finches

January 5th is celebrated as National Bird Day in the United States. The day is dedicated to promoting awareness about the importance of birds in the environment and celebrating the beauty and diversity of these fascinating creatures.

National Bird Day is a day for people to learn more about birds, their habitats, and their behaviors. It is also a day for bird lovers to celebrate the joy and wonder of bird watching and to appreciate the many benefits that birds provide to the ecosystem.

Birds play a crucial role in the environment, serving as pollinators, pest control agents, and indicators of environmental health. They also bring joy and beauty to our lives with their colorful plumage, melodious songs, and graceful flight.

To celebrate National Bird Day, people can participate in bird watching activities, visit local bird sanctuaries or parks, or learn more about the different types of birds that can be found in their area. Some people may also choose to support bird conservation efforts through donations or volunteer work.

Overall, National Bird Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the many ways in which birds enrich our lives and our environment. By learning more about these fascinating creatures and taking steps to protect their habitats, we can help ensure that they continue to thrive for generations to come.

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Thanks for listening! (also I meant to say "La"  Niña not "El" Niña!)

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References:
  
Abzhanov, A. (2010). Darwin's Galapagos finches in modern biology. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 365(1543), 1001-1007.
  
Beausoleil, M. O., Lorena Carrión-Avilés, P., Podos, J., Camacho, C., Rabadán-González, J., Richard, R., ... & Hendry, A. P. (2023). The fitness landscape of a community of Darwin’s finches. Evolution, qpad160.
  
Carrión, P. L., Raeymaekers, J. A., De León, L. F., Chaves, J. A., Sharpe, D. M., Huber, S. K., ... & Hendry, A. P. (2022). The terroir of the finch: How spatial and temporal variation shapes phenotypic traits in DARWIN'S finches. Ecology and Evolution, 12(10), e9399.
  
Carvajal‐Endara, S., Hendry, A. P., Emery, N. C., Neu, C. P., Carmona, D., Gotanda, K. M., ... & Johnson, M. T. (2020). The ecology and evolution of seed predation by Darwin's finches on Tribulus cistoides on the Galápagos Islands. Ecological monographs, 90(1), e01392.
  
De León, L. F., Sharpe, D. M., Gotanda, K. M., Raeymaekers, J. A., Chaves, J. A., Hendry, A. P., & Podos, J. (2019). Urbanization erodes niche segregation in Darwin's finches. Evolutionary Applications, 12(7), 1329-1343.
  
Enbody, E. D., Sendell-Price, A. T., Sprehn, C. G., Rubin, C. J., Visscher, P. M., Grant, B. R., ... & Andersson, L. (2022). Large effect loci have a prominent role in Darwin’s finch evolution. bioRxiv, 2022-10.
  
Funk, E. R., & Burns, K. J. (2018). Biogeographic origins of Darwin's finches (Thraupidae: Coerebinae). The Auk: Ornithological Advances, 135(3), 561-571.
  
Harvey, J. A., Chernicky, K., Simons, S. R., Verrett, T. B., Chaves, J. A., & Knutie, S. A. (2021). Urban living influences the nesting success of Darwin’s finches in the Galápagos Islands. Ecology and Evolution, 11(10), 5038-5048.
  
Hervías-Parejo, S., Olesen, J. M., Nogales, M., Traveset, A., & Heleno, R. (2019). Dispersal of fern spores by Galápagos finches. Journal of Ornithology, 160, 831-833.
  
Knutie, S. A., Chaves, J. A., & Gotanda, K. M. (2019). Human activity can influence the gut microbiota of Darwin's finches in the Galapagos Islands. Molecular ecology, 28(9), 2441-2450.
  
Lawson, L. P., Niedzwiecki, J., & Petren, K. (2019). Darwin's finches: a model of landscape effects on metacommunity dynamics in the Galápagos Archipelago. Ecography, 42(10), 1636-1647.
  
Long, K. L., Prothero, D. R., & Syverson, V. J. (2020). How do small birds evolve in response to climate change? Data from the long‐term record at La Brea tar pits. Integrative Zoology, 15(4), 249-261.
  
