AFA Red Siskin Project

What is the Red Siskin?
The Venezuelan Black-hooded Red Siskin, Carduelis cucullata, is 4 inches in length. The male has a beautiful visual deep rich vermilion (red) plumage on its breast, belly and undertail-coverts; red also appears on the rump, and uppertail-coverts, and wing bars, and also appears on the back of the neck blending to gray on the back. The head, chin, throat, flight feathers, and tail are all black. White appears around the vent and underwing-coverts. The adult female holds all similar markings as the male with the exception of the black hood. Red coloring on the female only appears on the upper portion of the breast, and is faded on the wing bar, rump, and sometimes on the undertail-coverts. Juveniles are all gray and begin to molt their plumage at 3-4 months. The red color deepens as the birds age.  No color food is needed with these birds; their coloring never fades! This is the reason they are so sought after by the canary fanciers. The red gene is bred in to their canaries and used to enhance the color (red factor) in the canary or for colorbred lines.

The Red Siskin is protected by Venezuelan government and the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES). The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service also considers our captive bred siskins protected, including offspring or any hybridized young. Both seller and buyer must hold captive breeding permits to purchase these birds in interstate sales.

This beautiful bird continues to be trapped by the cage bird trade today. The Red Siskin may yet become extinct in the wild.  According to an article published in the June 2003 issue of an ornithology magazine called The Auk, one remaining isolated flock of Red Siskins still exists. The discovery was made by Braun and Mark Robbins of the University of Kansas. This fascinating research is a collaboration between the Smithsonian, the University of Kansas, and the University of Guyana. Further research and follow-up will help understand this bird's survival.

What is the Red Siskin Project?
The Red Siskin Project (RSP) has been in existence since the 1970's under the American Federation of Aviculture's umbrella. Today the RSP is managed as a consortium. Breeders will be able to rely on a more consistent and open communication avenue for information by communicating with others managing their flocks. RSP is made up of private owners and volunteers who are experienced with this species. They have come together to ensure the Red Siskin will be around in the United States for future generations. In order to accomplish this large task, birds are registered with the RSP Studbook Keeper. The studbook information is maintained in a SPARKS electronic database.  This database is used by the zoological community to record the parentage, hatch, death, disease, transfers, and necropsy information and a studbook identification number for each bird. Using this information, we are able to extract inbreeding percentiles, which is a valuable tool in pairing our birds and ensuring stronger gene pairings.  All our birds are close banded in order to reduce the chance of pairing up two closely related birds. Each breeder is required to report additions, deaths, and sickness.

Why would a breeder get involved?
Only half the offspring of the project's initial pair(s) will be moved to another breeder. The other half will become the property of breeder. Any private breeder who already has Red Siskins can join the project. They must register their flock in our studbook and enjoy the benefits of the Studbook. In return, they are expected to trade the RSP's breeders. Additionally, any new interested individual who wishes to join the project undergoes a screening process to ensure experienced husbandry skills for this endangered species.

RSP also has developed a private Yahoo! group. Communication on this Internet board was established to facilitate a better flow of information and for sharing techniques and strengthening the skills of the members. This group is exclusively for the RSP breeders, volunteers, board members, and director. Only those who complete a questionnaire reviewed and accepted by our processing committee (consisting of breeders) are invited to join this group. You may request an application by contacting us at redsiskinproject@earthlink.net

Why give half to the breeder?
In the early days of the Red Siskin Project, there was not an option for the breeder to keep half of the offspring.  However, we have discovered that a completely different attitude comes into play when ownership becomes an incentive.  Therefore, it has become our philosophy that "ownership" will encourage the breeders to invest more and take pride in managing and building both their own flock and the Project's. It also allows an opportunity for the breeder to re-coup out-of-pocket expenses for supplies and for transferring birds back to the next RSP breeder. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity to build a healthy flock and utilize the Project's resources for ongoing support and networking. These tools and ownership will provide better outcomes for future generations to begin finding Red Siskins at their local bird marts.

Has the RSP had any problems?
As with any breeding program, there have been diseases, injuries, accidents. People come and go. Originally, the RSP had mandatory necropsies of all deaths because all the birds belonged to the RSP. Today's breeders are able to manage better with available products and make better choices when modifying their husbandry skills. Unfortunately, some of our birds have suffered with avian tuberculosis. The birds that tested positive were not moved and do not participate in the breeding part of the project. Most of these birds are now gone. This brought the project to a halt for a few years.

There are the risks of managing birds of any type. It is imperative for everyone breeding birds to test any suspect birds and avoid any type of overcrowding and avoid unsightly housing. Quarantine your new birds. This cannot be emphasized enough.

The RSP is also in need of funds to move and exchange fresh bloodlines. We are also in need of funds for any avian testing and treatment expenses, as well as for emergency rescue should a breeder need the Project's assistance.

What are goals of the RSP?
The mission of the Red Siskin Project is to create a sustaining captive healthy population of Red Siskins within the United States and to support conservation efforts and scientific studies in the wild.

How does RSP connect with local bird clubs?
Clubs are in constant need of educational materials for club meetings and for information tables at local shows.  Clubs are also usually searching for guest speakers. The RSP needs to raise funds.  In order to satisfy both needs, RSP has developed a CD or DVD Slide Show for your club to play on a computer or laptop. This slide show is nice for a club's library for members to take home and view.

Additionally, totes and polo shirts with the embroidered Red Siskin Logo can be purchased for those needing special awards or prizes. Ask your AFA State or Regional Representative to provide you more information. Contact the Red Siskin Project directly for our brochure and order form. All contact information is listed below.

The Red Siskin Project encourages bird clubs to join us and sponsor these beautiful birds in order to successfully continue breeding and sustaining a healthy flock. The Project's goal is to eliminate the need to remove wild birds from their natural environment and maintain our present domesticated flock within the United States.
All contributions are recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. You will receive a written acknowledgment from AFA for donations.

The project is presently searching for unrelated bloodlines for next years offspring. Those who have Red Siskins are asked to contact the Project (only pure lines please).

The Red Siskin Project is presently seeking private breeders to join the breeding consortium for Red Siskins.

This breeding consortium is supported strictly by product sales and donations from local bird clubs.

For more information, contact:

Paula Hansen
Red Siskin Project Chair
(503) 581-8208 - Oregon, USA
redsiskinproject@earthlink.net

AFA Office
P.O. Box 7312
N. Kansas City, MO 64116
Phone: (816) 421 - BIRD
AFAOffice@aol.com