Finches and Softbills

Census of Finches & Softbills in Australia

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 03:18:00 GMT

The 2nd Exotic and Native Finch and Softbill Census 2010

Monitoring and Maintaining our Populations of Finches and Softbills

By David Pace
President National Finch and Softbill Association

Aviculture is arguably as healthy as it has ever been, but there is little doubt that it is changing. Companion bird keeping is more popular in Australia than ever before. Bird sales around the country keep getting larger, in terms of both the number of sellers and buyers seeking birds. This speaks clearly that aviculture is here to stay in one form or another. It is interesting that while overall popularity of birdkeeping endures, other aspects of our hobby are being challenged to such a degree that aviculture as we have know it traditionally, may become very different in the future.
We currently have a healthy selection of both exotic and native finch species. Through the application of outstanding avicultural techniques, we have established and now maintain strong aviary populations of most of our native finch species. Likewise, dedicated aviculturists have been able to maintain most of the exotic species that were imported into Australia pre the 1960’s. Although no new blood has been injected into our stocks since this time, the sheer numbers of some species that were once imported have ensured that these species should be with us into the future. However some species are clearly struggling in both numbers and genetic strength. To manage this situation we must be aware of trends and of the factors that may threaten their existence in Australian aviculture.

Declining Numbers and Targeting Species
During the past decades, several finch species have been lost and are now extinct in our aviaries. I recently inspected a skin of a quail finch that was tabled by the Avicultural Society of South Australia at their recent bird sale. Apparently this specimen survived until the 1980’s in Adelaide aviaries. Alas this unique African species is now extinct in Australian aviaries! The NFSA census in 2008 listed other species that may one day join the quail finch if dedicated aviculturists do not take up the challenge to breed them. Species such as the green avadavat with only 16 individuals, red-crested cardinal with 3 individuals and the grey singing finch with 9 individuals. With such low numbers, the plight of these species may already be doomed.

A positive to come from the last NFSA census was highlighted by clubs such as the Riverina Finch Society, NSW and the Swan Hill Branch of the ASA. These clubs targeted specific species that members would work to breed, through specialized and co-ordinated breeding programs. The Riverina Finch Society targeted the silver-headed nun, while the Swan Hill Branch of the ASA targeted the crimson finch. These are excellent examples of what can be done at the club level to boost the numbers of a species when given some hard data.

Hybridizing – Sustainable Avicultural Network (SAN)
Hybridizing of some species is still deliberately occurring and the cost will be the loss of species. An example of this is the Aberdeen finch, also known as the red-headed finch Amandina erythrocepala. The last NFSA census in 2008 had the numbers at a disturbingly low 18 birds held by four breeders, and yet due to either stupidity, ignorance or a way to make a quick dollar, hybrids between the Aberdeen and the closely related cutthroat Amandina fasciata are becoming more widespread. When there are so few in the country, this behavior will ultimately result in the loss of another species for future aviculturists in Australia.

Unfortunately this has also occurred with the white-bellied or Javan munia Lonchura leucogastroides being deliberately crossed with the Bengalese Lonchura domestica. The result is that we can’t be certain that we have pure strains of this rare munia. This practice is not simply confined to exotic species. It is disheartening to see with increasing frequency the numbers of hyrbrid long-tailed Peophila acuticauda x Heck’s finches P. a hecki and Parson finches Peophila cincta x Diggles P. c. atropygialis offered at bird sales. Our stocks are so precious, it is vital we maintain them and keep them pure. With all the current avicultural knowledge we have, there really is no excuse for condoning the deliberate hybridizing of our stocks.

The Avicultural Society of South Australia launched the Sustainable Aviculture Network (SAN) program at the end of 2009. The idea is to give aviculturists the ability to contact other aviculturists who keep the same species while retaining their privacy. The premise is that the birds are pure and so it ensures one possible means in which a breeder can obtain new blood or founding stock. For more information email Matt Russell: tara_matt@hotmail.com

Legal Exportation
In recent years we have become aware of the legal exportation of our exotic finches to the USA and Canada. To date the species most frequently exported are wild trapped European gold and green finches from southern Australia and to a lesser extent red-faced parrot finches and Cuban finches. The pressure on our captive strains for legal export will continue to grow as many countries around the world are banning the importation of wild caught birds. Breeders and dealers world-wide will be eyeing our birds more keenly. It will become increasingly important for us to monitor our stocks to ensure that any exports are ‘controlled’ and that a once common species is not drained to the point of becoming endangered with extinction from our Australian aviaries.

