Amazing Paradisae on Video

[GregH]

The Cornel University ornithological laboratory has set up a project to record video images of all the Bird of Paradise species and has posted a few amazing videos on youtube. Here are a selection that I found. It's no wonder Edward Hallstrom was tempted to defy Australian quarantine!

Introduction to the bird of paradise project
Western Parotia from New Sicentist
More Western Parotia
Superb bird of paradise
Greater bird of paradise
12 wired bird of paradise
King of Saxony bird of paradise
Wilson's bird of paradise
Blue bird of paradise
Magnificent Riflebird
Paradise Riflebird
Victoria Riflebird
King bird of paradise

[TomDeGraaff]

How did Sir Edward Hallstrom defy quarantine? Is there a background story somewhere?

[Finchy]

WOW Imagine an aviary full of those guys! I'm speechless.

[GregH]

I remember the remnants of Sir Edward's Birds of Paradise collection at Taronga in the 1970's.

From Wikipedia

“ The inquiries shook Hallstrom badly. He rejected the notion that an ardent love of animals could be superseded by professional training and that 'scientists found it impossible to communicate with him'. From 1966 he was also under covert surveillance for illegal trafficking in fauna. Four years later, thirty-five people were convicted of that offence and it was thought that Hallstrom may have used his influence to have his involvement concealed. Whatever the truth, in 1968, dispirited and unwell, he donated his personal collection of birds and animals worth more than $20,000 to the zoo.

There is much written about this remarkable man but he was a bity naughty when it came to trapping, trading and laundering birds through Taronga Zoo. Did he break the law? - Undoubtedly. Did he bring about the demise of and species or introduce exotic diseases? - No. Did he further avicutural and ornithalogical knowledge? Yes.

[TomDeGraaff]

Thanks, Gegh. Would you know the title of the biography?

Also, I recall seeing a lesser ( I think ) bird-of-paradise at Taronga in the late sixties. Jurong had some when I was there years ago.

[GregH]

Tate's biography of Hallstrom can be accessed on the Australian Dictionary of Biography site. There is a good bibliography there too to explore. Good reading

Greg

[TomDeGraaff]

"under covert surveillance for illegal trafficking in fauna. Four years later, thirty-five people were convicted of that offence"

I wonder how many aviculturists - innocent or not - to whom this may apply! I suppose you can never be sure...

[finches247]

Great Video Great Birds.

[Ripley]

Hello All,

I have the book!!!
It is truly the best imprint of the birds I have ever encountered....

It is a worthwhile investment...I bought mine from Amazon & it cost next to nothing...


Cheers
Ripley