Two satinette green/inches and two cinnamons.

by Vladimir KulhavyToronto, Ontario, Canada

to why 0 many p opl keep bird inpoorly lit ba n1ent wh n they haveampl opportunit to build gardenaviarie .

On unn day, e en in January thecock greenfinch tart inging hi quitenice ong orne hat r mini cent of acanar . And he 11 continue to ing untilthe nd of bre ding season. Becausethey are uch ociable bird the rnab bred on a colon) t m or t 0 h nrna b bred with one cock.

I feed m birds a mixture of canaryeed rape whit millet niger and

popp eed ith generou portion ofunflo er eed . From the arri al of

'pring I allow the e seeds to sprout bythrowing them on the earth floor of thea iar and forking th m over twice aweek. I also pick all the eeding weeds Ican find and I include green and fruit,prin1aril) apple and orange . B causethe a iarie are h a, ily planted thebirds ar abl to find in ect . When theyare ne ting, the greenfinches pendmo t of their time hunting the in ects.To supplenlent the in ect diet I pro' idean egg food which i a great help whenthe) rai young.

ince greenfinche are the mostdomesticated pecie of Europeanfinch, a nun1b r of color mutation havede eloped. The e lTIutation are rareand therefore exp n iv but can beobtained from Europ if one i Hling topersev reo In my ca it took over twoyear from the tim I contacted Briti ha iculturi t until I wa able to importthree pair of mutation gr nfinche. Asfar a I know I am at the pre nt timethe only per on in anada or th SA

Continued on page 6

A lutino green/inch. Note the red eyes.

The greenfinch m a ure about sixinche long. The male i mainl llow­green with a teely gr y back and bright

110 ing bars. The female is notice-ably duller. They ar prolific br ed rne ting t 0 or thr e time per ea onwhich begins in pril. They are con id­ered an ea specie for captive breed­ing even for beginner and can be bredin cage or a iarie .

From m per onal experi nce Iwould recon1mend the u e of aviariefor the follo ing r a on . Fir t green­finche' are e tremely hard birds andcan be int red out id ithout heateven in ver cold climates. Second, thecan b mixed with other bird in anaviar) ith no bad effect. In m gardena iary there are in addition to thegreenfinches European goldfinches,bullfinch linnet k lark and Pekinrobin.

To protect the birds from strongwinter winds and snowstorm I coverthe e po ed ide of the aviar ithpla'ti . There i no doubt in m mindthat bird kept outdoor throughout theyear ha e plumage uperior to that ofbird kept ind or . The eem healthi rand th e en come into breeding con­dition at the right time. I am puzzled a

European OreenfinchesThe Ideal Aviary Birdfor North America?

I am fully awar that by ch00 ing thistitle I am allo ing m. If to com underthe fir of e re critici m becau r

riou bre der b Ii e that di tinctionhould be re er ed for hi or her own

fa orite p ci . And ho many peoplein orth Am rica do keep r br ed thegreenfinch e cept for a few canaryhybridizer ? Yet I hop that b the endof thi article I will be abl to upplynough upporti e argum nt to ju tif

thi claim and will hopefully, tir uporne interest in the e omewhat a er­

looked bird .The European greenfinch, Carduelis

chloris, i still a fairly common bird inEurope a well a in parts of A ia and

orth fri a in pite of a can tantlwor ening de truction of the Europeancountr id. It' ucce s is due mainly toit adaptability to a changed en iron­ment. Originally a bird of the fore t itcan no b found in the country ideand aloin the city park and garden.In winter the gr nfinch is among therna t enterpri ing i itor at th birdfeeder and it join flock of otherfinche in the countryside feeding on

eed . The are u eful to man b feed­ing on eed and upon man gardenin ect during the breeding ea on.

4 0 toberl 0 emb r 198

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who is breeding these mutation green­finches. These wonderful birds wereworth the extra time and effort to getthem, however.

Presently there are three basicmutations well established, with othersappearing sporadically. The oldest oneis lutino with the bird being completelyyellow and having red eyes. The hentends to be a little more whitish.

The second mutation is cinnamon. Inthis mutation the black is eliminated,the bird being brownish on a yellowground.

The third mutation is silver, the birdbeing completely grey. Other mutationsalso appear; satinette, which looks likelutino but with a brownish tinge; silverwith white wing bars; and one or twoothers heard of but not seen. All of thesemutations are sex-linked.

