Softbill Prices

[Aussie_Bengo]

I was hoping that some members could post their retail price expectations for Native, Introduced and Foreign aviary bred Softbills if they were to be sold to the public market. I know this can be a bit of a grey area sometimes (particularly for natives as they cant be traded at a dealer etc because of the licensing, so harder to market) but it would help to put their availability and value into perspective.

Thanks to any replies.

[mattymeischke]

Hi AB,
I have limited experience, but it seems that prices for softbills are a lot more variable than for finches.
The availability of any given softbill, except the most common ones, is very limited, and there are small numbers for sale so it is hard to compare prices. Perhaps it's to do with the by small market; a similar thing happens with the expensive finches for which there is a very small market. It is also true of some which can be wild-caught in Australia that they are cheaper to buy than to feed: eg: I understand that European Blackbirds fetch 20-30/pr., but eat insects voraciously and constantly all year.

Having said all of that prices I've see advertised for things I like include:
Bulbuls 100-300/pr for aviary bred, cheaper wild caught.
Wrens from 100-600, less common species do not seem to be more expensive
Silvereyes 50-100

I am a total novice, no doubt more experienced members will chime in....

[Tintola]

These are approximate prices that softbills have been commanding lately. These prices are of course subject to whether they are wild caught (introduced ferals) or aviary bred or hand raised and are pretty much top price that you should be paying for a pair of mature, coloured birds. Please correct me if I am off the mark on any of these.

Introduced and foreign species.
Bulbuls $150
Skylarks $100 to $150
Pekin Robins Up to $3000
Mesias $4000
Magpie Robins $4000 negotiable
Shamas not available only males left.


Native Species.
Satin Bowerbirds $1500
Regent Bowerbirds $2000
Metalic Starlings $600
Superb Fairy Wrens $100 -$150
Most other Fairy Wrens $250 to $400 Except Purple-crowned (I would expect around $1000 at this stage)
Chats $300 to $600 depending on species
Bush Thick-knees $400 to $500
Sacred Kingfishers $500 to $600
White-browed Scrubwrens $100 to $200
Yellow-throated Scrubwrens $200 to $300
Buff-banded Rails $200 to $300
Noisy Pittas around $2000
Scarlet Honey-eaters $400 to $600


There are many more but these are the ones with which I am familiar. Many of the rarer ones have a swap value only and have never had a price set for them. Please feel free to add to the list or correct it if you have seen any of these species for sale out of the price range that I have suggested.

[mattymeischke]

What would robins usually fetch?
Saw red-caps for $350 recently....

I love the flame robins but have never seen them offered for sale.
Does anyone keep them (or know someone who does)?

[Aussie_Bengo]

Thanks Tintola, any comment on the price of the various Robins?

Whoops, just saw the previous entry after I posted....

Regards

Paul

[Danny]

Red wattlebirds $1.80/kg
Lapwings $100-150 pr

[Pete Sara]

I have to stop looking at these lists of softbills... WANT WANT WAnt. Personally wouldn't water fowl make better options on the east coast these days....Pete