Aviculturist Mark Reynolds says the little-known hobby could be key to bringing some of Australia's most endangered birds back from the brink of extinction.
Mr Reynolds, who is president of the Aviculture Society of Australia's Goulburn Valley branch, said some private breeders would like to play a greater role in rescuing the orange-bellied parrot and other threatened birds.
He said there was an obvious opportunity for experienced breeders to help.
"We have the skill set to keep and breed many of these endangered birds," Mr Reynolds said.
"It's happening already.
"There are a lot of birds that are endangered which are subject to aviculture and are being bred quite readily."
According to Birdlife Australia, almost one in six Australian birds are threatened with extinction.
Aviculturists are already able to breed a number of native species.
Australia's Birdwatching Megaspots co-author Chris Farrell, who is also a vice president of the Aviculture Society of Australia, listed the golden-shouldered parrot, regent parrot, superb parrot, swift parrot along with several black cockatoo and finch species as examples.
Mr Reynolds said it showed hobbyists could help Mother Nature.
"A good example would be some of our friends in Western Australia who have been breeding white-tailed black cockatoos," he said.
"They are struggling in the wild but, because we have some in aviaries, we are able to give them an environment to more successfully breed."
Coordination needed
While breeding more birds would seem an obvious solution to a lack of numbers in the wild, others involved in conservation warn a free-for-all approach could be counterproductive.
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park co-owner Michael Johnson said his organisation was one of five accredited sanctuaries involved in a recovery plan to save the orange-bellied parrot.
A former aviculturist himself, Mr Johnson agreed "hobby" breeders had a role in breed-and-release conservation projects but with strict controls.
"It requires a lot of commitment," Mr Johnson said.
"We operate under strict quarantine systems and handling protocols.
He said that was done because disease, for example, could do more damage than good.
"Aviculturists have been a great support to us," he said.
"They [the Aviculture Society of Australia] have contributed immensely in terms of donating money and we have used aviculture techniques, so there are potential opportunities in the future."
Mr Johnson said captive breeding had undoubtedly saved the orange-bellied parrot from extinction.
"They breed in Tasmania and then migrate to Victoria before returning to breed again," he said.
"In 2016 they counted just 17, of which three were females.
He said that number had risen to 84 through the release of captive-bred juvenile birds and modifications to habitat.
"Without captive populations it would have certainly gone extinct," he said.
However there remain barriers to breeding threatened species at home.
A Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action spokesperson said permissions and authorisations were required under the Wildlife Act 1975 to breed threatened species.
"Conservation breeding programs for Victoria's threatened species require long-term commitment and investment by any group, both government and non-government, involved in the recovery of a species," the spokesperson said.
Next generation
At 24 years of age, Maddie Fish is something of a rare breed among aviculturists.
She's bucking the trend for stereotypical aviculturists, and working with a particular passion for conservation.
But her pathway to aviculture, and her love of finches, is not uncommon in the game.
"It started with my great-grandfather, then my grandfather and then my father," Ms Fish said.
Ms Fish said she was trying to inspire other young people to join the hobby, and increase the chances of saving the threatened species.
"I would love to see younger people get more involved," she said.
"Social media is probably the best place to start because we have a lot of members with a lot of knowledge they would like to share."
