare a thought the unseasonably warm Conv.looking good for the gardeners at start to autumn, with Curlew hit by arrow DELEGATE figures for the Queens- Broadway’s Central April temperatures A NATIVE bird is lucky to be alive land-based Parrot Society of Aust- Park apartment house more than 2C higher after rescuers found it with an ar- ralia’s Parrots 2016 convention — to in Sydney, pictured than average. row sticking through its body for be held in Brisbane from July 1-3 — right, who have to Junglefy managing two days after it was shot. are building well, according to club dance with death on a director Jock Gammon, Police at Airlie Beach believe the president Scott Hovelroud. daily basis while who manages the six injury was the result of a freak ac- “We are very happy with the way it dealing with a pair of full-time garden staff, cident rather than a sickening at- is going and it promises to be a great peregrine falcons. said bees are attracted tack on wildlife. event,” Mr Hovelroud said. Bees, wasps and a small colony to rare and spectacular flowers in The bush stone curlew was cap- “Speakers are all locked in as is of green frogs are usual residents full bloom. tured after walking around for two the program and Vetafarm will be but the falcons have turned the The complex’s vertical gardens days with an arrow through its the major sponsor.” high-rise into the ultimate urban have an even number of native body. He said there were still places av- jungle after taking up residence and exotic plant species A confronting photo of the injur- ailable for what has been described in the chimney stack of the old including acacias, goodenia, ed bird provoked outrage on social as Australia’s premier professional media but police finalised their in- avicultural convention, a biennial Carlton and United Brewery. grevillea, lomandra, poa, The explosion of life on the themeda and viola. vestigation without laying any event which was first held 18 years charges. ago. I More info, see pages 18-27. Swift move welcomed NZ fines Dane $10,000 THE Australian Government has A DANISH tourist in New Zealand listed the swift parrot as critically will pay a $10,000 fine for shooting a endangered, lifting its status from rare and endangered native blue endangered, following research by duck, a whio, in South Westland. the Australian National University. Rasmus Neilson, a 24-year-old Dr Dejan Stojanovic from the ANU student, will borrow money from Fenner School of Environment and his parents to pay the fine and will Society is part of a team that publish- spend years paying it back. ed research which said the bird could An experienced hunter, he was in be extinct in as little as 16 years. New Zealand for a three-month hol- He welcomed the reclassification iday when he shot the whio after mistaking it for a mallard, his law- which he said should provide greater yer said. protection for the Tasmanian bird. When Neilson arrived in New Zea- “The reclassification is a major land in mid-February he obtained a milestone for swift parrots and high- firearms licence and bought a .270 lights the importance of finding a sol- calibre Mossberg rifle and ammu- ution to the extreme effects of sugar nition from a gun shop in Christ- glider predation and of protecting church but he did not obtain the their habitat,” Dr Stojanovic said. necessary hunting permit. Eagle numbers‘false’ Zambi takes in Rosie THE number of Tasmanian wedge- ROSIE the Alexandrine parrot tailed eagles electrocuted by power which was found in a tree west of lines could be much higher than of- Sydney has found a new home and a ficial statistics claim according to new friend to keep her company. wildlife biologist Nick Mooney. After being checked out by a vet There are thought to be 1500-2000 unsuccessful social media efforts of the endangered birds left in Tas- were made to find her owner and mania. According to authorities she ended up at the Zambi Wildlife between five and 10 birds each year Retreat in western Sydney, where die after flying into power lines. she will stay permanently. A resident of Richmond in south- The people there believe in ensur- ern Tasmania found a wedge-tailed ing that birds and animals thrive in eagle which appeared to have been the environments created for them electrocuted close to power lines and with some animals that means and delivered it to Mr Mooney. a companion is crucial to their well Mr Mooney said the eagle caused being so they searched for a mate a power outage which was repaired for Rosie, eventually finding a by TasNetworks, but the company homeless Indian ringneck parrot at did not attribute the damage to the the RSPCA shelter at Katoomba in bird. the Blue Mountains.

Talking Birds, June 2016 3 FEATHERED NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD IN BRIEF Cone home to tits Grey trade end in sight Central Park’s rare bird Fowl goes to court A TRAFFIC cone has become home AN end to the trade in wild-caught A BIRD that’s been called one of the A SPIRIT Lake woman at Idaho in for a family of great tits after a hen African grey parrots is one step clos- most secretive and least seen on the the US who is fighting a ticket she turned her beak up at acres of mat- er, with Gabon and several other Af- US continent is wowing birders in got for failing to restrain her pet bird ure trees at Castle Bromwich Hall rican States, the European Union New York’s Central Park. took the bird with her to her court Gardens in the UK, deciding in- and the USA submitting a proposal The Swainson’s warbler was spot- apperance. stead to build a nest inside an old to transfer grey and timneh parrots ted recently and has drawn crowds of Cindy Tefft said her pet chicken plastic traffic bollard, entering and to Appendix 1. bird watchers hoping to catch a rare Grace apparently escaped from her leaving via a tiny hole in the top. If passed the move will prohibit all glimpse of the migrating songbird. pen and jumped the fence into her Volunteer gardener David Stan- international trade in wild African The warbler usually spends sum- neighbor’s yard. ley and his team had been planting grey parrots, saving tens of thou- mers in the southern United States “My neighbor said that my chicken flowers and building a bee-feeding sands of birds each year. and winters in the Caribbean. trespassed onto her property,” Ms station at the site and put three Tefft said. cones on a flower bed to keep weed Police cited Tefft for failing to re- suppressant material in place. strain her chicken so she decided to When David later looked inside New mandible for palm cockatoo fight the ticket in court. one of the bollards he discovered a A CHINESE zoo at into his mouth and could “I’m confused as to why my chick- large round nest with two tiny Nanjing in Jiangsu only use his tongue to en didn’t get any kind of warnings brown-and-white speckled eggs. Province has used 3-D lick small-sized food,” before I got a ticket,” Ms Tefft said. printing technology to Chen said. Warm hits red knots help a bullied cockatoo Vet Cheng Wangkun Parrot best friend NUMBERS of red knots, a bird that A MAN at Kennewick in the US is which lost its beak. came up with the idea of makes one of the longest annual changing the meaning of man’s best Palm cockatoo Huizai, using 3-D technology to migrations, are shrinking because friend. or Grey Boy, had been rebuild Huizai’s beak. climate change in their Arctic Mitchell Slaugh was kicked out of harassed by other birds A 3-D printing firm nesting grounds makes life harder the local WinCo grocery store for living in the Nanjing offered to help for free during their winters in Africa. taking his parrot inside. Snow in Arctic Russia now melts Hongshan Forest Zoo. and scanned Huizai and “She’s my baby. She’s a compan- earlier in spring and many red knot “At first there were another bird, produced ion,” Mr said. chicks hatch too late for the annual only cracks on the beak,” said the mandible and presented a He is cleared by doctors to have her peak of insect food spurred by the keeper Chen Wei. resin beak to the zoo. on his shoulder as his support system thaw according to a scientific re- “But the cracks gradually grew After reshaping the resin beak as he deals with anxiety. port, one of the first to link the im- bigger until finally Huizai lost and Huizai’s original one with a Service animals can only be dogs or pact of warming to a single species. almost all of his beak.” rasp they performed surgery small horses in Idaho. The food shortage means the The loss of his beak affected under anaesthesia and connected “I have owned parrots for about birds grow with shorter bills, mak- the bird’s looks, confidence and the two parts with 11 bone nails. seven years now and I have never ing it harder to dig up shellfish that appetite. Huizai regained consciousness been kicked out of anywhere for hav- live deep in tidal mudflats in win- “He could not put fruit or nuts soon after the hour-long operation. ing a parrot with me,” Mr Slaugh, tering grounds in Mauritania. who has owned Kai for a year, said. Chinese killers charged Duck stays with woman Teen avoids prison Hawks work in Cannes POLICE in north-east China’s Hei- A PET duck can now legally live A TEENAGER in Scotland who has THE last thing rich and famous vis- longjiang Province have charged 13 with a woman at Vermont in the US. been branded a danger to animals itors to Cannes want is a seagull people allegedly involved in illegal Peep has been living with Kim- narrowly avoided being locked up swooping in to nibble their peanuts hunting and trafficking of migra- berlee Stevens for three years after after throwing his pet parrot or steal their steak so the Grand Hy- tory birds. one of her dogs brought him home around in a drug-fuelled rage. att Cannes Hotel Martinez deployed According to the public security when he was a duckling. George Clark went on the ram- a team of trained hawks to chase department of Baoqing County in She looked for a nest and his page at his mother’s house in Ab- away gulls which could hover too Shuangyashan City more than 100 mother but couldn’t find any hints erdeen in the early hours of New close to its outdoor dining areas. migratory birds, including endan- of where he came from. Year’s Day. In the middle of the world’s pre- gered wild geese and ducks, were Earlier this year a warden from At around 3.45am on January 1 mier film festival in the French found poisoned to death around the the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Depart- Riviera town recently a five-year- Dongsheng nature reserve. the 19-year-old returned home and old Harris hawk named Tsunga Police, who found the suspects ment went to Ms Stevens’ house de- ripped his bedroom door off its swooped in to save the day. had spread pesticides mixed with manding that she hand Peep over. hinges before throwing it through a corn and soybean oil near the nat- A few months later the depart- window in a fit of rage. As far as the hotel is concerned ure reserve, said they were seeking ment issued her a permit letting When his mother went to see what the hawks provide an environmen- more suspects. her keep the duck, who roams the the noise was she saw Clark repeat- tally friendly solution to the gulls, They hunted and killed hundreds house with five dogs and seven cats, edly throwing the parrot cage, con- which are so used to humans that of birds and sold the dead or live sleeps next to Ms Stevens’ bed, and taining the distressed pet, across they don’t hesitate to help them- birds for illegal profit. has his own Facebook page. the living room. selves. Rare eagle in Ireland Oldest raptor rescued A GOLDEN eagle chick has been A NEARLY 30-year-old bald eagle in ,IZHGRQRWKDYHLW bred in captivity for the first time the US that could be Indiana’s oldest in Ireland, sparking hope for efforts living in the wild has been rescued ZH·OOHQGHDYRXU to reintroduce the birds of prey after suffering a dislocated wing. there. Property owners near Worthing- WRÀQGLW The chick, whose sex is not yet ton, about 30 miles west of Bloom- known, is just over four weeks old ington, discovered the injured bird +8*(5$1*(2) and was bred using artificial in- last month and staff with the Indi- %,5'6 semination by Brian McCann, who ana Raptor Center in Nashville took owns Newgrange Falconry, a mob- it in for veterinary care. 6WRFNLVWVRI5RXG\EXVK3HOOHWV ile falconry school based in County State non-game bird biologist DQGKDQGUDLVLQJIRUPXODV Louth. Allisyn Gillet said after it heals the /DUJHUDQJHRIFDJHV Mr McCann said he has been try- eagle may remain in captivity for DYLDULHVSRXOWU\IHHG ing to breed from the parent golden the rest of its life, possibly as an edu- PRVWVHHGIHHGHUV eagles for years. cation bird. 6ZDQ QHVWER[HVORJV “This has been a fantastic thing The Department of Natural Re- 9HWDIDUP3URGXFWV to do as it has never been done in sources said the bird was moved as 3DVVZHOO3URGXFWV Ireland before,” he said. an eaglet from Wisconsin to a nest 9DOOH\ *UHDW1RUWKHUQ+Z\0LGODQG “It is a first and we are making at Monroe Lake in 1987 during a bald 51 Great Northern H/way, Middle Swan history here.” eagle reintroduction program. %LUGV Ph:3K   08 9250 3980 Talking Birds, June 2016 4 Talking Birds — the only place to find the latest bird news Photos: Bob Philpot 1 2 3 4

