BirdCast

Welcome back to BirdCast after our covid19 break! We launch off today with a Citizen Science Project.. the hunt for the black throated finch  (Poephila cincta) (southern subspecies).. in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Poephila cincta became famous back a few years ago  over the planned (now approved) coal  mining operations in the Galilee Basin in Queensland. The Galilee basin h...

"To survive today, other animals must endure global warming, pollution, and fewer habitats. More tragically, they must endure the silence of human hearts>" Anthony Douglas Williams Part 2 Hear what the Artemis Nature Fund is doing to preserve the last stronghold of the wild golden shouldered parrot. Want to see it for yourself? Check out the videos at: https://artemis.org.au/ Donation...

"To survive today, other animals must endure global warming, pollution, and fewer habitats. More tragically, they must endure the silence of human hearts". Anthony Douglas Williams Australia is well known for their history of flora and fauna extinctions, and it seems to be a national trajectory from the lowest level of government to the highest; we keep "developing" land at uns...

When Larry and Barbara retired to the south of Western Australia they " thought" their days of research and development were behind them - that was until some large and noisy neighbours decided to drop in for a drink.   Since arriving at their home in Nullaki, Western Australia;  the 3 species of black cockatoos - which are all endangered - The Carnaby cockatoo/ngolyenok, Baudin's c...

The future life of all avicultural societies, clubs and organisations will be determined by the ability of the hobby overall to engage and recruit the younger generation. We are forever hearing in the media that Gen X,Y,Z... are engaged with their smart phones and social media platforms and not much else; so if that is the case; how can aviculturists today inspire and encourage younger people to p...

Cockatoos are indelibly linked to the Australian outback, often through popular image culture, and this popular photography subject has indeed proven in recent times that cockatoos reside not only in the bush, but are also moving into many of Australia's bigger cities and towns (check out Cockatoo Wingtag - Big City Birds). As these big white cockatoos become part of Australia's urban la...

Egg binding is a problem that can be encountered with any female bird - from chickens, to budgies, to aviary finches. There are several suggested methods on how to treat this issue and of course prevention is always better than any cure.  Birdman Dad offers up his suggestions on what to look for if you suspect one of your birds may be egg bound, and some suggestions on what you can do to help the...

Finch keeping is a worldwide hobby.  Come listen to the yarns of finchkeeper Ray as he shares his finches stories, finch suggestions and hints and tips for other finch keepers. The items Ray mentions that he uses: Grit Ray is currently using for his finches: FitGrit https://www.naturallyforbirds.com.au/naturally-for-birds-information-update8 Ray also uses Polly's Grit Ray also spoke about &qu...

Despite this being the age of Google and instant information via smart phones, bird owners are still regularly "caught out" when making purchases for their feathered friends that are quite simply " not bird safe". In fact most retail stores (both brick and mortar and online) still in 2021 sell a plethora of "bird" items that are in reality nothing more that a bird inj...

Apart from the usual, obvious bird accessories and utensils - like bowls, water dishes etc - Birdman Dad chats about the "other" helpful tools that, through his experience, he believes are "must haves" for any bird keeper/owner/guardian. Hope you find something useful for your own birds in this list! If you have any other suggestions to add onto the list please let BirdCast kno...

A proverb from the Indians of North America says – “To understand the man, you must first walk a mile in his moccasin.”. Today’s episode invites you to walk in the moccasin of Chadi, the founder of the most embattled parrot rescue in the world.  Text can not give due justice to the depth of this challenge so will type no more and leave it to the podcast. Parrot Rescue Lebanon details:  You Tube mo...

The relationship between birds and plants can never be underestimated. The habitat created by plants for all birds provides them with valuable nutrients and minerals that can never be fully replicated in any man made foods. For aviary kept birds planted aviaries provide valuable nutritional benefits as well as much needed enrichment and safe zone protection that every captive bird is undoubtedly g...

