Aussie Finch Forum

Im down hete until Sunday and am wondering if there are any good pet shos in Melbourne city?

Hi elferoz777,
I'm also in the same boat. Heading to Melbourne city in late February and hoping to get some finches.
Problem is I need import permits and so I need to provide the sellers details in advance. Trying to nail down a seller to hold birds until end of Feb isn't so easy.
Do you know if you need an export permit to take them from Victoria? Each state seems to be different.

In answer to your questions.

a/ There are no good petshops/bird dealers theses days in Melbourne (not like the old days). Although John at Epping does have a reasonable variety he deals from his backyard, but he is not cheap.

b/ Yes you need export permits to take native species out of Victoria

Regards

Alf63

Thanks alf63,

Sounds like more paperwork.....

Alf63 wrote:In answer to your questions.

a/ There are no good petshops/bird dealers theses days in Melbourne (not like the old days). Although John at Epping does have a reasonable variety he deals from his backyard, but he is not cheap.

b/ Yes you need export permits to take native species out of Victoria

Regards

Alf63

a/ I totally agree with Alf63....the petshop market in Melbourne seems to operate very differently to other states (eg NSW). In Melbourne pet shops are mainly used to flog off old stock. If you wanted birds from Melbourne you would be best to get in direct contact with breeders from this forum.

b/ All licenced birds require an export permit....meaning some birds like Gouldians do not require such a permit.

What birds are you looking for?

Cheers
Paul

I would strongly suggest that Victorian breeders join one or more of the local clubs in Victoria. There are lots of advantages. You don't have to attend meetings and most put out magazines or newsletters.

There are general avicultural groups in all the major regional towns and sourcing birds is one of their great achievements. They run aviary visits to each other and exchange lists of wants and for sales. There are clubs centred around Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Shepparton, Ararat, Warrnambool, Mildura, Swan Hill, Mornington, Echuca, Wodonga, Sale, Warragul and I bet I've forgotten some!!

The cooperation between the many clubs has perhaps meant that dealers haven't received as many young birds in the past. I also think that the 40 year history of bird sales may have taken it's toll on dealers. Another thing is the hefty fee for a wildlife dealers licence.

Hi Paul,
I'm after Emblema and Double Bar. Hopefully have a breeder lined up for Emblema, still looking for Double Bar. There were some at the pet shop here but, the hen didn't look so good so skipped that purchase.
I've put a wanted add and got the one reply which is promising.
Will have to research export permits from VIC.

shayne wrote:Hi Paul,
I'm after Emblema and Double Bar. Hopefully have a breeder lined up for Emblema, still looking for Double Bar. There were some at the pet shop here but, the hen didn't look so good so skipped that purchase.
I've put a wanted add and got the one reply which is promising.
Will have to research export permits from VIC.

G'day Shayne,nearly all Double Bars down here are white rumps and around $50 a pr.The double bars you have up there are black rumped and here the prices are around $80 a pr.I have a nephew who lives in Darwin and the BR Double bars nest in his garden shubs,so they should be available in pet shops in Darwin if they are plentiful around the area.
Just wait a while or talk to the pet shop owner about getting some in for you or pm Strop,a forum member who lives in Kunanurra WA.He breeds DB's and Painteds amongst other finches. Cheers Craig

Thanks Craig,
I have a flock of about 20 Double Bar that live around the house coming in for spilt seed from my cages. Beautiful finches.
The shop here sells a pair for $100. The first pair I bought and picked up were both hens...it's illegal to trap them, must get them legally (I believe). I believe they are sent from a store in Adelaide every so often to the Darwin store.
Something will come up, everything happens for a reason

Western Garden Pets in Hoppers Crossing in Dunlop Road usually has plenty of finches, also Nunawading birds in Nunawading.
They are at opposite sides of Melbourne. West and East.