Variety spice of life IT is nearly the end of May and in \\ I consider those details are pretty and then I receive a pleasant sur- my locality there are windy, cold PARROTS straightforward and informative to prise. One caller was asking about days and plenty of rain. a bird-keeping person but I guess we an advertisement that I had lodged The opportunity to monitor my are dealing with people who are not to sell a pair of red-tailed black many aviaries is limited and when with conversant with bird people lan- cockatoos. The caller had a subs- I do it is a bit early to see much guage? tantial property and was consider- activity going on between the crit- Bob Here are a few examples of the ing building aviaries for a range of ters. types of questions I received, I have parrot-type birds. Oh well, time to concentrate on Philpot deleted the names of the people The phone call went on for a con- pressuring the brain cells to come Associate Editor enquiring. siderable time and I then forwarded up with some constructive com- 1. Hi photographs and additional details ments for the June issue of Talking Do u still have your bird for on aviary construction that I con- Birds. strung out by people who were call- sale? sidered worthwhile to help him in My contribution for this month is ing him, spending his valuable 2. Hay champ is the bird hand his project. a smattering of short topics time, ordering stock from him, not reared Later I received a very pleas- brought about by some of the in- paying in advance but never com- 3. From D. hi does u r ant reply thanking me for quiries I have received recently ing to pick up poultry they asked major hand raise and the information in help- when trying to reduce the number him to hold. talkable and does In ing a newcomer to the of young birds that have been mat- Reading between the lines he was he bite if we tach any decision hobby. uring in my aviaries since last indicating the current day lack of Sent from my about layout and I have included year’s breeding season. courtesy and manners of the peo- iPhone construction of bird flights some of that same ple he was dealing with. My answer to information in this TOPIC 1: USING CURRENT DAY ME- there are some variables DIA METHODS TO ADVERTISE BIRDS: It was obvious he was pretty that inquiry: Dear issue that may as- I try not to let young birds leave cheesed off by the antics of the so- D, The ad says par- that have to be considered sist anyone wish- until they have obtained their new called buyers and I can sympathise ent-reared, that and they will vary ing to construct a feathers from their baby stage and with him because it is a common means the parents depending upon number of flights have learnt to be independent and situation I have encountered over raised the baby until suitable for parrot- self-reliant. the years. it is old enough to know location. type birds. As I scanned the email answers to In my words these people are time what the world is about. It I have used the same prin- my ads for sale, the questions and wasters. Time Waster. A person who is an aviary bird not a pet. Regards ciples for both parrots and cocka- the way they were presented made consciously or unconsciously tries Bob. toos, the only difference is for the me think, who the hell am I to engage you in a fruitless in- There were numerous questions cockatoos’ larger flight areas dealing with here? vestment of your energy, simply asking is/was the bird still stronger mesh such as arc mesh time, money or atten- It also reminded me those available? and larger framework. tion. of a couple of recent details are pretty What was interesting is that I TOPIC 3. KEY ELEMENTS TO CONSID- topics, one of which A nickname I have answered all the emails regarding straightforward and heard often to des- ER WHEN CONSTRUCTING HOUSING was mine and the that Major and of those who asked In any decision about cribe that type of FOR BIRDS: other that appear- informative to a bird- if the bird was still available I ans- layout and construction of bird ed in Australasian keeping person but I guess person is a tyre kic- wered yes and gave my telephone ker. flights there are some variables Poultry Magazine, we are dealing with peo- number. Not one of them went that have to be considered and they I remember a ahead with any further calls. which caters for will vary depending upon location. ple who are not conver- comment I made in I check my emails several times a people interested in They are: all forms of poultry. sant with bird people last month’s edition day, there would not be a great deal Your particular climate. Its editor Megg Mil- of Talking Birds sug- of time elapsing between a person 1. language? The type of environment you ler writes articles on gesting that some people posting a question and receiving an 2. wish your birds to enjoy. poultry for Talking Birds ev- had a lack of knowledge of answer from me. ery second month. bird keeping in general. So what is the reason for people to 3. The size of flights in which you I often obtain copies of that mag- Here are a couple of examples of ask: “Is it still available?” Beats me. intend keeping your birds. azine and in one edition the com- what I am talking about, this is With today’s communications 4. The types/sizes of birds you in- ments in an article written by an just one advertisement I placed in technology is it just easy to bang tend keeping. enthusiastic poultry breeder struck the bird for sale section of Gum- out a query without any conse- 5. The time you have available for a chord with me. tree. quences? Even the language used maintenance and to look after your This chap was describing the FOR SALE. Young male Major by some people lacks comprehen- charges. problems he was having in trying Mitchell’s cockatoo. Parent sion. In the items discussed here there to reduce his stock numbers. The reared 2015, DNA sexed, price TOPIC 2. SUITABLE INFORMATION is plenty of meat to digest, photos number of times he was being $350. Contact Bob. CAN HELP SOMEBODY: Every now will assist the reader to interpret Talking Birds, June 2016 5 2016 Australian national parrot convention, see pages 18-27 Variety is spice of life 5 the descriptions of my open wire 2. It needs to be the height of the through the air to land upright service corridor. The same layout corridor. exactly the same as it left the pre- shown in these photos is utilised in 3. It must have negligible room vious perch? three banks of 20 individual parrot beneath it. Of course not! Those toes clench breeding flights. If any of those items do not and the legs lift and flatten to the The design of these parrot avia- match what I have described then tummy of the bird's body only to ries and corridor system is for max- birds — depending on size — will open again as it descends and imum safety to ensure that none of soon learn to crawl under, slide clench that next perch. the birds being kept have an oppor- over the top or creep between the What more exercise could be ob- tunity to escape, because the flight door and the wall of the corridor. tained than that and what about doors are large. Automatically this will rule walking around on the The corridor becomes a double or out any service corridor ground? safety door, the outside door is with a skillion roof In Supports for perches. closed then the inner safety door is construction — that the cockatoo All perches in my closed before access to any individ- is a roof that slopes aviaries run down ual flight door is opened, see photo towards the front aviaries the long, the length of the right and land on the perch. 1, first access door. or back because large, heavy perches aviary, not across I built the corridor access system any horizontal In the cockatoo aviaries the long, that are needed are its width. large, heavy perches that are need- to allow safe secure entry to any flight door opening supported at one end by I am never going one of the flights in a bank at any ed are supported at one end by a V into a sloping roof to bang my scone time. I then realised that with the service corridor will a V shaped steel shaped steel support, see photo 4. on a heavy perch as I outside door closed the corridor not effectively block support, see The perch then drops into the sec- enter the aviary nor was now a waste of an enormous off that service corri- ond V support somewhere along its photo 4. will I have to bend to flying area. dor. length, see photo 5. That means I pass under one carrying a With the installation of an addi- Most covered corridors I am not constrained to cut my bush bucket of seed. My birds flying in a tional inner safety door 2.4m inside have seen have skillion roofs. timber to a specific length and the panic from a goshawk attack will V shape of the supports allows the corridor closed, see photo 2. I ADVANTAGES OF THE OPEN WIRE not smash themselves into that perches of varying diameter. now had a safety area and the re- CORRIDOR: Where individual flights same perch. The doors to the cockatoo flights mainder of the corridor remained are arranged in banks bird control Perches in the covered area are are wide and high, allowing me to as a successful 22m long exercise is simplified: across the width but they are close manoeuvre the large perches in one area. 1. Stock can be moved easily to to the back wall. Birds still fly out piece out of the wide corridor All the parrots — especially fast- allow routine cleaning of one or all into the flight aviary, veer slightly through the big doorway. flying members such as princess, individual flights. regents, etc — are over the moon 2. Stock does not need to be caught when it comes their time for long to shift from one flight to another. distance flights. 3. Stock can be allowed access to The corridor is now also a means the corridor for exercise and stimu- to manipulate birds from one flight lation. into any other flight in the bank of 4. The corridor prevents predators 20 and still observe security aspects from accessing your stock should for the occupants of all flights. the birds wish to cling to the How is that achieved? front of their flight, espe- ESSENTIALLY THE COR- Way, cially at night. Effect- ively the corridor acts RIDOR END OF EACH way back I used FLIGHT IS THE as double wiring of DOOR: Each flight to see articles that the front of the is 1.2m wide by 2m stipulated that perches flights. high. The corridor had to be of different sizes, TOPIC 4. PERCHES end of the flight is the reasoning was that it AND THEIR SUP- the door, it is PORTS: In the May 1140mm wide and provided necessary edition of this mag- pivots both into the exercise for a birds azine the editor pre- flight area as well as toes and feet. sented an article deal- outwards to block the cor- ing with types and sup- ridor, which is 1060mm wide, see ports for perches in aviaries. photo 3. I would like to throw in my two Making the door the full size of penneth worth — now I’m showing the end of the flight is a saving in my age — on that topic. material and fabrication time. The Way, way back I used to see arti- full door design does not create an cles that stipulated that perches obstruction to birds flying straight had to be of different sizes, the rea- out of the flight into the corridor. soning was that it provided neces- If the roof of a flight is higher sary exercise for a birds toes and than the open door it is amazing feet. how many times birds do not fly I thought at the time they must down to exit through that door be kidding, surely this is one of when you want them to, they prefer those myths that occupy space in to fly near the roof. written articles. Should you consider allowing Let me assist you with the anato- birds out of their flight for addi- my of a bird. The toes grip around tional exercise in a corridor/alley- the surface of a perch regardless of way then there are three things its size, the bird then lifts its body about the door that are essential: to fly to another location. 1. It is preferable to have it wider Do its little digits stay in that than the corridor. semi-curled position as it whizzes

Talking Birds, June 2016 6 Talking Birds — the only place to find the latest bird news Brilliant sun conures

are simply stunningPhotos: Joy Pym \\\ greenish red, the head is reddish or- PARROTS ange with the wings and tail green and the beak black. They gradually begin to attain adult plumage at with around eight months with full adult colouring achieved at approx- Joy imately 12-15 months. They are Pym around 30-31cm in length and weigh 100-120g. For their size they are quite long lived, with some known to live for up to 20 years. IT was more than 30 years ago that The sun conure, as is the case I saw my first sun conure aratinga with most members of the conure solstitialis while enjoying an avi- family, is monomorphic, making ary visit weekend organised by the visual sexing impossible. Their be- Avicultural Society of Australia to haviour cannot be relied upon to be the Mildura/Shepparton area. any indication of gender because From that time they were firmly unlike most Australian parrots entrenched on my must-have list of that generally only interact when birds. At that time, with a pair coming into or during the breeding priced at around $8000, they were season conures are very affection- well above my budget but some 20 ate towards one another and inter- years later, when they were approx- act almost all year round, with two imately $800 a pair, my ambition to males or two females able to form a become the proud owner of some of very strong bond, identical to that these absolutely stunning birds of a male and female. was finally realised and several They should be surgically or DNA pairs remain an integral part of sexed to ensure that you have a true my hobby today. pair. To make that easier to achieve I have seen them quoted as being young should be closed rung with a endearing, charming, playful stainless steel band at around 10- and personality-plus pac- 14 days of age using a ring kaged into a vibrant with an internal meas- bundle of feathers ...never urement of 7mm. which sums them up should a split ring Aluminium rings, magnificently. be used with these even closed ones, are Although I feel birds because they are not recommended sure it would be a for this species be- parrot watcher’s more than capable of cause their very dream to witness a closing them tightly onto strong beaks are wild flock of really their legs, resulting quite capable of des- brilliantly coloured, in damage to troying those rings to the extent that colours screaming sun conures the leg... alighting in a fruit plan- and identification letters tation I have no doubt it or numbers will be completely would be a farmer’s nightmare. unreadable. A flock of sun conures flying ac- It also follows that never, never, ross an evening sky was once said never should a split ring be used to have resembled a beautiful sun- with these birds because they are Sun conures can become very aggressive when in breeding mode. set, hence the name sun conure was more than capable of closing them about 1200m with their favourite demolished in a very short period assigned to the species. The sun tightly onto their legs, resulting in places being open forest, woodland of time. Aviary wire needs to be of a conure’s body, with it’s brilliant damage to the leg due to circula- savannahs and palm groves. relatively heavy gauge because blend of yellow, orange, red, blue tion being severely restricted or They are highly social birds and they will certainly chew their way and green in my opinion makes it a cut off. generally can be found in small to out of anything clad with light- stand-out in appearance in the bird DISTRIBUTION: Sun conures are nat- medium sized flocks. weight wire. world. ive to a region of eastern South HOUSING: Sun conures in my expe- Supplying them with plenty of DESCRIPTION: These stunning birds America that includes the part of when adult have a yellow head and Brazil north of the Amazon River, rience do not do well or seem happy branches for chewing will min- upper body, the lower abdomen and Guyana, Suriname and French Gui- in large open or exposed aviaries imise destructive tendencies — wil- cheeks being an orange-red colour, ana. but rather those which are re- low, poplar or gum branches will the tail olive green and blue, upper Tropical rainforest covers most latively enclosed. An ideal size for keep them occupied for many wings are yellow with the lower of that area with tracts of open for- them is around 3m long and 1m hours. wings and flight feathers green. est, woodlands and savannahs. The wide. Nest boxes should be provided The beak, which appears to be quite climate is hot and humid. The area My aviaries housing suns are year round because they use them large in comparison to the bird, is lies just above the equator so days fully roofed but positioned to take not only to sleep in but on a cold black and they have a white eye are 12 hours long throughout the advantage of the morning sun. winter day they will sometimes ring. year. They are extremely destructive spend most of their time in the box. Juveniles upon fledging have a Sun conures tend to inhabit more and should not be housed in a wood- They retire for the night well general body colour of orange/ open areas from sea level up to en-framed aviary because it will be before other birds have gone to

