Aussie Finch Forum

Since making the decision to get back into Finches, I've been keeping a closer-than-normal eye on local bird populations, of all kinds. In the Perth Hills, I'm lucky to have a lot of beautiful regular visitors to my yard (even if some are declared pests, like the Rainbow Lorikeet). I've noticed the very occasional visit from a local colony of zebra finches (they have a very distinct sound) and have also spotted what I believe to be the occasional red-brow, although I've not read anything that suggests they're endemic to my region.

Anyway, I'm suspecting that the minute I introduce birds into my aviary, I'm likely to attract additional attention from the local populations. Other than the problem of predation, are there typically any additional health precautions I need to take to protect my stocks from local population diseases, or vice versa? I've only ever kept birds in suburban Melbourne, where all I had to contend with was Mynahs, Sparrows, Pigeons and Wattle Birds.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Make sure that the local doves can not poop into your avairys. They are the worst carriers of bird diseases. Otherwise just the predator protection you would expect to have to take.
LML

This is probably the most important reason given for fully roofed aviary, to reduce the risk of disease spreading from the local wild bird population to your stock from feaces.
I suspect the wild bird population is at less risk, unless you are using suspended aviaries where the wild birds can get exposed to your birds feaces.

Apparently Red-brows have been "successfully introduced" in the Perth hills ? If you are lucky you get to see the occasional Red eared Firetail as well

Cheers
Brett

I'll keep an eye out for the red-ears. The funniest thing I've ever known is the 'relationship' I have with a single Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo. When I come into my study to work on my computer, this thing religiously lands on the window sill beside me, and pecks at the glass. Originally I thought he was simply trying to catch insects, but that's not it. He's done it so much, he's actually marked the window! I'll take a picture the next time he lands. Weird!

I wonder if he is used to being fed by the neighbours.
Perhaps he was even a bird released by wildlife carers.
Place a bowl of mealworms out and see what happens.

As for the wild birds, I think you were more at risk from the feral species in Melbourne than you are at your present location, but any bird can potentially introduce problems.