Auditing Population Trends – The NFSA National Census
Many clubs have recently become involved in auditing birds at their sales. This has occurred at the Queensland Finch Society bird sale in 2009 and the Geelong Branch of the ASA sale in 2009 and 2010. If audits such as these were to occur over many years, any sudden drop in the numbers of a species would be quickly detected and breeders could be alerted. This is where the NFSA National Census can become a powerful tool in displaying trends in the population of various species. The last census in 2008 had over 300 breeders respond and provide some foundation data that provided a ‘snap shot’ of what was being held. It is hoped even more breeders will participate in this year’s census and so enhance the accuracy of the data.

What Can You Do?
The 2010 NFSA Finch and Softbill Census can go a long way in providing valuable information on the status of our exotic and native species. All that is required is that the accompanying census form is filled in. Simply list the numbers you have of a specific species. No names or addresses are required – only the numbers you currently have. The results will be presented at the Finches ‘11 International Finch Convention in Brisbane in April 2011 and published in subsequent avicultural publications. The census form can be mailed or emailed to either:

Gary Fitt,c/- QFS PO Box 1600, Coorparoo DC, Queensland 4151 or gary.fitt@bigpond..com
or
David Pace, PO Box 51, Torquay, Victoria, 3228 or pace.david.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

The National Finch and Softbill Association (NFSA) would like to thank the support of all 30 of our member bird clubs and societies from around the country. By representing such a large part of the avicultural sector, we are placed in a stronger position to lobby with various government organisations when the need arises. It also provides a large cross section of finch and softbill breeders that can provide vital information on the status of both exotic and native species held in captivity.

For more information about the Finches ‘11 International Finch Convention in Brisbane in April 201, email: gary.fitt@bigpond..com
For a copy of the Census form please amil birdkeeper@birdkeeper.com.au

Diamond Firetails—Gems of the Australian Bush

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 05:25:00 GMT

The Following Article (in part) appears in Australian BirdKeeper Magazine Volume 23 Issue 2 (April-May 2010).

Due to space constrictions we were unable to include the References which are posted here for your information:

The brilliantly coloured species of firetail finch cover a broad spectrum from the most common Red-browed and Painted to the more restricted and rare Beautiful and Red-eared. And somewhere in between is one of my favourite finches—the Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata—one of the most stunning Australian finches that we are fortunate to have established in aviculture.

Despite being a firm favourite amongst a small subset of finch keepers, the Diamond Firetail is declining in the wild—a significant decline shared with several other birds of Australia’s grassy woodlands.

The accompanying colour photographs by Cheryl Mares depict the distinct colouration and ‘presence’ of this bold finch to the extent that no description seems necessary.

Over the years many excellent articles have been written about the keeping and breeding of Diamond Firetails in aviculture. Nevertheless, many finch breeders may be unaware of the significance of Diamond Firetails in the scientific discovery and description of Australia’s birds.

Apart from the Beautiful Firetail and the Red-browed Firetail described in 1801 by Latham, most Australian finches were described during the 1830s and 1840s largely through the work of John Gould. By contrast, the Diamond Firetail was first described by British zoologist George Kearsley Shaw in 1796, just eight years after the settlement of Australia at Sydney Cove. In fact the Diamond Firetail was the first Australian finch described from specimens ‘then inhabiting the neighbourhood of Sydney’ (Cayley 1932). For this reason it was adopted as part of the logo for the National Finch and Softbill Association.

References

Antos, M. J., and Bennett, A. F. (2006). Foraging ecology of ground-feeding woodland birds in temperate woodlands of southern Australia. Emu 106: 29–40.

Antos M.J., Bennett A.F. and White J.G. (2008) Where exactly do ground-foraging woodland birds forage? Foraging sites and microhabitat selection in temperate
woodlands of southern Australia. Emu 108: 201–211

Cayley N. W. (1932) Australian Finches in Bush and Aviary. Angus and Robinson Sydney.