Ranganath, H. A. (2018). Darwin’s finches: a goldmine for evolutionary biologists. Journal of Genetics, 97(4), 807-809.
  
Reaney, A. M., Bouchenak‐Khelladi, Y., Tobias, J. A., & Abzhanov, A. (2020). Ecological and morphological determinants of evolutionary diversification in Darwin's finches and their relatives. Ecology and Evolution, 10(24), 14020-14032.
  
Román‐Palacios, C., & Wiens, J. J. (2018). The Tortoise and the Finch: Testing for island effects on diversification using two iconic Galápagos radiations. Journal of biogeography, 45(8), 1701-1712.
  
Rubin, C. J., Enbody, E. D., Dobreva, M. P., Abzhanov, A., Davis, B. W., Lamichhaney, S., ... & Andersson, L. (2022). Rapid adaptive radiation of Darwin’s finches depends on ancestral genetic modules. Science Advances, 8(27), eabm5982.
  
Tattersall, G. J., Chaves, J. A., & Danner, R. M. (2018). Thermoregulatory windows in Darwin's finches. Functional Ecology, 32(2), 358-368.

The songs of two common finches provide a steady soundtrack in cities across North America: the House Finch and the American Goldfinch. While they can sound similar, a couple of key features help set them apart. House Finches sing sweetly but often have a sharp, buzzy note near the end. Goldfinches sing rapidly, often repeating a note several times. They also often make their distinctive call, which sounds like someone quickly saying “potato chip!”

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. 

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Scientists have long thought that new species took a very long time to emerge. This thinking has now changed dramatically. On an island in the Galápagos, researchers Rosemary and Peter Grant discovered that a hybrid union of two distinct species of finch produced descendants different from any of the island’s known species — and the speciation happened in just two generations.

More info and transcript at BirdNote.org. 

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BirdNote is a nonprofit. Your tax-deductible gift makes these shows possible.

For the final episode for 2022 Birdman Dad is having a chat about what he suggests when you receive new birds into his aviaries and what he does regarding quarantine.

We wish all our listeners a very safe and merry festive season and a very Happy 2023.

Hope to have you all back listening again in 2023.

If you miss our chats be sure to go back and listen again to the many other episodes.

Best wishes.

The BirdCast team

It's spring and your avairy kept birds need to have a varied diet to keep healthy and support their babies.  Listen in for some hints and tips on products that can be helpful in keeping your birds in top health.

Some aviary birds need extra attention when it comes to new introductions - especially several species of finches. Today Birdman Dad is going to share with you, amongst some other ideas, how you can create a finch introduction space.

BirdCast also has on offer to one listener the South Australian Aviculture Society's booklet -
"Is it Safe? The birdkeepers pictorial guide to safe and poisionous plants" - obviously being published in South Australia this is about the plants in Australia - but we are quite happy to mail it Overseas if that's what the lucky, randon listener wants!  To enter - make a comment or send a message on our Instagram, Facebook or Reddit pages:

Facebook:
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Birdman Dad is back this week - talking about what he is up to with his pet birds but also the little gems of wild bird life he gets to glimpse and be part of because he keeps pet birds.
And he is learning all the time!
As well as chatting about some recent aviary bird experiences concerning his finches and scarlet chested parrots.

Took a walk and ate lunch on a park bench near E 87th and 5th (near the Guggenheim museum). After I finished my sandwich I hung out for a while and recorded some of the day. This episode is two separate recordings captured with a MixPre 6 II and two Clippy EM272 omnidirectional microphones.

Today's episode is in response to a listener question....

"How do I stop my outdoor metal aviairy rusting?"

Hope the episode gives this listener, and anyone else with a metal aviary, some ideas on how to limit rust occuring or how to deal with it if it actually happens.

All relevant photos will be placed on Birdman Dad's Facebook pages, instagram and reddit.

BirdCast wishes all the listeners a safe and peaceful Easter break 2022 - BirdCast is taking a break and will be back the Friday after Easter.


