Softbills ....?

[Outlaw Pete 2,224]

Anyone know of anyone keeping them? If not; Why not?

 

Reason I ask is that I'm just back from ringing some Starlings in my nest boxes. And it's led me to decide a full length, plastic apron must go on my shopping list.

 

And, maybe I should start carrying some alcohol hand sanitiser? (I have nitrile gloves. But, a new pair for each box could be wasteful) Dust mask might not go amiss either.

 

I mean, don't get me wrong; I adore starlings. They're my favourite nest box target bird. But, christ! They're shitty f**kers! Their nests stink to high heaven and the chicks projectile shit all over me, if I'm not ridiculously artful.

 

Saying that? Some of the canary photo's on here don't exactly conjure thoughts of Ideal Homes, once those chicks start messing on the nest. I guess seed eater shit's drier though. Certainly can't stink like starlings.

 

Or, how about other softies? Blackbirds, what ever. I'm just curious. Anyone know of anyone keeping any hard core shit? My mate had a Pied Wagtail in his aviary! He specialised in House Sparrows though. Bred cinnamon's 'n shit.

 

Does anyone out there do anything insane, like breed tits or anything?

 

Now, obviously, in view of recent posts / activities? I don't f**king want to hear " Yes. I keep xxx ". All I'm asking is what sort of stuff you might have seen at shows. Or heard about being 'out there'. And, if nothing's out there any more? Anyone know why, please?

 

[KittleRox 2,147]

There,s quite a few folk keeping/ breeding various types of softbills in the uk mate, blackbirds thrushes robins magpies tits etc, also less common but there is one or two who keep redstarts ring ouzels waxwings etc

like you say messy feckers and you need to supply lots of livefood if breeding

 

personaly if I were to keep softbills I would go foreign, glossy/ superb starlings

[fireman 10,917]

Like Kittle says many folks keep softbills and it's not uncommon to see colour mutations of them as well,i know a fella who breeds sattinet black birds as well as other soft bills.Have been told some are easier to keep than some of the hard bills as it goes but you are right about the poo,hardbill poo goes hard and don't stink like a soft bills does.I keep chaffies and have been piling in the live food to them as they need it for rearing and there poo has gone messier than when they weren't getting it,all meat eaters poo stinks where as most veggie animals it don't.

[gnipper 6,484]

Loads keep softbills, there's loads of colour variants now too. People keep corvids too. If I were to keep something like that I think I'd get mynah's.

[fireman 10,917]

I'm swayed towards a pair of bearded tits to start off with next year,many folks have told me how easy they are and a striking looking bird as well.

[Outlaw Pete 2,224]

All meat eaters poo stinks where as most veggie animals it don't.

 

 

Whether or not that's the case; I'll never forget the time a veggie / anti mate of ours threw up all down the wall! Dirty b*****d! Great stream of tofu! I don't remember it stunk of roses either!

 

KR; What you're talking about there? That's just pornography! Imagine that? Having things like Robins, never mind Ring Ouzels. That's just a head wreck!

 

I guess the thing is; Where do you stop? I mean, I've wanted an aviary All my life. Just never been able to. And, I'd have wanted native birds in it too. Why? Because I think they're just the most beautiful things in the world. I marvel at them.

 

And now, I've found another outlet. I can't keep them. But, I still meet them. See them right up close. Chat to them. Absorb their characters. Let them go. It's great!

 

Stop Press!!! Male Goldie! Yard from my window! Presumably picking up dog hairs. Half an hour ago I had the seasons first Spotted Fly turn up on my gate!

 

But, yeah. This is where I'm coming from, guys. I absolutely f**king worship these birds. I'm now SO privileged to get to meet so many of them. I have absolutely no problems with aviculture. But, if I were to have aviaries? I think the softies would flick my switch. But, where would one start or end?! Kid in a sweet shop!

 

Fireman; Beardies????? Oh, for gods sake!!! And they breed them, captive?! Oh Wow!!! Now, that's something I missed any chance of ringing and will never get the chance of now.

 

Frankly? I've never even got a decent look at a live one, as a birder.

[fireman 10,917]

Believe it or not there only £120 a pair and there not hard to find to buy,well if i ever get some and there ready for ringing i'll let you know and you can tick them off your list ,You should get yourself to a few of the bigger bird shows or sales and i think your'd be amazed at what folk keep,but i do totaly agree with you 100% that our natives are beautiful things and equal to any coloured bird in the world.