by Myra MarkleyCedar Rapids, Iowa

Son

reality of the cost set in. One smallwalk-in aviary could cost from $500­$1,000. I do not breed birds for a liv­ing, and there was no way I couldafford that expense, so I talked the

Details of the aviary inside.

w. W. Sw I fSince 1968

We are looking to buy molted, large macawtail and other feathers, especially from

Scarlets, Greenwings, Catalinas, Blue and Golds,Alexandrines and some other species as well.

For list of feather prices paid, contact:10781 Mountain View Drive, Madera, CA 93638

phone 559-439-9602 • fax 559-439-9166

Building aFinch Aviary

ou might never know it nowbut, like most people, I start­ed out with a single bird, a

male Zebra Finch. It was less than amonth later when I bought a female forhim. Two birds quickly became four,then six, and so on. Many years later Ihave a flock of around 80 finches.

I started out with a cage for eachpair but after my flock grew to eightpairs, I realized I was running out ofspace for cages. I also found that I wasspending a lot more time than I likedcleaning cages and changing food andwater for the birds.

I tried buying a few large cages formy pairs to share. That led to somefighting, though nothing more seriousthan a few plucked feathers. At thetime, I really had no idea what sizecage should be used to house a fewpairs of finches, but now I realize thatthe flights were small and that I havesome very aggressive females.

After talking with local finch breed­ers, I decided to try to construct anaviary. This aviary would allow myfinches plenty of room and fulfill mygreatest wish - to be able to standamongst my finch friends. Then the

www.breedersblend.com/goldenconurefund.html

considerable destruction of their habi­tat. The completion of two major high­ways has made their range dangerous­ly accessible. More recent brief andinformal studies indicate that thisspecies is most likely in immediatedanger. The local human populationneeds to be educated about thesebirds. Surveillance of their habitatneeds to be established. The preserva­tion of this species will require protec­tion against hunters, trappers, and thecontinued deforestation of their range.

The only way to accomplish this is toimplement field studies to ascertain thereal requirements necessary for the sur­vival of these birds. Mike Reynolds (norelation) of the World Parrot Trust andI found that we had a mutual interest inthis species when we met for the firsttime in Tenerife dUring September of1998. As a result of our mutual admira­tion for this bird The World Parrot Trusthas recently initiated a fund to finance afield study. The study will be done byDr. Carlos Yamashita, Brazil's leadingparrot biologist.

Information about the WPT-USAGolden Conure Fund can be found at:

Make Checks Payable to the WPT­USA Golden Conure Fund. .,.,.

World Parrot Trust-USAPost Office Box 49766

Sarasota, FL 34230

This special fund has been set upwithin the WPT-USA fund to guaranteethat 100% of the money collected willgo directly toward this field study. TheWPT-USA will match the first individ­ual donation of $1000.00. MikeReynolds and I have started the fundwith donations of our own. A formalproposal written by Dr. Yamashita willbe available for viewing at the web sitein May of 1999. As more informationcomes available, the web site will beupdated. The outstanding wildlife artistDavid Johnston of the UK has agreedto provide a painting of the GoldenConure and tee-shirts bearing thepainting will be available in May 1999.The painting will also be auctioned off.

Donations can be sent to:

the afa WATCHBIRD 5

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF AVICULTURE'!fie Mission of tIie 5115'/. is to Promote tIie 5ltfvancement of51vicu[ture.

1999 OFFICERSGARY CLIFfON, President 480-830-4920 fax 480-830-3828 • DWIGHT GREENBERG, 1st Vice President 407-631-9800 fax 407-632-4338

JANIS CLARK 2nd Vice President 419-825-2839 fax 419-825-2939 • JIM HAWLEY, JR., Chief Financial Officer 602-987-9201 fax 602-987-3389

