Australian birds
- Thread starter J.simpkin
- Start date
it would depend on the species of bird, and what sort of shelter they have. Some Australian birds would not survive year-round outside in the UK (e.g. Gouldian finches) and some can live perfectly well wild in the UK (e.g. black swan).
Chlidonias, gouldian finches are being kept all year-round in non-heated aviaries in North-West Europe by quite a number of breeders. They used to be considered to be very fragile but domestication has changed that.
In general your comment is valid it depends on the species, although most species that are still present in Europe can be kept outside by now. If you want a more specific answer let us know which species you want to keep, J. Simpkin.
In general your comment is valid it depends on the species, although most species that are still present in Europe can be kept outside by now. If you want a more specific answer let us know which species you want to keep, J. Simpkin.
I had a colony of Gouldians outside for several years and they bred well. They had an infra-red lamp on through the winter, which meant they could feed day or night and could get close to the lamp if they felt cold. Star Finches and Parson/Black-throated Finches also did well. With all these small finches, extended daylight hours to allow them to feed is probably more important than actual heat.
Most Ausralian parrots & doves are fine without heat outside.
Most Ausralian parrots & doves are fine without heat outside.
Most Australian parakeets ( rosellas, neophemas and others ), most of the finches, black swan cereopsis goose can all be kept outside year-round in Western Europe. The Cockatoos, lories, Kookaburra and emu also can be kept outside but should have an indoor-shelter during very cold days.
Australian softbills a hardly kept outside Australia but if some were avaible I would say, keep them inside during the winter.
Australian softbills a hardly kept outside Australia but if some were avaible I would say, keep them inside during the winter.
You tell us what you what to keep together, we'll tell you if it's a good idea. Much depends on the size of the aviary.
The more commonly available Australian waterfowl -- Chestnut Teal, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck & Maned Goose -- are completely cold hardy. Magpie Geese & Whistling Ducks need a bit of protection.
Neophemas & finches should not be expected to put up with damp cold or exposure to wind. Dry cold they can tolerate.
The more commonly available Australian waterfowl -- Chestnut Teal, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck & Maned Goose -- are completely cold hardy. Magpie Geese & Whistling Ducks need a bit of protection.
Neophemas & finches should not be expected to put up with damp cold or exposure to wind. Dry cold they can tolerate.
I did not know that! I'd always been under the impression that they needed much more warmth.
DON´T mix different dove-pigeon-species ! Doves are the symbolof peace but 2 or more species kept together can end realy bloody !!!
When keeping mixed species, the golden rule is DON'T CROWD THEM.
Sometimes birds which are not really compatible will co-exist if they have an aviary with plenty of room to get away from each other, but you would still need to watch for bullying. It goes without saying that the opposite is true; even peaceful birds will get a bit nasty with each other if they don't have enough space.
Like Chlidonias, I am surprised that Gouldian finches can be kept outside year-round in Europe. They lack the warm soft under-feathering of most other finches due to the fact that they are totally tropical in the wild. Even here in Australia aviculturists who try to keep them outside the tropics without a lot of warmth and wind protection generally regret it sooner or later.
Sometimes birds which are not really compatible will co-exist if they have an aviary with plenty of room to get away from each other, but you would still need to watch for bullying. It goes without saying that the opposite is true; even peaceful birds will get a bit nasty with each other if they don't have enough space.
Like Chlidonias, I am surprised that Gouldian finches can be kept outside year-round in Europe. They lack the warm soft under-feathering of most other finches due to the fact that they are totally tropical in the wild. Even here in Australia aviculturists who try to keep them outside the tropics without a lot of warmth and wind protection generally regret it sooner or later.