Talking Birds, June 2016 7 Talking Birds — the only place to find the latest bird news Sun conures are simply stunning roost and compared to other par- rots they usually get up much later in the morning. Nest boxes need to be made of very sturdy hardwood because these birds take delight in remodel- ling them and when the hen is incu- bating she will sometimes gnaw in- to either the side or through the bottom of the box. The provision of pieces of semi- rotting wood or willow pieces in the box, which gives her something to chew on, helps to alleviate the habit to some extent and also makes good nesting material. I be- lieve that addition helps to bring them into breeding condition. Another thing I have found to be good is to place a calcium block in the nest chamber, which has a two- fold advantage because the hen will chew on it and get additional much needed calcium into her system while at the same time minimising the amount of remodelling being done to the interior of the box. Sun conures must be rated as being at the high end of the scale when it comes to noise levels so serious consideration as to the positioning of an aviary for them, Young sun conures are not nearly as vividly coloured as their parents. particularly in an urban environ- Suns cannot generally takes about a month or so after necessity to invade their space dur- ment where you are close to neigh- BREEDING: be expected to breed until they are fledging for them to be fully inde- ing that time. bours, must be addressed. approximately three years of age pendent. Once they have successfully rais- In the wild their diet con- FEEDING: but once they start they will con- They can be left in the aviary to- ed their brood they will revert to sists of nuts, seeds berries and tinue to produce multiple clutches gether as a family group but if the being their sweet, loveable selves fruits as well as some insects and throughout the year. hen begins showing signs of want- and are happy for human interac- insect larvae. In aviculture it is Three to four eggs form the usual ing to lay again it is prudent to tion to recommence, particularly if wise to endeavour to duplicate that clutch and incubation period is move the young to another aviary. they have been hand reared. diet as closely as is possible. around 26 days. The hen takes on all Sun conures normally possess Sun conures are excellent par- Their diet should include a large incubation duties and once eggs are quite a laid back and happy disposi- ents and provided they are supplied variety of fruits and vegetables in- laid is rarely seen out of the box. tion but that can change quite dra- with an abundance of food when cluding plenty of leafy greens. Sun Chicks weigh about 5gms on matically once they come into feeding young they will usually conures can suffer from a condition hatching and have a pale yellow breeding condition, when they will rear the complete brood with no referred to as conure bleeding syn- down. They fledge at eight to 10 begin to vigorously defend their drome which is believed to be caus- problems. weeks after spending quite a few territory and can become quite ed by lack of vitamin K-rich foods PET POTENTIAL: Sun conures are an days prior to that peeping out of aggressive towards all comers. being included in their diet. extremely intelligent, active, fun- the nest box. For that reason I have made pro- In contrast to most other mem- filled bird. Hand-reared birds make At night parents can be observed vision in their aviaries to enable me wonderful pets. They love to be bers of the conure family who seem shepherding them back into the to service them with food and water to be happy to consume almost handled and petted, absolutely lov- box until they get used to return- via revolving feeders from outside ing to lie on their back in your hand anything on offer suns can at times ing to it of their own accord. It the aviary thereby eliminating the be quite picky so it is vitally impor- to have their tummies scratched. tant that they are supplied with a Some birds will sleep in that posi- wide and varied diet from a very tion, with feet straight up in the air young age with fruits and vegeta- looking for all intents and purposes bles changed daily. A good quality like they have died and that can be small parrot mix along with miner- very disconcerting the first time al and calcium blocks should be a the behaviour is observed. constant with the occasional addi- Pet sun conures are definitely a tion of hard-boiled eggs and al- hands-on bird, they crave and need monds to add variety. lots of interaction and attention The inclusion of a soaked or from their owners — failure to pro- sprouted seed mix is a welcome and vide them with that can result in a advantageous addition to their bird that reverts to screeching diet, particularly when young are loudly and incessantly so serious being reared. Sun conures are not consideration needs to be given be- keen to go to ground level to access fore getting a sun conure because food or water so provision for them you must be sure that you have the to feed at around perch height is in capacity to adequately cater for my opinion important. their needs. Provided their dietary require- Provided you are willing and able ments are adequately met sun con- to do that I highly recommend a ures have proved to be a quite hardy sun conure as a wonderful pet that and for their size quite a long-lived will give you many years of enjoy- species. A young hand-raised sun conure will make a wonderful pet. ment and ongoing affection. Talking Birds, June 2016 8 Talking Birds, June 2016 9 Send your news by phone or email — we won’t ignore it Jacarinis hate Cubans ments to be added. In addition to a possible. Invariably choosing a low much earlier than many other FINCHES good supply of seeding grasses and nest site, any planting need not be finches and give the impression chickweed, live food is necessary at higher than about a metre tall. In that they have flown a week too breeding time. unplanted aviaries the brush lining early. Once fledged they take a very with Mealworms, bushfly maggots and the shelter section may be select- low profile and spend much of their their pupae, termites, aphids and ed. time hiding in the aviary brush and John other small insects are all welcom- The cup-shaped, open nest is con- do not return to the breeding nest. Buchan ed by breeding pairs. structed from fine grasses, plant and As the young approach four or An obvious sign that young have coconut fibres. A few small feathers five weeks out of the nest the adult hatched is the urgent activity of may be used if they are avail- male may exhibit signs of the male searching every corner of able. Cotton wool, string his assertiveness. ONLY a few finch species from the the aviary looking for spiders and and other synthetic it- ...to That, together with Americas occur in Australian avia- other small insects to feed to the ems need to be avoid- show some his increasing ag- ries. Of those the best known would hatchlings. ed. aggression at the live gression, poses dan- be the Cuban finch Tiaris canora, A culture of fruit scraps is easily Those items pose ger to his young- with the jacarini Volatinia jacari- assembled to attract vinegar fly. the danger of birds food tray when young are sters, which should na claiming a close second placing. The insects will invite investiga- getting them en- in the nest but by providing be removed from Also known as the blue-black tion of this source of live food on a tangled around sufficient live food they the breeding aviary grassquit or the glossy grassquit, regular basis. The container needs legs and toes. A raise their young to prevent disas- to have a cover of bird wire to pre- roosting nest is not ters, especially if the those names are very appropriate without too much and highlight the appearance and vent the birds coming into direct used and artificial parents decide to nest colouring of this delightful finch. contact with the decomposing nesting boxes and the difficulty. again. In their natural habitat jacarinis fruit. Insectivorous soft food mix- like are ignored. Relining the old nest, it is favour grasslands, marshy ground tures and cake may also be tried Incubation of the normal clutch possible for the breeding pair to and cultivated farm areas. Aviaries but fruit and other greens are usu- of three eggs is undertaken by the accomplish three nests in a season. featuring low, shrubby plants and ally ignored. hen for 10-12 days. Open to view in a Colour mutations of this attrac- grasses meet their secretive re- A good source of calcium is easily cup-shaped nest, the eggs are well tive finch are virtually unknown quirements admirably. supplied in the form of sterilised camouflaged and are a pale blue with only a fawn having appeared Provided the aviary has been de- cuttlefish bone, fine shell grit, with mahogany-coloured spots. in recent times. signed to exclude draughts and Photos: John Buchan The jacarini is on record as hybri- dampness artificial heating is usu- dising with the common canary. ally not required. Although a pair is compatible in In warmer months these birds the aviary with a mixed collection can be sexed quite easily when of finches they cannot be kept as a males undergo their moult to ac- colony of their own species. quire nuptial plumage. That vib- It is unwise to keep them in the rant blue-black colouring has led vicinity of Cuban finches or other to them being described as minia- jacarinis because they have been ture crows. known to fight through wire sepa- After the breeding season, during rating them from adjacent avi- the cooler part of the year, the aries. males moult again to their eclipse Given correct housing jacarinis plumage, when they resemble the have proved to be quite hardy, living fawn plumage of the hen but still up to six or seven years of age. show traces of a few black feathers. The male jacarini, left, is easy to distinguish from the hen, right. Their shy and secretive ways that Jacarinis are best suited to being kept as single pairs. A combination poultry eggshells or a combination On hatching the male shares in are exhibited during the breeding of one male paired to as many as of all three. River or beach sand, a feeding the young. Close nest ins- season need to be catered for. three hens can be tried in larger little charcoal and mineral rock pection should be avoided and it They are known to show some aviaries but only one male can be salt can also be included in the grit only requires a casual glance to aggression at the live food tray kept in each aviary due to their dish. A constant supply of clean check on progress of the young- when young are in the nest but by aggressive attitude. water is necessary for drinking and sters when the hen is absent. providing sufficient live food they They can be kept with other non- bathing. Spending 10-12 days in the nest raise their young without too much aggressive finches without Male jacarinis perform an after hatching youngsters fledge difficulty. concern although they unusual mating ritual have a profound dis- A during the breeding like of Cuban finch- height of about season. That show is es, where fighting is 30- 40cm is reached virtually unique in almost certain to the bird world and take place with and followed quickly by consists of the tragic results. flipping in a backward male jumping up Panicum, white somersault to land in the and down with and Japanese mil- same spot where both feet leaving let and a little plain the perch. canary form the bulk the spectacle A height of about of their everyday seed started. 30-40cm is reached and Just Finches and Softbills is an excellent birdkeeping mix. followed quickly by flip- A small serving of niger, maw, ping in a backward somersault magazine devoted to the management and breeding linseed and canola may be added al- to land in the same spot where the of finch and softbill species, primarily focusing on though not all individuals take all spectacle started. those lesser known seeds. Once a display perch has been Australasia, with each edition released every 3-4 months. The millet mix can also be fed selected it becomes a favourite and sprouted, making a welcome addi- is always used for that performance. Subscription form and more information can be found at tion when young are in the nest and Jacarinis select a dense bush to an ideal medium for any supple- give themselves as much cover as www.justfinches.com Talking Birds, June 2016 10 2016 Australian national parrot convention, see pages 18-27 Gouldian feathers wanted By PERI BOLTON, lar avicultural species whose If possible please do not send sam- I Fold the feathers from each bird Department of Biological Sciences stocks and breeding programs ples that include parents and off- into a piece of paper so that it Macquarie University could be useful for reintroduction spring, siblings, grandparent and can’t fall out. Then write your AUSTRALIA is home to a fascinat- in areas where Gouldian finches are offspring, and cousins. name, band/ring number/colour ing array of flora and fauna includ- locally rare. 4. After sampling directly place the (if applicable), head colour and ing around 400 species of birds that This project seeks to address the feathers from a single individual in plumage variety of the bird on are unique to Australia. By 2010, 27 conservation element by assessing a labelled envelope from the sam- the outside of the folded paper species of bird were listed as ex- the genetic diversity of captive pling kit. Labels must include your envelope. tinct, an additional 148 species stocks relative to the wild. We are name, band number and/or colour I Put the feathers from each bird were threatened and another 63 also interested in basic questions (if applicable), sex of the bird, head into different envelopes then species were considered near about genetic changes that occur colour. Please indicate whether the write your name plus the bird’s threatened. due to domestication and common bird is wild-type or a mutation. sex and head colour. Then you all Private aviculturists could con- avicultural practices. 5. Fill out the associated required you need to do is put them into a tribute a lot to conservation efforts This is part of a larger project information provided in the sam- larger envelope and send them to for threatened species. They have a that is exploring genetic changes pling kit or online. us. wealth of knowledge on optimal through time. We are comparing 6. Send us the samples. 2. Use the sampling kit we provide, bird breeding conditions, which samples from museums from 100 SAMPLING KIT: There are two ways which includes: can be vital to establishing and ex- years ago, contemporary wild birds you can help to sample birds. You I A postage-paid envelope for panding captive breeding pro- and contemporary captive birds. can make your own sampling kit or return postage. grams. Private aviculturists often Preliminary work has found that use one we have created for you. I A number of small envelopes. have large bird collections which there are genetic differences bet- 1. Create your own sampling kit. Tell us how many envelopes may represent a significant frac- ween wild and captive populations, You need a way to keep feathers you would like, you will need tion of genetic diversity and breed- as well as genetic differences bet- from different individuals separate. one per bird. ing potential for a threatened ween red-head and black-head This is the most important part. Send it to: species but those collections are a morph domesticated birds. We are Some suggestions on how to do Peri Bolton largely untapped resource for con- interested in doing a proper survey that: Department of Biological Sciences servation programs. of genetic variation in captive I Sticky-tape feathers to a piece Macquarie University Recently the sad decline of the Gouldian finches. of paper (with some space North Ryde, NSW, 2109 red siskin has spurred interaction PROJECT GOALS: between individuals) and label I Sample packs and more infor- between conservation groups, re- I Using genetic techniques, them with the sex and head mation can be obtained from searchers and aviculturists in an describe relatedness and colour of the bird. At the top of www. domesticgouldians.wee- attempt to manage captive breed- diversity in avicultural the sheet you should provide bly.com or by calling 02 9850 1304 ing populations. There are a num- collections across Australia. your name. during business hours. ber of threatened species in Austra- I Describe genetic differences lia that are widely kept in avicul- between collections within ture, including the black-throated towns, between towns and finch and the Gouldian finch. across Australia. The Red Siskin Initiative is still I Compare the genetic changes in early stages but we would like to that have occurred since SRI LANKAN follow this model and examine the domestication. conservation potential of private I Describe frequency of head- stocks of threatened Gouldians. colour morphs (red or black) GENETIC CHANGES DURING DOMES- in captive populations. BIRD TOUR TICATION: Domesticated versions HOW CAN I HELP? In this project of wolves, cats, horses and cows can you can help us investigate the cap- Join Glen Holland for a be very different from their wild tive populations across Australia, two-week tour of Sri ancestors in terms of behaviour by investigating Gouldian finches Lanka’s National Parks and appearance. This is in part due in your back yard. to intentional breeding for certain We are collaborating with private and top birding spots. favourable traits, for instance milk aviculturists and avicultural soci- production. eties across Australia to collect Our local guide has spent Differences can also arise unin- DNA and information on captive his lifetime locating the tentionally because some traits are Gouldian stocks. All we need is two birds of Sri Lanka and inherited with the traits of inter- tail feathers from a number of your will be with us for the est, think of health problems that birds and for you to fill out a survey. entire tour, introducing arise with some dog breeds. That should be not much more Further differences occur simply difficult than sending samples to us to the birds, wildlife and because only a subset of the total laboratories for molecular sexing the culture of the country. genetic pool of wild individuals was of the sexually monomorphic spe- taken into captivity. Genetic cies in your collection. With close to 500 species changes from domestication can It is important that we get as on the island, we will occur over as short timescales as a many finch keepers involved as pos- encounter the likes of few generations. sible in this project because we are Scientists have long been inter- aiming to look at differences bet- as pygmy woodpeckers, ested in the changes that occur due ween wild-type birds and muta- trogons, flower-peckers to domestication. We are interest- tions, and between regions and even and serpent eagles. ed in this from a pure science per- breeders. You can help science even spective, but also how this affects if you only keep a few Gouldians. Asian elephants and leopard are on the list for the tour. the potential of avicultural stocks WHAT DO I NEED TO DO? for conservation reintroduction 1. Order a sampling kit or pick one Dates: 2-14 December 2016 programs. up at your local society meeting. THE GOULDIAN FINCH: This bird is 2. Please clean your hands between Cost: $2900 pp includes all expenses an iconic threatened finch, inhabit- different birds. except flights to Sri Lanka. ing savannah grasslands of north- 3. With clean hands, collect two western Australia, the Northern feathers from tail, primary or sec- Contact Glen for further information on Territory and Queensland. Its ondary feathers for as many indi- 0407 742 135 or [email protected] beautiful plumage makes it a popu- viduals as you would like to donate. Talking Birds, June 2016 11 Talking Birds — the only place to find the latest bird news Seed goes off as it ages, nutrients lost riorates. Seed treated with oil or something from its diet or has even oil seeds to any commercial mixed CANARIES breeding aid cannot be recycled be- be overfed. Canaries totally rely on canary seed. cause the oil goes toxic after a few you to supply the correct diet. Feeding food containing too days. The basic needs in any canary’s much protein throughout the year Throughout the year a canary’s diet are various amounts of pro- can be harmful. A canary fed on a with food requirements change but tein, carbohydrates, fat, fibre, min- high-protein diet has lower resist- many fanciers feed the same seeds erals and vitamins. Each seed has ance to chills and its kidneys will Jeff all year. During the moult the birds different amounts of those essen- not be able to handle excess waste. are replacing feathers and need tial elements and green food adds Carbohydrates are a source of Leaney protein for new feathers. They rep- other components which together energy for a canary and a body tis- resent up to 9 per cent of the weight balance the diet. sue component — energy for flying, of a canary and replacement needs Birds have a limited sense of digestion, and in the breeding sea- IF bird seed was sold for human plenty of protein. smell and taste, selecting their son, egg-laying. The amount of en- consumption it would carry a “best Before winter they require fatty food mainly by sight. Canaries do ergy required in a diet is linked to before” or “use by” date. Some bulk foods for protection against winter not know by instinct what foods are the amount of protein consumed. seeds carry a production date but chills. During winter and leading good for them — their parents High carbohydrate seeds low in when broken down into small am- up to the breeding season a plain teach them what to eat. protein should make up the bulk of ounts that information is lost. diet is required. They tend to continue on a a canary’s diet. Those include plain Seed deteriorates with age and A richer diet is diet, even if it may canary and millets. loses some of its nutrients until it introduced as be nutritionally Fats are a higher energy source is finally “dead”. Oil seeds lose their the breeding poor, reject- than carbohydrates or protein. A food value quicker when compared season ing foods small amount of fat is needed in a to plain canary seed and go rancid begins, that diet, too much causes obesity and with age because of the oil content. look poor breeding performance. Fats HOW DO YOU DETERMINE IF SEED IS are found in oil seeds and soft foods. Apart from professional FRESH? Only a small amount should be fed analysis there is a simple way that on a regular basis to satisfy the gives a good indication. Fresh seed need for fat. will sprout within a few days where- Iodine, which is necessary for the as old seed may not germinate or continued good health of birds, take a long time to send out shoots. comes from the soil in which the Put a piece of a kitchen sponge seed is grown. in the bottom of a small plastic Seeds from southern states are container. Thoroughly wet the low in iodine but that is compen- sponge and put a paper towel on sated by the iodine content of top. Press the paper towel onto seeds from the north of Australia. the sponge to dampen the paper. Spread some seed over the paper Most plain canary seed comes towel and cover with a dampened from Queensland so our canaries towel. Replace the lid having first usually get enough iodine. made some holes in the lid to let in Analysis of seeds gives various air. values for protein, carbohydrates Check the seed each day by lifting and oils or fats however each seed the paper towel to see if it has varies depending on growing condi- sprouted. Some imported seeds tions or the area where it is grown. such as niger do not sprout because Some typical values: they have been treated to prevent Plain canary, millets, oats: 10-17% sprouting. Even some canola is im- which strange protein, 40-70% carbohydrates, ported in times of drought and imitates or new. 3-5% fats. although fresh will not sprout. the wild bird Healthier Oil seeds: 15-30% protein, 4-25% Canola used in a sprouted seed situation, where foods may only be carbohydrates, 30-55% fats. mix would be useless if imported. food is scarce in winter, eaten with caution until Canaries are wasteful feeders, Always ask your seed merchant if it then in spring food supply increas- birds become familiar with those flicking aside other seeds to get to was imported. es and the breeding season starts. foods. the one they want. That can be con- Stale seed is harmful to birds be- We simulate that natural process of Protein is the building material trolled by serving seeds separately cause toxins can develop after sev- extra food by feeding sprouted seed for feathers, muscles, feet and in single dishes. eral years. Never place new seed on and high-protein soft food plus nails. It is broken down during di- The plain canary dish should be top of any remaining seed in your new-growth green food. gestion into amino acids. four times bigger than the canola storage bin — always empty the During the breeding season a Seeds such as oats, sunflower, saf- dish for instance. Feeding like that container before adding new seed. canary needs twice as much pro- flower, niger, canola/rape and lin- can indicate how much of each seed If you use a winnower to clean tein as it does for the rest of the seed have most of the amino acids is eaten and whether they are eat- discarded seed you must take care year. Calcium has to be increased that a canary requires, but cana- ing a balanced mix. to keep recycled seed separate from for egg-laying plus more food to ries cannot be fed on those seeds Seed is best given in flat dishes fresh seed and note how many sustain breeding activities and alone. because a deep dish may contain times it may have been re-used. extra food for babies and high in Other seeds such as canary and enough seed but a canary eats only Seed has possibly been stored for carotenoids for feather colour. millet, do not contain all the ami- to a shallow depth and may starve several months before your pur- Properly fed canaries have the no acids but a mixture of seeds if it cannot see uneaten seed cov- chase because most areas only har- strength all year to survive a chill from each group gives the full re- ered by husks. vest once a year. Seed is viable for or a bacteria outbreak. quirement and a safe diet. I Photograph by Jeff Leaney, from about two years after which it dete- A sick bird most likely is missing Always add a small amount of the The Australian Canary Handbook. Talking Birds, June 2016 12 Talking Birds — the only place to find the latest bird news

