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Post by kotuko on Apr 3, 2010 21:20:06 GMT 10
Hi List, I am not a bird breeder, but I did find this fellow in my yard today. It appeared early in the morning and was still there in the evening. I brought it inside and have it in a large dog crate so the neighbourhood cats don't kill it. I have been feeding it vege scraps, grass seeds, roast lamb, bread and cooked egg, is this appropriate food for it? I have looked through my Australian bird books and it doesn't seem to be native so I don't want to release it in the bushland down the back of my property, but I can't identify it from the numerous photos I've looked through on the net either. Does anyone know what breed he is and what I should do with him? Thanx in advance Penny Attachments:
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Post by Laraine on Apr 4, 2010 6:45:59 GMT 10
It looks like some sort of quail. Perhaps it escaped from a neighbour? I would also feed it budgie seed.
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Post by avinet on Apr 4, 2010 17:35:51 GMT 10
Definitely a quail but I'm not 100% sure of the species - my guess is a pied mutation of the King Quail since it looks around the right size, and King Quail are the only small quail I know to have a pied mutation.
Very likely to be an aviary escapee.
cheers,
Mike
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Post by lovielady on Apr 4, 2010 19:07:16 GMT 10
I agree with the thoughts of it being a King quail as well, and would add that it is a female.
It would have escaped from a neighbour close to you.
~ Lovielady
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Post by kotuko on Apr 4, 2010 19:48:50 GMT 10
Robert sent some links and it looks like it could be a Tuxedo Quail? I couldn't find photos of the Pied King Quail.
I have moved the bird into my dog kennels (which I never use for the dogs). I bought some canary seed and he's enjoying that. I plan to do a letter box drop in my neighbourhood tomorrow, to find the owner.
Thanx everyone for your help!
Cheers
Penny
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Post by avinet on Apr 4, 2010 22:57:56 GMT 10
The Tuxedo Quail is a variety of the Japanese Quail, which is a large quail over twice the size of a King Quail - can you provide a photo of it being held in the hand to give a scale?
cheers,
Mike
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Post by Laraine on Apr 5, 2010 8:00:47 GMT 10
I would do a letterbox drop in your neighbourhood, where Quails can fly they don't fly long distances. They usually just fly over fences. Lol
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Post by kotuko on Apr 5, 2010 9:32:51 GMT 10
Letterbox drop is done, thankfully there are only 3 streets in my neighbourhood, the rest is bushland. I hope the owner comes forward very soon, as I think the bird is probably lonely. Here's a photo that gives a better idea of the size. I haven't had much experience, but it's the biggest Quail I've ever seen. Thanx again Penny Attachments:
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Post by vankarhi on Apr 5, 2010 12:55:01 GMT 10
it is bigger than the quails getting around our neighbourhood. I think a pair got out from previous neighbour about 7 years ago and now have a family of them lol.
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Post by robert on Apr 5, 2010 14:17:34 GMT 10
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Post by Laraine on Apr 7, 2010 19:59:58 GMT 10
It certainly is bigger than a King Quail. Have you found its owner yet Penny? Perhaps it is a previous escapee who has been living in the bush.
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Post by finchbreeder on Jun 8, 2010 21:39:56 GMT 10
Definately a Jap quail. The eggs are quite tasty when boiled and considered a delicasee by some. Too much trouble I think. They are best fed on chicken crumbles, or budgie mix. Some people just keep a few for there own pleasure, but they are also kept in large quantities and incubator raised like battery hens. Parents used to have them back in the late 70's early 80's
LML
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