Cooney S.J.N., Watson D.M. and Young J. (2006) Mistletoe nesting in Australian birds: a review. Emu 106: 1–12.

Cooney S.J.N. and Watson D.M. (2005) Diamond Firetails (Stagonopleura guttata) preferentially nest in Mistletoe. Emu 105: 317–322

Ford, H.A., Noske, S. and Bridges, L. (1986). Foraging of birds in eucalypt woodland in north-eastern New South Wales. Emu 86:168-179

Ford H.A., Barrett G., Saunders D.A. and Recher H.F (2001). Why have birds in the woodlands of Southern Australia declined? Biological Conservation 97: 71-88.

Immelmann (1965) Australian Finches in Bush and Aviary. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

McGuire A. and Kleindorfer S. (2007) Nesting success and apparent nest-adornment in Diamond Firetails (Stagonopleura guttata). Emu 107: 44–51

Olsen P. (2007) “Glimpses of paradise – the quest for the beautiful parakeet”. National Library of Australia, ACT.

O’Gorman B. (1981) A prolonged field study of the Diamond Firetail. Australian Aviculture January 1981. pp. 14-27

Paton D.C., Rogers D.J., and Harris W. (2004) Birdscaping the environment: restoring the woodland systems of the Mt Lofty region, South Australia. Pp 331-358 in “Conservation of Australia's forest fauna. 2nd Edition”. Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales; Mosman

Read J.L. (1994) The Diet of Three Species of Firetail Finches in Temperate South Australia. Emu 94: 1-8

Woinarski J.C.Z. and Catterall C. (2004) Historical changes in the bird fauna at Coomooboolaroo, northeastern Australia, from the early years of pastoral settlement (1873) to 1999. Biological Conservation 116: 379–401

Weblinks

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/pdfs/regional_recovery/fauna/birds/diamond-firetail.pdf
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/birds2000/index.html
http://www.murrumbidgee.cma.nsw.gov.au/uploads/media/Diamond_Firetail.pdf
http://www.visitquirindi.com.au/attractions/bird_routes.html
http://www.cottonaustralia.com.au/environment/resources/Birds_On_Cotton_Farms.pdf
http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/our-projects/woodland-bird-conservation.html
http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/
http://www.blackthroatedfinch.com/
http://www.savethegouldian.org/

Full article is available either in Print or Digital versions.

Azure Experience

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:16:00 GMT

Azure Experience

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY KELLY BUDGEN

During a recent fishing trip with my over enthusiastic partner we set out to explore the wilds of the Upper Brisbane River and what it had to offer.

After a steep decent down the river bank we successfully boarded the somewhat unstable canoe. Armed with fishing rods and my trusty SLR Camera our adventure began. Admittedly, our first and only goal was to catch our dinner but to my excitement, one hour into the trip we came across the most beautiful feathered creature known to man—the Azure Kingfisher Alcedo azurea.

With plumage in full display this Azure flitted from one low lying branch to another keeping a sharp eye on the waters. Curiously watching for shoals of guppies and gudgens intended for its next meal the Azure Kingfisher plunged from overhanging perches into the water to catch its prey.

Whilst observing its eating habits that day it became obvious that this particular kingfisher wasn’t only eating for one. It seemed that there must be a reason for this unusually extreme appetite. After following the Azure slowly and stealthily up the river about 500 metres our questions were answered. There, in amongst the dead branches of a recently fallen iron bark, was to our delight the first of the Azure Kingfisher young we would sight and photograph that day.

After observing the parent bird continuing to fly back and forth to this particular young one feeding on demand, we started to wonder whether there was more than one fledgling. This one seemed to be rather young with its quills still yet to unroll on top of its head. Could there possibly be another?

It is a known fact that the Azure Kingfisher generally has clutches of 5−7 eggs with two clutches a year. Azure Kingfishers form monogamous pairs that defend a breeding territory—breeding season is September to January. Both parents share the task of incubation and feeding the chicks. The Azure nest is unique as it is usually at the end of a burrow, dug out of soil in a riverbank.