LAURELLA DESBOROUGH, Past President 925-372-6174 fax 925-372-0306

MEMBER CLUBS

NATIONAL AINTERNATIONALORGANIZATIONSSandee Molenda, Director831-688-5560African Lovebird SocietyAfrican Parrot SocietyAmazona SocietyAmerican Cockatiel Society, Inc.American Lory SocietyAsiatic Breeders AssociationAvicullUra1 Society of AmericaCanadian Parrot Symposium, WestEndangered Species TrustInternational Conure AssociationInternational Parrotlet SocietyModel Aviculture ProgramMidwest Avian Research Expo- INfNational Cockatiel Society, Inc.National Finch & Softbill SocietyPionus Breeders AssociationSociety ofParrot Breeders & Exhibitors

NORTHEASTERNREGION

Bob Sunday, Director800-525-8338

CONNECTICUTState coordinator:Tony Duarte 860-644-7817Connecticut Association for

Aviculture, Inc.

MAINEState coordinator:Jean Smith 207-677-2939Maine State Cage Bird Society

MASSACHUSETTSState coordinator:Glenda Boehner 508-583-3966Aviculturists of Greater Boston,lncBirds of a Feather AvicullUra1 Soc.Northeastern AvicullUra1 society

NEW HAMPSHIREState coordinator:Ann Marie Sullivan 978.fJ63-9414Birds of a Feather AvicullUra1 Soc.New hampshire AvicullUra1 society

NEW YORK (EAST)State coordinator:Marge Maguire 518-479-3519Buffalo Hookbill Assoc.Capital District Cage Bird ClubN.Y. Finch & Type Canary Club

NEW YORK (WEST)State coordinator:Yvonne Brass 716-328-7725Big Apple Bird AssociationCentral New York Caged Bird ClubFinger Lakes Cage Bird AssociationGreater Rochester Hookbill Assoc.Hudson Valley Bird FanciersReal Macaw Parrot ClubRochester Cage Bird Club

6 July/August 1999

RHODE ISLANDState coordinatorDiane Crosby 401-823-8994

VERMONTState coordinator:Peter Lowry 802-754-6494

MID-ATLANTIt::REGION

Yvonne Catena, Director732-886-6055 fax 609-689-4020

DELAWAREState coordinator:Nancy Selz 302-798-8625

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAState coordinator:

*MARYLAND

State coordinator:Janice Rothe 410-788-0775Maryland Cage Bird Society, Inc.Southern Maryland Caged Bird Club

NEW JERSEYState coordinator:

*Central Jersey Bird Club

PENNSYLVANIAState coordinator:Kelly Williams 610-369-3596Baltimore bird Fanciers, Inc.Chester County Bird BreedersDelaware Valley bird ClubErie Cage Bird ClubGreater Pittsburgh Cage Bird SocietyNortheastern PA Cage Bird ClubYork Area Pet Bird Club

VIRGINIAState coordinator:Tom Marshall 703-777-3252Commonwealth Avicultural SocietyNational Capital Bird ClubParrot Breeders Assoc. of VirginiaSouthwest Virginia Bird club

WEST VIRGINIAState coordinator:Barry Thaxton 304-766-9180

SOUTHEASTERNREGION

Wanda Elder, Director901-853-9988 fax 901-853-7030

ALABAMAState coordinator:June Hendrix 205-776-2992Rocket City Cage Bird Club, Inc

GEORGIAState coordinator:Harold Bowles 770-748-4627Aiken Bird ClubCSRA Exotic Bird AssociationCompanion Bird Club of AtlantaGeorgia Cage Bird Breeders &

ExhibitorsGeorgia Cage Bird Society

KENTUCKYState coordinator:Jerry T. Clarice 502-935-5440Kentuckiana Cage Bird Club

MISSISSIPPIState coordinator:Nancy S. Speed 601-673-8100Central Missisippi Bird ClubSouth Mississippi Cage Bird Society

NORTH CAROLINAState coordinator:Greg Bacot 919-766-3766Raliegh Durham Caged Bird ClubSmoky Mtn. Caged bird Society

SOUTH CAROLINAState coordinator:Barbara Hine 864-878-8698Palmetto Cage Bird Oub of And<=Jn

TENNESSEEState coordinator:Helen Thompson 615-745-8179Middle Tennessee Cage Bird OubSoutheast Tennessee Avicullure SocietyTennesee Valley Exotic Bird Club