Due to some scheduling and technical issues we sadly can not bring you a new BirdCast today. Please go back in the library and listen to your favourites - and if you are in the southern hemisphere below the tropics - last fortnight's episode on keeping birds warm would be a good one to re-listen to! BE back next Friday. Thanks for listening!

In general Australia is known for it's hot and sunny weather but this week there has been snow events and very cold weather for much of the country. Birdman Dad shares with us some of his hints and tips to warm up your aviaries in the winter months and provides some useful winter suggestions for the birds in your care. The rodent control Birdman Dad speaks about are the first generation ones...

Little Beaks is a rescue/rehoming bird sanctuary that focuses on small parrots/parakeets - budgies, cockatiels, doves, canaries and finches. Sadly (like most bird rescue/rehomers) Little Beaks is in high demand  :( Partly due to the unethical breeding behaviours of a select group of small parrot owners and partly to the continued human lack of knowledge concerning living with a small parrot - espe...

All over Australia land is being developed at an astonishing rate - that in itself is not surprising as we are a country in a national building mode - but what is shocking, and disappointing, is that in 2021 we, the trophy holders for most mammal extinctions, want to extend our extinction rates into other species, and continue to utterly destroy vital habitat, especially large trees, in our effort...

Domesticated birds, like all pets humans share their homes and lives with, have a financial cost attached to them which has to be met by their human owner.  Just like the average dog, cat or horse, pet birds need to be fed, housed, watered and given veterinarian attention as required.  All these essential care items cost money and it is the bird/s owner/s who have to provide the required funds. Al...

Sometimes we forget how very precious and unique our own backyards are, and that we don't need to travel thousands of miles to be some place that exists nowhere else on the planet.  For today's guest the Perth Hills is that very fabulous and special place. And it was this appreciation of knowing  the Perth Hills was the special land at the end of the yellow brick road, that led this youn...

The human fascination with birds and keeping them in their homes has been part of human existence for 1000's of years. The surviving frescoes and mosaics of ancient civilisations such as Pompeii shows the prominence of birds in people's homes. Chinese historians suggest that birdkeeping became an established social event during the time of Qing (1644-1912) when the nobles of the Qing dyn...

Although many people are quick to condemn the pet shop trade - pet shops offer a valuable contribution to aviculture overall. Firstly they provide a great visual presence to the general public, in that they show a variety of birds and also place these birds within the realm of more widely accepted domestic pets such as cats and dogs - how often have we all heard people say "set them free&quot...

Today's episode epitomises the core philosophy behind the very creation of BirdCast - the sharing of information between bird keepers and owners. We are very grateful for today's guest who was willing to share the knowledge he has accumulated over many, many years in the keeping of finches. Our guest,Les, who lives in a tropical area of Queensland, Australia explains to the BirdCast team...

How does a nature loving, non-birdkeeping young Aussie guy with no background in aviculture become a leading authority on the captive breeding of one of Australia's most endangered large birds? Today's episode is truly an amazing story! A "by chance" encounter with a pair of painted black cockatoos (South Eastern red tailed black cockatoo aka Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne...

Pretty much all birds enjoy semi-ripened grass seeds - from the biggest macaw to the tiniest finch.  There are many grasses that grow naturally in our gardens, balcony pots and verges - but what exactly are they and how good are they for a bird?  If these are some questions you ask yourself then today's episode is for you! Bird Keeping in Australia has created a great booklet on this exact to...

Birdman Dad thought that today's guest might be of great interest to the listeners as he is discussing some great, simple hints and tips to help you take better photos of your own birds.  We all like to keep and share great pics of our own birds! Today we are speaking with Chris Tate, a well known West Australian nature photographer. Chris has recently published a book called - "West Aus...

Water. It is essential for life - if you think about it our planet should be called "Water" not Earth! All birds need water, aviary birds included. Fresh, cool, clean water can never be underestimated. Water is a known medium that bacteria and other illness causing pathogens can breed in and transmit quickly to your birds, so you want to keep your aviary water sources fresh and clean. Bi...