An extra space

[Shane Gowland]

I'm probably going to be adding another aviary soon. It's 2.8m wide and 2m high and deep.

I'm planning on dividing a third of it off. That will give me a space 90cm wide and 2m deep/high which I intend to use for housing young Gouldians while they colour up.

That means that between November and April (when the only young are sold and the new young are being born) the cage will remain empty. I'm thinking of adding a pair of finches (or maybe something else entirely) as permanent residents.

These birds will need to.
a) Breed in summer, while there's no young Gouldians around
b) Tolerate sharing with ~20 Gouldians every winter
c) Look pretty!

Can anyone suggest any suitable species? I currently have Goldfinches in mind, but I'm not sure if they'll play nice with young Gouldians.

[Tiaris]

Parrotfinches are mainly summer breeders with broadly similar requirements to Gouldians. Yellow Siskins are another warm weather seasonal cup-nester worth considering.

[Redwing]

I would agree and say RFPF fit all your criteria and have in your face personalities.

[Shane Gowland]

Hmm, thanks for the input. I've always liked the sea green mutation of the RFPF. What would a mutation cock and normal hen pair sell for?

[Painted4]

I bought my pair of Sea-Greens last year at the Lower Murray bird sale, cost me $60, I think (had them marked as $80, but didn't sell by the end of the sale so he marked them down)

[finchbreeder]

No reason not to go with your preference for Goldfinches. Good luck.
LML

[Jayburd]

Goldfinches should do fine with Gouldians, although I'm not sure when they breed. RFPF are awesome birds though, real characters! Definitely worth considering

[Craig52]

It's a known fact that gold finches attract scaly mite to their legs/feet as well as mosquito bits to the same area.Gold finches breed in Spring so you would have young gouldians colouring up at the same time and there might be a bit of aggression with them.
I agree with the RFPF's but the cock birds become a bit randy and might size up some young gouldians to mate with. Craig

[finchbreeder]

I never had any problems with scaly legs or mosis with my Gloldfinches when I had them. But then I have always kept Canarys and seldom had these problemes with them either. Maybe I am just careful, and check all new stock before releasing into the avairys.
LML

[Craig52]

I never had any problems with scaly legs or mosis with my Gloldfinches when I had them. But then I have always kept Canarys and seldom had these problemes with them either. Maybe I am just careful, and check all new stock before releasing into the avairys.
LML

It's very common over here FB with them being wild caught birds,it takes a few months to show its self so quarantining doesn't reveal any symptoms.Mozzies are attracted to them,more so than any other finch.After the mozzie attack the mites move in and they end up with terrible crusty legs/feet. Craig