QCBS Queensland Council of Bird Societies Inc

11/05/2026

VICTORIA: Please read and sign this petition to support the efforts by bird-keepers and avicultural clubs in Victoria as they face more restrictive legislation, based on often inaccurate and incorrect information including from self-appointed extremists who are aggressively trying to destroy our hobby. QCBS2026

Protect Bird Keeping in Victoria – Stop New Wildlife Act Restrictions

29/11/2025

APVMA, The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority has delayed a decision on changes to the availability of certain second-kill anticoagulant rodenticides, which may affect practices undertaken by birdkeepers to control rats and mice around bird aviaries and feed stores. APVMA Nov 26th statement: https://www.apvma.gov.au/news-and-publications/news/timelines-decisions-chemical-reconsiderations

30/07/2025

QUEENSLAND. Smuggled Reptiles Attempt Intercepted:
https://www.dcceew.gov.au/about/news/bootlegged-wildlife-reptile-trade-hidden-in-plain-sight Note that the EPBC Act is the federal/ Australian Government Act. Reminder: bird-keepers should keep a basic record (date, seller, species and number) of the source of all native species that you own, not just the Permitted species that require a licence to keep. July 2025.

They weren’t ordinary boots. Stuffed inside a pair of black work shoes were 18 live native reptiles. These included Lace Monitors, Blue-Tongue Lizards and Cunningham’s Skinks. These animals were boxed, labelled, and ready to be posted overseas.In July 2025, our Environmental Crime Team intercept...

30/06/2025

Another story highlighting the misinformation perpetuated by government about aviary-bred exotic parrots. The preparation given to these birds could easily prove that they would be disease-free prior to transportation.

Border closed to Shadoon and Shellman after lengthy legal appeal.

16/05/2024

Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue for all who are following this sad story: There is no update so far by the state government, on any review or changes to the existing legislation concerning wildlife carers in Queensland as a result of this particular matter. It suffices to say that the decision to euthanise these two birds was the wrong one - as it simply was not necessary to do so, and was certainly not in the interest of the welfare of the birds! See the Twinnies page for the complete story.

Following the very sad news recently surrounding the birds taken from Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue I wrote to our Minister for the Environment Leanne Linard MP calling for changes to the Nature Conservation Regulation 2020.

Like the very effective Minister she is, Leanne is now engaging the Queensland Chief Scientist to undertake a thorough review of both the framework and the code of practice.

I have to thank Helen and the Twinnies not just for the beautiful work they do preserving our wildlife but also for helping me make this review possible.

29/08/2023

AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS - BIOSECURITY: There are three main subtypes of 'avian flu', namely H5, H7, and H9. The subtypes H5 and H7 are the most deadly. Waterfowl are common vectors of bird flu, with migratory bird species almost certainly being infectious.

'PREVENT WILD BIRDS HAVING CONTACT WITH YOUR AVIARIES:
Wild birds can be reservoir hosts for a wide range of diseases and parasites which can affect aviary birds. Pathogens or parasites can spread from wild birds via droppings contaminating water sources within aviaries or through contamination of aviary floors. In both cases pathogens or parasites may spread to aviary inhabitants through direct ingestion or through intermediate organisms such as insects.' - from the 'Aviary Bird Biosecurity Code of Practice'.

The annual great southern migration of birds poses a biosecurity risk to wild birds and domestic poultry in Queensland.

Remain vigilant for signs of bird flu, such as coughing, difficulty breathing, decrease or cease in egg production, swelling of the head and sudden death.

If your birds are experiencing any illness, contact your private veterinarian.

However, should you have a large number of sick or dead birds, report it to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

17/08/2022

Update: Palm Cockatoo, Probosciger aterrimus macgillivrayi, Australian subspecies, is still regarded only as 'threatened' by Australia's federal government. The current population assessment appears to be around 3,000 individuals.

New analysis of palm cockatoo populations put the bird on a downward trajectory, prompting scientists to call for a downgrading in their conservation status.

17/06/2022

WARNING that illegally taking native species from the wild is under ever-increasing surveillance by the Queensland government. The relevant Act for keeping permitted native species is: https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/inforce/current/sl-2020-0136

A Hervey Bay business has been issued a warning by the state's Department of Environment and Science after an illegally captured olive sea snake was found on its premises. Authorities discovered the animal had also given birth while in captivity.

11/03/2022

Japanese Encephalitis Virus, JEV, is transmitted by mosquitoes. Waterbirds, particularly wading birds such as herons and egrets, are the main source from which transmission of JEV can occur. They are important amplifying hosts and hold enough virus in their blood to infect vectors, including humans, for 1 to 7 days.

Pigs are also major amplifiers of the virus and develop levels of virus in the blood sufficient to infect vectors for around 4 days.

Japanese encephalitis is an animal disease and disorder in Queensland.

30/01/2022

Independent Environmental Protection Agency SURVEY:
The Queensland Government has engaged a private consultant to conduct an online survey on the possible establishment of an independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Although such a body would clearly have more concerns for developers, agriculture, and mining projects they may have some influence over our hobby of aviculture. There seems to be no benefit for birdkeepers in the establishment of such a body and since an independent EPA would be unelected, there is the possibility that 'appointed' members would hold views hostile to animal-keepers in general while not being accountable to us as voters. I think the responsibility for the regulation of the keeping of native birds in Queensland should lie solely with the government department itself under an elected Minister. QCBS Pres L Holmes. Survey link:

This engagement hub is about keeping you in the loop with Queensland environment, science and youth projects, initiatives and activities that are most important to you. In the Loop invites you to be part of the conversation and stay informed of key decisions. We need your voice and your ideas to sha...