Heritage Don’s focusPhotos: Don Burke Garden guru preserving small birds \\\ other like Lakeland terriers and about 2m x 7m. All cages and avi- BUDGIES Norfolk terriers, and were then pre- aries are open to the fresh air all served, he felt that the budgie fancy year round. I average about six should have preserved its own Aust- babies per nest with a maximum of with ralian exhibition budgerigars, as around 11 babies. My best pairs pro- well as embracing the European duce around 20-30 babies per year, Fred breed of budgie but the clubs chose and yes, I do have witnesses. not to. WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE Wright He has now formed the Austra- FUTURE OF THE HOBBY? I believe lian Heritage Budgerigar Associa- all budgerigar clubs worldwide are tion, a non-profit group dedicated at a crossroads and membership to locating and preserving what re- numbers are dropping dramatical- Don Burke is well known to most mains of the beautifully coloured ly in many cases. Australians via his media Australian show birds. Young people are not joining at exposure. Less well known is his The association aims to put anywhere near replacement num- Don Burke says argumentative, breeders of heritage varieties in bers. Some clubs have already clos- persona as a budgerigar breeder, unpleasant bullies should be touch with each other and wants to ed down but I am very positive about which prompted me to carry banned from all budgie clubs. out an in-depth interview with organise separate classes at shows the future — if we are prepared to him to fill some of those gaps. for those birds. So far the response adapt and change. president and we must listen to has been wonderful and member- I am 69 this year and like every- what they say — not just a token ap- DON lives on a 2ha block in Sydney, ship is growing rapidly. one else I get grumpy and frustrat- pointment. We must all seek out the city in which he was born. He The association’s birds are being ed at times. I adore kids who breed different types of budgie people for started breeding budgies in 1954 at bred and judged to the 1962 Austra- budgies and I want to mentor them our clubs, kids with one or two pet the age of seven and joined the Bud- lian National Standard of Perfec- as Greg Tunney did for me when I budgies, women and girls who love gerigar Society of NSW around 1957 tion, which will never be changed was a kid. breeding and caring for baby birds, after meeting exhibition budgie except to fix mistakes and to add I would love to see more women in those who love pet shop budgies, breeder Greg Tunney at a local bird new varieties. clubs too and I love helping older those who love wild (bush) budgies dealer’s premises. Mr Tunney men- The new group is working on Aus- people. I detest the grumpy old and silly people like me who love tored Don until he was about 14. heritage varieties of budgies. There At age 10 in 1957 he was taken to should be a place for all of us. the aviaries of Australia’s great We need to explore the future of budgie breeder Harley Yardley, who budgies in the suburbs. We need was the breeder who perfected the designs for less obnoxious, quieter clearwing variety and Don was tot- aviaries. ally smitten by the birds in his avi- We need to get top designers and Black-eyed landscapers to create the spectacu- aries. whites are After Harley’s premature death a lar garden aviaries of tomorrow — difficult to to replace the ugly humpies of yes- year or so later Don received some breed. teryear. of his best clearwings from a close Don began We need to get amazing aviaries friend of Harley and he still breeds breeding the same line of Australian herit- them in built in the gardens of display age clearwings today, more than 56 1957 and homes to inspire home buyers. We years later, and he is still totally in he is still need to explore the design possibili- love with that variety. trying to ties of houses with built-in aviaries. He believes he does not own his get them In short we need to make the hobby clearwings, he merely holds them right. of keeping budgies relevant to mod- ern families. in trust for future generations. Don is a professional horticultur- IF YOU WERE KING OF BUDGIES IN ist and nurseryman who has tralian golden-faces, banded pieds, men who argue and grumble at AUSTRALIA, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? All members would be expected worked in TV, radio and magazines darkwings and its centrepiece, the meetings. I will not tolerate those 1. to mentor at least one young budgie for about 40 years. His prime-time amazing Australian heritage clear- who are killing our clubs — those person. TV program Burkes Backyard ran wing, which is nearly extinct. Those are the people who refuse to change I would ban auctions, to lower for 18 years and for a time on BBC2 heritage clearwings are very differ- and adapt to the modern world. We 2. prices of budgies for old and young in the UK. ent in colour, size and shape from all must change. members. His early years with budgies were modern Australian clearwings. In too many clubs there are pow- I would immediately set up an in- I asked Don a few questions. erful elites, made up of judges, win- 3. the halcyon days, where 2000 or quiry into budgie welfare. We need ning exhibitors and club office more birds were benched at the YOUR BIRDS AND YOUR BIRDROOM, to clean up our act so that the ani- I holders. All too often almost all of annual NSW budgie show in Syd- PLEASE TELL US ABOUT BOTH? mal welfare people don’t nail us like ney’s huge town hall. still breed some modern exhibition the success, recognition, rewards, the pedigree dog people in the UK Australia then was very isolated budgies, of which black-eyed whites, service and money goes to those were nailed a few years ago. darkwings, normals and white caps elites. and its budgies were quite different 4. I would donate 10 of the most from the rest of the world. Austra- stand out. Black-eyed whites are Many clubs are run to service the spectacular budgies in the world — lia aimed for smaller birds with less nearly pure white dilutes and they top five per cent of the members. I Australian heritage clearwings — feather bulk but with exquisite are agonisingly difficult to breed. I want to help and listen to all mem- to HRH Queen Elizabeth in recogni- colour, perhaps the best colour that began breeding them in 1957 and am bers. Committees are there to tion of her service to the colonies the world had ever seen in budgies. still trying to get them right. May- serve, not to bully the members. and Australia in particular. With the importation of Europe- be I am getting close. We must experiment with new 5. I would change all budgie club an exhibition budgies from 1964 My bird room is 8m x 8m and is ideas. We must listen to the young- constitutions so that they had a Don began to lose interest in exhib- constructed from Solarspan panels er generations. We must move into clause that required all argument- iting. He was desperately sad that which are made of poly-foam lay- the computer age. We need cyber ative, unpleasant bullies to be ban- in Australia they were abandoning ered between two sheets of color- clubs. But it is no good to fill web- ned for life. That clause would state their own type of budgies. bond steel. There are 55 breeding sites with boring old fogey issues that “all budgie clubs are to be for Much as most UK dog breeds were cabinets. and articles. fun, friendship and the love of bud- developed in isolation from each My seven outside flights are each Every club needs to have a junior gerigars.”

Talking Birds, June 2016 13 Talking Birds — the only place to find the latest bird news

VEHICLE-ACTIVATED signs will be trialled on the Tully-Mission Beach Road in Far North Queens- New signs to assist cassowaries land in an effort to prevent casso- Recovery Team to try to find new agement, state and local govern- ciated static signage and linemark- wary strikes by motorists. solutions to this ongoing issue,” Mr ment,” the minister said. ing will be trialled in the vicinity Qld Main Roads and Road Safety Bailey said. “Their primary function is to co- of the Lindsay Road intersection. Minister Mark Bailey said the re- “The Cassowary Recovery Team ordinate the implementation of a The area where the signs will be cent deaths of three juvenile casso- is meeting with representatives recovery plan for the southern cas- trialled was identified by the com- waries highlighted the need to take from Transport and Main Roads. sowary. munity as a cassowary vehicle action to help protect the iconic “The group is made up of experts “The community’s input has been strike hot spot. species. and volunteers, including represen- invaluable in developing this trial Mr Bailey said protection of the “Transport and Main Roads has tatives from indigenous and conser- and the concept plans put forward birds is an important, challenging been working closely with the com- vation groups, natural resource by TMR have been well received.” and complex issue and he was con- munity through the Cassowary management, Wet Tropics man- The vehicle-activated signs, asso- scious of the need to take action.

Named for appearancePhotos: Barry Ross FANCY PIGEONS

with Barry Ross

AT the recent Queensland State Pigeon Show there were several breeds of owls on display but not one hoo-hoo was heard. Why? Be- cause the owls on display were pig- African owl pigeon Old German owl pigeon Figurita pigeon eons. There are a lot of breeds of fancy the late 1890s it was decided to call tralia within the past 10 years but unusual feather formations that pigeons that resemble owls and all the larger variety the English owl. was only exhibited sparsely by the make it very unique. are grouped collectively into the The more recent imports, the importer. He let a few pair go a cou- Why it is called a Chinese owl is owl and frill pigeon group. The smaller birds, became the African ple of years ago and they are now anyone’s guess because most re- breeds featured in this article all owl because it came from Tunis in becoming very popular, with sever- cords say it was developed in Spain have the word owl as part of their Africa. When they first arrived al new colours appearing. or India. It is very closely related to breed name. they were referred to as foreign The German owl has probably a breed of pigeon that has similar Those breeds are named after owls. been around possibly for centuries feather features, the Spanish chor- owls mainly because they have The English owl is a cobby-bodied in various forms. But was only re- rera, a larger pigeon. heads and beaks that resemble an bird of medium size with tight fea- cognised formally in Germany in They are recorded as being in owl’s face — they all have short, thering except for a frill that com- 1956. The old German owl is a com- Germany in 1865. Germany is cred- blunt beaks, large eye ceres and prises a crest of divided feathers pact bird of medium size, these ited with the early development of very round heads, and most breeds running down the front of its birds have large bull-coloured eyes the breed, which has several fancy have short, cobby bodies. breast, which is called the with a medium cere. feather formations. It has a neck The most popular breed of owl jabot, also known as a cra- Their beak is not as frill which comes up above the pigeons in Australia are the Afri- vat or zipper frill. It has A short or blunt as the shoulders and reaches up to just can owl and the English owl. a very large round other owls I have underneath the eyes. I believe the English owl was the head with medium shield-marked mentioned. Their It has its chest adorned with fea- first owl breed imported into Aus- eyes and cere. German owl is white heads are almost thers fluffed out in a circular fash- tralia a long time ago. I have news- The most strik- with a shield of contrast- completely round- ion with the feathers divided by a paper clippings of show results that ing feature is the ing color, ideally with 10 ed and topped with horizontal line about halfway up say the English owl was exhibited short, down-turn- a crest of feathers the chest. Feathers above the line at the Brisbane Royal Agricultural ed beak, which is white flight feathers and that ends with ros- face upwards and feathers below show in 1891. vertically thicker feet free from feathering. ettes on either side. the line face downwards. African owls were shown several than most breeds They are a delightful They have a zipper It has clumps of feathers sticking years later and were popular in the and gives the English breed... frill on the chest. out above the thighs in a pantaloon 1920s. Good stock was imported in owl its name. A German owl has a fashion. This breed raise and feed the 1920s by Joe Maud and later by The African owl has a fairly short tail compared the own young — a very delightful, his son Harry. They would go to short, plump body and has tight, to other pigeons. They are tight quiet breed of pigeon. England and bring back lots of smooth feathering. The beak of feathered, their stocky necks hold The Valencian figurita is a breed dogs, poultry and pigeons by ship. this breed is short and stout, it their heads slightly backwards, that is in Australia but is very sel- They had pigeon lofts built on really is just a smaller version of giving them a proud appearance. dom exhibited. It originated at Val- ships’ decks for the long journey the English owl so I will not dupli- Most German owls bred in Aust- encia in Spain hundreds of years home with all the stock bought on cate the above features. ralia are shield-marked birds. ago and is a very small, dainty consignment for fanciers in Aust- African and English owls come in A shield-marked German owl is breed that is known for its angular- ralia. Both men were well respected the same varieties of colour. Self- white with a shield of contrasting shaped head and small beak. Many judges. coloured birds are the most desired color, ideally with 10 white flight fanciers call them owls. The only difference between the to show because black-coloured feathers and feet free from feather- It has a zipper frill and is mainly English owl and the African owl is owls of both breeds look great. But ing. They are a delightful breed kept for its flying ability. It does size. The English owl was an estab- whites usually stand out well. that can feed and raise their own not fly long distances but will fly lished breed in England in the late The old German owl has only re- youngsters. for short periods of time up high 1800s and when the smaller African cently been exhibited in large num- The Chinese owl is another small- around the neighborhood but it is a owl was imported into England in bers after it was imported into Aus- bodied breed with a multitude of bit flighty for the show circuit.

Talking Birds, June 2016 14 Have Talking Birds emailed to you every month — see p32 Assessment needed for rehomed parrots

with Rachel LEFT: Chopper, Riley a rehomed Avian behaviour galah who and training came with a lot consultant of behavioural baggage to work through. THIS month I will focus on how to set your rehomed parrot up to pres- ent good behaviour and how to RIGHT: Some manage behavioural baggage. rehomed birds, Many new parrots people bring like this red- into their homes are rescued or tailed black rehomed birds, which means more cockatoo, are often than not they come with lucky enough some form of behavioural baggage to end up in that their new owner may not be a sanctuary, prepared for. but most are They may still be young birds, shuffled from they may be old and have been re- home to home. homed because they outlived their owners or they may have been re- homed due to change of circum- stances or behaviour. relationship with the bird over a screams or is fearful. If the bird members and other stimuli in the Due to their long life expectancy, few visits if possible. isn’t suitable for your home and same way, always keeping a close high maintenance care and our When you meet the parrot for the your lifestyle, for instance a cocka- eye on your parrot’s body language. ever-changing human lives, it is first time the best thing you can do too that is very easily overstimu- After your bird has relaxed you very rare for a companion parrot to when you walk into the room/area lated/bites and you have an infant, can see if it is ready to interact have only had one home in its life- is to pretend to ignore it, no matter then politely decline — be honest with you directly. time, no matter how good the own- how friendly it is. Keep your atten- with yourself as to what you can Based on its history that you er’s intentions are. tion on other things, like chatting manage. uncovered you will know whether The first step when taking in a re- to the old owner, keep your shoul- I took on a galah who flew at faces it steps up and you can begin re- homed bird it to accept that even ders facing away from it and have a to bite when overstimulated, star- warding a step up from inside the though it is the last thing on your relaxed posture. tled, fearful or territorial. He would cage or enclosure or begin the de- mind you too may need to rehome As a prey species, your new par- not have been suitable for most peo- sensitisation process if it is fearful it one day so you must prepare the rot will appreciate having time ple. of hands. bird as best you can to make any without your direct attention to He is a fantastic demonstration Reactions your bird has to differ- future transitions less stressful. size you up and make sure you bird now but it took a year of hard ent things will tell you a lot about That often means working through aren’t a threat. Once the par- work and a few bites to get its past history. behavioural issues that may have rot has stopped trying to him to a stage where he Work slowly and build trust. caused the bird to be rehomed in the get your attention or Let was truly manageable. Work through behaviours as they first place. Luckily even the worst has gone back to nor- them see you Have your environ- arise and start your relationship mal, relaxed activi- ment set up before behaviour can become at least man- putting a few of their with the bird as you mean to con- ageable. ties you can try to bringing the parrot tinue. Before you can help your bird set- approach it. favourite treats in their home. The cage or For instance if you give the bird a tle into its new environment you Remember the bowl, then go about aviary is a place of huge amount of attention for the need to be savvy about what type of golden rule to de- your daily business rest and refuge for first few weeks while it settles in sensitising is to behaviour you can accommodate in and let them your bird, so you then pull back once you are famil- your home, otherwise the chances only go as far as the want to begin by in- iar with it the bird will wonder why of you having to rehome it again bird is wary, but not observe their new troducing them to it is suddenly getting less atten- are high. moving away. If you can surroundings. their area without pres- tion, which can cause issues. Find out its history, what its be- approach and give it a sure to begin interacting The single largest tip for setting haviour is like around men, women, favourite treat that is fantas- with you or your family. up a rehomed parrot for good beha- children, pets and other birds. Find tic, if not don’t push it, respect its Let them see you putting a few of viour is to be realistic with your ex- out if it has had any previous med- space and retreat if it moves away their favourite treats in their bowl pectations. ical issues and whether these are from you. then go about your daily business A fearful bird will take plenty of likely to crop up again. The assessment activity will help and let them observe their new sur- work and training before being a Find out any phobias it has and you to figure out how to proceed roundings. Once the bird is visibly hand tame pet and a bird that has a anything that brings it joy. with the bird once you have it relaxed and has started to eat try history of biting will always have Find out every little bit of infor- home, as well as beginning to build the approaching activity again and the potential to bite again when mation you can and make sure you trust between you and your bird, see if you can deliver some more under duress. meet the bird prior to bringing it which you can then introduce to treats. As always, if you need help working home. other family, friends, pets, etc. The bird has begun to associate through behavioural issues with Just like with people first im- That assessment is vital whether you with positive things, now you your bird contact us via www.par pressions count. Create a positive this bird is very gentle, bites, can begin to introduce other family rotlife.com.au

