FINCHforum

I know this doesn't fall under finch but softbill: Does anyone know of a breeder that sells these darling birds? I had them many moons ago.

Cindy,

I found this ad for them - don't know anything about the place or how old the add is but it gives an e-mail address to reply to:

http://www.petclassifieds.us/i/105718/i.html

Also this place seems to list them sometimes - lots of ads updated often - scroll down to see what is there:

http://www.softbillsforsale.com/softbills-sale.asp

Cindy I also had them years ago. At the time they were like $40 ea. That was the 70's. They became hard to find in the 90's and recently when I had asked a few dealers about them they said they never see them anymore.

JohnBoy wrote:Cindy I also had them years ago. At the time they were like $40 ea. That was the 70's. They became hard to find in the 90's and recently when I had asked a few dealers about them they said they never see them anymore.

I saw them about 4 yrs ago at the show in St Pete. The pairs were so stressed and sickly looking, I passed. They had them in cramped little cages, they need room to jump and fly, they are active little birds. I've seen them on the softbill site, they go quickly.

My mom had them in the 60's and early 70's also.

Nipper06 wrote:Cindy,

I found this ad for them - don't know anything about the place or how old the add is but it gives an e-mail address to reply to:

http://www.petclassifieds.us/i/105718/i.html

Caution with this ad, if it is up-to-date. It may be legit, but note that it says they have CITES permit to export--that doesn't mean they necessarily have a place to import to in the U.S., and if those birds are coming from outside the U.S., they would need proper paperwork and time in a quarantine facility. International money order--most places discourage that practice.

Thanks Sally,

The one thing I look at with this type of soft bill is the space they are keeping these birds in, pekins need room to jump and move around. They are very active and can be high strung if they are not housed right.

I am leary of ads that mention importing, There are rare cases of smuggling. If the birds can no longer be imported in (I need to check on this) I don't want to do anything illegal and risk bringing birds in that have not been properly quarantined.

The pekins are out there, it just takes some looking and time. When they do come up on the market they go fast. I emailed Aspen Leaf Aviary had them asking if they had them but are no longer available.

They are very hard to find and very expensive.

Have you tried checking with Karl in CA and or Floyd in GA - both are good sources to try for something unique like the Pekin Robin.

Thanks MLaRue...I am not in a rush but I would love to have a pair someday. I will contact them later this evening with a PM. I am afraid to have them shipped because they can stress easily.

I too would love to have a pair someday. They are gorgeous in person - the colors are splendid!

I'm not sure where you are in FL but Floyd might be able to meet you at one of those FL fairs? It wouldn't hurt to ask... I know he attends the fairs in AL sometimes as well. The last we talked about them he said they were hard to get but had a source in Canada (I think).

Someone told me that the bird flu haulted their import into the country. I know some finches are being brought in from Canada, the permits to get them into our country I heard were a bit costly.

What have you heard?