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Even the best aviaries in the world can become outdated (in product options) and no longer servicing appropriately the birds kept within them.  New advancements in available products are always on the go and sometimes the species of bird you have selected to keep do not suit the actual aviaries you have in your backyard.  This is often a problem faced by birdkeepers on all scales from zoos to the backyard. So what can you do if this is the situation in your bird life?
Of course you can always just demolish them and either repurpose or resell the aviary materials - and we have done this a few times... or you can make the choice to re-design what you have to suit the bird species you keep - making both their lives and your own a little better.
This week Birdman Dad shares what items he has selected to add in to his re-designed aviaires. What was once a ringneck parrot complex, then a neophema one - is now mostly a home to a variety of finches and Birdman Dad explains some of the redesigned elements and what and how he added into his existing structures to make them more suitable to suit the species he now keep.
Hope this information helps someone in the redesign mode!
Photographs will be published on Birdman Dad's facebook, insta and reddit pages.

**  How can we express our shock at the events of Thursday 24th February 2022? Birdcast has a loyal group of listeners from Ukraine and our thoughts are with them, their families and their avian family (as well as other innocent animals) during this darkest time in their lives.  Out of respect to these people we have delayed our podcast launch. A small gesture we know but one we could actually do in recognition of the tradgedy.  We hope for peace to return to Ukraine and surrounding countries quickly**

Today's episode is all about getting your aviaries and your birds prepared for the breeding season ahead.  Hints and tips about preparing your environment now that the very hot weather/summer is moving along.

If you have any ideas or suggestions please be sure to contact us!

The items mentioned will be placed onto the facebook page

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Wow summer has sure burst into Western Australia this season.  The Christmas week was unbelievably hot and there's been a few more days since and no doubt many more to come.
All birds no matter where they live in this part of WA will be feeling it, including any outdoor aviary kept birds.
Please put out cool, fresh water regulalrly in suitable access containers for our precious wildlife! Cool, clean water is quite literally a lifesaver on these hot days.

And try out some of these ideas to keep your aviary birds comfortable.

If you have any other ideas please let us know:

1. birdman_dad on Instagram
2. u/birdmandad on reddit
3. Birdman dad on You Tube
 https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPY7Oh4zOdznC2SRV4esVWw

4. Birdman Dad on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1892441777643619
5. email: goosemanki8@gmail.com

Welcome back to BirdCast after our covid19 break!
We launch off today with a Citizen Science Project.. the hunt for the black throated finch  (Poephila cincta) (southern subspecies).. in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

Poephila cincta became famous back a few years ago  over the planned (now approved) coal  mining operations in the Galilee Basin in Queensland. The Galilee basin holds rich coal deposits, has multiple mining areas owned by various companies/organisation some headed by very well known people and is also one of the last Queensland refuges of the Poephila cincta :( .  A people power movement was started to stop the coal mine development, amongst which was the "Black Finch Project" instigated by Melbournite creative, Charlotte Watson. https://www.charlottewatson.org/black-throated-finch

Despite the massive street protests and the many and varied personal protest held under  #stopadani the mine is proceeding.  https://www.stopadani.com/

 Due to the significant expected impact on this finch, the black throated finch became the banner for the #stopadani movement.

Voted Australian Bird of the Year in 2019 in the Guardian newspaper's poll was still not enough to change the minds of those who approved the Adani/Carmichael coal mine.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/15/black-throated-finch-wins-2019-bird-of-the-year-as-tawny-frogmouth-comes-second

Poephila cincta did not only live in Queensland .. it was also known to live in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.
It was however declared EXTINCT in New South Wales in 2016.
Spurred on by the rediscoveries of the night parrot over Australia, and the impending black throated finch doom in the Galilee Basin, a collaboration between  3 organisations : Australian Society for Avian Preservation (ASAP), EnviroKey, and the Finch Society of Australia has emerged in these Covid times and the hunt for the black throated finch - southern species - is ON  AND  the team needs your help!

