InfoAnda - 'Bird racing' at NYC park under federal scrutiny

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Union unrest spreads in 3 Midwestern states | 23 February 2011
Australian brothers killed in NZ glacier ice slide | 9 January 2009
White House downplays Obama-Sarkozy talk on Netanyahu | 10 November 2011

Former FIFA VP Warner is new Trinidad security minister | | 23 June 2012

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : 'Bird racing' at NYC park under federal scrutiny

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Search Search: 'Bird racing' at NYC park under federal scrutiny By CRISTIAN SALAZAR,Associated Press Writer AP - 2 hours 6 minutes ago NEW YORK - The two black finches whistled songs at each other in fluttering voices as a group of men crowded around their cages. ADVERTISEMENT It was the first bird singing competition of the morning, and men on either side of the two cages counted the songs, each as fleeting as a haiku. The first finch to tweet 50 would be declared the winner. For years, bird racing, as the sport is known, has been held in a park in the Richmond Hill neighborhood of Queens on warm Sunday afternoons with scant attention from outsiders. Yet the races have drawn increased scrutiny recently from law enforcement, as federal officials target illegal smuggling of finches from Guyana. Authorities also suspect the men place illegal bets on the birds. The people who flock to the races, mostly Guyanese immigrant men, argue that it is simply a harmless cultural pastime. "This is how we relax our minds," said Rajendra "Bush" Harinarian, who compared the sport to watching baseball for Americans. "We hang out with our friends, with the birds." John Neal, a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service agent serving New York, said his agents investigate six to eight finch smuggling cases each year. Most of the birds are destined to compete in the races at Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto Park, previously known as Smokey Oval Park, he said. The illicit trade is fueled by the demand for males of species native to Guyana known as the lesser-seed finch or "towa-towa," Neal said. Racing enthusiasts consider them the best singers, he said. Though the smuggled birds sometimes die before arrival, the males that survive can sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars in the U.S. market. "Money is traded hands, wagers are placed and the birds can be very valuable," Neal said. But Harinarian _ who said he breeds the birds in America _ denied that the men at the park gamble on the races. "That's a rumor," he said. There were no visible signs of gambling during two recent visits to the park. The men arrive at the park in the wee hours of the morning, sometimes on bike or on foot, covered bird cages in hand. The birds are said to sing best in the early hours between about 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. The adult birds are black except for bronze patches on their chests. A race begins after two cages are hung next to each other on a stake. A crowd gathers, and men are chosen to count the songs. The finches, often trained using audio recordings to sing short and uniform songs, are fiercely competitive. They sometimes fly from their perches to beat their wings against the cage's wooden bars. Harry Dukhram walks to the park maybe twice a year to see the races. "It's just something you get into," he said. "It's like horse racing." There are about 143,800 Guyanese living in New York City, mostly in Brooklyn and Queens, making them one of the largest foreign-born populations in the city. Richmond Hill is sometimes referred to as "Little Guyana" and reflects the South American nation's mix of African, Asian and indigenous roots. Cullen Hanks, a biologist who has studied the finch trade, said smuggling the birds is common. "It's kind of a manly thing to have one of these small singing birds," he said. The birds have become scarce in some areas of Guyana because of extensive trapping, he said. Finches can be bought easily at open-air markets in Guyanese cities after being trucked in from the country's hinterlands. Harinarian, who was born in Berbice, Guyana, said he is working to breed the birds legally in captivity. "We can't get enough here to supply the market," he said, adding that people smuggle the birds into the country because importation rules are too stringent and the required 30-day quarantine to make sure they are free of disease, too costly. It currently costs $2.50 a day to quarantine a bird that weighs less than 250 grams, or just under 9 ounces, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Neal said the Fish & Wildlife Service wants people to import the birds legally, but to do so they would have to comply with both Guyanese and U.S. law. "If somebody knocked on my door