FLORIDA/P.R.REGION

Jerry Kane Director

941-439-5199

FLORIDA (CENTRAL)State Coordinator: *Central Rorida Bird BreedersRorida Federation of AvicultureGreater Brandon Avian SocietyHernando Exotic Bird ClubImperial Bird ClubPinellas Exotic Bird ClubSunshine State Cage Bird SocietyTreasure Coast Exotic Bird ClubWest Pasco Exotic Bird Club

FLORIDA (NORTH)State coordinator: *Big Bend Bird ClubExotic Bird Club of RoridaGainsville Bird FanciersRorida West Coast Avian SocietyHome Grown Exotic Bird SocietyJacksonville Aviculture Society

FLORIDA (SOUTH)State coordinator:Judy Lewis 305-253-7887Emerald Coast Avian SocietyRorida West Coast Avian SocietyGulf Coast Bird ClubSouthwest Rorida Bird ClubTampa Bay Bird Club

PUERTO RICOCoordinator:David Negron 809-251-1153Aves Exoti cas

VIRGIN ISLANDSState coordinator: *

MID-EASTERNREGION

Diana Holloway, Director419-636-3882

ILLINOISState coordinator:John Petty 815-92-8224Greater Chicago Cage Bird ClubJoliet Region Avian AllianceWest Suburban Cage Bird Club

INDIANAState coordinators: Debbie &Tim Hilton 317-933-9191Central Indiana Cage BirdMichiana Bird Society

MICHIGANState coordinator:Bob Zalewski 313-365-5942Ann Arbor Cage Bird ClubGreat Lakes Avicultural SocietyMotor City Bird BreedersRainbow Feathers Bird ClubWest MI Feathered Friends

OHIOState coordinator:Uoyd McArthur 419-539-7535Classic FeathersAightline Exotic Bird SocietyGolden Crescent Cage Bird ClubGreat Lakes Bird Lovers ClubGreater Cincinnati Bird ClubMiami Valley Bird ClubNorth Coast Bird ClubNorthwest Ohio Exotic Bird Club

WISCONSINState coordinator: *Cream City Feathered FriendsKenosha Exotic Bird ClubMadison Area Cage Bird Assoc.Wisconsin Bird Lovers & ExoticsWisconsin Cage Bird Club, Inc.

SOUTH t::ENTRALREGION

Darrel Styles, DVM Director

512-858-2057 fax 512-858-7029

ARKANSASState coordinator:Ms. Terry Buckingham

501-843-3518

KANSASState coordinator:Mike Langerot 316-479-3235Kansas Avicultural Society, Inc.Mo-Kan Cage Bird

LOUISIANAState coordinator:Jeanne C. Mwphy 504-833-4241Capitol Area Avicultural SocietyLake Area Bird Breeders

MISSOURIState coordinator:Paddy Lambert 314-962-8186Greater Kansas City Avicultural Soc.Missouri Cage Bird Assoc.MOoKan Cage Bird

OKLAHOMAState coordinator:Gary Blankenbiller 405-691-3553Central Oklahoma Bird ClubOklahoma Avicultural Society

TEXAS (NORTH)State coordinator:Dawn Reardon 903-766-2421Cen-Tex Bird SocietyDallas Cage Bird SocietyFort Worth Bird ClubPlano Exotic Bird Association

lEXAS (SOUTH)State coordinator:Miriam Puente 830-460-8132Alamo Exhibition Bird ClubBay Area Cage Bird Club, Inc.Capitol City Caged Bird OubRiver City Bird ClubTexas Bird Breeders & FanciersTriangle Bird Breeders Oub

NORTH t::ENTRALREGION

* DirectorIOWA

State coordinator:Chuck Sudds 712-642-4578Mid America Cagebird Society

MINNESOTAState coordinator:Steve &tebo 612-985-5728Minnnesota Companion Bird Assn.

NEBRASKAState coordinator:JoDi Hansen 402-496-3676Greater Omaha Cage Bird Society

NORTH DAKOTAState coordinator: *

SOUTH DAKOTAState coordinator:Royce King 605-393-1720Black Hills Cage Bird Club

Flight Area ConstructionWalls

This is the main framework of myaviary. All side panels are interchange­able. Screw holes are shown as smalldots on the frame. Holes on top andbottom are drilled vertically and holeson the sides are in both directions asneeded.