Talking Birds, June 2016 15 Talking Birds — The premier source of info for bird keepers My peacock, my pal niques used to devocalise peacocks, attack than those with smaller As soon as you acquire a peacock AVIAN HEALTH none are foolproof and they carry tails. So, even though on the sur- it is a good idea to have it checked unacceptably high risks of compli- face, the tail might seem just beau- by an avian vet, who can do a phys- with cations. Deslorelin (anti-sex hor- tiful burden, in fact there is a prov- ical exam and laboratory testing Pat mone) implants, sedation or shut- en positive correlation between pat- looking for worm eggs and coccidia ting up in an enclosure with a low ernal tail length and chick surviv- in the droppings and possibly blood Macwhirter ceiling can be tried but success rate ability. tests. The vet can advise on appro- Registered in resolving the problem is poor. For my 50th birthday the staff at priate husbandry and whether any specialist in Peacocks are not birds for urban our clinic gave me a peahen. Pea- treatment is needed, depending on bird medicine areas, I recommend re-homing cocks are “lek” breeders and males findings. rather attempting any surgical de- typically display to multiple fe- While not common, I had one vocalisation procedures. males. Edward was overjoyed with memorable white peacock patient, I LOST Edward, my peacock buddy In spite of foxes Edward managed Alexandra’s arrival and he would Peter, who was a diabetic and was of 23 years, more than two years to survive free range for 23 years, I not leave the poor girl alone. maintained for years on insulin in- ago but I still imagine him in his loved the fact that I didn’t have to She was obviously stressed and jections. He also had problems with favourite haunts and his antics lock him up. not really settling down. I was con- tendon contraction, which was often come up in conversation with Each winter, when he was tailless, templating how to deal with the managed with special shoes which friends. he would camp out on the front situation when, in broad daylight, he tolerated quite well. Edward’s parents, Victoria and porch. Oh the mess I used to have to in the middle of the day, she too was Another unusual one, for our clin- Albert, were included in the price clean! I would have thought he taken by a fox. ic anyway, was a peacock whose when my family bought Harewood, Photos: Pat Mcwhirter owner thought it had blackhead. the 1860s house where I live on the The blackhead turned out to be a north shore of Western Port, an thick infestation of stick-fast fleas. hour’s drive east of Melbourne. Injuries from dog or fox attack are The pair had lived free range on all too common. the property for years and Victoria In the end Edward, after years of proudly strutted out from under a good health, was missing. I eventu- Boobialla bush with a cute little ally found him looking poorly and bundle of fluff soon after we moved hiding, he had lost a lot of weight in. and was dehydrated. After taking Alas it wasn’t to last, Victoria’s him back to the clinic blood tests body was found soon after, the vic- showed severe kidney failure and tim of a fox attack. It wasn’t coin- his droppings showed flagellate pa- cidental that she had only one sur- rasites, an unusual finding for pea- viving chick when 4-8 eggs is a typ- cocks. ical peacock clutch. After three weeks of intensive In Queensland and Tasmania, care and many setbacks he put on where foxes are absent or rare, feral weight and was back to eating nor- peacocks can be pests but foxes mally, drinking and looking much were introduced to Victoria by the better. Taken back to Harewood all same group of British colonists seemed to be going well when sud- who built homes like Harewood and denly, about 10 days later, he disap- Edward, very handsome and he knew we have one of the highest fox pop- peared. In spite of calls to all the ulations in the world. They keep it. Studies show that peahens are attracted by the number of ocelli Crop feeding can be lifesaving with neighbours and many searches of local feral peafowl populations in (eye spots) on the peacock tail. sick birds, including peacocks. the property he was nowhere to be check. found. Phoenix from his mother’s ashes, would have been vulnerable but the I was sad and guilty on a number Weeks later some feathers and little Edward was raised at the vet- fact that he survived for 23 years at- of levels, Edward remained a bach- bones turned up that were obvious- erinary clinic and eventually grew tests to the fact that, in his prime, elor and we upped our fox baiting ly his. I thought about it a lot. In up to become an extraordinarily re- he had the foxes bluffed. program. retrospect I regret not having kept gal lord of the manor. My golden retriever Meg certain- While Edward led a remarkably him locked up at the end but, on There is something quite cat or ly treated him circumspectly and healthy life until the last, peacocks balance, 23 years of freedom was tyrannosaurus rex-like in the aloft so did all her puppies once he pulled have some problems we see regularly worth it. Vale Edward, you were a strutting of peacocks, they have them into line. at Bird Vet Melbourne. They show great pal. staff rather than being desperate- Human males who didn’t respect some similarities in disease patterns to-please like dogs. Having been his personal space had been known to domestic chickens, eg susceptibil- hand reared Edward remained be on the receiving end of two fly- ity to coccidia (a gastrointestinal bonded to me and liked to follow me ing feet, but that was rare, he was parasite that can cause bloody diar- around and shimmer and display generally very co-operative if there rhoea) and mycoplasma (a germ that his beautiful tail in spring and was a bit of food involved. causes respiratory infections) but summer while I did the gardening. He even got himself written into there are interesting differences, I confess I found it quite flatter- the script as the symbol of death in like resistance to Marek’s disease ing but I wasn’t the only one to a short murder mystery film that and increased susceptibility to his- whom he made amorous advances. was being shot at Harewood. tomoniasis (blackhead). He also liked to block the driveway Charles Darwin used peacocks as That last disease is caused by the by displaying and refused to move an example of selection for exag- germ histomonas that can be asso- — guests just had to drive their cars gerated male sexual characteris- ciated with the roundworm heter- around him on the lawn. tics and in later studies peahens akis. It is classically seen in pea- I loved his loud call but forgot to were shown to be particularly at- cocks or turkeys that are kept with mention it to friends from the tracted to the number of ocelli, eye chickens. Stick fast fleas on a peacock’s head. Wader Study Group who decided to feathers, in a peacock’s tail, al- The chickens may show no signs They can be treated with insecticidal camp under his favourite summer though that wasn’t always consis- of illness while peacocks or turkeys sprays, such as permethrin/piperonyl roost, a hoop pine, on one, just one, tent. may be very ill or die showing sev- combinations registered for birds. occasion. They abandoned the idea There were studies done in Britain ere liver damage. Droppings and Stick fast fleas are not to be and moved into the house. that showed that peacocks with blood tests are needed to diagnose confused with blackhead, which While there are surgical tech- larger tails were less prone to fox those illnesses. is a totally different disease. Talking Birds, June 2016 16 ANZ Bank gets fossil fuel ultimatum NEW Zealand conservation group Forest & Bird has warned the ANZ Bank it could lose its business if it fails to divest from the fossil fuel industry. “We have given them a six month timeframe to develop a credible fossil Farmers key to fuel divestment plan,” Forest & Bird chief executive Hone McGregor said. “If ANZ won’t divest we will re-evaluate our banking options with a view to transferring our business to a banking provider who has, or will.” McGregor said Forest & Bird was a strong advocate for reducing green- house gas emissions.” quail-like bird FARMERS living in south-western tems and Threatened Species team New South Wales are believed to be leader, said. the key to the future of one of the “It’s got no close relatives, there’s world’s most unique birds, the crit- no other bird like it anywhere in AVIAN VET PRACTICES ically endangered plains-wanderer. the world. It’s as unique if you like NSW — Waterloo NSW — Camden The NSW Government has added as the giant panda or the greater the quail-like birds to the state’s bilby. Avian Reptile iconic species list. “The female is the more colourful Environment Minister Mark of the birds, they look something & Exotic Speakman said the listing would like a quail — a bit more lanky give the birds priority investment than a quail. She competes for Pet Hospital under the $100m Saving our Species male attention and she competes We provide top quality care for our patients program. for the territories so it’s a bit of a and courteous, compassionate and “The plains-wanderer is so dis- role reversal.” Dr Alex Rosenwax understanding service to their owners. creet that only a handful of farm- Mr Cameron said the hen helps BVSc (Hons), MACVSc (Avian Health) I Associate Professor David Phalen is a ers, scientists and avid bird enthu- out with incubation but the male Diplomat of the American Board of siasts are likely to lay eyes on it in does most of that and once the eggs The All-Bird & Exotics Veterinarian Veterinary Practitioners Avian Specialty. the wild,” he said. hatch the males are left to rear the We provide treatment of pet and aviary For the first time in 30 years the BIRDS birds — ranging from finches, canaries young and the female will go off Also reptiles, fish, ferrets, rabbits & rodents and softbills to budgerigars, cockatoos bird has been bred in captivity, as and breed with another male. www.birdvet.com.au and macaws. part of a partnership between the The Oolambeyan National Park 415 Werombi Road, Camden, NSW NSW Office of Environment and near Carrathool was gazetted in 2001 DR3/1 Hunter St (cnr McEvoy St) (Across the street from the University Veterinary Centre) Taronga Zoo. to partly help secure populations of Waterloo NSW 2017 Phone: 02 9351 1798 A pair at the zoo produced eggs the bird. 02 9319 6111 G The Hospital is part of the University of Sydney and so far five healthy chicks are Mr Cameron said while national thriving. parks and zoo breeding programs WA — Wangara NSW — Emu Plains In the past decade plains-wander- help they would not secure the fut- WE HAVE MOVED! WE TREAT YOUR PETS LIKE OUR OWN er numbers had dropped up to 90 per ure of the species. Open Mon-Fri 8am-7pm cent due to habitat loss, with an es- “If we’re going to get enough Dr Ingrid Danylyk Saturday 8am-12 noon timated 200 still living in the wild. birds to have a viable population in Phone for an appointment is located in her brand new facility on The bird is known to occur in scat- the long term we also need to look Chokolich Street, Wangara, WA Cnr Railway Row South & Bird & Exotic Station Street EMU PLAINS Veterinary Services (Between Prindiville Dr and Dallamarta Rd) tered sites across Queensland, New after its habitat on private land,” New Phone # 08 9200 6247 02 4735 3268 South Wales, Victoria and South he said. www.railwayrowvets.com.au Australia but its stronghold is the “Probably most of the habitat is www.birdvetperth.com.au Catering for dogs, cats and exotic pets, with a [email protected] special interest in bird medicine and surgery. NSW Riverina, specifically in an on private land subject to grazing area bounded by Hay, Narrandera, and we’re really keen to work with QLD — Currumbin Valley Urana and the Billabong Creek. landholders to assist in managing SA — Glenside “In evolutionary terms it’s really that land in a way that benefits GLENSIDE VETERINARY CLINIC Comprehensive unique,” Matt Cameron, Ecosys- plains-wanderers. Special Interest in Avian, Reptile and Exotic Pets G Annual Examinations care of pet G Post-purchase Checks and aviary birds G Hospital, Surgical & Outpatient Treatment G Diagnostic Testing Qld. to address G Health checks G Foraging Aids G 294 Greenhill Road, Treatment and hospitalisation of Glenside, SA 5065 Phone 08 8379 0222 sick and injured birds G Advice on: feral cat threat VIC — Springvale Nutrition — Training & Behaviour PUBLIC/PRIVATE partnerships are Queensland’s feral cat problem is Husbandry — Aviary management emerging as the future of reversing the catalyst for AWC’s plan, focus- G Surgical and DNA Sexing Australia’s shocking reputation as sing its philanthropic activities on G Microchipping the worst nation on the planet at two national parks in western Peter D. Wilson BVSc MACVSc (Wildlife) protecting its endangered fauna. Queensland. 1596 Currumbin Creek Road The main problem is the four mil- Chief executive Atticus Fleming  Annual bird exams  Aviary health Currumbin Valley 4223 lion feral cats in the outback, each said the main problem was four  Microchipping (including visits) Ph 07 5533 0381 — Fax 07 5533 0382 eating four to five animals a week. million feral cats in the outback.  DNA & surgical sexing  Extensive in-house  General surgery pathology Member of Association of Avian Veterinarians Queensland is to trial a unique “When you think they could be  Orthopaedics  $3m plan to protect the endangered killing four to five animals each a  Psittacosis Wound care (chlamydiosis) testing night parrot, its final 600 bilbies night we have a real problem,” Mr  Emergency medicine  Behaviour management  Reproductive medicine and the marsupial rat, the kowari. Fleming said. & management  Nutrition Australia’s poor record includes The plan is being considered for  Preventative medicine  Avian medications and 29 mammal species lost and nearly the Diamantina and Astrebla Downs  Parasite control products 1800 species nationally listed as national parks nudging the North- Springvale Animal Hospital being under threat. ern Territory border in south-west- Tel 03 9546 5022 The largest-ever philanthropic ern Queensland. 570 Springvale Rd Springvale Sth Vic 3172 conservation plan ever considered The two parks are home to the OPENING HOURS in Australia, valued at $3m, is be- night parrot, rare and endangered Monday-Friday 8.30am-7.30pm — Saturday 9am-3pm ing evaluated by Queensland’s De- bilbies and the kowari. partment of Environment. The Queensland Environment De- PARROT RESCUE CENTRE The Australian Wildlife Conserv- partment shot 3000 feral cats in As- Their future is a little brighter every day ancy has designed the protection trebla Downs National Park in 2013 plan based on two 8000ha feral cat and 2014 at a cost of $350,000. free zones in New South Wales. Naturalist John Young, who works PARROT TOYS G BOARDING G ADOPTION Available Australia wide It wants to build a 2m high fence for AWC and who discovered the 075569 2840 and to keep feral cats out of a night parrot in 2013 after it was be- [email protected] 700,000ha section as part of a $3 mil- lieved to be extinct for 101 years, lion project in two western Queens- will help to identify and protect the WWW.PARROTRESCUECENTRE.COM land national parks. bird’s populations. Talking Birds, June 2016 17 MORE INFO Pages 18-24

Talking Birds, June 2016 18 PARROTS 2016 CONVENTION, PRESENTED BY THE PARROT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

Talking Birds, June 2016 19 PARROTS 2016 CONVENTION, PRESENTED BY THE PARROT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

Talking Birds, June 2016 20 PARROTS 2016 CONVENTION, PRESENTED BY THE PARROT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

Talking Birds, June 2016 21 PARROTS 2016 CONVENTION, PRESENTED BY THE PARROT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

Talking Birds, June 2016 22 PARROTS 2016 CONVENTION, PRESENTED BY THE PARROT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

Talking Birds, June 2016 23 PARROTS 2016 CONVENTION, PRESENTED BY THE PARROT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

Talking Birds, June 2016 24 PARROTS 2016 CONVENTION, PRESENTED BY THE PARROT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

Talking Birds, June 2016 25 PARROTS 2016 CONVENTION, PRESENTED BY THE PARROT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

Talking Birds, June 2016 26 PARROTS 2016 CONVENTION, PRESENTED BY THE PARROT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA

