top 5

[haydn92]

whats the top 5 finches for beginners because i might get some around x-mas time.
i only have 7 cockatiel (one pair breeding,one baby an four in another cage
plus does anyone got any advise about cockatiels.
shanny 2 is my bro who likes zebbies(he has 8)

[jusdeb]

pop your question about the quarrion in other birds section , theres some quarrion people on here .

[Pete Sara]

just for future reference hayden, wait a while before re posting your question , as you being a newbie your first 5 posting have be authorized by a moderator , so be patient young fella.....pete

[jusdeb]

what size cage / aviary are you going to use ? This will make it easier to suggest birds for you also do you have any finches that you already have a liking for for ?

[dano_68]

Hi Haydn,

For me the top five easiest are:

1. Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata)
2. Society Finch aka Bengalese Mannikin (Lonchura domestica)
3. Spice Finch aka Nutmeg Mannikin (Lonchura punctulata)
4. Chestnut-breasted Munia aka Chestnut-breasted Bullfinch (Lonchura castaneothorax)
5. Double Bar Finch (Taeniopygia bichenovii)

None of these require live food to successfully breed and all will breed all year round under the right conditions and diet.

[kimberley breeder]

Painted Firetails (Emblema) are easy to cater for as well. I have bred them without live food, but I had soft food and greens available.

[spanna]

I'd go with the Painted Firetail too, or Ruddies. great starter birds. my first ever pair of birds was a pair painteds had blue rings (yes i remember!), bred like wildfire, great intro to finch keeping. ruddies (african fires as i knew them then) soon followed, also a good starter finch.

[jusdeb]

yep emblemas

[Jayburd]

I wouldn't suggest double bars or chestnuts as starters.
what is the aviary size - this is very important.
never mix finches with parrots unless the parrots are neophemas and the aviary is really big.
I'd say:
zebras
painteds
bengalese
stars
spice

be careful with this last, they are getting rarer.
I'd start with an aviary about 3 x 2m, with 1pr of each.
also be very careful of pet shops - don't buy on impulse! always find out about what you're getting first

[shanny2]

yeah what they said bro they are all great people and they will help you.