Redpoll sighting at Inskipp Point

Hi all Interesting possible Redpoll record in QLD. There would probably be people in this forum who have more recent aviculture knowledge on this species but certainly into the early 2000s Redpolls were incredibly rare in Australian aviculture – possibly they had disappeared altogether. Surprisingly they never bred well and I recall they were supposed to be very temperature sensitive – Sydney was said to be too warm for them. During my time breeding finches in Sydney from the mid 70s into the 90s, and interest beyond that time, I never saw a captive Redpoll or saw any advertised for sale, though I did hear that there were a very small number remaining in some southern state colleitions. I doubt this would have changed much in recent years with the relaxation of import restrictions but while there may be a few around I would suggest this bird would be extremely unlikely to have come from an aviary, especially in that area. Someone in Queensland aviculture would probably be aware of breeders in that area who might hold rare finch collections. I guess this would be a first QLD record if it holds up? Cheers Eric Finley ===============================

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