i just signed up to here, thinking someone might be able to help me out. i had a pair of dusky woodswallows and the female was attacked and killed by a feral cat. now the male one is stressing heaps. does anyone breed these? i am looking at getting another female. it't be really great if someone could help me out. xx
we've had them for about 5-6 years and we feed them crickets, mealworms and bugs we find in the garden. they've had 2 lots of babies but we let one lot go and the other ones were given to someone. i'll keep looking. even if i go back to where i used to live to get another one. they are great birds. very friendly.
I absolutely agree with Denis.
It is illegal to keep most Australian native birds as pets without a licence and it is certainly illegal and immoral to catch and keep wild birds.
By creating habitat and trying to exclude domestic pets as much as possible, you are setting up conditions to 'invite' native birds to use your garden for feeding, breeding and/or shelter as part of the natural cycle of their lives - a great privilege for us to observe. Part of this natural cycle is predation (unfortunately in this case by an introduced animal). All wild birds, wherever they are, have to cope with this as one factor in many that may cut their lives short and we cannot intervene in this process, except perhaps to rescue, rehabilitate and then release wildlife injured by our own practises (e.g. cars, windows, cats etc) - for which one needs a special licence and training in care and nutrition of wild animals (they are still wild and need to be treated as such when being rescued). Observe your birds by all means, but we cannot presume to do any more than this - they are living out their lives in front of us, but not FOR us!
Sorry Im confused, were these your pets or wild birds that were attacked? Im assuming not pets because they aren't exactly pet bird material.
Firstly you should call WIRES or similar to pick up the remaining bird as they need an experienced carer.
Secondly, as others have mentioned its highly ILLEGAL and immoral to try and take another bird from the wild! They have a hard enough surviving with loss of habitat and other problems let alone being swiped (not that you'd really be able to catch one anyway).
Please call WIRES about this bird.
i also need help my 10 yr old son returned home this afternoon after sports training and he had with him a baby wood duck. Just wondering what i can do to help the little fella(lady)
duckyhelp - best to call WIRES so he can be looked after by experienced people.