The corners are cut at an angle andwelded together like a picture frame.

i;) Height of the aviary is 66 inches but31~ can be adjusted to your needs.~ Width of the aviary is 47 and 5/16::;;.t inches. (Subtracting the diameter of~ structural component.)5: Cover frame with hardware cloth

and screw tightly into place.

NORTHWESTERNREGION

Natalie Frumin-Weiss, Dir.

253-927-6983 fax 253-952-6983

ALASKAState coordinator:Mark Lyke 907-346-2008Alaska Pet Bird Club

lDAHOState coordinator:Margie Loewen 208-939-1041

MONTANAState coordinator:Laura Lee Neva 406-322-4444

OREGONState coordinator: *Finch ConnectionMid Oregon Bird Breeders ClubNorthwest Bird ClubRose City Exotic Bird ClubSouthern Oregon Exotic Bird Club

WASHfNGTOState coordinator:Heidi Thompson 253-756-9369Avicultural Society of Puget SoundCascade Canary Breeders Assn.Northwest Exotic Bird SocietySouth Sound Exotic Bird Society

WESTERNREGION

Brent Andrus, Director

702-732-1281

ARIZO AState coordinator:Joyce Baum 520-825-3400Arizona Avian Breeders Assoc.Arizona Avicultural SocietyArizona Seed Crackers SocietyAvicultural Society of TucsonTropical Bird Fanciers of ArizonaYuma Imperial Exotic Bird Club

COLORADOState coordinator:Carol Brasaemle 303-420-0782Front Range Avian SocietyRocky Mountain Society of

Aviculture. Inc.NEVADA

State coordinator:Nora Schmidt 702-331-1553Las Vegas Avicultural SocietyReno Area Avian Enthusiasts

NEW MEXICOState coordinator:Sandi Brennan 505-281-7729

ew Mex.ico Bird Club

UTAHState coordinator:Debbie Pappas 435-637-7055Avicultural Society of UtahWasatch Avian Education Society

WYOMINGState coordinator:Lloyd Baily 307-468-2871

NORTHERNCALIFORNIA

REGIONDonna Tondreault, Director530-642-9050 fax 530-642-0874

CALIFORNIA (NORTH)State coordinator:Diane Grindol408-384-6548Aviary Association of KernButte County Bird ClubCapitol City Bird SocietyCentral California Avian SocietyCentral Coast Avicultural SocietyContra Costa Avian SocietyFoothill Bird FanciersGold Country Aviculture SocietyGold Country Bird SocietyGolden Gate Avian SocietyMonterey Bay Caged Bird ClubRedwood Empire Cage Bird ClubRedwood Exotic Bird SocietySanta Barbara Bird ClubSanta Clara Valley Bird ClubTri-counties Bird Club

HAWAIIState coordinator:Joe Baker 808-966-6966Big Island Bird SocietyHawaii Parrot Fanciers Inc

SOUTHERNCALIFORNIA

REGIONAletta M. Long, DirectorPhone/fax 562-596-7429

SA DIEGO AREAState coordinator:Marty Muschinske 619-468-320 ICoachella Valley Bird SocietyFinch Society of San Diego CountyHookbill Hobbyists of So CaliforniaNorth County AviculturistsSan Diego Bird Breeders

LOS ANGELES AREAState coordinator:Jami Kennedy 805-252-0437California Gamebird Breeders Assoc.East San Gabriel Valley Bird SocietyHemet Valley Bird SocietyLong Beach Bird BreedersNorco Valley Bird BreedersOrange County Bird Breeders.south Coast Finch SocietyWest Valley Bird Society

• Position open: contactregional vice president ifinterested.

•• indiGltes 2 year tenn. has been fulftlled. If no newinterested party comes for­ward and indicates a desireto selVe, incumbent remainsin position.

For infonnation aboutcontacting any of thesemember clubs, please callthat club's state coordinator.

design over with my father and uncleand they agreed to help.

