Australian Breeders Market

A report on BirdLife International has given us all reason to continue the support of conservation programs.

A paper studying the effects of conservation on some of the most endangered bird species on the planet has shown that in some cases they have been brought back from the brink of extinction through the conservation programs.

This is good news, but the report also hints at the fact that most cases are rather politically friendly, and do represent only 1.3% of the population. A massive 45% of threatened bird species have deteriorated over the study period.

Habitat distruction, illegal trapping and improper treatment of human societies byproducts are still causing many species to hover on the brink of extinction.

In the end not really a heart warming story, but it does show that if things are done right, conservation is worth the effort.

The American Tri-City News has an interesting article on the American Cowbird and its breeding habits.

The Cowbird (originally attracted to bison, but now to the more common domestic cattle) adapts to its migratory habits by laying its eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving the other species to raise the baby, similar to cuckoo behaviour.
The columnist touches on an interesting point about the changing behaviour of the cowbirds, with some sighting of adults feeding young cowbirds. The theory is that now that cattle are more sedentary, as opposed to the migrating bison, the adult cowbirds no long need to be on the move and can rear their own young.

An interesting topic, and I would be interested if someone knows more about it.

Those that have been following the plight of the orange bellied parrot may rest easy today.

The Herald Sun reports that the proposed wind farm has now been moved to the Colac Region of Victoria. The old Bald Hills project is now moved a little further from the spotlight.

The Colac plant will not effect the orange bellied parrot, although there may be some concern for brolgas…

The Canberra Times has a report on the success of the Canberra Bird Show. The bird show attracted 500 people and a showing of about 800 birds.

Here at the Breeders Market, we would like to not only report on the success of the bird shows around the country, but would love to promote any up and coming events that you would like to share.

If your society or club has a bird sale, bird show or fundraising event, contact us and we will get it posted as soon as we can.

The more information that you send, the more relevant the Breeders Market will become.

Remember, listing and sending information is free – all it takes is your time to type up an email.

The New Scientist (UK) has reported on studies that state food depravation in early stages of growth prevent the areas of the brain that control bird songs from developing properly.

Studying sparrows, starlings and zebra finches, birds suffering from food depravation and other stress factors could not learn and reproduce songs required to attract mates.

They theorise that this may be a natural response, as females will be less likely to be attracted to males that are less healthy than there full throated songbird rivals.
So breeders, fatten those babies up early.

In an update to the orange bellied parrot vs wind farm story, the company behind the wind farm is trying to ease fears for the parrots future by throwing money at the problem…, I mean investing in the parrots protection.

The Australian reports that developer Wind Power has stated that if the  project goes through, then they will contribute what will add up to millions of dollars to revegitation of the orange bellied parrot’s habitat.

On the other side of things, supporters of the parrot have shown exactly what they think of the project in the traditonal green response.

Monitoring stations have been cut down with a hacksaw or boltcutters.

The rather plain looking ground finch from the Galapagos Islands must be the most famous finch of the moment. Its “Instant Evolution” is the subject of debate at the moment.

The story started a few months ago, when a study determined that the finches have evolved over a period of about a two decades in response to the reduction in the availability of food for the finches. The larger beaked finch died out as larger seeds disappeared, and the smaller beaked variety emerged through the hard times due to its preference for smaller seeds.

Rather than a commentary on the ground finch, it has turned into a debate on the merits of evolution versus intelligent design. Evolutionists are scoring points with the findings, while opponents to the theory are claiming that a single generation is too fast.

Apart from the little finch in the picture, it has very little to do with finches, but it makes for good reading if you find the evolution/creationist battle interesting.

Read:

• National Geographic Story
• Australian Christian old-Earth creationist/IDist biologist blog against evolution,
• Response from the Smoky Mountain News
• Darwin’s Finches

The opening of the Mornington Station Wildlife Sanctuary has made the job of studying the wild gouldian finch a little easier.

As The Australian reports, the addition of DNA testing equipment means that samples can be processed without the need to send them to capital cities.

With the breeding population down to approxiamately 2500 pairs, the effects of fires and cattle grazing can have a drastic effect on the birds. The scientists are studying the effects that these particular factors have on the seasonal grasses of the area, the main food source for the Gouldian finch and other endangered species in the area.

Researchers have concluded from studies that parrots are similar to certain primates and dolphins in that they have unique calls for they babies.

The HindustanTimes.com reports that studies on colonies of the small Columbian spectacled parrot showed that distinctive cries from the mother were only responded to by the particular baby parrot, while other birds ignored the cries completely.

As the report states, it will again open the debate into the complexity of language in the animal kingdom. The report is the first relating to parrots and birds in general, and points out the unique skills that parrots use in their social relationships. The researcher (a German by the name of Rolf Wanker) avoids stating whether or not this proves that humans are not the only ones to use complex linguistic structures.

The endangered Orange Bellied Parrot is in the news at the moment, although it is a little unclear what for.

The proposed wind farm at Gippsland was knocked back originally, stating that it would endanger the habitat of the small australian parrot. TheAge.com.au reports that there may be other reasons for the Federal Environment Minister to block the development, after he is said to have recieved advice that there was no threat to the orange-bellied parrot.

Senator Campbell is said to be reconsidering the decision, probably due to legal action being taken by the Victorian State Government. Although it is admirable that the environment comes first in decisions of this magnitude, as this editorial in The Australian points out, sometimes you have to wonder at the main motivational factors…