Cinnamon red dilute. Eastern rosella. Photo: Glen Malin

PUBLISHED BY THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NSW inc. www.aviculturalsocietynsw.org | e-mail: [email protected]

Volume 46 # 1 JANUARY — MARCH 2023

THE AVICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NSW® (The Avicultural Society of New South Wales Inc.) PO Box 482 West Ryde NSW 1685 LIFE MEMBERS Dr Jim Gill, Dr Mike Cannon, Graeme Phipps, Terry Atkinson, Jack Stunnell, Ian Ward, Janet Macpherson & Paul Henry PRESIDENT: Brian Read , Mobile 0408 660 332 [email protected] VICE PRESIDENTS: Debbie Brincat and Murray McPherson SECRETARY: Paul Henry, Mobile 0408 617 686 [email protected] MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Paul Henry TREASURER: Aaron Hansford, Mobile 0422 807 010 [email protected] EDITOR: Paul Henry, Assistant Editor, Kim Brincat CONSERVATION OFFICERS: Ivan Cindric, Richard Allen, Aaron Hansford PUBLICITY OFFICER: Murray McPherson SPONSOR CO ORDINATOR: Ivan Cindric, DELEGATE:ABA, and CCBFA Murray McPherson, PUBLIC OFFICER: Murray Macpherson Mobile 0402 276 082 WEB MISTRESS: Janet Macpherson and Debbie Brincat SOCIAL MEDIA: Kimberly Brincat RAFFLE STEWARDS: John Barnes, Richard Balbi. Andrew Brincat SUPPER CO-ORDINATORS: Richard Allen, John Coco SALES TABLE: Sharnie and Kimberly Brincat NORTHERN DELEGATE: Bruce Hockley SOUTHERN DELEGATE: Sam Davis

INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE 1

BLUE FACE PARROT FINCH

PAGE 4

BIRD SALE GUIDE FOR SELLERS

PAGE 5

BIRD SALE CALENDAR FOR 2023

PAGE 6

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

PAGE 7

CORRELLAS IN Mt GAMBIA

PAGE 8 PAGE 15 PAGE 16

THE NATIONAL FINCH CENSUS 2020—CONTINUED BREEDING MORE BABIES CARING FOR YOUR NEWLY WEANED COCKATIEL

PAGE 18

BARNABY’S COCKATOO ARTIFICAL HOLLOWS

PAGE 20

BIRD TRADER

Disclaimer The opinions expressed in the Aviculture Review do not necessarily represent those of the Avicultural Society of NSW. No responsibility is accepted by the Society or the Editor for the statements, opinions and advice contained herein. Readers should rely upon their own inquiries in making any decisions relating to their own interests. Copyright. The Avicultural Society of NSW Inc. reserves all rights in the Avicultural Review, and no matter contained therein may be printed without the Society’s express permission. Approval reprints shall carry the words “Reprinted from the Avicultural Review the official publication of the Avicultural /Society of NSW Inc.” Layout and printing by BIRD KEEPING IN AUSTRALIA® [email protected]

Blue-faced Parrotfinch (Erythrura trichroa) By Paul Henry Description Size: Approximately 120mm in length and weight 15 – 18gm. Adult male: Rich grass green body. Head cobalt blue. Adult hen: Duller green on back with more olive shade on belly. Head slightly duller pastel shade of blue. Both sexes have red on the rump. The cock has more red/orange under the wing. Juvenile: Dull green until after the first moult. Distribution: The Blue-faced parrotfinch is a bird of the tropics. Its range is the border regions between tropical forest and cleared areas. The main populations are in Papua New Guinea, the Solomons, New He bride s an d the adjac ent islands. A small colony exists in the rainforests of Cape York Peninsular in northern Queensland. Sightings are rare in the wild. It is very common in Australian and European aviaries. Characteristics: They are a very active and lively bird. They are easily bred in the right environment. The cock bird is very sexually aggressive so the hen must be protected by providing shelter for her to hide. If this bird is bred in the colony situation the number of cocks should not exceed the number of mature hens available. The maximum life span is about 7-8 years but best breeding results occur from birds 1 – 4 years of age.