Today's episode is all about the hunt for the black throated finch.

https://www.facebook.com/blackthroatedfinchproject

https://snelandcare.org.au/component/content/article/134-e-news/1353-help-us-find-the-black-throated-finch.html?Itemid=437&fbclid=IwAR0a6JntzJCcPySNWaDXwKmM98QDpqrxBeXLbYJlxuX6p3LUupp3l431_y8

The future life of all avicultural societies, clubs and organisations will be determined by the ability of the hobby overall to engage and recruit the younger generation.
We are forever hearing in the media that Gen X,Y,Z... are engaged with their smart phones and social media platforms and not much else; so if that is the case; how can aviculturists today inspire and encourage younger people to put down their phones and engage in a real live bird in an aviary rather than a insta video?
Bernie O'Leary is a long time aviculturist who has a life time of caring and admiring the Wonder of Birds and has a clear passion for encouraging the youth of his local area to share and develop their life skills through bird related experiences. Led by his granddaughter's, Naomi's, passion to establish a school-based aviary at her own school, Bernie has provided the necessary foundations to support Naomi's enthusiasm and, together with the lead garden teacher at the College, there is now an aviary that is located within the working gardens of the primary school section at Carey Baptist College in Harrisdale, a southern suburb of Perth, Western Australia.
The College is so proud and committed to it's " Aviary Project" it even features in it's most recent promotional video!
Listen in to Bernie as he chat's about his own bird experiences, and what his thoughts are about establishing a school based aviary, the benefits to the students and the wonder of birds.  This is just the beginning of this fantastic project and we think Bernie has much more planned!

Carey College promotional video with the Aviary Project (point 1.14)
https://fb.watch/8qG1KO_mVs/

Egg binding is a problem that can be encountered with any female bird - from chickens, to budgies, to aviary finches.
There are several suggested methods on how to treat this issue and of course prevention is always better than any cure.  Birdman Dad offers up his suggestions on what to look for if you suspect one of your birds may be egg bound, and some suggestions on what you can do to help the bird.
Prevention of course is always the best and Birdman Dad also discusses what you can do to limit this from happening in the first place.
The item mentioned "quick gel" is a Dr Rob Marshall (avian vet) product.
https://www.birdhealth.com.au/quik-gel
Hope this episode helps you and your birds should you have a case of egg binding.

Apart from the usual, obvious bird accessories and utensils - like bowls, water dishes etc - Birdman Dad chats about the "other" helpful tools that, through his experience, he believes are "must haves" for any bird keeper/owner/guardian.

Hope you find something useful for your own birds in this list!

If you have any other suggestions to add onto the list please let BirdCast know!

insta:  birdman_dad

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1892441777643619/

Facebook: (Community): https://www.facebook.com/Birdman-Dad-1678314232464220/

Reddit: u/birdmandad

You tube:  https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPY7Oh4zOdznC2SRV4esVWw

Let Birdman Dad know what things/items/gadgets you use in your aviaries or with your pet birds that make everyone lives happier and healthier!

The relationship between birds and plants can never be underestimated. The habitat created by plants for all birds provides them with valuable nutrients and minerals that can never be fully replicated in any man made foods.
For aviary kept birds planted aviaries provide valuable nutritional benefits as well as much needed enrichment and safe zone protection that every captive bird is undoubtedly going to receive benefit from, creating a happier and healthier bird.
Birdman Dad offers up various suggestions of which plants you may want to consider in "planting out" your aviary, no matter the type - to give your feathered friends some joy and much needed enrichment.

Plants suggested an used by Birdman Dad (note many are Australian/West Aussie native and indigenous plant species):
One sided bottle brush: Calothamnus quadrifidus
Mouse ears aka granite net-bush: Calothamnus rupestris
Oven's wattle: Acacia pravissima
FC Payne aka Payne's thryptomene: Thryptomene saxicola
Blue hibiscus: Alyogne huegelii
white hibiscus: Alyogne huegelii alba
Kunzea baxteri
Grevilleas - many are suitable but suggest Winpara gem
Coastal honey myrtle: Melaleuca acerosa
Honey myrtle - many are suitable

Rosemary bush: Salvia rosmarinus

Lavender 

In general Australia is known for it's hot and sunny weather but this week there has been snow events and very cold weather for much of the country.
Birdman Dad shares with us some of his hints and tips to warm up your aviaries in the winter months and provides some useful winter suggestions for the birds in your care.

