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Bowerbird / catbird / riflebird in Australian collections

Discussion in 'Australia' started by Goura, 18 Jan 2019.

  1. Goura

    Goura Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Location:
    Perth, WA, Australia
    Are there any collections in Australia that have the following species:
    Golden bowerbird (Prionodura newtoniana)
    Toothbilled catbird (Scenopoeetes dentirostris)
    Spotted catbird (Ailuroedus melanotis)
    Magnificent riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus)
    Paradise riflebird (Ptiloris paradiseus)
    Victoria riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae)
     
  2. Najade

    Najade Well-Known Member 5+ year member

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    I haven’t seen ‘em in captivity but most are easy enough in the wild.
     
  3. toothlessjaws

    toothlessjaws Well-Known Member

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    Taronga did hold one of the two "lesser" riflebird species (not magnificent) in maybe the last decade, but not sure if they still do. Its a question I too would like to know the answer. I suspect if any of these species are in captivity they are most likely to be in some of the bigger QLD wildlife parks like Currumbin.
     
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  4. Hix

    Hix Wildlife Enthusiast and Lover of Islands 15+ year member Premium Member

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    I have photos of the Victoria Riflebird in Taronga's Rainforest Aviary I took in 2008. Don't know if it's still there though.

    :p

    Hix
     
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  5. Geoffrey

    Geoffrey Well-Known Member

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    The riflebird at Taronga was a Paradise Riflebird. I am fairly sure it is no longer there; it certainly hasn't been on display for a long time.
     
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  6. Chlidonias

    Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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    No. The closest you can get is Green Catbird.
     
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  7. Chlidonias

    Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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    Yes, it was a male Paradise Riflebird. It died almost ten years ago (around 2009/2010).
     
  8. Goura

    Goura Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Taronga definitely didn't have any on display when I was there in 2013 and I was at Currumbin in September this year with no success either. I too was hoping one of the three collections I visited in Qld would have them.
     
  9. Goura

    Goura Well-Known Member 10+ year member

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    Thanks, yes we have them here at the Caversham wildlife park - a lovely pair, but I don't fancy their chances of breeding in the aviary they're in.