Australian Plainhead canaries

[Lilli]

Hi all, does anyone have Australian Plainhead canaries, I have recently acquired some, however, my experience is with gouldians and some other species. Looking for some information about them specifically, there doesn't seem to be much.

[Tiaris]

Red should be able to help with Plainheads.

[Red]

Hi Lilli,

I breed Australian Plainheads. They are pretty straightforward as they rear their own young.

As far as specific advice for the breed goes:

1. Trim the vents before breeding. This isn't hard and it improves fertility. There are videos of how to do this on youtube.

2. Wash any birds with droppings clogging their vents immediately. This happens only rarely but it can be fatal if ignored. If you offer a dish of water for bathing regularly the birds usually bathe themselves.

Currently there is a lack of size in most Australian Plainheads but I have found that large birds do appear in the nests of smaller ones pretty regularly so it is just a matter of retaining the biggest. Breeding big to big is best. Big male to small female is better than big female to small male. Breed yellow feather (non frost) to buff (frosted feather) as you would for most type breeds.

The best source of information on this breed is the book "The Australian Plainhead Canary" by the late Frank Williams. If you contact the Australian Plainhead Preservation Club they should be able to sell you a copy:

Contact: President: Sam Farrugia 03 9338 9591 or Secretary: Terry Miles 03 5940 2311

A display and talk on Australian Plainheads is planned for the Melbourne Canary Improvement Society next month, it is open to the public. It's a pity you're in Queensland:

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mount-wa ... 1046238695

Regards

Red

[finchbreeder]

I'm curious. Why when so many people are complaining about big budgies are those same people trying to do the same thing to canarys? I like petite but lively birds. Maybe that is why I prefer the original small lively Gloster to the more modern over feathered ones.
LML

[Red]

I'm curious. Why when so many people are complaining about big budgies are those same people trying to do the same thing to canarys? I like petite but lively birds. Maybe that is why I prefer the original small lively Gloster to the more modern over feathered ones.
LML

No-one is trying to produce birds bigger than the original standards set back in 1953. It just happens that there has been a decline in size over the last 10 years.

Historically the Norwich of the 1930s were big birds and yes if you look at photos of Australian Norwich of that time they do resemble the Australian Plainhead exactly.

Budgerigars are different. The standard size has been increased several times over the last 60 years. Heavy feathered birds came in with the imports in the 1990s.

Which time period do you believe the original Gloster belongs to?

I believe Mrs Rogerson's birds were quite large by today's standards.

Red

[Red]

Just to put to rest any accusations of making Australian Plainheads look like Exhibition Budgerigars:

Modern Norwich

http://home.iprimus.com.au/auscanary/Page18.htm



1930s style Norwich or Australian Plainhead. Note the short neat feather.

http://home.iprimus.com.au/auscanary/Page13.htm



Red

[finchbreeder]

Nothing personal was intended by my comment. Just an observation from having kept and observed canarys over the past 30 years. The top bird has more body feather than the bottom bird, while the head remains the same, but I think that is just the choice of photos. Norwich were always a heavily feathered bird, and I agree one that has changed very little over time. But anyone who has seen Glosters and Boarders over the past 30 years will have noted an increase in feather and size. Or they are somewhere other than where I have been. Budgies yes, the standard has been regularly changed and while some changes are warranted, some are dissapointing. Canary breeders seem to still value colour, which has fallen out of favour with budgie breeders. But both seem to be less careful about the "yellow" to buff feathering and birds are getting more double buffing. Just my observations.
LML

[Red]

Hi finchbreeder,

I did think that you were referring to me specifically.

The top bird has more body feather than the bottom bird, while the head remains the same, but I think that is just the choice of photos.

They are two separate breeds with modern Norwich needing much greater care to keep. If you click on the links to the standards above each photo you will see there is a clear distinction in type and position.

But anyone who has seen Glosters and Boarders over the past 30 years will have noted an increase in feather and size. Or they are somewhere other than where I have been. Budgies yes, the standard has been regularly changed and while some changes are warranted, some are dissapointing. Canary breeders seem to still value colour, which has fallen out of favour with budgie breeders. But both seem to be less careful about the "yellow" to buff feathering and birds are getting more double buffing. Just my observations.
LML

Most agree that a lot of Glosters are too big and breeders are trying to get the size down. It is a miniature breed after all.

I think Australia's Borders have close fine feather but if you say they have increased in body size I believe you. They still look like active healthy birds to me so I have no issue with them.

Red

[finchbreeder]

Sorry, but as I will always confess. I am one who has a strong preference for the petite birds. Glosters being my 1st love canary wise. Whenever I buy in stock I delibereately source the smaller birds to keep the size down. And again sorry, you just made the mistake of saying go for the bigger birds, on a day after my day had started badly. As several wise people on here have said, face to face conversation allows us to see each others expression. The internet allows us to converse over a wider distance but loses the facial expression. Smilies can help here.
LML

[Red]

That's OK finchbreeder, I don't think either of us lost our temper. I agree that face to face conversations prevent misunderstandings like this. As I said, most would agree with you that a lot of Glosters are too big.

Kind Regards

Red