Talking Birds, June 2016 27 DEADLINE for Aviary Marketplace advertisements to be published in the Phone 03 5983 2566 July 2016 edition is June 20. AVIARY MARKETPLACE Email [email protected] INVERELL SOCIAL BIRDKEEPERS GROUP Canary & Cage Bird Federation of Australia Inc TOOGOOLAWAH SHOW SOCIETY Federation Dinner 2016 FIFTH ALL 11th ANNUAL SALE Guests of Honour BREEDS BIRD SALE Sunday 19th June John Colee & Ron Hunt Date: 30th JULY 2016 INVERELL BASKETBALL STADIUM Saturday August 20, 2016 Where: Toogoolawah QLD Ottimo House, 120 Great North Rd, Five Dock Mears Pavilion@ Showgrounds, INVERELL SHOWGROUND 54 Ivory Ck Road COMMENCING 10am-2pm 7pm $65 per head Exotic & Native Finches & Parrots The evening is held in a private reception lounge with: and Licensed Birds for Sale BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL I Five-course a la carte meal with all wine, Vendor tables $20 & Trade tables $20 (separate) BIRD SALE CODE OF PRACTICE APPLIES Admission $2 soft drink and water (no spirits) I Rosewood Bird Gardens I Camping $15 per site NO POULTRY OR SHELL GRIT Dance floor and easy listening music, DJ I Disabled toilets & showers I An MC to keep you entertained I & Breeding Farm Benching Full catering — cooked on site I I Specialising in BLACK COCKATOO Lucky door prizes plus a raffle All off road parking on site 5pm-7pm Saturday 18th I species & sub species. I Easy parking at rear and side streets Flat ground for easy movement 7am-9am Sunday 19th I No pre-selling of birds Lorikeets & all other Australian Natives. Bookings: Warren Wilson 02 9747 6642 $1 PER BIRD, 50C PER BIRD UNDER $5 I All birds to be in approved cages Handreared birds available. [email protected] I Larger trade sites available Phone: Barry — 0413 050 553 Trade tables $25 Payment at time of booking appreciated I DERM will be in attendance Email: [email protected] FOR BOOKINGS PHONE SECRETARY RSVP: August 14, 2016 For bookings & information contact No refunds after this date Web: www.rosewoodbirds.com.au 02 6723 1388 or Tony Gault 0427 807 550 Also now on FACEBOOK [email protected] Special diet needs catered for at booking time or email [email protected] The Canberra Bird Club Inc. presents the URANA BIRD SALE Mildura and Districts Bird Sale LANGY BIRDS 15th Annual Urana Soldiers Memorial Hall, Anna St, Urana SUNDAY JUNE 12 RINGNECK MUTATIONS Sunday July 17th 2016 Midway Centre, Buronga, NSW Canberra Bird Sale ENTRY $ 1 PER BIRD ENTRY $3 BUTTERCUPS — Sunday, August 28 Entries received and birds benched from 9am-10.30am Benching from 8am — Traders start 10am Selling will commence from 11am until 2pm Bird sellers 12 noon-2.30pm GREEN, BLUE, VIOLET, LARGE VARIETY OF BIRDS Opportunity to sell by auction during sale Pre-booking tables is advisable. VIOLET GREEN, COBALT, Parrots, Finches, Canaries & Budgies Food and refreshments will be available Contact sales co-ordinator Peter Dennis on (No domestic Poultry or Pigeons) $3 ADMISSION 0458 004 866, email [email protected] PASTEL BLUE AND SPLITS Venue: Mallee Pavilion Enquires please contact Kevin Martin 0427 208 068 FOOD AND DRINKS AVAILABLE IN ALL COLOURS Exhibition Park in Canberra Rob Hemphill 0427 930 966 Pat Bourke 0429 208 267 DSE code and conditions apply Entrance from Northbourne Avenue Whitehead Whitetails SALE TIME: 10 am-1 pm Companion BRASEA AUCTIONS in all colours and splits Birds can be lodged and benched from Bird Harness Doublle ‘‘T’’ Over 300 quality budgerigars at each auction 7 am on the day. Take your tame companion Pieds — All Colours Trade Stands and Displays. bird outside in complete safety I July 17, 2016 STRATHPINE Bird Sale Code of Conduct & Conditions Enforced FREIGHT AUSTRALIA WIDE Made from tough polyester webbing Bird Entry Fee $1 per Bird Sizes to suit cockatiels to large macaws I October 16, 2016 BEXLEY Phone Peter 0403 600 873 minimum entry fee $5 Adjustable, with quick release buckle For more info Ph 0418 916 685 A/H 03 9789 8793 Entry Fee $3 per person Pam or Margaret Ph/Fax 02 4758 6564 Proudly sponsored by Contact Enquiries: Mick 0408 630 108 Email: [email protected] Wilson Brothers Racing Stables or Ray 02 4423 4475 PROUDLY Email [email protected] www.birdharnesses.com AUSTRALIAN MADE www.brasea.com Quaker mutations QUICK ADS Birds & Accessories Cobalts limited number, whites, Brooders, Hospital Cages, Winnowers lutinos, blues, greens, splits If you want your ad to be read at the earliest Large Breeding Cage 2014 bred pair Hahn’s macaws 48x63x40cm possible time, these Small Brooder Cage 45x51x34cm Gold cap conure cocks pages are where it should be. Barry Currell Phone Les 07 4634 3571 0407 559 878 Brisbane, Queensland

AVICULTURE THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY AVICULTURE NATIONAL TO STAY ABREAST OF ACCESSORIESACCESSORIES THECompetitive ONE-STOP Prices On STOLEN BIRD THE LATEST BIRDAll Your FOOD Bird Supplies SHOP BIRD NEWS HOTLINE SEND THE SUBSCRIPTION www.parrotsociety.org.au FORM ON PAGE 30 All you need to know about keeping & breeding canaries ExtensiveFreight range Australia of top Wide brand I Phone/FaxI (02) 9838 1256 Email:FOODS [email protected] The definitive work on keeping canaries in I HANDREARING FORMULAS Australia, this book will be appreciated by Bulk & Small Quantities experienced and novice canary fanciers. Aviculture Accessories will give you the best price! Send $60 plus $12 postage and handling to: Jeff Leaney, Phone/Fax 02 9838 1256 13 Robina Road, SOFT COVER, Email: [email protected] Eaglemont, Vic. 3084 251 PAGES FREIGHT AUSTRALIA WIDE Talking Birds, June 2016 28 2016 Australian national parrot convention, see pages 18-27 Emu-wren probe ONE of the smallest birds in Aust- living Mallee emu-wrens in South and call back to them,” she said. ralia is now only found in Victoria’s Australia any more,” Dr Schedvin “Because they’re so cryptic and Mallee, after bushfires in 2014 wip- said. “So now the Victorian Mallee tiny, and brown, fluffy blobs, we use ed out the bird in South Australia. is the global distribution of the spe- that to make them more obvious.” Mallee emu-wrens are one of six cies. Dr Schedvin said researchers us- endangered birds in the Mallee re- “We take our responsibility for ed recorded calls under permit to gion. that species really seriously given survey birds by numbers and sex. Researchers from the Victorian that we’re the land stewards with “Males are the bright ones, the smaller. They’re one of those spe- Department of Environment, Land, Parks Victoria and we’re actively show-offs and they’re the ones who cies that are really tightly associ- Water and Planning, and project trying to manage fire in these land- are most territorial,” she said. ated with the spinifex, or porcupine partners La Trobe University, Bird- scapes.” “You see them when they come up grass. Life Australia and Parks Victoria Dr Schedvin said Mallee emu- to the top of the spinifex clumps “It’s that terribly spiny, very hard have launched a project to revitalise wrens were tough little nuts. and call back and try and look very grass that is very characteristic of the species. “Because they are so small they fierce, which is comical when you the deeper sands of mallee areas The Mallee emu-wren Fire Ecolo- have a really fine energy balance are human looking at a bird that is and it offers a fortress for them to gy Project will research population and are very dependent on getting only five or seven grams.” hide in and be protected.” numbers and the effect of fire on enough tiny insects to keep them- Dr Schedvin said the birds were Dr Schedvin said a large fire in any the birds. selves going,” Dr Schedvin said. often seen in family groups. of the national parks could cause Dr Natasha Schedvin, the depart- She said the Mallee emu-wren “They tend to move around and devastation to species numbers. ment’s protection landscape evalu- had such a high-pitched call that have quite a short breeding period “If we got a large fire we could po- ator for the Mallee Murray Goul- some people could not hear them. so it can be very hard to be there at tentially lose a large proportion of burn area, said the project would “We use their calls when we are the right time,” she said. those populations in one hit,” she focus on species in the Wyperfield, surveying for them. At set inter- “We go through quite dry times in said. Big Desert, Murray-Sunset and vals we play the calls out into the the Mallee and have quite long Dr Schedvin said researchers did Hattah-Kulkyne national parks. bush and because they are quite droughts at times so during those not know how many Mallee emu- “As far as we know there are no territorial they will often come in periods their populations become wrens were in existence. Night parrot fence argument PRIVATE nature conservation org- Dr Burbidge said. al Park. na National Park, 120km south- anisation Bush Heritage Australia Frank Manthey of Save the Bilby “In our experience these fences east of Boulia. announced recently it had estab- Fund said he opposed the fence be- have not had an adverse impact on Mr Young photographed his par- lished the 56,000ha Pullen Pullen cause it would restrict the move- other species,” Mr Fleming said. rot in 2013 on Brighton Downs, Reserve to protect an estimated ment of bilbies from their last “The fence is just one of the stra- 30km north of Diamantina. population of 20-40 night parrots at known haunt in Astrebla Downs tegies being employed. There will Researcher Steve Murphy subse- the site where naturalist John National Park, 40km from the fence be a range of feral-animal cont- quently heard parrots calling at a Young took the first photographs site. rols.” second site on the property, 40km and film footage of the bird in 2013. AWC chief executive Atticus A decades-long absence of con- from Mr Young’s site. BHA took out out a $1.5 million Fleming said the site was not near firmed night parrot sightings end- Also in 2013 naturalist Glenn mortgage to pay for the land. known populations of bilbies or ed with the discovery of a dead bird Holmes saw a night parrot on the Mr Young claims he was forced out night parrots and would cover just on a road near Boulia in 1990. The Winton-Jundah Road, 60km east of of the BHA project but he has been one per cent of Diamantina Nation- bird found in 2006 was in Diamanti- Brighton Downs. hired as a senior ecologist with Australia’s other major nature con- servation organisation, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, which is lock- ed in a heated dispute with BHA. AWC has announced a $3m pro- gram that includes the construc- tion of a fence to keep feral preda- tors out of 8000ha of the 507,000ha Diamantina National Park. AWC plans to establish a popula- tion of 800 bilbies, doubling the Queensland population of the en- dangered marsupial. The proposed fence is understood to be less than 50km from Pullen Pullen. The last night parrot recorded before Mr Young’s 2013 discovery was a dead bird found in 2006 in the national park. It had been decapi- tated when it struck a fence. Allan Burbidge, chairman of the Night Parrot Discovery Team, which works with BHA, said there was a risk of parrots striking the fence and being killed. “We would like to know what ac- tion would be taken if one or more See article p11 parrots are killed following colli- sion with a predator-proof fence,” this edition

