PUBLISHED FOR BIRD LOVERS BY BIRD LOVERS
Aviarylife www.aviarylife.com.au
Issue 02/2016 $12.45 Incl. GST Australia
3rd ASI International Avian Convention Bourke's Parrots
Painted Button Quail
The Golden-Shouldered Parrot ISSN 1832-3405
Gouldian Finch Mutation
John Griffith
Black-throated Finch
06
Regulars 04
Editors Column
05
On The Wing
30
Centrefold
47
Loro Parque News
53
Classifieds
Features 06
Bourke’s Parrot – Bland in Colour, but Big in Personality!
16
Ben Pearce
12
3rd ASI International Avian Convention – Everyone said not to go to India…but I saw a Green light Richard Horvitz
16
The Painted-button Quail – “A Splendid Addition”
20
Experiences with the Golden-shouldered Parrot – Then and Now
Ashley Mandry
20
Bill Boyd
33
Supplementary Feeding of Wild Golden-shouldered Parrots John Griffith
36
Faces of Aviculture – Rafael Zamora Padron Part I
42
Queensland coal mines will push threatened finch closer to extinction
36
Gonzalo Blanco and Ramsés Báez
Eric Vanderduys and April Reside
44
The Aussie Variegated Blue (AVB) Gouldian Finch
48
Bird Photography School Part V
Karen (Geelong, Vic) and Les (Deniliquin, NSW)
44
Ákos Lumnitzer
Cover Image - Bourke Parrot Neopsephotus bourkii Photographer Ben Pearce
No. 2 2016
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’day friends and fellow birdos, welcome to another “bursting at the seams” edition of your favourite Aussie bird mag! Time is flying as usual and we’ve already seen a number of the big bird sales come and go. In this regard, I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with many of you at both the Gunnedah and Fairfield bird sales, with both events going off without a hitch, as per normal. ACTP has again been in the news in the recent months, with numerous notable achievements including the importation of Birds-of-paradise from Al Wabra and perhaps even more significantly for Aussie readers, breeding activity from the Glossy Black Cockatoos only some 6 months after having received them from Priam Psittaculture Centre (PPC)! All things are pointing towards a huge year for ACTP and bright future in the world of parrot conservation. Closer to home, PPC continue to work hard on the conservation front here in Australia, pushing ahead with their vitally important and successful work with our critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot. Stay tuned for more on PPC, their facility and current projects in a future issue of Aviarylife. There are three great conventions coming up mid-year, with the first being the Northern Avian Convention, which is being held in Sarina, QLD over the weekend of the 11th and 12th of June. Following in quick succession will be Parrots 2016 in Brisbane, running from the 1st to the 3rd of July. And thirdly we have The United Bird Societies of South Australia Inc. seminar on Sunday July 17th. All three are events not to be missed, so
Aviarylife Editor Simon Degenhard Ph. 0429 008 850 Email: simon@aviarylife.com.au Assistant Editor Chris Degenhardt Subscriptions Simon Degenhard Ph. 0429 008 850 Email: simon@aviarylife.com.au
do yourselves a favour and book seats NOW! I must say that I am encouraged by the enthusiasm of the majority of aviculturists who I have bumped into over the course of the past few months. And it’s even greater to witness this from aviculturists both young and old. Despite the hobby facing some serious challenges, if we work together as a group there aren’t any that cannot be overcome. I can see that slowly, but surely a united front is forming, which is great news for aviculture in Australia – the future is BRIGHT! Anyway, that’s enough from me for now; I hope that you enjoy the latest offering. Until next time, take care and enjoy your birds! Cheers,
Simon
NEWS OUT OF VICTORIA Meeting with the office of Minister Jaala Pulford to resolve restrictions on the sale of birds at bird shows, sales and auctions throughout Victoria On Thursday 7th April Sam Davis (FSA President and CCBFA Vice President), Dr Stacey Gelis (Avian Veterinarian), David Renshaw (President VAC) and Dr Gary Fitt (NFSA Vice President) met with Minister Jaala Pulford's Chief of Staff, Megan Berry to present the following paper on behalf of the membership of approximately 195 Victorian Avicultural clubs. “Bird Shows, Sales and Auctions in Victoria: Frequency, Size, History, Welfare and Legislative Reality” Download link -
www.finchsociety.org/vic_bird_sale_paper.pdf
Discussion emphasised the lack of welfare issues at the frequent bird shows, sales and auctions held throughout Victoria and nationally for well over 100 years. It was agreed by all present that welfare of birds in our charge is paramount and that The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 is the legislative tool regulating captive bird welfare in Victoria. We presented facts highlighting the fallacy that the contentious Section 96 of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 in any way protects the welfare of birds. Furthermore, lack of evidence to the contrary makes it clear Section 96 was enacted in ignorance of frequent bird shows, sales and auctions. An undertaking was received from
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No. 2 2016
the Chief of Staff that Minister Pulford would respond within weeks to our recommendations to exempt “caged birds” from Section 96. Please note there is no guarantee the response will be in our favour. The Chief of Staff will report back regarding the possibility of appointing an avian representative to the recently formed Victorian Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC). The Chief of Staff reaffirmed the Minister's previous undertaking to review Section 96 of the Domestic Animals Act 1994. Thanks to the Minister’s office, in particular Chief of Staff Megan Berry, for the meeting. We look forward to ongoing consultation as we work together to resolve the issue. My appreciation to all who have contributed to the paper and for the many words of support and encouragement. See you at a sale soon! Kind regards, Sam Davis Finch Society of Australia (FSA) President Canary and Cage Bird Federation of Australia (CCBFA) Vice President
Display Advertising & Classified Advertising Simon Degenhard Ph. 0429 008 850 Email: simon@aviarylife.com.au Design, Layout & Artwork Graham Banks ICT Support Officer Graham Banks Contributors If you wish to submit an article or if you have an idea, please contact our office on 0429 008 850 for details Printing Pegasus Print Group Distributor Gordon and Gotch Contact Details Australian Aviary Life Ph: 0429 008 850 PO Box 39, Bellingen, NSW, 2454, Australia Email: simon@aviarylife.com.au Website: www.aviarylife.com.au ISSN 1832-3405 Disclaimer While every care is taken the publisher accepts no responsibility for the content of advertising or editorial material submitted and published. It is the responsibility of advertisers to ensure that their advertisement is truthful, law abiding and meets all statutory government requirements. Articles represent the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher. Australian Aviarylife also reserves the right to refuse any advertising that it considers to be detrimental or conflicting with the integrity of this publication. Australian Aviary Life. Copyright It is an offence under the commonwealth copyright act 1968 to reproduce any part of this publication, including Advertising, artwork and photography without prior written consent of publisher. ©2016 Australian Aviary Life. All rights reserved