Australian RFPF in USA

06 Jul 2011, 17:35

Hi all,

Just saw an ad from a US bird dealer advertising " Red Headed Parrot Finches (Australian) for $300 per pr".
They were also advertising "Lady Gouldians (normals) bred in Taiwan $150 per pr".

Seems international trade is is still alive and well!!!!

06 Jul 2011, 17:54

Does anyone think that there are enough Cubans, RFPF etc being exported to keep their price higher in Aust?

06 Jul 2011, 18:16

RFPF prices are certainly going up. got my first birds $15 each unsexed. now $70/pr

06 Jul 2011, 20:32

I don't think the prices are exorbiant yet. Although they are getting a little scarcer.

06 Jul 2011, 20:35

if they are getting scarce then someone needs to tell the pair in my aviary.
have got 19 to perch so far this spring/winter

CanadianDuck · 06 Jul 2011, 22:46

Mickp wrote:if they are getting scarce then someone needs to tell the pair in my aviary.
have got 19 to perch so far this spring/winter

19 fledglings this season ...so far?!?! Congrats! I was real happy that my pair just hatched their 4th and 5th chick (in three clutches) yesterday.

Someone needs to talk to my pair.

07 Jul 2011, 21:58

Hey you luckier than me Canadian duck.... I only got two on the perch from two pair! Well perhaps its because mine are South African RTPF!

Myzomela - you reckon the Parrot finches and Gouldians are local exports i.e. coming from wild / Australian breeders?

08 Jul 2011, 07:40

Don't worry Monotwine it's Myzo stirring the pot on a contentious issue. There aren't exports of Australian bird species although I suspect that technically Queen Elizabeth could take what she likes. So no the Gouldians would have been bred in Taiwan and like your south African Gouldians the original stock must have come directly or indirectly from Australia. The RFPF on the other hand can be exported and regularly is through Animal House/Melton Aviaries in Victoria. The owner, Claud Borg, also traps and supplies the Australian & export market with feral European gold finches and green finches. At the moment there is a huge debate over live animal exports from Australia because of welfare issues related to sheep and cattle exports but all aspects of the so-called 'live animal export industry' are being investigated. This may be why I can find any direct link to Claud's website any longer.

As an Aussie expat (not for much longer) I would dearly love access to some of the more common finches exported from Australia but my problem is that the importers in Manila just cant get their acts together. I certainly don't want to see the viability of any species held in Australia endangered through imprudent exports abd as a consumer I would like low prices for birds but as a breeder I would love to get higher prices.