As for hybrids !!

[deegs]

Funny, I was just thinking the other day how we have messed up so many wonderful natural species and then I see the article and photos of the hybrids. I am big on breeding the pure birds as found in nature. If we keep breeding for new and strange variations we will not be left with what we were given in the first place and in my opinion the vast majority of the pure birds look better then the new ones anyway. How good is a pure Gouldian? You can't beat them. So....lets all get back to the pure birds for our aviaries and save what we have.

[Jayburd]

[Nrg800]

I never find a mutation to be nicer than the wild birds!

[arthur]

Let's get the terms 'hybrid' and 'mutation' clearly understood

And then realise that there is a place for mutations

The burning of witches was a practice of the ignorant and has ceased

[Myzomela]

Well I wish they'd burn a few over here Arthur!!
Hybrids are not only accepted, they appear to be encouraged- anything to get that new colour mutation into another species.
With the huge array of mutations already in existence, and more on the way, why do they have to resort to hybridisation?
It frustrates me that no-one speaks up against this and it is just accepted.
And we wonder why we have NO credibility with authorities and those concerned with bird conservation.

[Diane]

I did notice on the site that was linked that someone thought they were
"lovely and can you get these in Victoria?"
I hope they meant a Victoria overseas somewhere and not here!

I admit to liking mutations, if something appears spontaneously I cant see a problem with trying to establish it as long as the birds are not compromised in any way, excellent records are kept and the truth is told to all buying any offspring.

[Buzzard-1]

And we wonder why we have NO credibility with authorities and those concerned with bird conservation.

Dead Bl**dy right. If we want to be understood by the general population as bird breeders not bird Jailers. This should be stopped. I've been trying to get pure Aberdeen's all I've had offered is Cut throat hybreds It was hard enough finding pure Amherst pheasant.

[jusdeb]

mutations =

hybrids =

Funny how mother nature works isn't it ...Corella x Galah will give mules , sterile birds unable to reproduce and yet in other mutations its open season on young mongrel bred birds .

Have we outsmarted the old girl ? Has she taken the " enough rope " tactic and is waiting to see if we outsmart ourselves ?

I reckon ( going by the attitude of an acquaintance hell bent on making Corella x Quarrions ) the breeders that strive for these abominations have 1 of 2 agendas , they are $$$$$$ or power ( the ability to create a new "species").

Anyhoo as if there isn't enough species to choose from as is ( god given ) . We are spoilt for choice as it is .

My opinion ... if it upsets anyone TOUGH I dont want to hear it

[Fincho162]

Folks let's not get too judgemental re the issue of hybrids especially in regards exotic finches where there is no forseeable import of new blood on the horizon.
Sure the "new" Javan munia is not the real mccoy even though it looks the same.........so what.........they were never popular UNTIL they became scarce so whose fault is that..........rhetorical question = ours!!

The only problem I have with it is what happens to all those F1's and the likes that are the used to achieve the end result........as u say like all those used to keep Aberdeens afloat........they are a source of pollution if allowed to mix in with normal Cuttees for example!!

As to being conservationists..............I breed birds in cages nought else........I do my best to achieve great results in doing that...........I'm not and never have been a conservationist as related to the hobby of finch breeding..........ask the local wildlife authorities they'll soon tell you............and in case yer wondering I have a spotless record here!!!!!!!!

A while back a few of us bred Swift parrots and were so good at it that the price fell from $3500 a pair to around $500 these days...............we were still treated like criminals by our local wildlife department right up until we went out of them and were never considered for local endangered parrots breeding programs despite what we'd done...learn from that ....you can do the best for the birds in your care and ensure that they are propogated to the best of your ability but lets not kid ourselves about the conservation bit.........really.

This forum is full of dedicated breeders who do their utmost to breed finches.......the people that see us as "keeping birds in cages" will never alter their stance.........nor will we for that matter........but professing to be conservationists...........please!!!!!......anyway some wildlife authorities are just too dumb to see/use the wealth of talent that exists in the avicultural world.......unfortunately a real loss to 'real' conservation programs.

Just keep on breeding them there finches folks!!!!.......bet this stirs the pot a bit...........!!!!!!!!

[jusdeb]

Nah no pot stirring this end coz as Ive said before we aint sheep therefore opinions are good . If we all thought alike well blah how boring .

Your post made interesting reading and offered food for thought . Thank you.

And yes we do create these problems so its just a matter of opinion as to how far we go to repair the problem ...is it a case of "once its gone its gone" or is it "no worries we have the technology" .