Keeping The Book Of The Babbler
Cage & Aviary Birds|March 14, 2018

With so many of the world’s wild bird species facing an uncertain future, co-ordinating captive populations becomes a critical task – and at the centre of one such effort is C&AB columnist CHRIS GREEN, who maintains the European studbook for a rather special species from China.

Keeping The Book Of The Babbler

SOFTBILLS

THE Mount Omei babbler (Liocichla omeiensis), also known as Emei Shan liocichla, is endemic to China with a restricted distribution. On IUCN’s Red List it is classed as Vulnerable. The European Studbook (ESB), which was approved in July 2005, subsumed a Joint Management of Species Plan (JMSP) studbook. The latter had been founded in 1998 to safeguard the captive population of this species, which had a short history in British zoos and, without further co-operation, a short future. A large number of non-European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) institutional and other non-institutional participants were vital when sourcing birds initially, and many UK-based private aviculturists are still co-operating with the studbook today.

The Mount Omei babbler ESB was handed to Cotswold Wildlife Park in October 2014 when I took it over from Nigel Hewston. At that time, 11 zoo/ bird-park collections and three private collections were working with the species; now it’s 20 and seven. I hope that will continue to increase – after I have managed to master the new Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) program (a special software package for managing studbooks).

Bu hikaye Cage & Aviary Birds dergisinin March 14, 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Cage & Aviary Birds dergisinin March 14, 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

CAGE & AVIARY BIRDS DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
The World's Best-Known Hummingbird?
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
5 dak  |
December 18, 2019
The charm of the English Cinnamon
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
4 dak  |
December 24, 2019
Spangles: a personal overview
Cage & Aviary Birds

Spangles: a personal overview

FRED WRIGHT relates a budgie story of over-exploitation, consequent problems and abundant potential for the future

time-read
4 dak  |
December 24, 2019
New converts to old breeds
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
3 dak  |
December 24, 2019
Themed aviaries are a hit with the public at annual Stafford show
Cage & Aviary Birds

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.

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2019
Pieds with potential
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
3 dak  |
December 18, 2019
Club News
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
1 min  |
December 18, 2019
Canaries Month by Month:
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
4 dak  |
December 18, 2019
Smart Choice, Docile Nature
Cage & Aviary Birds

Smart Choice, Docile Nature

Dave Brown welcomes the masked grassfinch to his birdroom and shares advice on this lovely Australian species

time-read
3 dak  |
December 04, 2019
The truth about the ‘flying toad'
Cage & Aviary Birds

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

time-read
5 dak  |
December 04, 2019