FINCHforum

I've been searching, to no avail, for Black or White Headed Nuns (Munias) for quite some time now. Does anyone have any leads for me? I live in the New York City area. Why are these so difficult to locate..... lack of coloration? Other reasons?

I can't help you with a lead, but I can tell you why they are no longer available. White Nuns/Black Headed-Hooded Nuns are from Asia -- after the pandemic bird flu scare, all Asian imports are now prohibited. That means no more Strawberry Finches, White/Black Headed Nuns, Green Strawberries, etc to name a few. They were widely available and affordable prior to the pandemic scare, but of course due to their common availability at the time, nobody specialized in breeding the Asian species as most of us took them for granted. Alas, we are missing or have scarce sources of these beautiful gems. Good luck!

Singing Wings Aviary has them on their current price list sold in pairs only for $200.00

http://www.singing-wings-aviary.com/Cur ... rivals.htm

cindy wrote:Singing Wings Aviary has them on their current price list sold in pairs only for $200.00

http://www.singing-wings-aviary.com/Cur ... rivals.htm

My understanding, from my conversations and previous orderings with Mandy (Singing Wings Aviary), is that if the birds on their price lists are not listed under their "Current Availability" - (http://www.birdbreeders.com/showavail2. ... ty%3C/a%3E) that they were not available. I suppose you could always email Mandy to see if they'll have any munias available soon, but $200 is a steep price to pay for a specie that was once considered as common as zebras and societies.

The pet shop near me has a white headed nun and they have had it for a while. It is only the one. Think I should snatch it up, because they are hard to find? And pray to find a mate?

managermania wrote:The pet shop near me has a white headed nun and they have had it for a while. It is only the one. Think I should snatch it up, because they are hard to find? And pray to find a mate?

How old is the nun? If the lonestar is not $200, and reasonably priced, yes, I would snatch it up! The white head/black head nuns have become literally impossible to find/see anymore.

managermania wrote:The pet shop near me has a white headed nun and they have had it for a while. It is only the one. Think I should snatch it up, because they are hard to find? And pray to find a mate?

It would be very hard to find a mate - it would have to be an import at some point. Tiffany has been looking for these beautiful birds for some time with no luck.

MLaRue wrote: It would be very hard to find a mate - it would have to be an import at some point. Tiffany has been looking for these beautiful birds for some time with no luck.

Do you know if there will be any imports anytime soon? I just don't understand how the aftermath of the pandemic flu is still affecting us today. I know the wants of bird fanciers and hobbyists are the last thing the government is worrying about but geez, is the door for Asian imports closed shut for good?

Well that is a good question because I'm being told that BirdsExpress is getting GOULDIANS from Taiwan??!!

MLaRue wrote:Well that is a good question because I'm being told that BirdsExpress is getting GOULDIANS from Taiwan??!!

Whaaaatttt Gouldians from Taiwan?! Of all places?! Hahahaha, OMG. As if we don't have enough people working with Gouldians here in the States. They need to import some Strawberries and Munias....Paaahhhleease. We are having a serious dry spell right now.

I know right?! I'm also being told they are gorgeous birds that "make the American Goulds look like crap". I haven't seen them but know someone that is getting some this week and will let you know what they think but really Taiwan for Goulds?

MLaRue wrote:I know right?! I'm also being told they are gorgeous birds that "make the American Goulds look like crap". I haven't seen them but know someone that is getting some this week and will let you know what they think but really Taiwan for Goulds?

LMAO, I just shot them a quick email to let them know that the supply and demand is greater for other Asian species *cough, cough* Strawberries and Munias versus Gouldians. I don't understand some companies -- we have perfectly beautiful AMERICAN born and raised Gouldians and they import the same species from Asia?! Ha! Let me know what your someone thinks of these "gorgeous birds" from Taiwan. They better have diamond encrusted eyes and gold feathers if they are willing to pay importation fees for Gouldians.

bugaboo5 wrote:

MLaRue wrote:I know right?! I'm also being told they are gorgeous birds that "make the American Goulds look like crap". I haven't seen them but know someone that is getting some this week and will let you know what they think but really Taiwan for Goulds?

LMAO, I just shot them a quick email to let them know that the supply and demand is greater for other Asian species *cough, cough* Strawberries and Munias versus Gouldians. I don't understand some companies -- we have perfectly beautiful AMERICAN born and raised Gouldians and they import the same species from Asia?! Ha! Let me know what your someone thinks of these "gorgeous birds" from Taiwan. They better have diamond encrusted eyes and gold feathers if they are willing to pay importation fees for Gouldians.

The price is $75.00 per bird.

MLaRue wrote: The price is $75.00 per bird.

Goodness, gracious. Are these normal greenback birds? If they are SELLING these imported birds for $75 each, one has to wonder how much it costs them to buy and to import these birds in. That's boinkers. I hope they will be able to back up the claim that these birds "make the American Goulds look like crap". That's a very serious statement given that many folks on this forum, including yourself, Candoaviary, DFCauley, and Nixity are producing cream of the crop quality Gouldians.

I won't say who said it but they are a very serious breeder in their own right so will we see...

I actually did say "Are they really better then our very best birds we have in our own flocks?" And, I was told yes. I'm a tough judge and will be the first to point out a flaw even in my own birds.