Featherdale

[Matt]

I went to Featherdale yesterday for the first time in years. For a finch enthusiast, I came away somewhat dissapointed. I didn't spot a single foreign finch and many of the aussies were missing too. I don't think The aviaries have been updated since I was kid and the nesting brush looks like it's been there for years. Most of the aviaries had mice crawling in and out of burrows and in some, the smell of mouse urine was pretty bad. Such a shame to see the birds neglected while non bird related attractions are added to bring in the tourist dollar.

One positive was the amount of native softills on display. There were a few young woodswallows in and out of nests and plenty of native pigeons and fruit doves. I loved the bower birds, especially the regents. Plenty of water bird species and birds of prey.

As a kid i used to beg the parents to go all the time and once we'd finished inside the park I'd drool over the species for sale in the adjacent bird shop. There was certainly more species back then than what's available now.

[arthur]

A bit sad to see bird parks/ zoos keeping birds in less than ideal conditions . . it does our hobby no good

Plus the fact that they are able to keep species that private aviculturists who would provide the best, can only dream about

They must be doing something right though if they are breeding softbills

[jusdeb]

My kids loved featherdale and living in Windsor it was always close enough for an afternoon outing . Im dissapointed to hear it has gone downhill as it was always well kept in the early years .
Maybe a phone call or letter to national parks or RSPCA might be in order to get the owners to shape up.