Aussie Finch Forum

Apparently ScoMo's government is considering lifting a ban on importing exotic parrots. I wonder if this includes Finches too (if the news article was trying to say 'captive birds' but just put parrots). What does everyone think?

The Guardian: Federal government considers lifting ban on importing parrots 25 years after it was introduced.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... introduced

I reckon they'll only let parrots in, the Government only sees the $$ in it and parrots are the number 1 option

Reading the list - the only finch on it is the canary.
Even if they keep the ban on birds that are not currently in Australia and just allow importing of new blood in the types we have, that would be a boost to breeders.
LML

Only the canary??? Why though, because there'd be far much more money made off of rarer finches such as Whydahs and Tanagers etc. Maybe the government don't know that there are other foreign finches than the canary?

I would suggest the uptake for parrots would be limited these days. There are already more species here than the market can take. The constant supply of less than legal stock over decades has contributed to very few parrots holding any value for an extended period.

We have been down this path with finches before and the reason is that sufficient quantities of verifiable aviary bred stock is not available overseas to make a shipment worthwhile. Requirements like closed rings make it difficult for finches to make the grade. It is also a very risky proposition financially as whole shipments can be euthanized if only a small number show illness or die.

The whole thing is a kite flying exercise and not worthy getting excited over.

Alf63

I agree Alf, things will never change with the way this virus and in particular bird viruses are around the World. We still get bird flu popping up like the very recent one in chicken farms in Victoria that the media didn't really jump on like they have the Covid 19 virus.
I can't see this happening in the near future or at all.

i think its worth exploring after this bloody virus goes, if we just give up nothing will ever be achieved lets have some HOPE things will get better. cheers mick

I HOPE that we can import some finches in the next 5 yrs.
I HOPE that there is a vacine for this virus in the next 2 yrs.
With you Mick.
LML

BirdLife Australia just wrote up a big thing on their social media pages, how they are against it and all that

Just another institute that needs to be properly educated

All things must be done properly. Not just open slather where anyone can go trap birds from the wilds of Africa and Asia and send them over here. While I would love access to these birds. I do not want the wild populations decimated, or maltreated in small over stuffed boxs where many die.
LML