Breeding this year has producedmixed results. I raised four young birdsfrom a lutino pair (with the help ofcanaries), and six babies are about tofledge as I write this. Their parentsconsist of a cinnamon male raised lastyear and a wild hen of uncertain age. Ofthe six babies, two are normal coloredmales split for cinnamon, two cin­namon hens, and two satinettes.

I received the lutino pair lastDecember and had to keep themindoors until they could be acclimated.I didn't expect to breed them as mostEuropean finches take two years tomature. The lutino hen, however, laidfour eggs at the end of February butmade no attempt to sit on them. Theeggs were put under canaries andturned out to be fertile but died in theshell. The second clutch was also foureggs, and this time the hen was sittingwell, however, when the first two babieshatched I found them dead on the floorof the cage with numerous wounds. Itransferred the two remaining eggsunder a canary and two lutinos wereeventually raised. A third clutch was laidand exactly the same situation repeateditself.

However, I don't place the blame onthe birds. I think it was a combination oftheir immaturity and the confines of asmall cage that caused this misfortuneand I believe that next year in an aviarythey will raise their offspring withoutmy interference.

With the second pair of greenfinchesI had more luck. Initially I had reser­vations about the hen which was a two­year cage bird that I used to replace theoriginal cinnamon hen who disap­peared under mysterious circumstances.The replacement hen at first refused themale's courting. In the middle of May,

NEW YORKFeathered Friends Bird ClubFinger Lakes Cage Bird AssociationGreater Rochester Hookbill

Association

NORTH CAROLINACharlotte Metrolina Cage Bird

SocietySmoky Mountain Cage Bird Society

OHIOCleveland Cage Bird SocietyGolden Crescent Cage Bird ClubMid-American Exotic Bird

Society, Inc.

OKLAHOMABird Fanciers of OklahomaOklahoma Cage Bird Society

OREGONColumbia Canary ClubExotic Bird Club of OregonNorthwest Bird ClubOregon Pheasant BreedersRose City Exotic Bird Club

PENNSYLVANIACentral Pennsylvania Cage Bird ClubChester County Bird BreedersDelaware Valley Bird ClubGreater Pittsburgh Cage Bird SocietyPhiladelphia Avicultural Society

TENNESSEEGreater Memphis Bird ClubMiddle Tennessee Cage Bird Club

TEXASAbilene Bird ClubAlamo Exhibition Bird ClubDallas Cage Bird SocietyFort Worth Bird ClubGulf Coast Aviculture AssociationHouston Cage Bird AssociationParrot People Club of Houston

UTAHUtah Pheasant Society

VIRGINIANational Capital Bird ClubParrot Breeders AssociationPeninsula Caged Bird SocietySouthwestern Virginia Avicultural

Society

WASHINGTONAvicultural Society of Puget SoundCascade Canary Breeders

AssociationGreater Spokane Avicultural SocietyNorthwest Exotic Bird SocietyNorthwest Old Variety Canary

AssociationSouth Sound Exotic Bird SocietyWashington Budgerigar Society, Inc

WISCONSINMilwaukee Bird Society, Ltd.Wisconsin Cage Bird Club, Inc.

MEMBER CLUBSFLORIDA (continued)Ocala Cage Bird Society, IncSuncoast Avian SocietySunshine State Cage Bird

Society, Inc.Tropical Cockatiel Club of Miami

GEORGIAGeorgia Cage Bird SocietyGreater Atlanta Pigeon and

Dove Club

ILLINOISlilini Bird FanciersMcLean County Pet Bird ClubPiasa Cage Bird Club

IDAHOInland Empire Bird Club

IOWAMid-America Cage Bird Society

KANSASCapital City Bird Club of KansasKansas Avicultural Society, Inc.

KENTUCKYKentuckiana Bird Society

LOUISIANACapital Area Avicultural SocietyCentral Louisiana Budgerigar

SocietyGulf South Bird Club

MARYLANDBaltimore Bird FanciersMaryland Cage Bird Society, Inc

MASSACHUSETTSBoston Cockatiel Society, Inc.Boston Society for Aviculture, Inc.Exotic Cage Bird Society of

New EnglandMassachusetts Cage Bird

Association, Inc.Western New England Cage Bird,

Society

MICHIGANAnn Arbor Cage Bird ClubMid-West Canary ClubMotorCity Bird Breeders, Inc.

