Night Frights & Predators - Don't Just Blame Cats

[GregH]

I saw an article about losses of glossy black cockatoos on Kangaroo Is on the ABC site. The central thesis is that brush-tailed cockatoos (oops make that possums) are the main nest site predator of these birds in the wild. Aviculturist tend to immediately blame cats for aviary losses from night-frights but there are others on the list. I know from personal experience that sugar gliders will eat finches if given a chance. The use of mouse wire will help with access but stopping night-frights might be more difficult.

[SamDavis]

The central thesis is that brush-tailed cockatoos are the main nest site predator...

Sounds like before they predate, they successfully date and mate.

[natamambo]

We have real problems with ring-tailed possums - big, human fed ones I expect - galumphing around yard and across the house roof and in trees above aviary. We didn't have a night fright loss for over 6 months after we moved here 12 months ago (neighbour's cat was clearly the cause before then) but since the cold weather set in and food has become scarcer we've had real issues with the possums and several losses even though there are lights in every flight. Possum scats all around aviary and on roof on a regular basis.

[Craig52]

Greg,can you send me a pic of a brush tail cockatoo.

[Lukec]

I had a problem with owls this time last year.

We had mice problem which ibelieve was attracting them.

Once we got on top of the mice they disappeared which was the first & last time in 17 years.

[jusdeb]

Have the most gawjus owl visits the yard at night .
Doesn't touch the birds , I suspect they are after mice , my birds are pretty bomb proof with dogs , g/kids ,kids , power tools and me yelling so not too bad with the night frights .

[TheChemist]

I have seen owls in our backyard and our Staffy definitely chases off the neighbours cat regularly. I get the occasional night fright death but not too many thankfully, and lets face it with the weather we've been having i should be thankful the aviarys are still standing and the birds are relatively happy.

[Jayburd]

Ever since I got my Senegal doves night frights have been a lot less frequent. I don't know why, perhaps the B&W cat that lurks around killing local birds is scared by their flapping. Perhaps the finches hear the doves flapping and think its safest to stay put so they don't get hit by a wing or something.
Whatever the reason, I'm happy, because when the aviary was being built if I heard the slightest noise at night I'd be out of bed in a flash reaching for the torch, because the birds were in a big cage outside.