Aussie Finch Forum

I am lead to believe the pigeon racing season has come to a stop half way through in Victoria.Due to avian paramyxo virus outbreak.birds are premited to loft fly only,as this is a low risk exercise for catching avian paramyxo virus at this stage.Someone in the the know may be able to fill us in with more info on this.

http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/new ... 84659.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is all I could find for SA...last updated Nov 8th 2011
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/ ... _influenza" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Australian National Pigeon Website...last updated Sept 13th 2011
http://www.anpa.com.au/uncategorized/up ... formation/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NSW Primary Industries Website with links to several articles regarding Avian influenza
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/l ... -influenza" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Very sad an worrying time for pigeon fanciers . I was told it can pass over to Doves as well .Info sourced from local breeder .

A dove is just a pigeon with a less competitive owner.

I think you will find that this outbreak was discovered in flocks located around Shepparton several months ago.
Its ironic that Pigeons may be imported into Australia yet other cage birds not. Also Pigeons are the only cage bird that is
regularly allowed to free fly and infact structured by well organised clubs to do so

Don't get me started E.orix!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just goes to show, all this talk about risk of importation and biosecurity is BS!!

jusdeb wrote: I was told it can pass over to Doves as well .Info sourced from local breeder .

On the contrary, it appears that only Columba species have been infected so far ie fancy/racing pigeons and several feral pigeon flocks. NO dove species have been infected to date. Given how widespread spotted turtle doves are and how common they are around pigeon flocks, it seems that they are resistant- so far.
It would be interesting to see if our native Columba species- the white-headed pigeon- is susceptible. Parrots, finches etc have not been affected to date.

However, I see pigeon transport cages etc are being sold from Melbourne.

Personally, I'd stay away from anyone in Victoria who keeps show/racing pigeons. Sounds harsh but I'd rather be safe!

Started in Shepparton, an area with high Iranian & Arabic population. Has been genetically identified as belonging to a strain from Turkey / Iran and from which no birds have been legally imported. Read between the lines.

Exactly Natamambo... but the original case swears that he's had them for years....

And still the government lets them into the country .

Birds not people I mean although I do wonder spot the aussie .