Hardest to find

[Myzomela]

The bird collections in most Australian zoos have been severely depleted and are under increasing pressure to be replaced by more "popular" exhibits ie cute cuddly furries.
It's an unfortunate fact, especially since zoos are run by bean counters, not conservationists or animal keepers. Soon the only birds on display may well be the "free flight" bird shows- because the public love these kind of interactive experiences.

So, gang, it will be up to us as private aviculturists to keep these birds going in captivity.

Are we up for the challenge?

Or are we just going to mix up all our pure forms with mutations and hybrids- and not be able to distinguish between these??

The time is hear and now. Our actions will be judged by others in 10, 20, 50 & 100 years' time.

[Tintola]

Never a truer word spoken (or written). The dollar rules in public zoos. All take note. It's up to us to concentrate on non mutation, pure and rare species.

[Diane]

With the white bellied crimsons,I have heard there are a few around.But the only way you will get them is if you already have them, So I have been told by a few people who have them . They just keep swapping bloodlines between themselves.

Where is the sense in that? Thats like adding and removing water from the same glass, you end up losing a bit every time and it will eventually evaporate.

[jusdeb]

Trouble is this .....

Too many secrets .

Why are their so many finch people hoarding what they have ?

What does it benefit keeping the "elite" flock of "rarer" finches if your running a minimal gene pool ?

Share people .... its for the greater good .

[Tiaris]

What else can these people to do to make the best use of the captive genes available than swap around as best they can among themselves whilst they collectively attempt to build/preserve numbers? (apart from sourcing fresh wild-caught stock)
Its very easy for non holders of rare species to point the finger at those who are doing the very best they can with the available genetics to preserve & ideally build up a rare species. They're damned if they don't make the odd pair available to all & sundry & damned if they are seen by others to be "responsible" for further decline in these species while under their watch by haphazard distribution of birds to inappropriate holders.

[Myzomela]

They're damned if they don't make the odd pair available to all & sundry & damned if they are seen by others to be "responsible" for further decline in these species while under their watch by haphazard distribution of birds to inappropriate holders.

Spot on Tiaris !

The point is that these breeders are not breeding enough excess birds to distribute to others. In general, rarer species are better managed by having a few breeders with multiple pairs, rather than multiple keepers with one pair each. This way, if pairs are incompatible, then partners can be swapped. If odd birds are lost they have a greater chance of being re-paired and thus contributing to the gene pool.

Once numbers build up, then excess birds can be distributed to other breeders.

The only downfall with this approach is when rare birds are in the wrong hands- "collectors" with no interest in breeding or insufficient experience/skill; or those too pig-headed to pass on their birds to other experienced breeders when they themselves have failed over several seasons. Thankfully, this appears to be happening less commonly these days.

[jusdeb]

Perhaps mentoring other finch keepers would be an answer . Share the knowledge .

No I dont want to breed the rarer birds so I dont care who sells to who .... if the birds are in such low numbers here in Australia then encouraging others to breed them has got to be a priority .

For the sake of the specie continuing here .

Anyhoo that's all ... just an opinion from someone on the outside looking in .

[Tiaris]

Agreed Deb, sharing knowledge is a very big part of the answer especially before a species gets as rare as WB Bloods currently are. The best way that aspiring WB Blood breeders can prepare themselves for one day helping to breed up the species is to refine your current experience on Black-belied ones until hopefully WBs become later available.

[gomer]

Agreed Deb, sharing knowledge is a very big part of the answer especially before a species gets as rare as WB Bloods currently are. The best way that aspiring WB Blood breeders can prepare themselves for one day helping to breed up the species is to refine your current experience on Black-belied ones until hopefully WBs become later available.

And I will be in line waiting to help keep this beautiful bird going. And I agree the first thing needed is to keep this bird in experienced breeders hands, to atleast keep a reasonable genetic pool viable. Then hopefully there will be enough breed one day, to be available for the intermediate breeders like myself.

[desertbirds]

Agreed Deb, sharing knowledge is a very big part of the answer especially before a species gets as rare as WB Bloods currently are. .

Agreed, WB bloods are rare indeed and listed as such.How about keepers,zoos and National Parks collectively finding out a bit more about these rare birds before they are gone !! Is there a dozen unrelated pairs around ?? I doubt it.