Quail & finches

[Alf63]

I have kept the King, Little Button, Red-chested and several other of the native Button Quail over many years without a problem.

They add something different to the aviary. They can when startled hit the roof so I trim the flight feathers a few times a year to stop them scalping themselves. An aviary with a little space and ground cover plants would be ideal. The numbers of captive native Button quail aren't overly high so more people keeping them the better.

Don't rule them out just yet

Alf63

[Painted4]

Would the Little Button Quail be alright in a 4.5m x 3m x 3m high aviary? Planted with native tussock grasses and melaleucas?

[Jayburd]

Mine were in a 3.5x2.3m planted aviary, and became really quite tame. The male flushed a fair bit when I first got them, but they haven't done so in the past year or so. Just as long as I'm careful to make sure I leave them enough space to get around me when I'm in there.

[TomDeGraaff]

In my experience, quail take off due to night frights and if they are cornered.If they have an avenue of escape, they will move around you. Owls, cats and foxes can spook them badly. Full roofing, hotwire and a kick plate can alleviate those worries.
I agree with others. Quail add another dimension to your aviary but they have management issues peculiar to themselves. Clipping wings is a big help, also lots of cover through which they can navigate. They become a bit more cheeky when they have a refuge where they think they are hidden from view but can still see you.
I particularly love the smaller buttonquail and have had no trouble keeping red-chested with finches, also king, brown and stubble although I found stubble to be a bit flightier than brown.
Tom

[willy]

Have found that Black Breasted Button Quails dig big holes all over the aviary.

[Painted4]

Hmm, seems like there is pros and cons...also seems like each species varies significantly, even in the Button Quail.
Might consider getting a pair of Little Button Quail, and seeing how they go.

[Jayburd]

Apart from king quails, all the species are largely undomesticated (especially the buttons) and retain most of their natural behaviour.
That being so, there's going to be a very high variance between species according to habitat and feeding behaviour. For example, Little Buttons are arid country birds, Red-backed Buttons are damp grassland birds, Painted Buttons are eucalyptus woodland birds, and Black-breasted Buttons are rainforest birds. I'd suggest picking the species closest to your aviary style