fire backs

yellabass · **Joined:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:45 pm **Posts:** 38

Hi All,
I think the time is running out for the fire backs, as there is only a handful left in the country. All of the breeders I have contacted (which there isn't a great deal of) in N.S.W Bathurst, Armidale, Cessnock, S.A., V.I.C, either don't have any anymore, can't get any or have lost birds to foxes. As for blood lines, there were only a few birds imported originally many years ago, so I have been told by the most successful breeder of these birds - the dutchman in WA. There is only one line in the country and they are all related. The current census of this bird held in SA conducted by the Pheasant and Water Fowl Society of Australia is 4males and 4 females. From what I have been told recently it is more like 5 birds only as one breeder lost birds to foxes recently.
We seriously need to look at working together to form a recovery program to save this bird if possible.
Cheers Jason.

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

yellabass wrote:

Hi All,
I think the time is running out for the fire backs, as there is only a handful left in the country.
There is far more than a handful.

All of the breeders I have contacted (which there isn't a great deal of) in N.S.W Bathurst, Armidale, Cessnock, S.A., V.I.C, either don't have any anymore, can't get any or have lost birds to foxes. As for blood lines, there were only a few birds imported originally many years ago, so I have been told by the most successful breeder of these birds - the dutchman in WA. The most successful breeder? Very big statement! Can you show the results of a National survey of every breeder who has or had them? Showing their full breeding results?

There is only one line in the country and they are all related.
No National DNA has been carried out on Firebacks (Fact) so this is only an opinion which we disagree with.

The current census of this bird held in SA conducted by the Pheasant and Water Fowl Society of Australia is 4males and 4 females. From what I have been told recently it is more like 5 birds only as one breeder lost birds to foxes recently.
We seriously need to look at working together to form a recovery program to save this bird if possible.
Cheers Jason.

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

yellabass wrote:

The current census of this bird held in SA conducted by the Pheasant and Water Fowl Society of Australia is 4males and 4 females. From what I have been told recently it is more like 5 birds only as one breeder lost birds to foxes recently.
We have not heard of any census but it could only be done on Members of the society which would only make up a small part of breeders, many are not members of any club. As mentioned in the other thread on Fire backs, we have a close friend in S.A who has more than 5 birds and is not a Member of any club. Good luck, you will find one in time just be patient.
Cheers Jason.

Thanks
P.A :lol:

yellabass · **Joined:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:45 pm **Posts:** 38

Hi P.A., I don't want to sound like its all doom and gloom for the fire backs but I have good reason to do so after having spoken to Jim Blazer who had one of the biggest pheasant collections in AUSTRALIA - Des Delaine S.A.; Robyn Peck VIC; Ken Johnstone QLD; Kim Olsen from the former Olsen Bird Gardens QLD; Craig . N.S.W. and Jack Van Hoof W.A. who is the only one that all of these experienced breeders know of that is in this country breeding these birds. Jim Blazer and Jack Van Hoof to name a few, indicate all of the birds in Australia are related unless there was an illegal import at some stage which is unlikely. I think its only being responsible for us as aviculturalists, that we should not be overstating the numbers of these birds held in captivity and giving people false hope, as this will only seal the demise of this bird in Australia.

Cheers jason :lol:

hchasers · **Posted:** Mon Aug 18, 2008 12:53 pm

Interesting Mandarin and Yellabass, i just wanted to see some photos, i realise they wouldn't of shown there genetic background, Steve has been in the pheasant and waterfowl scene for a long time as have a few others and they really do know there field, i have the greatest respect for there knowledge as they have dedicated there life to the care of these birds, yours truely, Trevor.

Peacocks Australia · **Joined:** Wed Jan 02, 2002 9:14 am **Posts:** 310755

Hi yellabass, there are a few breeders, some with 30 or more years experience in Pheasants who know differently and are not in clubs and who keep too themselves for security reason but we will agree to disagree. All the best and good luck, you will find one in time just be patient.

Thanks
P.A :lol:

Drew Smith · **Posted:** Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:00 pm

I bet they say there's only a few around to push to price up, it's the oldest one in the book.
Cheers Drew

yellabass · **Joined:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:45 pm **Posts:** 38

Hi Drew, I would just about pay any price for a cock bird or 2(within reason).I am in it for the challenge and the well being of the species. Since I have been previously involved in other Bird recovery projects in the past I was looking forward to this challenge. As far as this forum is concerned and it's administration I am unlikely to source one locally until after 2011, once all previously orderd birds have been delivered. Then they will be offered to forum members.Hopefully by then ,going on passed performance there should be plenty to pick from and the vunerabillity of this species will be no longer.To P.A. thanks for your help thus far . Yellabass out.

Drew Smith · **Posted:** Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:02 am

Well I reckon your on the right track with PA I met them at the warwick auction and was in ore of these blokes knowledge, what they don't know doesn't matter

Funny though I thought the owner would have been taller :lol:

As PA said there are a few more with them so keep advertising you never know!!!!!!!if you don't give it a go!!!!!!!
Cheers Drew

Bourke · **Posted:** Sun Aug 24, 2008 8:43 am

At least your taking about them so the forum has done that & as Drew said you know there is some around.

Bourke

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