Suggested new branch : All Things Softbill

[w.l.]

Oh, I've just noticed that there are stickies to draw users' attention to the dove and quail, hookbill and canary branches.
Maybe make one for this new branch, too?

Also, many people don't seem to know what "softbill" means.
Maybe the topic description could say something like "... discuss fruit-, insect- and nectar-eating birds"?
Just like the Hookbills topic might mention "parrots and cockatoos" in its description.

Or would this be "dumbing things down" (stating the obvious) too much?

[delray]

w.l. If you would like you could make a topic to help people learn more about it. Idk how many people have softbills.

[Sally]

w.l.

Thanks!
Will check now both the new branch and the Species section for anything that may have escaped moving.

Thanks for all the help! Certainly saved me a lot of time, as all I had to do was move the topics, you've done the search work for me!

I will add that some of those topics I moved today are old topics, but they are still relevant, and now that they are in the proper forum, perhaps it will help members find the information they need. Some of these topics were posted back before we had the extra forums for canaries, hookbills, dove/quail, and now softbills.

Another note is that members may see some topics that appear to be disjointed, or missing photos that are referenced. That is because a few members in the past deleted their accounts and took all their posts with them in the process.

[w.l.]

I think I have gone through Species and reported all or at least most softbill topics obvious by title.

I had to notice that Sally has been perhaps the most enthusiastic replier to softbill topics, illustrating that those who don't keep them may well still be interested in them, too!

[Sally]

w.l. Yes, I would love to have some softbills someday. Right now, I simply don't have the proper setup, as I feel these birds need even more space than the typical finch, and I just don't have that space. I would almost kill for a pair of Pekin Robins!

One of the most difficult aspects of moving these old topics was seeing all the old names, members who used to be so active but are no longer around--made me feel a bit sad. Many of them I considered good friends, I miss seeing their posts and photos.

[w.l.]

If "typical finch" means the domesticated societies, zebras or Gouldians, probably true.

Otherwise, depends on the species of softbill in question.
Peking robins are of course bigger than most finches, but a pair or group of tiny white-eyes may not need more space than waxbills or munias.
And despite what many people believe, feeding them is actually easier than properly (!) feeding finches.
Just some ready-made pellet or eggfood, fruit, worms and sugary water keeps them happy. No need for sprouting seeds, greenfood and of course no husks of seed thrown around.
Breeding them would be trickier than merely keeping them, of course. A variety of tiny live food could be required, though if you live in a green and safe area, there is a very simple way of solving this problem.

I can't comment on softbills from the American tropics though.

[metinemre]

Well done for the new forum branch, thanks for your efforts people.

[Sally]

w.l. I love the White-eyes, too and have read that they are one of the best 'beginner' softbills. Another deterrent in the U.S. is the price of softbills, they tend to run quite a bit more than finches, but perhaps someday.

[w.l.]

Sally , how much are white-eyes in the US?
Here they are very cheap and 2-3 species are sold in huge quantities.

[lovezebs]

Sally

Hi Sally.
I noticed you're "willing to kill for a pair of Pekin Robins". Jerry "Big Bear" on the Forum, has a pair for sale, for $400 Canadian. Not sure if he's willing to ship though.

~Elana~

[Sally]

w.l. I think they were about $100 each, the last time I saw them.

[Sally]

lovezebs I thought Jerry just got those Pekin Robins. That is actually not a bad price, I've seen them for more, but it isn't easy nor cheap to ship between the two countries--all the extra paperwork. Everything I've read about them says they really need a lot of space, too.

[w.l.]

$100 each doesn't sound too bad to me - for the US.
Am I wrong? Many exotic finches have such prices there, even relatively common ones like strawberries.
Of course of the superb-social white-eyes one should always buy at least two, and if one has breeding in mind more like 3-4, as the sexes look alike.

I was also wondering how easy it would be to ship from Canada to the US...

[Derk]

Sally@lovezebs

There was a Parrot 'Retreat' I wanted to attend with my Ringneck. A bunch of international behavourists who specialize in parrots are going to be there. Because of the avian flu, nothing crosses into the US without a 30 day quarantine at their border facility. The daily rate depends on the size of the bird. So add that to the price as well. Because of this quarantine, I will not be taking my bird. And quite likely there is the same procedure to get the bird back into Canada.

...the hard part was finding the right people to email and getting responses. Actually, still waiting for some information. Figured I might as well follow it through so I know the process. If I do hear from everyone maybe there is a place here I can post what i discovered?? Let me know Sally.