I can see lots of discussions have gone on over the last 3 weeks while I was in Australia so it’s certain the counters were malfunctioning.  I left knowing that my Java Sparrows had successfully incubated and hatched young as I could hear the hatchlings before I left.  Even now some 24 days later they [...]

Well November’s gone by and still no one appears to have read the last few posts (or the counter’s not functioning) so there may not be anyone to wish a Merry Christmas to but I hope you all do anyway.
My last 6 months have been particularly disappointing in that my aviaries appear to have been [...]

Oscar Wilde was never cited but in this weeks New Scientist there is a story which reports on a paper from the  Proceedings of the Royal Society that would fit perfectly into “The Importance Of Being Earnest” except its about zebra finches! The lesson confirms that zebras prefer to never to marry above their station in [...]

Domesticating Finches In the Philippines
Introduction & Scope
The routine capture and domestication of wild birds is a taboo subject that most modern aviculturists agree should stop but that will only happen when domesticated strains are secure. In my homeland, Australia, laws governing the capture and sale of wild-life have prohibited this practice (at least for Australian [...]

The  BIRDS club asked me to give my presentation again for their show on Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 3:00 pm at the People’s Village within Tiendesitas.
I was amazed by the remnant trophy birds on display.  Some I’ve never seen previously and I was particularly impressed by a pied Star which rather than being a normal flecked [...]

I’m sure everyone thought Finchme had died – I did - but there’s life in the site yet so thank you Rommel. Yesterday I came across a feature in Google Docs which will allows you to upload presentations, so for those that missed my Powerpoint presentation at the BIRDS seminar (which was everyone) just follow the [...]

Well after my home leave in Australia I went a more exotic follow-up with two weeks in Laos at the end of July. This tiny land-locked country is unspoiled in a tourist sense and a pleasure to visit. Accompanied by my wife and children, I hoped top see the pintailed parrot-finch, strawberry finch, weavers and [...]

Well I’m back in the Philippines after 5 weeks in Australia but I’m off to Laos for two weeks before I stay put. While I was a away my “spare” male Glouldian died making a replacement mate less of a problem, however I think I have to treat that aviary for worms or something soon [...]

It’s that time of year when I go back to Australia and I hear that Goldwing will have some imports going the other way while I’m away. I’m not worried about the canaries or goldfinches but I am annoyed that I will miss red-faced parrot finches, cordon blu’s and Cuban finches.  If you happen to [...]

I’ve been asked to speak to the BIRDS club in Manila on August 16 about finches and Canaries along with Danny Ang (Cockatiels) and Milet Escalona (Love birds). In addition to a powerpoint presentation I’ve produced this Z-fold leaflet so allow me to brush up on canaries as I haven’t kept them for some time. I hope you find [...]