Talking Birds, June 2016 29 FORTHCOMING EVENTS NEWS FROM BIRD CLUBS G There is no charge for Forthcoming Events listings. Entries are restricted to date, location, club name, event, phone number and email address. Information should be There were also cockatiels, prin- sent to the editor, whose contact details are on page 2 of this edition. If any entry Murray Bridge success cess, several rosella types, blue bon- contains errors, please contact the editor so they can be updated. THERE were six traders and 84 sell- nets, mulgas, twenty-eights, regents ers at the Murray Bridge sale, with June 4 Sydney. Border Fancy August 21 and red caps. all tables taken and four sellers on Toowoomba. Downs Canary Club of Mandurah. South West Finches offered included zebras, Bird Breeders, table Australia, derby & oaks Budgie Club, table the waiting list accommodated at Gouldians, redheads, diamond spar- sale. 07 4630 4469. day plus auction sale show. 0402 409 937. the last minute due to cancellations. rows, a pictorella, painteds, stars, June 5 day. 02 4981 9404. August 28 “The hall was completely full and longtails and blue-faced parrots. Berkeley. Illawarra July 9 Canberra. Canberra Bird we couldn’t fit any more in,” club Diamond doves and mutations Parrot Club, sale. 0455 Brisbane. 2016 Club, sale. 0408 630 president Brian Dabinett said. were there and there was a good dis- 613 457, 0448 414 588. Queensland 108. “There were around 400 people play of exotics — parrots, finches June 9-12 Ornithological Rivervale. Avicultural through the door and it was a very and canaries. Sydney. Royal Conference. Society of Western successful day for the club.” Agricultural Society of 0419 431 210, Australia, open day. Brian said there was a good variety 1000 at Fairfield sale NSW, National Poultry [email protected] 08 9478 2447 after of budgies, canaries, finches and par- A THOUSAND people paid to enter Show. Cobden. ASA Centre 6pm. rots but not many cockatoos. the Fairfield bird sale in Sydney, 02 9704 1111, West, sale. September 25 “I saw a pair of Major Mitchell’s which according to organiser Keith [email protected]. 03 5595 1234. Gympie. Gympie Cage and a few galahs but no other cocka- au Gallagher, was around the same as July 10 Bird Club, sale. toos,” he said. June 11 last year. Clarendon. Parrot 07 5482 4545. There was a good array of finches, Kempsey. Kempsey Keith said there were 4000 birds in- Society of Australia Rivervale. Avicultural with most species represented, in- cluding native pigeons and doves, Macleay Bird Club, (NSW), sale. 0403 017 Society of Western cluding painteds and Gouldians, quail, budgies, canaries, finches and show. 855, 02 4571 2141. Australia, open day. 0422 121 491, whose numbers included very few parrots, with many Indian ringneck July 17 08 9478 2447 after 0428 646 350, mutations. mutations. Felixstowe. United Bird 6pm. 02 6562 3194. Eastern and western rosellas were Societies of South October 9 “Overall it was a good day for the June 11-12 offered together with king parrots, Australia, seminar. Bundaberg club and everyone seemed to have a Sarina. 26th Northern Bundaberg. kakarikis, green-cheeks and Indian 08 8642 3314. Bird Breeders, licenced good time,” Keith said. Avian Conference. ringnecks, mostly mutations, al- Gold Coast. Gold Coast sale. 07 4155 6221, Donna 0438 162 196, though one normal bird was sold. Zoe 0439 735 102. Aviary Bird ray_pratt@bigpond. Barossa went well Mask, peachface and Fischers love- PAUL Kremmer, president and secre- June 12 Association, licenced com birds were benched and one seller tary of the Barossa Bird Club, said Kempsey. Kempsey bird sale. 07 5522 October 16 6666, 07 5579 8962. Bexley. BRASEA budgie who took 12 red rump parrots sold the group’s recent sale went pretty Macleay Bird Club, eight of them. sale. 02 6562 2019, Hobart. Budgerigar auction. 02 9747 6642, well. All neophema parrots were there, 02 6563 1056. Council of Tasmania, [email protected] “There was a 50 per cent clearance including a pair of rock parrots. June 12 42nd Australian Gold Coast. Gold Coast rate with numbers of birds and peo- Mandurah. WA Budgie National Budgerigar Aviary Bird “There were not a lot of permit ple up on last year,” he said. Council, state pre- Council Championship Association, sale. birds but it was a very successful day “We had three more sellers than selections. 0402 409 Show. 03 6423 6727 07 5522 6666, for the club,” Brian said. last year and the eight trades peo- 937. (AH), 0409 257 131. 07 85579 8962. ple said they did better than last Mildura. Mildura and Mandurah. South West Mandurah. South West Thorn hit at Nanango year.” District Bird Club, sale. Budgie Club, Budgie Club, rares BEENLEIGH Bird Breeders Club A lutino galah was offered as well 0458 004 866. championship show. show. 0402 409 937. president Martin Thorn did a great as eastern and crimson rosellas, Port June 18 0402 409 937. October 23 job promoting the raffle at the Bur- Lincolns, green-cheeks and kakari- Wagga BRASEA Hunter Valley Wagga Wagga. Strathpine. Singleton. nett Bird Keepers sale at Nanango kis. Wagga Cage Bird budgie auction. Finch Club, sale. Birds according to club spokesman Wally There were a fair few birds and the Club, sale. 02 9747 6642 02 4955 1853, Sawatzki. 02 6922 8200. [email protected] baz.joc@hot mail.com, club did well, with a good day for the “There were more people but fewer canteen and the raffle. June 19 Urana. Urana Progress trades/general inquiries tables which meant more space to ASA Ararat, sale. Ararat. Society, bird sale. 02 4930 1589, move,” Wally said. 0437 491 373. 0429 208 267. [email protected] The 60 sellers who attended offer- Funds to Yanco school Bathurst. Bathurst Gippsland October 30 PROCEEDS from the Yanco charity Warragul. ed around 500 birds and he said the Regional Avicultural Caged Bird Society, Rivervale. Avicultural bird sale went to the local school and main drawcard was the raffle which Society, sale. 03 5167 1150. Society of Western spokesman John Bartel said the sale had a $500 petrol voucher as the show 0421 207 548, July 24 Australia, open day. went well. sale 02 6337 1886. Perth. WA Finch Society, 08 9478 2447 after main prize. “There was a good crowd, around Inverell. Inverell Social table sale and open 6pm. “Martin did a great job encourag- 400 people and 300 birds,” he said. Birdkeepers Group, show. 0478 214 311, November 6 ing people to buy raffle tickets and it Major Mitchell’s cockatoos were sale. 02 6723 1388, 0422 131 784, Eagleby. Beenleigh Bird would not have gone nearly as well offered, also budgies, canaries, fin- btwood ham2@big [email protected] Breeders, sale. without his efforts,” Wally said. ches, eastern rosella mutations, pond.com July 30 07 3890 2425. White-bellied caiques were among green-cheeks, Quakers and princess June 26 Toogoolawah. Perth. WA Finch Society, the birds offered, together with sul- parrots. Barmera. Riverland Toogoolawah Show auction and open phur-crested cockatoos, galahs, Birdkeepers, sale. Society, sale. show. 0478 214 311, crimson, mutation eastern, north- 08 8586 5497. 0427 807 550. 0422 131 784, ern and golden mantle rosellas. Swan hill exotics sold Gulgong. Gulgong FIVE boxes of exotic parrots were July 31 [email protected] Fischers, masked and peachface District Avicultural displayed at the Swan Hill sale and a Avicultural Society, annual show. Rivervale. November 20 lovebirds were there, no quail were few of them were sold after the sale, Society of Western Mandurah. South West 02 6374 1348. benched but budgies, canaries and according to the club’s sale steward Australia, open day. Budgie Club, Rivervale. Avicultural finches were present. Neil Wilkinson. 08 9478 2447 after broken/unbroken caps Society of Western “It wasn’t a bad day for the club Australia, open day. 6pm. show. 0402 409 937. Mornington birds down August 6 November 27 although numbers of birds and peo- 08 9478 2447 after BIRD numbers were down at Victo- ple were down,” Neil said. 6pm. Ballarat. ASA Ballarat, Gympie. Gympie Cage ria’s largest sale at Cranbourne sale. 03 5368 9288. Bird Club, sale. There was a good selection of Aust- July 1-3 Racecourse but visitor numbers ap- ralian parrots as well as budgies and Brisbane. Parrot Society August 7 07 5482 4545. peared to be up, with the carpark al- Tasmanian Avicultural finches, but no quail, doves, pigeons of Australia, Parrots Hobart. Rivervale. most full. canary sale. Society of Western or cockatoos. 2016 convention. The Mornington club event was 03 6249 2226. Australia, open day. 07 5433 1486, held there because it was refused August 13 08 9478 2447 after www.parrotsociety.org. permission to use its previous venue If you’d like to see your au/Parrots2016 Forbes. Central West 6pm. at the state dog centre. July 3 Bird Club, sale. St Ives. Sydney Annual Trade stands were in a separate Maryborough. Hervey 0406 512 851. Budgerigar Lawn CLUB NEWS Bay Bird Club, sale. August 14 Show. 02 9747 6642, hall with birds in a huge area with in the Club News section of 07 4121 4605, Newcastle. Newcastle 0418 916 685. one side open to the elements, which Talking Birds, please send 0447 231 801. Budgerigar Society, December 11 was enclosed by orchardists’ mesh. copy and photos to the editor, Newborough. La Trobe annual show — to be Prairiewood. Finch The largest species by number was Valley Avicultural Club, confirmed. Society of Australia, budgies, followed by neophemas and whose contact details can sale. 03 5983 0093. 02 4988 6539. sale. 0418 168 548. their mutations. be found on page 2. Talking Birds, June 2016 30 Amendments to listings can be made by contacting AVIAN VETS & VETS WITH AN INTEREST IN BIRDS [email protected] or by calling 03 5983 2566 AUST. CAP. TERRITORY — ph prefix 02 Emu Plains Dr Karen Dobson 1 West Wallsend Dr Mark Simpson, Dr Oxenford Dr Michael Woodcock 145 TASMANIA — phone prefix 03 WESTERN AUSTRALIA — ph prefix 08 Charnwood Dr Arianne Lowe 4/5 Station St 4735 3268 Janet Truong 67 Carrington St 4955 Old Pacific Hwy 5573 2670 Launceston Dr Kim Barrett 351 Balcatta Dr James Haberfield, Dr 6 Charnwood Place, Charnwood Macksville Dr Kristie Neale 21 Pacific 1833 Wishart Dr Edward Layt 224 Wishart Wellington St 6344 4566 Peter Ricci 59 Erindale Rd Wollongong Dr Michael Cannon, Dr 6258 1664 Highway 6568 1252 Rd 3343 6399 Sandy Bay Dr James Harris 2 Russell 9345 4644 NEW SOUTH WALES — ph prefix 02 Kym Fryer 461 Crown St 4229 8888 Booragoon Dr Elizabeth-Jo Vickridge Merewether Dr Graeme Brown 192 SOUTH AUSTRALIA — ph prefix 08 Cres 6224 4244 Camden Avian Reptile & Exotic Pet QUEENSLAND — phone prefix 07 VICTORIA — phone prefix 03 10/20 Shields Cres 9330 2321 Glebe Rd 4969 2694 Glengowrie Dr J McBride 80 Morphett Hospital. Ass Prof Dr David Phalen, Ashgrove Dr Ron Woodhead 333 Burwood Dr Pat McWhirter & Dr Philip Mundaring Dr Ian Hainsworth 30 415 Werombi Rd 9351 1798 Nowra Dr Andrew Flanigan 103 Waterworks Rd 3366 1888 Rd 8294 8444 Sacks 128 Highbury Rd 9808 9011 Wandeara Cres 9295 6777 Dr James Gill, Dr Ian Kinghorn St 4421 5370, 4423 0369 Chermside Dr Adrian Gallagher 248 Glengowrie Dr Mark Hill 40 Diagonal Canley Heights Hamilton Road 3359 2233 Mornington Dr Adam Stefani 4/1140 Murdoch Dr James Haberfield, Dr Hackworthy, Dr Fiona Park 44 Dr Chris Collins 10 Piper Rd 8295 6924 Tamworth Currumbin Valley Dr Peter Wilson Nepean Hwy 5975 3811 Peter Ricci 90 South St 9360 6454 Harden St 9604 9792 Street 6766 3088 1596 Currumbin Creek Rd 5533 0381 Glenside Dr Pin Needham 294 North Melbourne Dr Sasha Herbert Myaree Dr Ray Butler, Dr Ian Carlingford Dr R Marshall 772 Uki Dr Ross Perry 0419 693 279 Gatton Dr Bob Doneley Uni Qld campus Greenhill Rd 8379 0222 24 Villiers St 9328 3021 McDowell, Dr Toni Cockburn 13 Pennant Hills Rd 9871 6036 Warrawong Dr Colin Pinney Lot 1 Bldg 8156 Main Drive 5460 1788 Holden Hill Dr Kristian Zirnsac 728 Springvale South Dr M Gosbell 570 Hulme Court 9329 9222 Coff Harbour Dr Andrew Dunn, Dr David Cowper Ln 4274 6155 Greenbank Dr Terry Martin 412 Middle North East Rd 8261 9948 Springvale Rd 9546 5022 Shelley Dr Kevin Cleasby 1A/24 Yampi Johnson 32 Park Ave 6652 3455 Scoresby Dr Colin Walker, Dr Stacey Way 9457 1008 Warriewood Dr Bryn Lynar 1 Arnott Rd 3802 1155 Kurralta Park Dr Anne Fowler 119 Coffs Harbour Dr Mat Grabovszky Maryborough Dr Kellie Fowler Walker Gelis & Dr Corrie Pinkster 1 George Wangara Dr Ingrid Danylyk 320 Harbour Drive 6652 3455 Cres 9913 7979 St 4123 1570 Anzac Hwy 8371 2110 St 9764 9000 Chokolich St 9200 6247 Dee Why Dr Izidora Sladakovic 67 Waterloo Dr Alex Rosenwax, Dr Tegan McGregor Dr Deborah Monks Kessels Port Noarlunga Dr Pam Scanlon 35 West Brunswick Dr Cameron Wood Wattle Grove Dr Tim Oldfield, 791 May Rd 9971 6562 Stephens 1 Hunter St 9319 6111 Rd and Springfield St 3420 6773 Saltfleet St 8384 4363 169 Dawson St 9387 6166 Welshpool Road 9453 6655 Amendments to these listings can be made by sending updated information to BIRD CLUB & SOCIETY LISTINGS PO Box 216 Balnarring VIC 3926, to [email protected] or by calling 03 5983 2566 NATIONAL GROUPS Grass Parrot & Lorikeet Society of South Sydney Avicultural Society 5 Gladstone Budgerigar & Caged Bird Barossa Bird Club PO Box 564 Border Fancy Canary Club of Associated Birdkeepers of Australia Australia PO Box 41 Berry 2535 Ph Byrne Ave South Coogee 2034 Ph Society 20 Tucker Rd Boyne Island Greenock 5360 Ph: 8564 2546, Melbourne 3 Lattimer Pl 106 Berry St Nowra NSW 2541 Ph 4572 3349 9344 0779 4680 Ph 4973 9489 8524 4493. Tullamarine 3043 Ph 9338 3472 4421 2407 [email protected] Gulgong and District Avicultural South Western NSW Budgerigar www.gladstonecagebirds.com Budgerigar Breeders Club 17 Border Fancy Canary Club of Australian Roller Canary Society 178 Society PO Box 37 Gulgong 2852 Society 18 Myall Cres Lake Albert Gold Coast Aviary Bird Association Adelaide Terrace Edwardstown Victoria 6 Reynella Close Vermont Ennogera Rd Newmarket Qld Ph Ph 6374 1348 Ph 6922 6214 PO Box 7003 Gold Coast Mail 5039 Ph 8277 3278 South 3133 Ph 9801 4043 0412 340 867 Hawkesbury Valley Water Fowl Club Sutherland Shire Bird Society Centre Bundall 4217 Ph 5522 6666 Budgerigar Society of South Budgerigar Council of Victoria 145 Budgerigar Rare & Specialist PO Box 838 Windsor 2756 Ph 4577 Uniting Church Hall Flora St www.goldcoastaviarybird.org Australia 17 Vine St Surrey Downs Moray St Fawkner 3060 Ph 03 9359 Exhibitors of Australasia PO Box 3639 Sutherland NSW 2232 Gympie Budgerigar Society 9A 5126 Ph 8288 7936 3315 email [email protected] 141 Croydon NSW 2132 Ph 02 Hunter District Canary & Cage Bird Tamworth Cage Bird Society 74 Bruce Hwy Chatsworth 4570 Ph Fleurieu Peninsula Cage Bird Colour Canary Breeders of Victoria 9747 6642 Society 21 Libya St Shortland 2307 Denne St Tamworth 2340 Ph 6762 5482 5612 Society 42 Heather Dve Christie 53 Catleton Rd Viewbank 3084 7961 Canary & Cage Bird Federation of Ph 4955 6606 Gympie Cage Bird Club PO Box 902, Downs 5164 Ph 8384 5835 Dandenong Canary Society 4 Australia PO Box 230 Frenchs Hunter Valley Avicultural Society 8 Taree & District Canary & Finch Gympie 4570 Gawler & Districts Bird Club 24 Waintree Crt Endeavour Hills 3802 Forest NSW 1640 Ph 02 9452 2396 Taylor Crescent Warners Bay 2282 Society 18 Christian Cres Foster Hervey Bay Bird Club 70 Smelter St Magnolia St Tanunda 5352 2428 Ph 6557 5253 Ph 0420 566 722 Miniature Budgerigar Society of Ph 4948 8668 Aldershot 4650 Ph 4121 4605 [email protected] Fife Fancy Club of Victoria 4 Beale Australasia 1 Kader St Bargo NSW Hunter Valley Finch Club Inc 5 Harold Tenterfield Cage Bird Society 56 Ipswich Canary Society Ph 3288 Gawler & Districts Canary Club 13 Pelham St Tenterfield 2372 Ph 6736 Crt Templestowe 3106 Ph 9846 2574 Ph 0422 067 888 St Floraville 2280 Ph 02 4946 9773 9249 Glenelg Lane Gawler 5118 Ph 8522 7493 National Finch and Softbill Illawarra Parrot Club 0448 414 588 2694 Ipswich Budgerigar Society 37 Head 3394 borgsbrooders.bigpond.com Tuggerah Lakes Specialist Canary St Laidley 4341 Ph 0401 447 517 Geelong Border Fancy Canary Club Association 80 Harris Rd Elliminyt Limestone Coast Birdkeepers Club 5 Lynburn Rd Batesford 3221 Ph Sunny Society 236 Pacific Highway Mackay Aviculture Society PO Box PO Box 21 Naracoorte 5271 Ph Victoria 3250 Ph 03 5231 4510 Inverell Birdkeepers Group 5276 1416 Brae Gilgai 2360 Ph 6723 1388 Watanbobbi 2259 Ph 4352 1494 5057 MMC Mackay 4741 Ph 0488 8764 6030 [email protected] AUST. CAP. TERRITORY — ph prefix 02 Geelong Canary Improvement 4 www.inverellsocialbirdkeepersgroup. Twin Towns Avicultural Society 22 955 875 Lower Murray Bird Club PO Box 10 Budgerigar Society of Australia 4 Parramatta Rd Werribee Crowley Crt Charnwood 2615 com.au. Waratah St Parkes 2870 Ph 6862 Parrot Society of Australia PO Box Mannum 5238 Ph 8569 1853 Society 3030 Ph 6256 6849 Kempsey Macleay Bird Club PO Box 2806 75 Salisbury 4107 Marsupial Society of Australia GPO 8 Burrage St Canberra Canary Fanciers Society 445 Kempsey 2440 Ph 6562 2019 Wagga & District Caged Bird Society www.parrotsociety.org.au Box 2462 Adelaide 5001 Ph 8252 Gippsland Canary Club 11 Faulkner Pl Chapman 2611 Lake Macquarie Zebra Finch Society PO Box 300 Wagga Wagga 2650 Pheasant & Waterfowl Society of 7800 Moe 3825 Ph 5127 3711 [email protected]. 