Compatabilty

[JohnP]

Hi. I am still new to keeping of finches but currently have in my aviary two pairs of Orange breasted, one cock Courdon Red cheeked, two hen Courdon red cheeked, one pair Red Faced parrot, one pair painted Fire Tails and have arranged to aquire a pair of Australian Gouldians in September from a known breeder. My aviary is approx 4m long, 2m deep and 2m high and I would like to add some other vibrant varieties to the aviary that are compatable with what I have (and the Gouldians). My understanding is that the varieties I have are what is deemed peacefull community types (apart from the cock Red Faced who can be a pain with being so active) and I would appreciate any suggestions on compatable types

At this point I am not into breeding but rather am more into enjoying the antics etc but if they do breed so be it.

[Mickp]

maybe red strawberries, the male is brilliant when in breeding plumage.
double bars are another easy going species .
there are so many possibilities as to what you could add. what is it that you really want though colour or song?

[Diane]

Hi and welcome to the forum John
Sounds like you have a nice community there. I have mainly gouldians, with emblemas, goldbreasts and ruddies. In the next couple of weeks Im going to be getting a blue headed parrot finch not sure what sex yet but I have an order in for the opposite sex when I know whether its a cock or hen Im getting. Also I have an order for red headed parrot finches which I should be getting soon, after reading your post I hope they dont upset my community too much.

You may want to check this link out, they have pics and info on species and how they relate with other birds.

http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... /index.php

[JohnP]

Thanks for the responses. Mick, I guess I would like a mix of colour but certainly would be very interested in mixing in some song to compliment the visual. I read somewhere that Strawberrys did not mix with Orange Breasted (I think) can't recall why or where I read this.

Dianne, On the blue headed parrot I have been advised from several sources not to mix with red heads as they will cross bread. I have been advised by my breeder mate in Shellharbour that the Tri colour is an excellent bird but it is part of the parrot finch group and I am concerned they may cross bread with the red faced parrot finches I have, any thoughts on this?

Thanks for the link I will try it out when I come back home this evening.

I am so amazed with this forum format and it makes for interesting(long hours) of reading as you can only gain so much from surfing the net but to "discuss" issues with real poeple and fellow bird lovers does make things so much more pleasurable and informative.

[finchbreeder]

And some birds are more passive or aggressive than the average for their type.
That site says Cubans are aggressive but both my current and previous Cubans are/have been gentle little darlings accept in the 30cm round their nest and even just pushy there.
And same with the Java, pushy yes, but aggressive no, he does like a 30cm exclusion zone round his mate but otherwise is not a problem.
And My Cubans and Javas are together and with Orange breasted, Gouldian, Canary,
St. Helena, African Fire, Painted.
All birds I would recommend for a mixed aviary.
LML

[Diane]

I have also heard about blue and red headed parrot finches interbreeding between themselves, also with gouldians too! However I have also heard it said that interbreeding is much more likely to take place if there are spare birds of the opposite sex. So my plan is to let them pair up in a holding cage during their quarantine before releasing them on my unsuspecting aviary inhabitants If the unthinkable happened and eggs were produced I would get rid of the eggs and permanently separate the birds.

[Pete Sara]

if its colour and song u want just go with an all male aviary. no chance of breeding there, that way you could possibly have one of every type with very little aggresion, its been done with an aviary full of rosellas one of every kind and no nasty stuff at all....pete

[jusdeb]

yep agree with Poitta on the all male aviary ....it makes a nice display without the hassles ..