and wanted to sit down and have the rules explained to them so they could do this lawfully, it would be a fairly easy thing to do," he said, adding that "towa-towas" are not listed as endangered under international trade conventions on wildlife. About three years ago, Customs and Border Patrol officers inspecting the luggage of a man who arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport from Guyana found 13 "towa-towa" finches hidden in hair curlers in a bag, along with about 50 pounds of grass seed, according to court papers. Prosecutors charged the man, Terrence McLean, with violating both a Guyanese law that prohibits the export of wild birds and a U.S. law that bans importing wildlife. In April, a judge threw out the case against McLean after deciding that it was unclear whether the birds were covered by the Guyanese law. McLean was fined $250 after pleading guilty to failing to properly declare the birds at the airport. "Mr. McLean has had songbirds his whole life," said Vincent Barredo, one of McLean's attorneys. "They're more than just his hobby, they're his passion." Harinarian said he doesn't think the men are doing anything wrong and mean no harm to the finches. Often, a bird that can sing well is a man's most valuable belonging, he said. "It's like a racehorse. It's a Kentucky Derby contender," he said. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: World Events in Palin's political careerAP - Monday, July 27 Officials say suicide bomber kills 5 in ChechnyaAP - Monday, July 27 Moldova heads for pollsReuters - Monday, July 27 Democrats: We will move forward on health overhaulAP - Monday, July 27 France's Sarkozy has health scare while exercisingAP - Monday, July 27 Most Popular – World Viewed Harry Patch, last veteran of World War I trenches, dies at 111 Lost love letter reunites couple after 16 years Swine flu virus has spread to almost every country: WHO Massive quake moves NZealand closer to Australia Police raid Jackson doctor for manslaughter link View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Monday, 27 July 2009
Richest woman's 'visions' claim amuses Israelis
Six dead in Chechnya suicide bombing: officials
Sarkozy rushed to hospital after jogging collapse
WITNESS
American Apparel Retailer Targeted For Selling "Legalize Gay" T-Shirts
First results due Monday in Iraqi Kurd election
Amy Winehouse Found Not Guilty Of Punching Dancer
Australian Actors Vote To Strike Against Producers
Revolutionary Guard tightens hold in Iran crisis
Afghan vice-presidential hopeful survives attack
Nigeria clashes kill over 50 in northeastern city | International |
Johnny Depp Surprises Fans With Unplanned Appearance At The Comic Con
Castro hints at more belt-tightening for Cuba | International |
Nas Ordered To Pay Kelis $44K A Month For Spousal And Child Support
U.S. wants Syria help in Israel-Palestinian talks
Michael Jackson's Doctor Being Investigated For Manslaughter
Angelina Jolie Revisits Iraq To Meet With Displaced Families
Foundation Bares 2 New Mozart Piano Compositions
Patrick Swayze Denies Heart Attack Reports
VH1's "Lords Of Revolution" Documentary To Feature 20th Century Icons
Clinton says 'no, never' to a White House bid
Envoy: US favors overall Mideast peace accord
Petraeus: US will support Yemen anti-terror fight
Analysis: Fed in the middle of push-me, pull-me
HARD TIMES: School budgets dip, class sizes grow
AP INVESTIGATION: Main Street's soaring sour loans
New direction in terror fight may stem from case
US on verge of closing anthrax probe after 8 years
'Bird racing' at NYC park under federal scrutiny
Southwest flight makes unexpected LI landing
China tightening control over steel industry
China, India can help, not save world economy
India's billionaire Ambani brothers slug it out
Indian farmers fear rain gods may play truant
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office | Entertainment |
Next week decisive for future of Lacroix
New film shows pranksters battling companies
James Cameron talks tech, "Avatar" at Comic-Con
Ex-'Idol' contestant struck, killed by car in NJ
70-Foot Whale Stuck To Cruise Ship's Bow
Palestinians Take on Israelis in Imaginary Game of 'Wall Soccer'
Opposition in Iraqi Kurd elections claims gains
Sarkozy 'doing well' after jogging collapse: aide
Apple, labels work on plan to boost album sales: report
Iraqi Kurd opposition hails poll breakthrough
Clinton urges North Korea to return to talks | International |
GM crop trials start again in Britain in 'secret': report
Rich countries corner supplies of swine flu vaccine
Ousted Honduran president sees U.S. support waning | International |
Lending slowdown in US: report
Traders, managers to face British watchdog tests
Iran plunged into fresh political turmoil
NATO, Afghan soldiers among 22 killed in unrest
Ex-boxing champ Forrest shot in back and killed