Sure enough, after watching the same parent bird for some time it eventually diverted its usual feeding path across the river to another secluded safe area covered and surrounded by vegetation. It was a second chick, this one was older—the plumage more vivid than the first and all feather quills were unrolled and in full bloom. The young chick was calling intently to the parent bird seeking its next meal.

This was a truly amazing sight, nature’s beauty at its best. Hopefully we will experience more wonderful sightings like this in future adventures.

Nesting Wrens in the Wild

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:30:00 GMT

Nesting Wrens in the Wild

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY NORM GARDNER

One day I was watering my orchids in our shadehouse when I noticed a clump of grass in one of my hanging baskets suspended about 1.7 metres off the ground. I thought a mouse had built a nest in it and I almost pulled it down.

Upon closer inspection, however, I realised it was a wren’s nest—and
it contained three eggs!

I took a photo of them that day, followed by another picture a few days later as the baby birds were cracking out of the eggs. In fact, I followed their progress day by day until they fledged.

The nest was a domed affair made of grass and lined with soft material eg feathers and lint and nest hygiene was evident.

On fledging the hen had tried to lure me away from the young birds by forming her body into a mouse-like posture and scurrying along the ground mimicking a small rodent.

Another pair of wrens then built a nest in some low growing shrubs planted especially to encourage birds into our garden. It had three eggs in it but only two hatched—the other egg was infertile. The hen was a very light sitter so as soon as I approached the nest she would fly out of it.

The parent birds were seen feeding the young with insects assisted by another fully coloured cock bird who was tolerated by the dominate pair only while he was helping to feed the chicks after which time he was soon sent on his way.

The Superb Fairy-wren has bred up well in recent years in our area. At the time of writing these notes another hen was seen with pieces of grass in her beak ready to build again. A young starling crashed into our glass window and was immediately attacked by both the cock and the hen and soon chased away.

I often throw crumbs from my breakfast table out on our patio and it is a great pleasure to see a family of Blue Wrens come bounding in to feed on them.

Developing Wrens

RESOURCES

Australian Softbill Management—Aviary Studies of Wrens, Robins, Chats and Dotterels
Pekin Robins and Softbills—Management and Breeding

DVD Birdkeeping the South African Way—Part 5–Keeping and Breeding Softbills

Get Your Finches Ready for the Cooler Temperatures

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:58:00 GMT

Marcus Pollard

Winter has made its presence felt in Tasmania lately, which means it is time for breeders to remove the shadecloth from the aviary roof and finish all those chores to get our finches ready for cooler temperatures. Whether you are locking down or gearing up for a spot of winter breeding – hop to it!

The cold should see the number of birds imported from the mainland slow down at least. Few people are demented enough to import birds during winter unless they want to winter them in their houses. Me? Okay, I’ve done it just the once.

Meanwhile, finch lovers in far north Queensland love this time of year because they use it to import their finches safely in milder temperatures.

Whether you are importing finches in cold or mild temperatures, you can prepare them for travel by supplementing their diet with an electrolyte mix. A touch of Glucodin™ and Troy Vita-B™ is good to give approximately a week before you send your finches off.

This is also suitable for use when your new charges arrive at your premises before entering quarantine.

I also have a mix great for topping up vitamin D3 without using water-based treatments. I call it my Polly’s Calcium Mix and it has proved to be a real winner with our finches down here, particularly the Gouldians!

Basically, take a container of Dr Colin Walkers (Australian Pigeon Company) PVM powder (or Bio-cal™ or a mixture of both) and combine it with a liberal amount of Canundra shell or very fine shell grit. Mix thoroughly and place it into a container.

Sydney’s Elenbee Seed Company, has all the ingredients you need to make your own Polly’s Calcium Mix – tell them Marcus sent you.

Still on the topic of importation, Tasmanian wildlife authorities have introduced a new system where all finches proposed for import into Tassie must have an Environmental Impact Statement prepared for them. They must then go through a panel before being cleared for import.

Apparently the reasoning behind it is to prevent species from going feral and overpopulating Tasmania. Hmm. I’ll keep you updated!

Marcus Pollard