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RSPB warns: don’t put out old fat

Bird agencies are warning householders not to feed birds any of the leftover turkey fat this Christmas.

The RSPB said that many people believe they’re doing good putting out the old turkey dripping, whereas they could actually be doing birds harm. 

Kirsi Peck, an RSPB wildlife advisor, said: “Please, please don’t use fat from roasting tins to feed garden birds because in this case you could be killing them with kindness. The juices mixed in roasting tins will go off very quickly and could cause disease on bird tables. Turkey fat could also damage feathers and during winter, they need to be in tiptop condition to keep them warm. But please do continue to support garden birds. There are loads of leftovers that are suitable.”

The key reasons for not putting out the meat leftovers are: turkey fat stays soft and can smear on to feathers destroying waterproofing and insulating qualities; turkey fat leftovers will contain lots of added salt which can be toxic for birds; leftovers in roasting tins go rancid quickly and can breed bacteria and birds can be prone to bacterial infection at this time of year anyway. The RSPB says it’s not just turkey fat that can be a problem, so please don’t put out any leftover meat fats.

The leftovers they do recommend include: Christmas cake crumbs, mince pie pastry crumbs, biscuit crumbs, mild non-salty grated cheese, cooked or uncooked rice or other grains, dry porridge oats, cooked potatoes and fruit.

This story first appeared in our January 5th issue.

 

Editor’s letter (January 5)

The first issue of the New Year is a time for looking forward, but surely there’s time for a quick look back at 2010 first. Those of us who love birds are incredibly lucky because our memory banks are full of such vivid highlights. Can I share a couple of mine? 

A lush tropical forest in the heart of Thailand, all peace and tranquillity except for the rather disquieting sight of fresh elephant dung on the trail! Early morning gloom inside the forest, but one patch of light on the path. Suddenly bounding into that patch, a dazzling jewel of a bird, electric blue with a rich reddish patch on the crown. Blue pitta, posing perfectly in a sunbeam! Suddenly I snapped to a memory of the previous pitta I’d seen, ground-foraging in the incomparable aviaries at Waddesdon Manor.

Then another early morning on a Thai hillside, glancing behind me and seeing a cock silver pheasant casually crossing the road. Near heart attack! A species I’d come to admire in collections and dreamed countless times of seeing in the wild. 

So many bird memories, and I’m sure yours are just as precious. In this issue we’ve pooled our memories from the past year at Cage & Aviary Birds, and you can read them on page 4/5. Plenty of good news, some bad, some serious stuff and some that’s decidedly silly.

It may still be mid-winter, but of course birdkeepers are thinking about the breeding and show season to come. Some studs need a straightforward makeover – and who better to advise on this than Border canary great Dennis Reed, whose column is on page 12/13 this week. On the same pages, regular contributor Brian Keenan presents his blueprint for the future of exhibiting. A must-read, whether you agree with Brian or not. Let us know either way!

All of us at Cage & Aviary Birds hope you’ve had a happy Christmas, and wish you a prosperous and bird-filled year.

ROB

What’s in this week’s issue

 
In the January 5th 2011 issue of Cage & Aviary Birds we find out more about the nocturnal secrets of owls. 

In news we find out about five leading budgerigar clubs that are joining forces, and look back at the stories that made the headlines of 2010.

Aviculture expert, Bill Naylor writes in praise of a spectacular species of pheasant – Tragopans – and offers advice on how to keep and breed them.

We also find out more about canary keeping by looking back to the fancy in the 19th century, as well as offer tips on how to prepare your birdroom before the next breeding season. 

Plus lots more, including: budgerigar diet tips, conservation, foreign finches, ring ouzels and bearded bantams. 

On sale tomorrow, Wednesday 5th January. 

An African Grey enjoying Christmas!

 

African grey’s saved from smugglers

Seven hundred African grey parrots have been rescued from illegal transportation from Cameroon to Nigeria by conservationists working with the Cameroon government.

The birds were found in appalling conditions, by members of the Last Great Ape Organisation (LAGA) and the Cameroon Ministry of Foresty and Wildlife. They were crammed into just 11 crates with only 16cm (6 inches) of headroom, without food or water. 48 were already dead. Government officials acted immediately and arrested two dealers with a warrant issued for a third.

Ofir Drori, director of LAGA, said: “This is a very, very lucrative trade. The margin of illegal revenue from trade in this species is very high, sometimes more than in the trade of ivory. The traffickers are untouchable and often enjoy complicity with government officials. Conservation in central Africa is a massive failure hiding behind so-called success stories. We would never claim to be a success story – the smugglers still have the upper hand and we are just at the beginning of our fight.”

The surviving birds have been taken to Limbe Wildlife Centre, in the south west of the country, which is partly funded by the Cameroon government and was established to protect the country’s endangered species. Last year 1,500 African greys were taken from smugglers and housed in Limbe.

The World Parrot Trust has sent £3,500 emergency funding, along with technical guidance to help the staff at the Limbe centre. The birds will be treated with a preventative cocktail of antifungal and de-worming medication.

This story first appeared in our December 22-29 issue.

Season’s greetings

Merry Christmas and a happy new year from all the team at
Cage & Aviary Birds.

What’s on: Birmingham Area Border Club annual members’ show.

WHEN: December 29

WHERE: Dudley Sports & Leisure Centre, Brierley Hill, DY1 1UH

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT: The annual show welcomes the public, but only members can show. Entries can be on the day. Plenty of parking at the centre. Refreshments available and a raffle. Opens 8pm. 

MORE INFO: Tel: 01299 824979

Rescue success

 
Harry Kunz, owner of the Eagles Nest wildlife hospital in North Queensland, Australia shows off the first albino kookaburras ever found in Australia (see “White waifs rescued”, News, December 15.)
The kookaburras (a type of kingfisher) had fallen from the nest in a storm and were taken to Mr Kunz by a farmer.

Mr Kunz said: “These birds are very lucky in a way, because I doubt whether they would  have survived in the wild with their lack of camouflage. Anyway, we’re delighted they’ve been rescued.”

● The Eagles Nest Wildlife Hospital is dependent on donations. If you’d like to help, contact Rachel Liddiard via email at: Rachel.daffy@hotmail.co.uk

This story first appeared in our December 22-29 edition.