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January — March 2023

Housing: This bird requires a densely planted aviary with plenty of vegetation cover. They breed best in large aviaries. I have not heard of them successfully breeding in cabinets. If natural vegetation is not available then dried brush, or bamboo, attached to the walls will provide acceptable cover. They are quite compatible with other finches so they can be bred in a mixed colony. Feeding: Like all parrotfinches they have a tendency for gluttony which can impact upon their breeding results. During the off-season I restrict the amount of live-food and sprouted seed. Additions of half ripe green seed, sprouted seed, oil seeds and live food can act as a breeding stimulus. COCK BIRD ON THE LEFT HEN ON RIGHT

General finch mix with extra canary and niger

seed when breeding. Greens include endive, Lebanese cucumber and other garden greens. Live-food is not essential but is appreciated, especially when feeding young, but remember they are guts. They will eat all forms of live-food normally fed to finches including white ants, meal worms and fly pupae. The only live food I feed is fly pupae. Green seed and sprouted seed is a must for all parrot finches. It is far more important than live food. I have found the lack of sprouted seeds is the major cause of birds not commencing breeding. Nesting: Most Blue-faced parrotfinches prefer to nest in a wooden nest box. They also prefer the nest box to be on the smaller size. The box is crammed, lined, with soft grasses and feathers. I have heard of some pairs showing a preference for nesting in brush, but my experience is that when they have bred in brush, bamboo thicket, they built their nest in a small cane basket. They will reuse the same nest, and material, for a number of clutches. Breeding: Birds reach sexual maturity at 6 months of age but it is always best to let them mature before pairing up. It is not advisable to attempt to breed from hens under 9 - 12 months of age.

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Better pairings are obtained if birds have a choice of mates. Once birds commence breeding they can rear 3 - 4 clutches per year. During breeding the risks of obesity is eliminated so plenty of live food and other highly nutritional foods can be feed. Young birds will lay between 4 - 6 eggs per clutch with 3 - 4 young leaving the nest after 21 days. They are self sufficient about 3 weeks after leaving the nest but will not cause any problems if left with the parents until they finish the juvenile moult. Like other parrotfinches and Gouldian finches the young have iridescent turquoise beads on either side of the base of the bill. Health: Parrotfinches spend a lot of time on the aviary floor so they are prone to worm infestation. Worming should be carried at least annually and preferably before the breeding season. As they come from a rainforest region, they will tolerate wet and humid conditions more so than some of the Australian grassfinches. The Blue-faced requirements.

parrotfinch

is

hardy

and

has

no

special

health

Mutations: The only mutation I'm aware of is the lutino. The lutino is a sex -linked mutation. All the green is replaced with yellow, the blue with white. The red rump is retained. I have found this mutation very difficult to breed consistently. The major problem seems to be the normal coloured (split cock) cock bird does not find the yellow, lutino, hen attractive. If any normal coloured hens are available the cock bird will pair to them and leave the yellow hen. Even when only a single pair, yellow hen and normal cock, is housed together the cock does not drive, chase, the yellow hens as normal. The yellow hens then become obese and the number of eggs laid is reduced. The club hopes every member had a happy Christmas and new year; but Don’t Forget your Membership fees are now due, on the 1st January 2023

Membership fees are: Full membership $40.00 includes both electronic and paper copy of magazine. Associate membership $20 includes electronic copy of magazine. The simplest way is a direct debit to the following account.

BSB 032 063 Account 110182 (Westpac) 3

January — March 2023

Bird Sale Calendar 2023 This is a preliminary calendar for the first bird sales of the year. There may be others which advertise later. Inverell Early Bird Expo 2023 11th February Vendors benching 6am—9am. Sale Open 10am—2pm Venue: Inverell Showground Enquiries & Bookings Trevor 0432 142 039. Young Annual Bird Sale 12th February Vendors benching Sat 4.30 to 7pm, Sun 7am to — 9.30am Sale Open 10am—2pm Venue: Showground Enquiries & bookings Cliff 02-6385 3058 Orange Bird Sale 4th March Vendors benching Friday 2:30pm to 8pm and Saturday between 7:00am and 9:20am. Sale Open10am—2pm Venue: Sir Neville Howse Stadium (Orange PCYC), 2-10 Seymour Street, Orange, NSW Enquiries & bookings: Jason Townsend 0429 867 276 Clarence River District Bird Sale 12th March 9.30—12pm Venue: Showground, Prince Street, Grafton, NSW Enquiries: Face book page ACT, Canberra Finch Club 2023 Autumn Bird Sale 12th March Benching 8am. Sale Open 10am—12pm Venue: St Judes Primary School, Mulley St. Holder, ACT. Kempsey Bird Sale 12th March 10am—1pm . Enquiries 0429 923 541 Central Coast Avicultural Society 2023 Bird Sale 19th March 10am—1pm Venue: Showground, Morisset NSW Vendor bookings Anthony 0416 144 323, Dave 0407 267 627. Gunnedah Bird Sale & Expo 1st April 10—2pm. Benching Friday 5.00pm - 7.00pm Saturday 7.00am9.00am Venue: Griffiths Pavilion opposite Basketball Stadium Adrian 0400 045 987 BIRD SALE CODE OF PRACTICE With the bird sale season commencing soon members should be aware of the requirements to comply with the NSW code of practice for sellers at bird sales. Individual clubs may have modifications to these guidelines, which you may need to confirm.

