Long-tail Finch Breed: Long-tail finch Temperament: inquisitive and sociable Cost: $80 – $120 Lifespan: 5-8 years Maintenance: low Recommended for: beginner to experienced bird enthusiasts Habitat Of all of the Australian finches certainly one of the most...
Polish Chooks Breed: Polish Chooks Temperament: Can be flighty Cost: $30 plus Lifespan: Seven years Recommended for: Experienced breeders Appearance Polish Chooks have a crest or hat of feathers on their head which looks like a pompom. They have long, deep...
‘Cocky’ is a 76 year old sulphur crested cockatoo, who has grown up with a human family of six siblings and shows no signs of slowing down. Cocky came to the family in 1921, at the same time as Charlie Knighton (with whom we filmed our story) was born....
A lemon tree, a barbecue, and a couple of chooks scratching about is what makes an Australian backyard feel like home. Chooks make wonderful pets and contribute to the household. They reduce compost, are keen gardeners (in both consuming pests and providing manure)...
Currawongs Increasing numbers of pied currawongs along Australia’s east coast are being seen as a threat to many small bird species, and a key factor in the spread of weeds into native bushland. The pied currawong is a large black bird, 41-51cm (16-20″)...
BREED: Ancona TEMPERAMENT: Inclined to flightiness but can be tamed COST: $15 plus LIFESPAN: 8 years (3 years productive) RECOMMENDED FOR: Families & backyards In a few weeks the poultry spotlight will be on a relatively unknown breed of chook from Italy –...
Temperament: friendly, messy, lovable Cost: $20 plus Lifespan: 7 years Recommended for: Backyarders, hobbyists Maintenance: Medium Many people dream one day of having some ducks in the backyard and there are quite a few different breeds you can pick from. Ducks are...
Breed: Rare And endangered native birds Temperament: Wild and timid Cost: $500 plus Lifespan: 5 – 7 years Recommended For: Experienced birdkeepers only Maintenance: High History: As Australian cities develop and spread, less land is available as habitat...
Breed: Old English Game Temperament: Aggressive, active Cost: from $50 per bird Lifespan: 12 years Recommended for: Experienced poultry keepers Appearance: Old English Game cocks are long-legged, muscular and full-breasted with spectacular colouring and tail feathers....
Breed: Saxony Duck Temperament: Placid Cost: from $25 Lifespan: 6 years+ Recommended for: Backyarders, hobbyists Appearance: The Saxony duck is a stylish bird, weighing about 3-4kg (7-9lb). Drakes are rusty red with silver lacing, while the head and neck are...