Goldfinch trainers seek to spread wings beyond Gaza
Palestinian trainers of singing goldfinches hope to one day take part in international competitions, but have been limited so far because of closed borders.
TANGIER, Morocco — With their natural ability to learn melodies, goldfinches have attracted the interests of thousands of breeders and trainers around the world. Palestinian interest in the songbirds' varied colors and capacity to sing different melodies emerged in the 1980s.
There are mainly two types of goldfinch people. Some are interested in the natural singing of the birds. Contests are held to choose the birds with the strongest ability to sing harmoniously and in tune. Then there are those concerned with training the birds to sing musical sequences that vary from one country to another.
Many goldfinch breeders and trainers in the Gaza Strip wish to take part in international contests, and some breeders want to sell their birds at auctions. But so far they have been prevented from doing either.
“I tried several times to participate in international contests in Morocco, but I couldn't because the border crossings are closed," breeder Khalil Hamada told Al-Monitor.