MISSISSIPPIMississippi Budgerigar Society

MISSOURIMissouri Cage Bird Association

NEBRASKAGreater Omaha Cage Bird Society

NEVADALas Vegas Avicultural SocietyNorthern Nevada Cage Bird Society

NEW HAMPSHIREBirds of aFeather Avicultural SocietyNew Hampshire Avicultural Society

Dedicated to conservation of bird wildlife through encouragement ofcaptive breeding programs, scientific research, and education of the general public.

For information about contacting any of these member clubs, please callthat club's closest state coordinator. There is a state coordinator

listing with phone numbers elsewhere in this publication.

MEMBER NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONSAfrican Love Bird Society American Budgerigar Society, Inc. International Dove Society

American Pigeon Fanciers' Council National Finch &Softbill Society National Parrot AssociationBritish Columbia Avicultural Society National Cockatiel Society International Softbill Society

Southeastern Aviculturists Association Avicultural Society of AmericaSociety of Parrot Breeders and Exhibitors

ALABAMABird Club of Greater BirminghamCentral Alabama Aviculture Society

ARIZONAArizona Aviculture SocietyAvicultural Society of TucsonSeed Crackers

CALIFORNIAAviary Association of KernAvicultural Association of

San FranciscoBudgerigar Research AssociationCapitol City Bird SocietyCentral California Cage Bird ClubContra Costa Avian SocietyFinch Society of San Diego CountyFoothill Bird FanciersFork &Feather Bird ClubGolden West Game Breeders and

Bird ClubHi Desert Bird ClubHookbill Hobbyists of Southern

CaliforniaInland Game Bird BreedersLong Beach Bird BreedersNorco Valley Bird BreedersNorth County AviculturistsOrange County Bird BreedersSan Diego County Bird Breeders

AssociationSan Diego County Canary ClubSan Gabriel Valley Parakeet

AssociationSanta Clara Valley Canary &Exotic

Bird ClubSi mi Valley Bird SocietySouth Bay Bird ClubSouth Coast Finch SocietySouthern California Roller

Canary ClubValley of Paradise Bird ClubWest Valley Bird SocietyWestern Bird Breeders Society

COLORADOColorado Cage Bird AssociationRocky Mountain Society of

Aviculture, Inc.

CONNECTICUTConnecticut Association for

Aviculture, Inc

DELAWAREDelaware Avicultural Association

FLORIDAAviary &Cage Bird Society of

South FloridaBird Club of ManateeCentral Florida Bird BreedersGold Coast Exotic Bird Club, Inc.Greater Brandon Avian SocietyGreater Jacksonville Avicultural

Society, Inc.Greater Miami Avicultural

Society, Inc

6 October/November 1987

1987-1988 OFFICERSTHOMAS C. MARSHALL/President (703) 759-5978

PHYLLIS MARTIN/lsi Vice President (813) 839-4751 DAVIS KOFFRON/2nd Vice President (602) 268-9237DAVID M. RICHARDS/Chief Financial Officer (714) 839-1916 KAYE BREDEHORST/Corresponding Secretary (703) 281-4136

VICKI FLETCHER/Executive Secretary (206) 841-2705

REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTSDallas D. Johnson/Northeaslern (301) 540-6198 • Chuck ClifUSoutheastern (205) 285-6522

Tony Silva/Mideastern (312) 447-3147 • Rex Kennedy/Western (801) 571-6183Dick Dickinson/Northern California (408) 248-1641 • Chris Christman/Southern California (714) 638-1596

Jeri WrightlNorthwest(206) 937-0234· RogerW. Harlin, DVM/Centra/(405) 636-1484

LEGAL COUNSEL LEGISLATIVE VICE PRESIDENTGary Lilienthal (617) 542-7070

STATE COORDINATORS

Amy Worell, DVM/State CoordinatorChairman (818) 704-0223

SCHEDULE FOR AFABOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS

Mark these dates and plan to attend!August 2 thru 7, 1988

Tampa, Florida - Hyatt Regency14th Annual Convention

Phyllis Martin, Chairperson (813) 839-4751

COMMERCIAL MEMBERSHagen Avicultural Research Institute, Pets 'n Such, Erlanger, KY

Rockwood, Ontario, Canada Pelland-White Flint Plaza, Kensington, MDHouse of Tropicals, Glen Burnie, MD Pritchard Bookkeeping Service, EI Cajon, CAKaytee Products, Inc., Chilton, WI Reliable Protein Products, Studio City, CAKellogg, Inc., Milwaukee, WI RolfC. Hagen, Inc., S1. Laurent, Quebec, CanadaKey Kritters, Inc., Key Largo, FL Safari City Pets, Seattle, WAKoolau Pets, Kaneohe, HI Scarlet Oak Aviaries, Glenwillow, OHMagnolia Bird Farm, Anaheim, CA Scooter's Pet Shop, Novato, CAMichael's Bird Paradise, Inc., Riviera Beach, FL The Perico Companies, Houston, TXNekton U.S.A., Inc., S1. Petersburg, FL Vivigen, Inc., Santa Fe, NMPet Farm, Inc., Miami. FL Your Basic Bird, Berkeley, CA

