Hi again, Ian. There is a cracking book called The Naturalised Birds of the World, which i imagine you can pick up quite cheap on Amazon these days. It gives historical accounts of where, by whom and when for most species, also making reference to their current status and impacts etc. It has info from the introduction me Reeve's, Golden, Lady Amherst's pheasants in the uk, all those birds you are finding out about in australasia and more. Over the years i've seen the spread of birds like the monk parakeet and ring-necked parakeet in europe and the introduction of the likes of the common waxbill in southern spain and the canary islands, as well as seeing the sacred ibis in northwest france last summer. Anyway, the book holds a wealth of info and needless to say as much as some of those birds that have naturalised are lovely their have been a few impacts along the way especially in Hawaii ! You'll be surprised at just how many are on your lists!
Interest enlivened. I just read a small atricle that stated Mute swans were introduced to New Zealand only to be eradicated by the late introduced australian black swan. In australia the Indian Minah ia apparently a plague on many houses introduced to control locusts. On a previous thread 'culling' a livelly debate ensued about such introductions. In the UK we have the eagle owl and of course the ring necked parakeet. It all fascinating stuff but often with disasterous results.
Hi Ian, can't think of why they would introduce Water Rail other than for the cause in the prog you watched, shame for the poor Rails though . As for other species there were quite a few introduced to Australia and some to New Zealand, mainly because people felt home sick and the sights and sounds of birds common from back home brought smiles to their faces. Skylark, Song Thrush, Goldfinch and Blackbird you can understand for their lovely calls, feral pigeons for racing etc I presume and Mallard for either looks or eggs possibly, but they also introduced Starling and House Sparrow!?! Not that I don't appreciate them, but they are not exactly the prettiest of things most of time!
The real nightmare was introducing foxes for gentlemen to be able to hunt!?! What a poor decision that was!? and responsible for many an extinction of some species that we know of and others I'm sure that we never knew of.........
Recently I saw one of those programmes in passing where people prepare a BBQ in west Australia using local food. I was drawn into the programme as Auntie whatnot turned up in a loaded rowing boat with a dead pig to roast as her contribution. The fisherman relative also contributed a great pile of fish to gut and cook.
In amazement I then saw transfixed the presenter went on a local nocturnal bird hunt. The dog was simply sent out into the reeds and it would return with a very alive what could only be a water rail. It apparently had, the dog that is, very soft gums so the bird was not damaged.
The presenter also had to be really careful because those little critters could scratch and peck. The first bird didn't measure up. It was a bit scrawny so it was released. Unfortunately for it, the second water rail was described as 'plumper' and so sadly its neck was stretched.
Anyway after a good nights hunting these 'introduced birds' that they were allowed to 'sustainably harvest' were dressed for the forthcoming BBQ. This was not in best bib and tucker but plucked and filleted.
I felt sick but still drawn. Why had these little European birds been introduced. ? Were they a Victorian tasty treat? Were they still? What other bird species had been introduced by europeans? How had they fared?
. As for other species there were quite a few introduced to Australia and some to New Zealand, mainly because people felt home sick and the sights and sounds of birds common from back home brought smiles to their faces. Skylark, Song Thrush, Goldfinch and Blackbird you can understand for their lovely calls, feral pigeons for racing etc I presume and Mallard for either looks or eggs possibly, but they also introduced Starling and House Sparrow!?! Not that I don't appreciate them, but they are not exactly the prettiest of things most of time!
and responsible for many an extinction of some species that we know of and others I'm sure that we never knew of.........