LittleGreenDarcyAviary, Profile & Aviary

Profile

Hello and welcome. I have created this website to help my fellow bird fanciers, whether they are trying to sell or buy a bird, need some advice, in which case you can visit the species information pages or e-mail me; or maybe you just want to look around etc... For whatever reason you have visited my website, I hope you find what you were looking for.

Samantha!

My name's Samantha Goodhead and I live near Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK. I am originally from Staffordshire in England. I'm currently on a year in employment following the completion of my second year at University studying BSc (Hons) Animal Science, before I commence my final year in September 2008. I am also studying for my NVQs in Horse Care. I am aiming my career towards primarily Ornithology, probably with something in equine and art also.

I have been keeping birds since 1996 when I was only 12 years old. Aviculture is an excellent and especially rewarding hobby. Through the years I have learnt how to care for my birds to give them the best conditions I can, and I have to say the learning never ceases. With birds, something new, and I would say magical, happens every day. They are truly amazing creatures, with such intense intelligence. They leave me awestruck which is why I have decided to devote myself to them within my hobby and future career.

My first bird was a six week old sweet and gentle little Budgerigar whom I named Darcy. He was a Normal Dark Green and completely out of proportion (he was an exhibition type X pet type), with wings way too big for his little body, but he was the richest bottle green, with the cutest face and brightest eyes. He was one of the smallest Budgies I've ever seen! Darcy was extremely tame and such a wonderful little songster. He bought such joy into my life and gave me six years of devotion. Darcy passed away in June 2002 after a severe gastrointestinal infection. The vet tried everything he could to save him and I nursed poor tiny Darcy day and night for a week, until the pain finally went away and he died in my hands, after giving me one last little chirp and nip. Darcy was a fighter to the end. This website is devoted to Darcy and all the other special birds who have been part of my life for the past nine years.

I have cared for a variety of species over the years including: Budgerigars, Cockatiels, Eastern Rosellas, Bourke's Parakeets, Indian Ringneck Parakeets, Peachfaced Lovebirds, Masked Lovebirds, Celestial (Pacific) Parrotlets, Eurasian Blackbirds, Zebra Finches, Bengalese Finches, Black and White Mannikins, Java Sparrows, Japanese Quail, Chinese Painted Quail, Fantail Doves, Ringneck Doves and Diamond Doves.

I have now decided to specialise primarily in:

* Cockatiels - Normal Greys, Dilute Greys, Light Pieds, Split Pieds, Pearls, Pearl Pieds, Cinnamons and Cinnamon Pearls;

* ...and Ringneck Doves - Pieds in Dark, Fawn and Peach [Rosy Tangerine], Fawns, and Pearleds and Whitebacks in Tangerine and Ash [Frosty Tangerine].

...with further breeding of:

* Bourke's Parakeets - Rosa;

* Budgerigars - Green Series: Normal, Opaline & Split Clearwing in Dark Factor & Grey Factor;

* Diamond Doves - Normal Blues, White Rump Blues & White Tail Blues;

* Bengalese Finches - Chocolate and White (lightly marked);

* Peachfaced Lovebirds - Green Series Orangefaced and Splits;

* ...and Eastern Rosellas, beginning 2008 - Normal Greens.

Though I shall always keep a small selection of species which interest me and hold a special place in my heart.

Aviary

I have 2 outdoor aviaries:

The aviaries in their new (much smaller) garden as from July 2007. Overlooking the Gower Peninsula.

The first measures approximately 8' long x 3' wide x 6' tall and houses two hen Eastern Rosellas (whilst they await partners), one of which is proven. I built this aviary myself from 2"x2" tanalised timber and 1/2"x1/2" 19g galvanised weldmesh.

The second is a mixed breeding aviary measuring 8' long x 8' wide x 6'6 tall. I also built this aviary myself. This aviary houses: 19 Cockatiels, 2 Bourke's Parakeets, 4 Budgerigars, 2 Bengalese Finches, 2 Diamond Doves and 5 Ringneck Doves. This may sound a little overcrowded but the space does amount to exactly 2 square feet or 10 cubic feet of space per bird, which is reccommended. Also none of my birds are aggressive or fight. They get on extremely well together, all looking out for one another and developing very strong social and pair bonds.

One corner of my mixed aviary (with adjoining Eastern Rosella aviary - one hen is just visible in the background).

The photo shows all my Budgies & Diamond Doves, plus most of my Cockatiels - only 3 Cockatiels, my Ringneck Doves, Bengalese & Java Sparrow are missing from the shot. So you can see that the aviary is not overcrowded and the birds all get on very well.

I shall be extending my current aviaries in the Spring to create a second Rosella aviary; and a Bengalese Finch and Bourke's Parakeet aviary.

I also have two handreared pet birds housed in seperate shop-bought large Cockatiel cages indoors, plus a disabled hand-reared Cockatiel who lives indoors in the sitting room.

For temporary housing, breeding and transportation purposes, I also have three wrought iron indoor aviary cages, five large box breeding cages, one 2' finch breeding cage, a large flight cage, a medium parrot cage, a large wire mesh cage and two Budgerigar show cages.