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The extract below is from the CCBFA Bird Sale Guidelines. The full document may be viewed on this webpage link. https://www.ccbfa.org.au/wp-content/ u plo ad s /2 0 22 / 0 7/ C CB FA- N SW-B ir d -Sa l e- an d- Au c ti on -S t an d a rds -an dGuidelines.pdf CCBFA-NSW-Bird-Sale-and-Auction-Standards-and-Guidelines. SECTION 4: SELLER CAGES S4.1 For finch and quail species all wire cages are not permitted. For these species seller cages to be open at the front only. They should be enclosed on both sides, the rear and the top and must be solid and non-transparent. 2 S4.2 It is the sole responsibility of the seller to ensure the safe housing of their bird(s), including protecting them from fright or fear and extreme temperatures during transport and during the event. S4.3 One bird species to be held in each seller cage. S4.4 There is to be a maximum of 4 birds per seller cage. S4.5 Seller cages to be sized to allow the bird(s) to stand erect on the perch with the bird’s head not touching the roof and its tail not touching the floor. S4.6 Seller cages to have at least one perch, except for cages housing nonperching ground birds. S4.7 Seller cages to have sufficient perch space such that less than 60 per cent of the perch space would be used if all birds were perched. G4.7.1 Seller cages must be secure and in good condition with adequate ventilation, freshly cleaned and be of a suitable size for the bird they hold. G4.7.2 Seller cages should not be excessively sized. Excessively sized cages are discouraged and may be banned by the Chief Steward. G4.7.3 For ‘flighty’ species (such as doves, quail and pigeons), a padded roof should be incorporated in the display cage. G4.7.4 A trend towards the use of standard show cages (or the equivalent) specific to the species being displayed is encouraged. G4.7.5 Temporary wire fronted cardboard or similar temporary makeshift cages, airfreight boxes, etc. are unacceptable. G4.7.6 Sellers of smaller non-chewing species are encouraged to avoid or modify their ‘all wire’ cages by securely attaching cardboard, corflute or a suitable material to the roof, floor, back and sides.

Original articles by members, for members, are the most interesting! Please put pen to paper, or fingers to key board, and write of your bird-keeping experience for the benefit of your fellow members.

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January — March 2023

PRESIDENT’S REPORT Hi Everyone, Welcome to the latest edition of The Avicultural Review Happy New Year, I hope all members, their families and friends have had a enjoyable and relaxing break over the festive season. We kicked off the season with our annual Christmas party held this time at our new (temporary) digs at Burnside Gardens, the party was well attended with much revelry, many thanks to John Coco and Paul Henry for organising the festivities. With Christmas came the beginnings of Summer at last, with a gradual end to those cool to cold overnight temperatures. This has helped some of my birds to settle down and go to nest but quite a few seem to have stalled for the time being. Hopefully a return to a near normal Autumn will allow the birds to get back into their usual routines You may have heard about a recent case of smuggling, reportedly of parrot eggs and the subsequent arrest and investigation that followed. Smuggling poses a very high risk to domesticated birds and to our wildlife as well, our club deplores smuggling and is greatly concerned at the bio-security risk that it poses. It does once again raise the subject of legalised, government regulated, risk assessed imports and exports which would virtually eliminate smuggling and the biosecurity risks posed to Australia. Also a gentle reminder that membership renewals are now due, At our February meeting Debbie Brincatt will be discussing Hand-raising with some practical demonstrations. In March, Bob Barnes will discuss Canaries. Please let me know if you have any subjects you would like us to present or if you would like to present on any topic. Regards,

Brian Read PRESIDENT Now that the weather has warmed up, it’s time to ensure your birds have a plentiful supply of clean, cool water available at all times. So make sure your water dishes are in a shady spot and if not on an automatic system are replenished as soon as the water level drops, or becomes fouled. Attention must also be paid to the aviary temperature. If your shelters are unlined iron, urgent thought should be given to installing insulation, or a misting system. Iron shelters are like an oven during extremes of temperature. Heat-stressed birds are not healthy birds, so slip down to the irrigation shop and buy some misters!

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Mount Gambier council seeking solution to problem corellas descending on the town each summer Sporting clubs and a regional South Australian council are searching for a solution to damage caused by flocks of "intelligent" native birds. Each Christmas, corellas travel to Mount Gambier in the state's south-east, and residents have noticed the size of the flocks increasing every year. Damage at the Blue Lake Sports Park has meant hockey and cricket games have had to be cancelled or moved The City of Mount Gambier says it's yet to find a way to best manage the birds and the damage they cause A favourite location for the birds is the Blue Lake Sports Park, a multi-sport facility in the town and home to its hockey association. Its pitch is currently out of action after the birds ripped up the artificial turf surface. Scarecrows are now in place to scare the corellas away, but these have had limited success. "Our turf is starting to look like a patchwork quilt and we do like to put ourselves out there as having some of the best facilities in hockey in South Australia," he said. Mr Grosse added it cost the association $10,000 to get the turf professionally repaired the first time corellas damaged it, however volunteers were now used to complete the work. As we know parrots are smart birds and relentless in their search for food. When they have learnt new information they pass it on to other members of the flock.