5 Elizabeth Street Fennell Bay 2283 Ph 6922 8200 Australia (Qld) Ph 0417 641 759 Mildura & Districts Bird Club PO Box Gloster Fancy Canary Club of PO Box 3719 Ph 4959 6834 Wodonga-Albury Avicultural Society Pine Rivers Budgerigar Society PO 1356 Centre Plaza Mildura 3501 Ph Victoria 11 Palm Court Frankston Canberra Finch Club PO Box 794 Lavington 2641 Ph Weston Creek 2611 Macarthur Aviary Bird Club PO Box Box 310 Kipparing 4021 Ph 3293 5023 3924 3199 Ph 8707 0240 6025 8328 Ph 0408 787 885 673 Ingleburn 2565 Ph 9605 3432 1311 North East Budgerigar Society 13 Latrobe Valley Avicultural Club PO Wollongong & District Avicultural NEW SOUTH WALES — ph prefix 02 Maclean District Avicultural Society Queensland Avicultural & Canary Dunkley Ave Firle 5070 Ph 8331 Box 3237 Gippsland Mail Centre 26 Elizabeth St Iluka 2466 Ph 6645 Society 2 Griffiths St Oak Flats Improvement Society PO Box 27 0097 Morwell 3841 Ph 03 5983 0093. African Lovebird Society of 2529 Ph 4256 0005 bmkerr1997 7366 Cotton Tree 4558 Ph 0411 401 419 Port Augusta Bird Society 9 Davies Melbourne Canary Improvement Australia PO Box 422 Pennant Hills @bigpond.com 1715 Ph 9688 6995 Maitland Bird Club 1 Elizabeth St Queensland Bird Breeders Club PO Cres Port Augusta 5700 Ph 8642 Society 15 Ballina Terrace Vermont Telarah 2320 Ph 4932 3311 Wollongong Finch Club 173 Coromal Box 6059 Logan Central 4114 Ph 2276 [email protected] South 3133 Ph 9803 8230 Armidale Caged Bird Club. 62 St Wollongong 2500 Ph 0412 288 Newton St Armidale 2350 Ph 6772 Manly Warringah Aviculture Society 3200 5836 Port Pirie Bird Club 27 Booyoolie Mildura & Districts Bird Club PO Box 32 Fairlight St Fairlight 2094 Ph 656 [email protected] Queensland Council of Bird Street Laura 5480 Ph 8663 2320 1356 Centro Plaza Mildura 3501 Ph 3180 PO Box 9949 2692 Yass & District Bird Club Societies PO Box 236 Beaudesert Port Pirie Budgerigar Society 5 5023 4777 Association of Country Bird 432 Yass 2582 Ph 6226 5663 Manning & District Birdkeepers 3 4285 Ph 0419 666 674 Wardang Ave Maitland 5573 Ph Mornington Peninsula Avicultural Exhibitors 151 Prince St Orange 7 Rosewood Cres Taree 2430 Yorkshire Canary Club of Australia [email protected] 8832 2857 Society PO Box 4210 Frankston 2800 Ph 6362 4561 Higgins St Condell Park 2200 Ph Midstate Budgerigar Club 5 Gilliana Queensland Finch Society PO Box Riverland Birdkeepers Club PO Box Heights LPO 3199 Ph 9770 1231 Australian Fife Fancy Canary Club 9709 6460 of 45 Northview St Rathmines 2283 Pl Orange 2800 Ph 6363 1322 1600 Coorparoo 4151 Ph 3207 451 Barmera 5345 Ph 8588 2836 Northern Districts Canary Nambucca River Cage Bird Club Lot Young & District Cage Bird Society 3386 Roller Canary Society of South Ph 4975 2768 Ph 0407 903 220 Improvement Society of Victoria 4 5 Albert Dr Warrell Creek via Queensland Pigeon Fancers Society Australia 7 Brookhaven Crt Parramatta Rd Werribee 3030 Ph Australian Lizard Canary Society 68 Zebra Finch Society of Australia Silvermere St Culburra Beach 2540 Macksville 2447 Ph 6569 3243 PO Box 584 New Farm 4005 Ph Woodland Ridge 5159 Ph 8270 9741 5874 Namoi Valley Aviculture Club PO [email protected] Ph 9833 3358 3677 barrypigeons@ big- 4183 4447 2188 9883 Pheasant & Waterfowl Society of Australian National Cockatiel Box 445 Gunnedah 2380 pond.com Southern Cage Bird Society 30 Australia Ph 5978 7397, Narrabri & District Poultry Club 13 NORTHERN TERRITORY — prefix 08 Sarina Bird Club Sarina Bird Club Hounslow Avenue Torrensville 5031 Society Branch, PO Box KL630 Northern Territory Avicultural [email protected] Kings Langley 2147 Ph 4572 3349 Saundera St Narrabri 2390 410 West Plane Creek Rd Sarina 4737 Ph 8346 6347 Southern Canary Club PO Box 151 Native Cockatiel Society of Australia Society PO Box 40928 Casuarina Ph 0438 162196 [email protected] Avicultural Society of the Central 0810 Ph 0407 357 272 Ormond 3204 Ph 9578 4964 Coast PO Box 4218 East Gosford PO Box 6308 South Penrith 2750 [email protected] TASMANIA — ph prefix 03 Sunraysia Canary Society PO Box Ph 4733 6521 QUEENSLAND — ph prefix 07 South East Queensland Zebra Finch Avicultural Society of Tasmania 2250 Ph 4374 1801 African Lovebird & Foreign Parrot 470 Red Cliffs 3496 Ph 5024 1434 Avicultural Society of NSW PO Box Nepean District Cage Bird Club 134 Society 3 Kerr Pl Gympie 4570 PO Box 714 Moonah 7009 Victorian Canary Society 956 Mt Maple Rd St Marys 2760 Ph 9862 Society of Qld PO Box 5587 Ph 5482 4545 jag@spiderweb. Ph 0408 720 130 482 West Ryde NSW 1685 Ph 02 Brendale MDC 4500 Dandenong Tourist Rd Montrose 9874 2464, aviculturalsocietynsw 2624 com.au Border Fancy Canary Club of 3765 Ph 9761 8470 Australian Budgerigar Society PO South Queensland Budgerigar PO Box 227 Lilydale @yahoo.com.au New Colour & Red Factor Canary Tasmania Victorian Norwich Canary Club 54 26 Coorabin Pl Box 16 Browns Plains 4118 Ph 131-141 Smiths Rd Bathurst Regional Avicultural Club of Aust Breeders Assoc 7268 Ph 6395 1111 McNamara Ave Airport West 3042 Riverwood 2210 Ph 9584 9279 5548 7674 Caboolture Ph 5498 9788 PO Society PO Box 776 Bathurst 2795 Budgerigar Society of Tasmania Ph 9374 2098 Newcastle Border Fancy Canary Australian National Cockatiel Sunshine Coast Avicultural Society Box 371 Sorell 7172 Ph 6265 2779 Ph 0416 061 154 0431 539 517, Club 8 Agate Av Pearl Beach 2256 Society PO Box 1248 Fortitude PO Box 302 Burpengary 4505 Ph Launceston Canary & Cage Bird Victorian Zebra Finch Blacktown & District Cage Bird Valley 4006 0408 337 498 [email protected] Society 63 Dahlia St Greystanes Ph 4342 2466 3888 5423 [email protected] Society 21 Reubens Rd Rosevale Newcastle Budgerigar Club PO Box Australian Roller Canary Society PO Sunshine Coast Budgerigar 7292 Ph 6396 6172 Wimmera Bird Club PO Box 221 2145 Ph 9604 9242 Box 292 Alderley 4051 Ph 0417 340 Horsham 3402 Ph 5382 2826 Border Fancy Canary Club of 56 Cardiff 2285 Ph 4954 5409 Association 8 Bangalow Court Northern Tasmania Budgerigar Newcastle/Maitland Canary & Cage 367 Cooroy 4563 Ph 5442 6726 Society 18 Jamison St Prospect Yorkshire Canary Club of Victoria 4 Australia 15 Third Av Berala 2141 Beaudesert Parrot & FInch Assoc Millar Rd Tullamarine 3043 Ph 9646 4569 Bird Society 2 Beckett St Gillieston Surfers Paradise Budgerigar Society 7250 Ph 6334 3202 Hts 2321 Ph 4932 6732 PO Box 222 Beaudesert 4285 Ph PO Box 842 Mudgeeraba 4213 Ph North West Bird Club PO Box 59 WESTERN AUSTRALIA — ph prefix 08 Brisbane Waters Cage Bird Society 0438 182 604 www.bpfa.websyte.com.au Avicultural Society of Western 69 Lone Pine Ave Umina 2257 North-West NSW Avicultural Society 5530 3274 Wynyard 7325 Ph 6431 1114 Beenleigh Bird Breeders Assoc PO Australia PO Box 55 Victoria Park Ph 4341 6842 ‘Melrose’ 151 Glenburnie Rd Rob Tableland Bird Breeders Club PO [email protected] www. Roy 2360 Ph 0407 453 236 Box 5021 Eagleby 4207 Ph general Box 222 Mareeba 4880 Ph 4092 northwestbirdclubtasmania.org.au 6979 Ph 0418 946 363 Broken Hill Avicultural Society 585 3206 6062, bird sales 3890 2425 North Coast Caged Bird Club 65 4898 North West Canary Society of Budgerigar Society of WA 31 Cummins St Broken Hill 2880 Ph 08 Bengalese Breeders Society (in recess) 8087 6980 Cathcart St Lismore 2477 Ph 6621 Thuringowa Bird Club PO Box 397 Tasmania 66 Bird St Acton 7320 Ph Yallambee Cres Wanneroo 6065 Ph 3226 1/52 Wine Drive Toowoomba 4350 Ph Deeragun Townsville 4818 Ph 4778 6431 7909 9405 2464 Budgerigar Improvement Society 48 4634 7549 Heather St Wheeler Heights 2097 Northern Avicultural Society 7007 www.thuringowabirdclub.org Southern Tasmania Canary Society Crested Budgerigar Club of Aust 28 (Newcastle) PO Box 277 Border Fancy Canary Club of PO 43 Coleman St Moonah West 7009 Okewood Way Morley 6062 Ph Ph 9982 2801 15 Arkwright St Welles Toowoomba Avicultural Society Queensland Box 983 Toowoomba 4350 Ph 4693 Ph 6272 0191 9377 2420 unique@members. Budgerigar Information Service 25 Adamstown 2289 Ph 4963 3623 Hill Brisbane 4121 Ph 3397 5233 1037 Tassy Finch Club 22 Inkerman St capricorn.com.au Lyton St Blacktown 2148 Ph 9671 Northern NSW Budgerigar Breeders Brisbane & Northern Suburbs 20 Armidale Rd Coutts 24 Triabunna 7190 5380 Assoc Budgerigar Society 21 Forest Hills Toowoomba Budgerigar Assoc Cage Bird & Wildlife Society of Budgerigar Rare & Specialist Crossing 2460 Ph 6649 3209 Drive, Morayfield Qld 4506 Ph Nioka Drive Highfields Ph 4352 [email protected] Western Australia 35 Torxcross St Exhibitors of Australasia PO Box Northern Rivers Avicultural Society 3886 8069 www.bnsbsinc.com.au 0427 671 399 VICTORIA — ph prefix 03 Warnboro 6169 Ph 9593 4917 PO Box 51 141 Croydon 2132 Ph 9747 6642 104 Meyers Rd Grafton 2460 Ph Budgerigar Society of Bundaberg 34 Toowoomba Canary Club Australian Canary Association Finch Society of Western Australia Budgerigar Society of NSW 340 6644 9513 McNeilly St Bundaberg Ph 4152 7068 Toowoomba Mail Centre 4352 Whitesides Ave, West Sunshine PO Box 2351 Malaga 6944 Ph 9401 Highlands Drive Failford 2430 Ph Norwich Canary Club of NSW 122 3001 Ph 4634 5050 3020 7656 6554 3073, 0427 537 761 Campbell St Fairfield 2165 Ph 9755 Bundaberg Bird Breeders Club PO Townsville Bird Breeders Club 61 Avicultural Society of Australia 52 Geraldton Bird Club Ph 0409 791 072 knico2@big pond.com 7377 Box 5471 Bundaberg 4670 Ph Halstead St Gulliver 4812 Ph 4779 One Tree Hill, Ferny Creek 3786 Ph [email protected] 4369 9755 2935 stephanie.webber@ Canary & Cage Bird Improvement NSW Finch Exhibitors Society 7 4155 6221 Mandurah Avicultural Society 125 Braddon St St Marys 2760 Ph 9833 2960 harrison.org.au www.birds.org.au Society 3 Lakeside St Currans Hill Bundaberg Canary & Cage Bird Wide Bay Parrot Society Cooper St Mandurah 6210 Ph 08 160 Possum Gully 2567 Ph 4647 0327 9883 Society 39 Greathead Rd Maryborough Rd Hervey Bay Ph ASA Ararat branch 9535 3983 11 0458 214 841 Rd Adelaide Lead Ph 5461 2158 Central Coast Avicultural Society PO NSW Ornithological Association Bundaberg 4670 Ph 4152 9637 Melville District Cage Bird Society President St Croydon Park 2133 Ph PO Box 15 Box 4218 East Gosford 2250 Ph Burnett Bird Keepers Association Wynnum Redlands Budgerigar ASA Ballarat branch 40A Harfoot St Willagee 6156 Ph 9745 1215 22 Stockyard St Wynnum Gordon 3345 Ph 5368 9288 4389 1997 235 Franklin Rd Wattle Camp 4615 Society 9349 2172 Orana Avicultural Society PO Box Ph 4162 7635 West 4178 Ph 3393 3205 ASA Bendigo branch PO Box 2171 Metropolitan Budgerigar Club 69 Central Tablelands Avicultural 4103 Dubbo 2839 Ph 6882 9098 Yorkshire & Norwich Canary Club of Bendigo Mail Centre 3554 Ph 5447 Association PO Box 233 Gulgong Caboolture Budgerigar Society 9 Wilber St Rossmoyne 6148 Orange Bird Society PO Box 1666 Dussek Pl Burpengary 4505 Ph Qld 9 Eynsford St Carindale 4152 9931 [email protected] 2852 Ph 6374 1890 Orange 2800 Ph 6365 3666 Ph 3398 6893 1172 Cross 3888 4198 ASA Centre West branch Midland & Northern Districts Cage Central West Bird Club 59 Templar St Forest Rd Cobden 3266 Ph 5595 2215 Parrot Breeders & Exhibitors Capricornia Budgerigar Society PO SOUTH AUSTRALIA — ph prefix 08 Bird Club 359 Warwick Rd Forbes 2871 Ph 0406 512 851 PO Box 87 Casula 8 Panorama Drive PO Box 865 Society of NSW Box 5451 CQMC Rockhampton Adelaide Bird Club ASA Geelong branch Greenwood 6042 Ph 9447 9238 Clarence River District Cage Bird Mall 2170 Ph 9607 5591 Windsor Gardens 5087 Ph 8261 Geelong 3220 Ph 5248 7641 4701 Ph 4926 1635 Pheasant & Waterfowl Society of Club PO Box 959 Grafton 2460 Ph Parrot Society of Australia (NSW) 3886 www.adelaidebirdclub.com ASA Gippsland branch PO Box 147 Charters Towers Birdkeepers Club 9295 3316 6643 1323 AH PO Box 49 Riverstone 2765 Adelaide Canary Society PO Box 185 Trafalgar 3824 Ph 5163 1433 Australia PO Box 697 Charters Towers 4820 [email protected] Coffs Harbour & District Avicultural Ph 0403 017 855 Ph 4787 3015 Goolwa 5214 Ph 8555 3836 ASA Goulburn Valley branch 239 Rare Budgerigar Club of WA 3/14 Society PO Box 884 Coffs Harbour Pied Budgerigar Society 117 Malvern PO Box 521 Adelaide New Colour Canary Club 4 Maryann Rd Echuca 3564 Ph 5482 Coral Coast Bird Club Mackay Cres Gosnells 6110 Ph 2450 Ph 6654 3357 St Panania 2213 Ph 9773 8348 Proserpine 4800 Rodriguez Drive, Paralowie 5108 Ph 6044, 0488 330 912 9398 6598, 0418 934 334 Finch Society of Australia PO Box 26 Red Factor Canary Club of Australia Downs Bird Breeders Association 8280 9011 ozziebee_au@yahoo. ASA Northern branch 25 Margaret St Douglas Park 2569 Ph 0411 253 512 2 Beethoven St Engadine 2233 Ph PO Box 3401 Village Fair com. au Cohuna 3568 Ph 5456 2778 Rockingham District Bird Society [email protected] 9520 2574 Toowoomba 4350 Ph 4630 4469 Avicultural Society of South ASA Pheasant & Waterfowl branch 267 Wandoo Dve Baldivis 6171 Ph Finch Society of Australia Hawkesbury Riverina Bird Fanciers PO Box 208 www.dbba.net Australia PO Box 485 North 120 Shotton Rd Mt Eliza Ph 9524 1402 Valley Branch 341 Springwood Rd Temora 2666 Far North Queensland Bird Breeders Adelaide 5006 Ph 8380 9806 5975 3774 South West Avicultural Society PO Yarramundi 2753 Ph 02 4776 1076 Ryde District Canary & Cage Bird Club PO Box 336 Yungaburra www.birdkeepinginaustralia.com ASA Sunraysia branch PO Box 3058 Box 923 Bunbury WA 6231 Ph 9725 www.finchclub.cjb.net Society 13 Thorn St Ryde 2112 Ph 4884 Ph 4095 3683 secretaryfnqb- ASSA Mid-North Branch 1 Matta Rd Mildura 3502 Ph 5027 3345 1761 [email protected] Finch Society of Australia Wollongong 9808 4468 [email protected] Wallaroo 5556 ASA Swan Hill branch PO Box 1128 South West Budgerigar Club Branch PO Box 50 Woonono 2517 Shoalhaven Avicultural Society PO Fraser Coast Bird Club 17 Park St ASSA South-East branch PO Box Swan Hill 3585 Ph 5033 1969 Mandurah 0402 409 937 Ph 02 4283 5383 Box 1133 Nowra 2541 Ph 4423 4475, Urangan Qld 4655 Ph 4128 9656 9081 Mt Gambier West 5291 Ph ASA Western District branch 50 [email protected] Gloster Fancy Canary Club of NSW 0419 970 691 Fraser Coast Budgerigar Society 37 8725 8249 [email protected] Spencers Rd Kirkstall 3283 Ph Western Australian Budgerigar PO Box 230 Frenchs Forest 1640 Softbill & Native Pigeon Society of Nelson St Childers 4660 Ph ASSA York Peninsula Branch 47 5565 8084, 0417 180 973 Council 0402 409 937 Ph 9452 2396 [email protected] Australia Ph 9817 4897 4126 3732 Edinburgh Rd Yorktown 5576 chloe [email protected] [email protected] Talking Birds, June 2016 31 PO Box 216 Balnarring VIC 3926 Phone: 03 5983 2566 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.talkingbirds.com.au Please select your subscription option

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