California Quail

29 Mar 2011, 11:51

Just got back from the produce store where I buy my seed. The store has a few birds for sale but I saw California Quail for the 1st time in years. 1 cock and two hens. Asking price $180 pr. He also had a pair of Bul Buls and some golden pheasants that hadn't moulted, so sexing is difficult ($40). I remember someone on the forum inquiring about the Quail and there wasn't much feedback. Anyhow if anyone in Sydney is interested they are at Enfield produce, Coronation Pde, Enfield.

29 Mar 2011, 11:59

180??????

last time I saw them was a week ago, they guy couldn't sell them for $50!

P.S. he actually sold them yesterday to a guy in newcastle apparently

29 Mar 2011, 12:03

Yeah, thought that might be a bit steep, but I have no idea of their worth so just passed on the info. Wonder what he bought them for?

29 Mar 2011, 12:06

yeah... but pet shops have to make a profit somehow I guess

29 Mar 2011, 14:17

Young Quail go for $100 to $150 pr Goldens young unrelated $100 to $120 pr so at $180 a trio a bit steep

29 Mar 2011, 14:27

Did the bul buls look in good condition? Do you know if they were wild caught?

29 Mar 2011, 14:35

i rekon most likely trapped craig theres alot of them out near my work here in western sydney they are everywere.

29 Mar 2011, 14:40

Well if this helps anyone i just rang ace colony here in sydney and bullbulls aaviary bred are $300 a pair. Were these bullbulls $40? If so i rekon there definatly wild caught. Guy at ace told me he steers very clear of the wild caught birds.
Personally i wanna trap a pair and try erm hehe as far as ive been told there not native so its not illegal as long as i cant get in trouble i just may get around to trying this.
Ben

29 Mar 2011, 14:50

Trapping and keeping them is completely legal as they are foreign and a pest to fruit growers. Having said that, the sight of a bulbul singing his heart out from the highest point of a pine tree in suburban Sydney is one of the enduring memories of lazy childhood afternoons spent hanging out with my grandfather. Glad to hear they're still out in the Western suburbs of Sydney because sadly they have long ago moved on from the northern suburbs. Probably has a lot to do with the fact that so few people plant stone fruit trees around here these days. Too many ornamentals with no fruit.

Have seen Rob's hand reared bulbuls. They're beautiful and for those of us that love crested birds they're something very special. I know getting an aviary bred pair would be ideal but who has any?

Craig

29 Mar 2011, 14:55

The Bul Buls were $45 for the pair. They are young birds. He couldn't tell me if they were wild caught or not but at that price I would say they were.