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January — March 2023

5th National Finch Census 2020 – An Analysis The following is a continuation from the November—December Issue of the magazine. Likewise the Oriental Greenfinch, and the Rufous-Backed Mannikin (Figure 7) are in real trouble. The latter species was once very common and should be reasonably simple to bring back to good numbers if only those with them were prepared to coordinate with one another and others. QFS has tried for some time to get a conservation breeding program going on Rufous Backs but no one seems to have any young birds they are prepared to sell. Likewise the Oriental Greenfinch, and the RufousBacked Mannikin (Figure 7) are in real trouble. The latter species was once very common and should be reasonably simple to bring back to good numbers if only those with them were prepared to coordinate with one another and others. QFS has tried for some time to get a conservation breeding program going on Rufous Backs but no one seems to have any young birds they are prepared to sell. Obviously the remaining 30 or so exotic species lie between these groups of common and rare species in terms of abundance. Many of these are nonetheless vulnerable – Golden Song Sparrows may be an example (Figure 9). Among the three commonly kept Munias (Tri-Coloured, Black-Headed and White Headed) the first two seem quite stable, but the White Headed Munia continues to decline and the Javan Munia has crashed (Figure 8). The White Headed Munia really needs some focus, particularly when it is a species which is easily bred. Javan Munias suffered from some unfortunate hybridisation activities in the past which mean there are now very few pure birds remaining. Only the pure birds can be used to try to resurrect this species.

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The Avicultural Review

Red Hooded Siskins are present in good, but steady numbers (Figure 9). In fact when we consider the increased number of respondents over time, the numbers of Red Hooded Siskins and Golden Song Sparrows are at best stable (Fig. 9). A number of breeders of Red Siskins now seem to breed 40-50 young per season, but this does not seem to be reflected in the census. Where do all these birds go? We seem to have major sinks for many species with just a few people successfully breeding and supplying into a market where they simply don’t survive and prosper. These species all need ongoing focus.

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January — March 2023

Figure 10. Exotic Finches—Total number of each species

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The Avicultural Review

Figure 11. Normalised numbers of birds over 4 censuses

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January — March 2023

Figure 12. Exotic finches. % of Respondents with each species over four censuses

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The Avicultural Review

Native Finch Species For the native finch species the 2020 census again recorded numbers for every species and subspecies, including Beautiful and Red-eared Firetails and White-Bellied Crimson finches. Although there is huge variation in the numbers of each species kept, the variation reflects more the current cost and perceived difficulty in keeping some species versus the commoner species. While it is reasonable to say that none of the Australian finch species is truly threatened in aviculture, it would nonetheless be great to see increasing numbers of the Firetails, WhiteBellied Crimsons and Lesser Redbrows being kept. Figure 13 shows the total numbers for native finches in the 2020 census, while Figure 14 gives the normalised numbers over time and Figure 15 shows the % of respondents who hold each species. Gouldian Finches were by far the most popularly kept Australian finch, making up 29.5% of all native finches with a total of 8827 birds recorded. Over 74% of respondents had some gouldians. Overall 32% of Gouldians were mutations of various types (7843 normals, 3641 mutations). This is almost identical to 2017 (30% mutations) and 2014 (29.6% mutations). After Gouldians and Zebras, which was second most abundant species, the ranking of species was Painted Firetails, Stars, Diamond Firetails, Plumheads, Blue-Faced Parrot Finch, Parsons and Pictorellas. One species which dropped noticeably in relative abundance from the previous census was the Yellow Billed Longtail which dropped from 9th ranking to 15th. Why would that be. They are a great species. No other native finch changed ranking much at all. Approximately 96% of all respondents had some native finches. Apart from the Red-eared Firetail and Beautiful Firetail, both of which require specialised conditions and handling, all the native species were recorded in reasonable numbers, although none came close to the Gouldian (Figure 13, 14). Over the three censuses where Native Finches have been recorded the numbers held and the % of breeders with each species are really very stable, with little evidence of major upward or downward trends (Figure 15), apart from the Yellow Billed Longtail noted previously. Mutations were recorded in 9 native finch species: Blackthroat (Fawn, Cream, White). Doublebars (Fawn), Diamond Firet (Fawn, Pied, Yellow), Painted Firetail (Yellow, Fawn), Longtailed (Fawn, Cream, White), Gouldian (many), Blue-faced Parrot Finch (Lutino), Star Finch (Yellow, Fawn, Cinnamon, Pied), Zebra Finch (many).

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January — March 2023

In some of these the % of total birds that are mutations is quite small (