The rodent control Birdman Dad speaks about are the first generation ones and also Racumin (which is Coumatetralyl). A new one he is also trialing is the "NATURALS: Ratsak" which is made of all natural ingredients, works on an entirely different pathway to the usual - and who Yates states has no secondary poisoning ability.  Much safer to all our natural rodent removers such as snakes, lizards, owls, eagles, kestrels etc.  We all need to consider our wildlife and the impact we have through the items we use.

Although many people are quick to condemn the pet shop trade - pet shops offer a valuable contribution to aviculture overall.
Firstly they provide a great visual presence to the general public, in that they show a variety of birds and also place these birds within the realm of more widely accepted domestic pets such as cats and dogs - how often have we all heard people say "set them free" - when in reality these birds are domesticated; just like a cat or a dog - and if they are set free they will simply perish either from starvation (because they are domesticated) or from predation (hawks, cats etc).  Placing them alongside other widely accepted pets helps reinforce to the general public within the store that these birds are in fact not wild birds, rather birds that have grown up in a captive setting.
Secondly, birds in pet stores, particularly in the dedicated bird stores or the independent bird (and generally fish included) stores offer a showcase to customers of what birds are available in the local area, and give bird owners, or want to be owners, some idea of the variety of  birds.  It is essentially a type of window shopping.  Many a time the Birdman Dad team take a drive to go and see one of the independent bird speciality stores in Perth, just to see what's there - sadly in Perth there are not really any bird parks or wildlife parks that have a great selection of birds on display. The exception to this would be Caversham Wildlife Park (listen in to our 2 episode visit to Caversham in Season 2).
Thirdly, the local bird store offers an outlet for those whose birds breed - whether intentional or not - a place where they can sell the offspring.  Some bird stores will buy the young outright and sell them, others will offer a commission type arrangement.  For a smaller city such as Perth, where the bird trade is so much smaller than in the eastern states or overseas; this aspect to the local pet shop is a great option. Not everyone wants to deal with "customers" face to face; add in the security concerns of having unknown people to your home and this "pet shop" option is often far more attractive.
Finally, and by no means exhausted in a list of reasons, the pet store offers a multitude of avian related products for every bird type kept - from aviaries, to seed, to avian supplements, to enrichment activities to a huge variety of associated products.
Added to this list; in the smaller, independent bird stores - the humans working in the stores have a great love for birds and in general an extensive knowledge concerning most things avian.  If you are unsure of what bird would be best for you and your situation, and you are not wanting to attend a bird club, or ask anyone on social media; just have a quiet chat to the humans behind the pet shop desk.  If you choose your time well; that is when the shop is quiet and the customers are not knee deep at the counter; you will find most bird pet shop humans are happy to talk to you about birds, their needs and what bird might be the best match to your lifestyle.
In Perth we do not have the huge selection, or volume of bird and pet stores compared to other cities.  Despite being small there are still some independent bird speciality pet stores and it was one of these stores the Birdman Dad Team visited in today's episode.
The anti stress product mentioned by Birdman Dad in today's episode:
Quick Gel - a product created and distributed by Dr Rob Marshall of Carlingford Animal Hospital NSW, Australia.
https://www.birdhealth.com.au/quik-gel
Another similar product would be Vetafarm's Spark product:
https://vetafarm.com.au/product/spark-liquid/

or
D-3 Vita
https://www.pigeonandbirdproducts.com.au/online-shop/cage-aviary/d-3-vita-detail

or
Vita Stress
https://www.afrimash.com/shop/veterinary-products-and-services/vet-medicine/vita-stress-multivitamins/