Husbandry of Red Warblers

Batto

Batto

Well-Known Member
10+ year member
Does anyone know of any recorded husbandry of the red warbler (Cardellina rubra) in captivity? I have checked ZTL to no avail and found no record of the species bring kept in any American zoo or in private husbandry. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Not a tremendous amount of help, but there was a controversial record of a 'wild' Red warbler in Arizona in April 2018. It was originally seen as a wild bird and would have been the first accepted record of the species in Arizona and the US, but pictures proved it to belong to the white-cheeked Central Mexican subspecies (ssp rubra) as opposed to the grey-cheeked Northern subspecies (ssp melanauris). Birds from the white-cheeked group weren't believed to be capable of the migration to the US, and it was subsequently not accepted by the ABC (Arizona Bird Committee) and the ABA (American Birding Association) as a wild bird, because they thought a captive origin was more plausible. Here is a brief article along with some pictures from when it was found, and in this ABA report is explained why it wasn't accepted, also referring to a single other historic record of a captive bird.

I think the record does at least somewhat prove that red warblers have been transported from Mexico to the US, at some scale, both historically and currently... But I unfortunately have no clue if they are currently present in captivity or not.
 
I've seen this bird in the wild several times, I know that doesn't help answer your question though.

I think some may have been kept in captivity in either one of the three zoos of Mexico city (I have a hunch that this could have possibly been at Zoologico Los Coyotes) or Guadalajara zoo but I'm not 100 % sure.
 
Rayane said:
Only if eaten right?
Are the Red warblers the next Puffer fishes?
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Yes, the Aztecs had a taboo against eating that bird because of a supposed toxicity and it has been found that its flesh contains toxic alkaloids so it appears that this custom had some biological truth to it afterall (many cultural beliefs regarding fauna and flora do).

It is by no means on the same level as the puffer fish though.
 
Rayane said:
Are you looking for the first bird species of Welt der Gifte?
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Not the first; if a new venue allows for it, I've already chosen one that is already present at WdG, albeit as a mount. #cortunism
Regarding the Red warbler: given the response so far, I'll probably rather go for the Common bronzewing for WdG. Easily available, inexpensive to obtain and keep, attractive and the federal requirements are doable.
 
Batto said:
Not the first; if a new venue allows for it, I've already chosen one that is already present at WdG, albeit as a mount. #cortunism
Regarding the Red warbler: given the response so far, I'll probably rather go for the Common bronzewing for WdG. Easily available, inexpensive to obtain and keep, attractive and the federal requirements are doable.
Click to expand...

Pity about the red warbler though, it is a very attractive and interesting little bird species and would make for a fantastic exhibit.
 
Onychorhynchus coronatus said:
and would make for a fantastic exhibit.
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Even if I'd decorate the aviary with mock Aztec motives, it'd just be a little red birdie for the average zoo visitor, unless individually explained.
Based on the input / effect ratio, the Common bronzewing would be the wiser choice. I could get an adult bird for 45€ and less from a good local breeder with little if any red tape.
 
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