roul roul or crested wood partridge..

toothlessjaws · **Joined:** Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:08 pm **Posts:** 30

i have read a few bits and pieces over the years that suggest the crested wood partridge was once available in australia.

does anyone have any information regarding its current status in the country?

love_peafowl · **Posted:** Sun Nov 21, 2010 9:52 pm

Seriously doubt they are in Australia

toothlessjaws · **Joined:** Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:08 pm **Posts:** 30

maybe not, but they certainly were in the not so distant past.

many years ago i saw them on the victorian pheasant and waterfowl society webpage (which i don't think as been updated about 10 years!) where they were listed on their price guide (albeit with an N/A were the price should go). i also saw them some time ago on a government list of exotic birds know to be in australian aviculture.

i figured that like the himalayan monal - they may likely be recently extinct or down to single geriatric bird or two. but then recently i noticed a post on another forum (dated late 2008) where someone claimed there was "only 12 left in the whole of australia" (link below). leading me to believe that possibly, just possibly, there is an individual or more out there still holding onto a few precious animals.

for my own curiosity - would love to know more....

http://www.gbwf.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.ph ... sc&start=0

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

Yes they are here but in VERY low numbers...

love_peafowl · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 10:54 am

Parvo can you point us all to who has them PM their details if you don't want it public??? Again... I seriously doubt they are in Australia. That list in that link is far fetched at best, who is this Jesse?? Firebacks $2,500 don't think so!!! Price listed at $800

goodoo · **Posted:** Mon Nov 22, 2010 11:38 am

parvo wrote:

Yes they are here but in VERY low numbers...

Why are those with this species not breeding them.
Surely they are not a lot different to Chukars, which breed very well.

toothlessjaws · **Joined:** Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:08 pm **Posts:** 30

goodoo wrote:

Why are those with this species not breeding them.
Surely they are not a lot different to Chukars, which breed very well.

Surely they ARE different! chukars are a completely different genus of partridge from a completely different climate in a completely different habitat. just because they are both called "partridges" i think it would be foolish to assume they have the exact same requirements.

secondly, we don't know if they are not being bred, by whom they may or may not be being bred by or for what reasons. thats why i started the thread. to see if anyone knew more...

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

I understand your misgivings but they definitely are here.
They are struggling a little with breeding them which may well have to do with the limited blood lines as much as husbandry issues.
However, I am not at liberty to divulge any further information at the owner's request.
As you quite rightly pointed out, they are very different to chukar partridges, with a totally different set of requirements.

And as for firebacks, $2500/pr was the price quoted on some of last year's chicks such was the demand for them. It's always sad that a species is let slip either due to poor management or a lack of interest. People often only take notice when the price hits the roof. By this stage, much of the valuable genetic diversity within the species has been lost, and getting the numbers back up becomes more of a challenge.
Hopefully this will be a good year for the firebacks too!

toothlessjaws · **Joined:** Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:08 pm **Posts:** 30

thanks parvo.

i have absolutely no interest in finding out the name(s) of those with this species. moreso, i was only interested in hearing if this species is a total write-off or if, like the fireback, some are in the hands of the right people, who are prepared to do their homework and make a serious attempt at saving the species.

not to make assumptions about those in this scenario, but i am all too often absolutely astounded at the lack of information and logic of some fellow birdkeepers. whilst i totally value the asset experience can be to a bird breeder, equally so is the knowledge to be gained from books and travel. i have a passion for trips to tropical rainforests and observing birds in the wild as well keeping them in captivity. i cant underestimate the importance of this. even zoos regularly slip into looking to eachother for advice rather than going out to find it for themselves.

wherever the rouls rouls are - i can only hope its someplace in a warm, well planted aviary with plenty of fruit and insects to eat.

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

Hi toothlessjaws :-D

I totally agree with you- rare stuff often ends up in the hands of those with money, rather than experience, expertise and a willingness to learn- all of which are absolutely essential if we are to succeed with these species.

Fingers crossed with the roul-rouls!

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