Mediterranean rim battles to contain wildfires
Forty-two dead as sect, police clash in Nigeria
Afghanistan strikes Taliban truce in remote area | International |
Russia frees crime boss wanted by U.S.: report | International |
Myanmar court hears final arguments in Suu Kyi case | International |
France's Sarkozy to leave hospital after dizzy spell | International |
Water crisis uproots Syrian farmers | International |
4 cousins, mom, 3 others die in NY wrong-way crash
New AP bureau chief appointed in Tokyo
IV tube chemical linked to preemie liver woes
Mexico police name suspect in border agent death
Mexican, U.S. Authorities Announce Arrests Of Suspects In Killing Of U.S. Border Patrol Agent
Apple, labels work on plan to boost album sales: report | Technology |
Conn. home-invasion survivor faces court ordeal
NY 3 Car Crash Kills 8, Including 4 Children
Weak oversight mars success of Iraq hotel project
Sarah Palin Steps Down As Alaska's Governor; Parnell Sworn In
Sarah Palin steps down as Alaska governor
Palin issues final Tweet on state account
China venture exchange gets 108 IPO applications
Korea Hot Stocks-Online game issues fall; retailers,Hynix up
China wants 108 firms to list on local 'Nasdaq'
Japan's Nikkei index climbs above 10,000
S.Korea to check bank loan, liquidity data -report
S.Korea June consumer sentiment at near 7-yr high
US seeks action with China on economy
Clinton, Geithner seek action with China on economy
Taiwan gov't fund mulls stock sale -paper
South Korea bonds edge down early, exit talk eyed
Fans get first look at star-studded Iron Man 2 | Entertainment |
TV panels at Comic-Con kept fans intrigued | Entertainment |
Study: HBO leads on TV in showing gay characters
French presidents keep health a 'state secret'
Lost bringing back characters from 1st season | Entertainment |
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
"Lost" bringing back characters from 1st season
Fans get first look at star-studded "Iron Man 2"
'G-Force' guinea pigs scramble to box office top spot
Timberlake christens eco-friendly golf course
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office
Israel confirms first swine flu death
VW may raise 4 bln euros for Porsche deal: report
Kabul hails local truce with Taliban ahead of vote
Afghanistan says strikes Taliban truce in remote area | International |
Gates reassures Israel on U.S.-Iran strategy | International |
Kurd opposition party eyes big gains in Iraq vote
Report: Israeli settler population crosses 300,000
Chechen separatists to halt attacks on police: report
Gunship strikes kill 20 militants in NW Pakistan | International |
"American Idol" Wannabe Killed In An Apparent Homicide
US envoy reaches Cairo on whirlwind Mideast tour
Anna Friel Not Likely To Give Up Acting For Motherhood
Muslim rebels expand Nigeria attacks | International |
Iran's Mousavi says protests will continue: website | International |
EU extends Georgia mission, holds off on U.S. joining | International |
SKorean firms to jointly develop new chips
German far-right leader charged with incitement | International |
Hezbollah's Nasrallah warns Israel over future war | International |
South Africa council workers strike, services crippled | International |
Cambridge police: Race not mentioned in 911 call
US eyes Iranian nuclear response by autumn: Gates
Bikini-clad woman accused of carjacking in Miss.
GOP eyes fate of the `serious sin' senator in La.
Moderate quake strikes N Pakistan; no injuries
Summer bummer: Dude ranches lack dudes, dudettes
NZ signals likely to raise Afghanistan troop level
Obama's Day: It's diplomacy and sports
NZealand woman rescued from overly playful dolphin
Israel's Barak: 'No option' off table on Iran
American al-Qaida to be resentenced for Bush plot
Media moguls rethink Web advertising in downturn | Technology |
Islamabad investigates pro-Taliban cleric
Senate warns against concessions on nuclear treaty
Nepal PM thanks British actress for Gurkha campaign
Dems alone can't deliver Obama health care win
Death toll rises to 10 in Japan landslides, floods
CD shop bombed in northern Pakistan; 2 wounded
Japan man "admits selling trucks" to North Korea
UN chief discusses climate change in Mongolia
NKorea hints at disarmament talks with US
Deadly riot by China steelworkers scuttles merger
Shanghai's first IPO in 11 months shares suspended
Nissan gives preview of its vaunted electric car
Cambodia gets national carrier with Vietnam's help
Cambodia launches national airline
Sikhs, Hindus dread Taliban tax in Pakistan
Seoul shares post longest gaining streak in over 3 yrs =2
Seoul shares post longest gaining streak in over 3 yrs
Hitachi said to take control of key businesses
Audi to open new plant in China in September: report
Action guinea pigs topple Potter at box office | Entertainment |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01