What’s out there |
Recently found |
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Links to other sites dealing with various aspects of our chosen subject. Links to Breeders Webpages New listing These webpages which may contain photographs, general information, and/or articles, are listed on a separate page grouped according to species.
MUTAVI Advice & Research Group Inte Onsman of The Netherlands presents these pages which bring a very welcome scientific focus to the study of Budgerigar genetics. There are also pages reflecting the ongoing discussion of the genetics-psitaccine group (see right-hand column) on the harmonisation of varietal names across parrot species and between countries.
Not Raleigh Scattering? Reading as though it’s intended for the tabloid press this reports the finding of Rick Prum and his team that the blue colouring of birds’ feathers is due to Constructive Interference rather than Tyndall Scattering. More on this at Mutavi above.
Bristol University Here, a team headed by Andy Bennett is studying ultra-violet reflectance and vision as it applies to Zebra Finches. Exploring the Fourth Dimension is an excellent introduction to the subject and is as appropriate to parrots as it is to Zebra Finches. Also, Sophie Pearn is carrying out funded research for her PhD on “Selection and ultraviolet vision in parrots and finches”
The University of California at Berkeley Most University Websites are no more than glorified prospectuses. This one from UC Museum of Paleontology is different and notable for the wide ranging scope of its various sections, which fulfill an informative and educational role beyond the hallowed halls of academia. These include:
Start of the bird section where you can see the articles Are Birds Really Dinosaurs? and Archaeopteryx - the first bird?and then explore the rest of what the Museum has on on our subject. Whilst on the subject of Archaeopteryx take a short whirl to Archaeopteryx - is this Bird a Fraud? where there is a critique on the remarkable (?) views of Fred Hoyle and associates from which we might conclude that the star crazed genius is no figment of fiction. Do the remarkable fossils found in China a few years ago clear up the issue, or muddy the waters even further? See The 1997 China Expedition and a whole raft of articles at the Journal of Dinosaur Paleontology including Feathers, scutes and the origin of birds.
An excellent introduction to this subject which includes a dictionary of phylogenetic terms.
Trying to sniff something out? The UC Teaching Library has a comprehensive Tutorial which guide you on how to make the best use of the Internet Search engines and other Tools.
The Psittacine Research Project An ongoing project based at the UC Davis campus mainly concerning Cockatiels and the Orange-winged Amazon. Regretably, there is no information to be found here.
The Golden Shouldered Parrot Recovery Plan Ongoing research into this endangered parrot and its conservation is reported in Antbed, a fascinating online Newsletter produced at irregular intervals.
Now with a presence on the World Wide Web these pages do not at present include articles or information on colour varieties or genetics. No doubt this will change as the site develops. Conceived by Roger B Blumberg, MendelWeb features many articles and links concerning the founder of modern genetics. Of particular interest is an English transcript of Mendel’s original Paper Experiments in Plant Hybridization, 1865, which somehow escaped the notice of the scientific community until 16 years after his death in 1884.
If only there were more like this on the Web. Few links, but a collection of authoritative “mini-essays” on biological subjects.
At the Brazilian Ornithological website there are photographs and a summary of an article which appeared in the March/April 1999 issue of the publication ‘atualidades ornitologicas’. On the main page click Ultimas Edicoes (Previous Issues) and scroll down to issue no.88 and click. A UK based resource providing a wide range of information, articles, sales and wants, etc.
Regrettably, Hans-Juergen Pfeffer’s pages have been discontinued. Try the following site instead.
Essentially, these pages promote the book and CD of the same name but they do besides provide a photograph and basic information on many species.
Could these magnificent birds be improved upon? No; it’s enough that a few still exist in their wild state and that dedicated people, like the owner of this site, do so much to try to save them for posterity.
Anthony Olszewski of Jersey City, USA, presents a Homepage with many links to other sites and a number of articles including Mutations in Aviculture; a wide-ranging overview of colour and genetics in birds.
Brad's pages include some useful articles on Indian Ringnecks (with other parakeets to follow) and links to other sites featuring these beautiful birds.
An excellent, if necessarily rather terse, account of the basics of genetics by Alan D Mason, of the University of Massachusetts, for those who can cope with the terminology used by professional geneticists.
Australian Birdkeeper Magazine “Australian Birdkeeper is dedicated to producing the very best and most diversified magazine, specialty books, and Video’s. To this end we invite bird keepers/lovers of the world to share with us the joys and special magic that only aviculture can provide.” |
There are more links on the pages dealing with individual species.
The Cage Bird and the Bat A singing bird was confined in a cage which hung outside a window, and had a way of singing at night when all other birds were asleep. One night a Bat came and clung to the bars of the cage, and asked the Bird why she was silent by day and sang only at night. “I have a very good reason for doing so,” said the Bird. “It was once when I was singing in the daytime that a fowler was attracted by my voice, and set his nets for me and caught me. Since then I have never sung except by night.” But, the Bat replied, “It’s no use your doing that now when you are a prisoner: if only you had done so before you were caught, you might still have been free.” Precautions are useless after the crisis. |
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