Animal Crackers, Greendale, WIAnimal Environments, Carlsbad, CAAnimal Exchange, Rockville, MDJohn Ball Zoological Park,

Grand Rapids, MIBio-PakAssociates, NJBirdcraft, Inc., Coconut Grove, FLBirdland, Albuquerque, NMBurke's Birds, San Bernardino, CAEast Coast Aviaries, Inc., Conway, SCFins, Furs, 'n Feathers, Boca Raton. FL

ALABAMA KENTUCKY OHIOHorace Gardner (205) 874-7937 Thomas B. Angel, Jr, DVM (606) 371-4929 Michaeleen Rogers (4191639-3673

ALASKA LOUISIANA OKLAHOMAJim Bauman (907) 334-0623 John C Lawrence Jr, DVM (504) 343-2622

ARIZONA MAINE OREGONMickey Ollson (6021939-1003 Archie Fairbrother (2071394-2252 Kay Mahi (503) 543-6042

ARKANSAS MARYLAND PENNSYLVANIARo Dahle (301) 267-Bl10 Brenda Geesey (717) 854-2604

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COLORADO MINNESOTA SOUTH DAKOTASusan Baker (303) 223-2452 Gary Michael (612) 588-5652

CONNECTICUT MISSISSIPPI TENNESSEEWalter J Willoughby (203) 528-7296 Jerry Pace (601) 781-2364 Deborah Oorsey (615) 865-2941

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FLORIDA (SOUTH) NEBRASKA UTAHMrs. M. Simmons (305) 772-2632 Robert G. Travnicek (402) 821-2490

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HAWAII NEW HAMPSHIRE VIRGINIARoxanne Sullivan (808) 668-8258 FLawrence Brandt 16031642-5074 Carole Wheeler (703) 323-5048

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IOWA NORTH CAROLINA WISCONSINA.M. MackLong (919) 674-9328 Greg Schauer (414) 629-9292

KANSAS NORTH DAKOTA WYOMINGHal Prester (316) 788-4505

however, she built a nest and soon afterbegan sitting on eggs. The young green­finches hatched after 14 days incubationand have grown rather rapidly, probablythanks to the animal protein they werereceiving in the form of insects. Attwelve days of age they are alreadyfeathered and I expect them to leave thenest any day.

Of course a lot of things can still gowrong but, so far, I have found mybreeding experiments with green­finches quite promising, especiallysince 1don't qualify as an experiencedbreeder as I have kept European birdsfor only the past four years.

So, presenting my case for these birds,they are lively and elegant birds, goodsingers, very hardy and easy to keep,good breeders and, thanks to the colormutations, they offer a challenge totheir breeders. The normally coloredgreenfinches are from time to timeavailable on the market and the scarcityof the mutations only enhances theirdesirability.

I would like to end this article with apersonal appeal. Through my four yearsof specializing in keeping and breedingEuropean birds I have encountered twomajor obstacles. One is the disintereston the part of many owners of thesebirds to make a serious effort to breedthem, falsely believing they will alwaysbe available. That misconception is evi­denced in dwindling numbers ofEuropean countries which still permitan export of their native birds. There isno doubt in my mind that very soonthese birds will not be available throughimporting them legally. And I don'tthink smuggling them into the countrywill work either. First off, no ethicalperson would do it. Second, the risingnumber of people caught smugglingother birds and the heavy fines makeone think twice about undertaking suchan adventure. And if a few weresmuggled in they would be so overpriced as to be out of reach for theaverage breeder.

Another frustrating experience I'vehad is the inability to find suitable matesfor my greenfinches. Therefore I aminviting correspondence from othersinterested in breeding greenfinches. Wecan exchange breeding information aswell as surplus stock. There may evenbe enough people to establish a cor­responding club. I firmly believe thatsuch cooperation is necessary if wewant to see these beautiful birds estab­lished in North American aviculture.Interested persons may write to Born ToFly, 32]uliana Court, Toronto, Ontario,Canada M6S 2R2.•

afa WATCHBIRD 7