Always a fan of the Afrotropical species, GARY BRALSFORD grabbed the chance to take on a pair of this species recently. Key tip so far: be prepared to provide a lot of replacement logs!
SOFTBILLS
A FEW months ago I was lucky enough to pick up a lovely pair of fine-spotted woodpeckers (Campethera punctuligera) from a well-known bird dealer in Redditch. He had three birds: two cocks and a hen. All three were in immaculate condition and housed in a large flight with other birds. These occupants were much bigger, such as Victoria crowned pigeons (Goura victoria) and large African starlings.The dealer fed them on a mixed diet for omnivorous species with fruits, seeds, softfoods, vegetables and livefood with minced beef. He had also placed a large fern stump in the flight, which they loved, and I decided to replicate this in my own set-up.
Settling in back at Gary’s
I got the birds home and set about making a flight for them. I chose a 3m long x 1.2m wide x 2m high (10ft x 4ft x 7ft) flight inside my birdroom. The walls of this purpose-built construction were made from PVC, with a panel on one side made from solid steel. (Woodpeckers can peck their way out of a standard wooden frame within a few hours.)
I then went down to the local wood made up of silver birch trees, of which many had fallen over through wind damage. The tree stumps contained a lot of invertebrates such as woodlice, ants, earwigs and spiders. I transported the logs in plastic bin liners to stop the insects getting all over the car and to contain them in the wooden logs.
Denne historien er fra March 14, 2018-utgaven av Cage & Aviary Birds.
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Denne historien er fra March 14, 2018-utgaven av Cage & Aviary Birds.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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The World's Best-Known Hummingbird?
Intensively studied, the gem-like Anna’s hummingbird is a welcome visitor to the gardens of America’s most populous state: California. Bill Naylor investigates its life history
The charm of the English Cinnamon
Despite its long and complicated history, the true Cinnamon canary is still with us – in the hands of a tiny group of breeders. DONALD SKINNER-REID reckons it deserves wider appreciation
Spangles: a personal overview
FRED WRIGHT relates a budgie story of over-exploitation, consequent problems and abundant potential for the future
New converts to old breeds
Old and rare canaries have a reputation for adding fresh interest and challenge to the hobby. PETE HOOK and NICK JOY agree, and explain the birds’ charm to Dave Brown
Themed aviaries are a hit with the public at annual Stafford show
DECORATIVE AVIARY DISPLAYS from a CBS and an online bird keeping advice group were voted in the top three by visitors for the inaugural Stafford Aviary Competition.
Pieds with potential
More than just a lesser variety, the dominant pied will introduce challenge and change into most studs, reckons CLIVE WAKEMAN. Here he discusses pairings to try and others to avoid
Club News
Welcome to the club and show pages – the bit that’s all about you Results: convention, specialist & rare and Breeder of the Year
Canaries Month by Month:
With Christmas around the corner, BRIAN KEENAN is well into his winter programme, and reckons he might deserve a nice outcross
Smart Choice, Docile Nature
Dave Brown welcomes the masked grassfinch to his birdroom and shares advice on this lovely Australian species
The truth about the ‘flying toad'
Odd local names and weird superstitions can’t hide the beauty and elegance of the nightjar, a species that has made a fascinating subject in a few zoo collections, reveals BILL NAYLOR