Australian Birdkeeper – June-July 2018

FINCH CHARM

AUTHOR AND IMAGES DAVID PACE

I HAD BEEN LIVING AND WORKING
ON THE SURF COAST of Victoria for 18
years and was in the process of selling my
property to move to Adelaide. Eventually
my entire bird collection was sold or given
away and the planted aviary complex and
bird room was empty. I hoped the aviaries
would not detract from the sale of the
property, and my real estate agent thought
I would sell quickly due to its location
and overall presentation. However, the
property remained on the market several
months after I had moved. Potential buyers
cited many reasons for not buying, ranging
from the size of the home, to the property
being too ‘bushy’, to a fear of snakes.
Things were looking grim and the thought
that I may have to dismantle the entire
aviary complex began to enter my mind. I
remembered well-known NSW aviculturist
and real estate agent Peter Phippen’s
article in a past issue of ABK stating that
aviaries were often a deterrent to buyers.
Finally, after six months, I received a
phone call from my real estate agent: ‘I
think I’ve sold your house. When he saw
your aviaries he literally wet himself!’
Sure enough, the sale proceeded and it
was the aviary complex that clinched the
deal. The buyer was a wildlife exhibitor
that held dingoes, owls, frogmouths,
kookaburras and many reptiles. The
aviaries saved the day. I now had the funds
to put into a new complex in Adelaide. I
had spent several months without birds
and I was itching to get back on my
avicultural journey.

A ROCKY START
The fi rst step was to get the design and

plans drawn up. This was a speedy process

and I enlisted my old friend Mick Morris,

a professional builder, also residing in

Adelaide. Mick and I have both played in

the notorious Melbourne-based rock band

the Painters and Dockers for the past 35

years. Mick had always said that one day

he would build a set of aviaries for me.

Well, the time had come. Drawings were

completed by his architect son, Will, and

before long we were ready to apply to the

local council for a planning permit. This

is where things became challenging. The

council wanted to know why the complex

was so large, if it was a business, and what

species I would keep, fearing noise and

my neighbours’ reactions. After ‘educating’

the offi cer on aviculture, highlighting my

photographic and education backgrounds

and assuring council of the ‘quiet’

nature of fi nches and softbills, approval

was eventually granted, but not before

neighbours were offi cially notifi ed about

the impending work. No objections were

lodged, so we could move forward! This

process had taken a further six months.

What followed was a soil test, an

engineer’s report, working drawings and

approval by council for a building permit.

It is little wonder some aviculturists

bypass all this to construct illegal aviaries!

Fast forward another six months and we

were ready to start. After a great deal of

frustration, I was now getting excited.

BUILDING BEGINS

Demolition of a large unused water tank

and outbuilding began. The 15m x 8m site

was cleared and, before long, the concrete

foundations were poured. The aviary was

After the slab is laid, rocks and logs are

positioned, prior to the walls being erected

Aviary footings are 60cm deep to keep rodents at bay, and drainage pipes are installed to
avoid future waterlogging

ESTABLISHING A

Finch and Softbill Aviary

to be rodent-proof and 60cm footings were

installed and drainage and water pipes

laid to ensure fresh running water and to

prevent waterlogging of the aviary soil.

The frame was constructed of timber,

with 6.5mm rodent-proof wire mesh

utilised on all exposed external walls and

ceiling. This mesh, along with all timber,

was painted black to aid viewing and for

aesthetics. The closed external walls were

clad in Colorbond™, while Versiclad™

(generally used in outdoor entertaining

areas) was utilised on the roof. It clicks

together and has a Colorbond™ top,

thick foam insert and clean, smooth fi nish

underneath. Its insulation properties

are excellent and have kept the aviary

shelter and service area at a comfortable

temperature despite extremes in outside

temperatures. The cost was balanced by

the fact that it was installed quickly and

without the need for a timber structure

underneath. Electrical cables were easily

installed within it and the fi nish is neat,

without any possibility of draughts or

vermin entering the roof cavity.

PLANTING

Vegetation within the aviary was a priority.

In fi nch and softbill keeping, dry aviaries

are always a preference. However, living

vegetation will not thrive in bone-dry

conditions, so the decision was made early

to have half of the aviary ceiling open to the

elements, allowing in direct sunlight and

rain. It was important to ensure adequate

drainage, so aggie pipes were installed at

one end to redirect excess water into the

stormwater system. A variety of substrates

were utilised to enhance drainage.