My homebuilt aviary cost about$250. It was built over a period of twoweekends and assembled in my base­ment because that was the only placeit would fit, and because it allows meto give the birds proper lighting. Itstands 5 feet 5 inches tall. I'm a shortgal so I have no problem standing upin this aviary which is 4 feet wide and8 feet long. I use hanging bird feedersfor their seed, and a small fountain thatsupplies fresh water constantly. I alsoinstalled large removable bowls (thekind you buy for T-Stands and ParrotCages) to hold the fruits, veggies, egg,and other treats.

If you are interested in building anaviary like mine, feel free to use mydesign as a guide:

A little creative UJork made a pedestaledbirdbath illto a.fountain qf.fresh runninglI'ater.

l'(fater~f7ol/i cO/ltrol ualue a7'ldfood gmdepolypropylene tubing keepsfresh waterrumlillg all the lime.

Flight area Building Supplies• 17 - 10 foot sections of '12 inch thin­walls electrical conduit.• 1 - 50 foot roll of '/4 inch hardwarecloth,• 34 - 2 inch #8-32 steel machinescrews and nuts.• 100 - '/2 #8 PH wafer k-lathe screws.• 2 - small hinges• 1 - door latch

DoorThe panel with the door has the

same dimensions as the wall panel.The only difference is that the door ismounted in this panel. The hinges canbe any type of hinges that you can findand that will work easily with youraviary design. They must be mountedon the outside unless you want thedoor to swing inward.

Fit the door as tightly as possible tothe frame so that none of your birdscan sneak out or get stuck half waythrough during an escape attempt.

Top PanelThe top panel is one large panel.

The location of all the screw holes inthe illustration is where the top panelis fitted to the wall panels. The screwover the door itself may not fit and stillallow the door to swing freely. I haveremoved the screw in that one placeon my aviary for that very reason.

Catch AreaI don't have a catch area on my

aviary because it is inside, but addingone would not be hard. Just build two

the afa WATCHBIRD 7

1/4" hardware 66"cloth

8'

<l I>475/16"

Door Panel Frame

Wall Panel Frame

66"

l>475/16"

more wall panels and one more door.Then assemble any way you like. Allthe panels are interchangeable exceptfor the top. For the top panel mustbuild another wall panel or make theoriginal top longer.

Building NotesAssemble panels using the 2 inch

#8-32 steel screws and the #8-32 nutsAttach hardware cloth to panels

using #8 liz PH Wafer K-LATHEscrews. The heads of these screws arelarge and will not go through the hard­ware cloth

The floor is a piece of plywoodscrewed to the framework withMasonite or any other waterproofmaterial on top for easy cleaning.

FountainThe fountain has gone through two

phases. It started out as large bucket ofwater and a small pump that circulatedwater. The water ran over two smallplates and drained back into the buck­et through a few small holes. This,however, required someone to changethe water in the bucket everyday.Finally my father and I redesigned it toconstantly have fresh water runninginto the aviary. This is really a kludgebut it does work very well for me.

First we needed some tubing. Onehose is a food grade polypropylene

8 July/August 1999

Top Panel

<l<l----~~----I>

475/16"

tube that runs the water from thehouse to the aviary. I used the foodgrade tube because it will not rot orbreak down and poison my birds.

I also used a larger polyethylenetube to run from the fountain to thedrain in the basement floor. It doesn'treally matter what you use for the sec­ond tube as long as it is big enoughthat the seed and droppings will notclog it up.

To adjust the amount of water flowinto the aviary we used a needle valve.This valve is not something you canfind at your local hardware storeunfortunately. I acquired mine throughmy uncle. From what he has told me,it came out of an old 8-track windingassembly machine. It does work verywell though and the slightest turn willadjust the flow of water from a fewdrops per second to a steady stream.

The fountain itself is a bird bath. Ibought it at the hardware store when Ipicked up the tubing. A few old platesand a drain finish it off.

The best advice I can give you is toexperiment and be creative. As youcan see by mine, aviaries do not haveto cost a small fortune to build. ~

Completed auiaryshowing the seedguard around thebottom.