Aussie Finch Forum

Hi Everyone,

I've decided to downsize to just Gouldians, Plumheads and Silverbills and one other bird species in my main aviary due to a range of factors including the time taken to feed.

Painted Finches have been recommended to me, but I'm wondering what some other beginner/intermediate level species are, to become the one other species in the main aviary, which is 3.6 x 1.8 metres (species should also preferably take minimal livefood, as my mum is not a fan of me breeding mealworms and maggots).

Thanks,
Aidan

try a cup nester like yellow siskins or green singers.

you'll never turn back i guarantee it

Double bars and star finches come to mind.

African Fires, Double Bars and Painteds are all good. Plant a rose or two for mum and when they get aphids, don't spray them, just shake the aphids off and feed to the birds.
LML

Colony breeding those species is always a good option

Double Bars and Silverbills in a small colony would be good.
LML

Oh, the decision making!

elferoz777 wrote: ↑18 Jul 2020, 19:50 try a cup nester like yellow siskins or green singers.

you'll never turn back i guarantee it

Would the birds you listed be the easiest out of the 'cup nesters' to breed or if not, what would be?

finchbreeder wrote: ↑20 Jul 2020, 11:49 Double Bars and Silverbills in a small colony would be good.
LML

I think I'll put the silverbills in a small colony but that would mean choosing another species which would go better without a colony (also Shane I've had my go with stars and they did nothing, in fact they were one of the species sold off).

Of the cup nesters I like canaries and Goldfinches and have found them reasonable to breed. But not sure if the Goldfinches in your area are likely to be avairy bred like they are here in the west. Others would know that better than me.
LML

Brisbane_Finches_333 wrote: ↑20 Jul 2020, 22:17 Oh, the decision making!

elferoz777 wrote: ↑18 Jul 2020, 19:50 try a cup nester like yellow siskins or green singers.

you'll never turn back i guarantee it

Would the birds you listed be the easiest out of the 'cup nesters' to breed or if not, what would be?

Canaries are the easiest cup nester but require a heap of egg and biscuit mix when rearing young. I have bred green singers and yellow siskins in aviaries and small cages and they are very easy. Just need a covered place with brush to nest. diet is good finch mix plus local greens. they are the cheaper ones of the cup nesters (excluding canaries, goldfinches and green finches) at 120 to 150 per pr.

Green finches and goldfinches are mostly trapped and will breed freely however they are harder to keep alive as the young tend to "go light".

I think I'll just wait and see what's for sale. Unfortunately I don't have room for a colony of anything finchbreeder but I'll consider two pairs of Plumheads or Silverbills.

Thanks,
Aidan