A reverse image search reveals that the photograph on that page is from the website of a breeder who is based in the US: Rhea | Texas Exotic Animals
In the past 24 hours I have seen three separate Chukar escapees on Bird identification pages. One in WA, one in QLD and one in NSW.
According to their website Oakvale have NZ Scaup, Egyptian Goose, Mandarin Duck, Mallard, domestic Muscovy Duck, Domestic Mallard, Domestic Swan Goose (Chinese Goose) (not on the list at all), Canada Goose and some parrots. I might do a comprehensive list of exotics in the future to support this thread . New Zealand Scaup Duck | Our Animals | Oakvale Wildlife
From a recent video, D'Aguilar Wildlife also have at least a pair of Ruddy Shelducks (seen in the background). Source: D'Aguilar Wildlife's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=597599684248668 Security Check
A few things to round off the year. *Australia's last Greater Rhea is still alive and well at Gorge Wildlife Park (confirmed via message this month). *looking through the parrot list, there are a few species that can be added. Red Lory (Eos bornea) doesn't seem to be listed being one of the most popular exotic lories available here in Australia. Zoos like Taronga and Currumbin both have this species on-display based on relatively recent visits as well. Also, Citron-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata) is apparently here in small numbers; one of the main breeders of rarer parrots in Australia (who has been breeding species like Patagonian Conures and Hawk-headed Parrots according to recent posts) posted an image of one a few years ago. The citron produced a hybrid with a Major Mitchell's: Log into Facebook | Facebook *Also, a recent issue of Australasian Birdkeeper magazine [Dec/Jan 2020] did an article on Pionus parrots stating that there were three species available in Australian aviculture - Bronze-winged (P. chalcopterus), White-capped (P. senilis) and Blue-headed (P. menstruus). Not sure how they came about to exist in Australia but I quote the relevant section below:
Pin-tailed parrot finches are definitely still here and being bred. Lesser redpoll are also technically introduced here being found in Macquarie Island.
An issue of Australasian Birdkeeper magazine [Oct/Nov 2020] discusses the presence of Madagascar Lovebirds (Agapornis canus) in Australian aviculture in of course low numbers. The relevant section: The African Lovebird Society of Australia further mentions this species in Australia: "the Madagascar lovebird was thought to have disappeared from Australian Aviaries in the late 1980’s,however a number of recent (2019) birds have been advertised for Sale, we believe they are currently extremely rare in Australian Aviculture." Other Lovebird Species – The African Lovebird Society of Australia Inc
White-rumped Shamas recently arrived at Taronga Zoo. A male shama is now on-display in the walkthrough palm aviary and several are housed off-display for breeding. The email confirming them at Taronga now: “Yes, we do have White-rumped Shamas now in the collection at Taronga Zoo, Sydney. There is currently one male on display in the Palm Aviary (next to the elephants). We do have a couple of pairs off display in breeding aviaries too. Hopefully with breeding success there’ll be more for you to see in the Asian Walkthrough Aviaries.We brought this species into the collection, and with the help of our interps team, to highlight the illegal songbird trade in Asia.”
That's excellent news! Especially given a claim earlier in the thread by toothlessjaws that shamas (amongst other species) are "all either definitively gone or so rare they are functionally extinct" in Australia.
While the specific holdings of parrot species aren't listed for this thread, I thought this incredibly unexpected news should be reported here as well. Snakes Downunder Reptile Park and Zoo currently have a pair of Hyacinth Macaws!! They will be going on display within the next six months! Source: Bundaberg Now
Why is that? Bird importation is discussed in post one of this thread. Assuming these macaws have a legal origin, then they haven't just been newly-imported. They will have been bred from an existing pair within Australia.
I visited Northam again this week and could only see 7 Mute swans left on the river. 3 of the 7 had Angel wings on either 1 or both wings, and 1 appeared to be a juvenile, being a sandy beige colour. The breeding enclosures in the park beside the river are no longer, the ponds are still there with a low fence around them but they seem to be storm water ponds now, and there was no feeders or captive birds there at all. Most of the swans i saw were out on the river bank at a designated swan feeder, and there were large numbers of wild and domestic ducks and moor hens milling around as well. The feeders were raised up about 2 feet off the ground so only the swans could easily feed from them... Judging by the size differences, i would say there were more cobs than pens, possibly only 2 pens/females. I will add some photos to the Australian Wildlife gallery.
