Oriental Greenfinches

[Jayburd]

I've just got an email back form Russell Kingston about a species suitable to canberra for my finch club to sponsor - among the birds listed was the Oriental Greenfinch.

Can anyone help me with a bit of info? how much do they cost? are they good in a mixed aviary? can they be kept as 2pr in the same aviary? are they free breeders? that sort of stuff

Thanks!

[iaos]

No idea on the o-greenfinch.

But out of curiosity what else did he suggest?

[E Orix]

There are a few people breeding the Oriental Green Finch
Personally I prefer the normal English Greenfinch but the Oriental is different,rarer so to it's got to be better.
I guess it has no down points and could possibly need a couple more breeding it well to get the numbers back up.

[dano_68]

This is your lucky day Jay! I have Orientals and will be happy to answer your questions...but now I need sleep so maybe tomorrow lol



ps. and they just started building a nest yesterday...

[Jayburd]

these are the ones he suggested:

Red-shouldered Widow Bird, Euplectes axillaris. Possibly too late. Suitable stock of breeding age will be difficult to find. Requires large planted aviaries and specialized live food requirements throughout the breeding season.

Madagascar Weaver, Foudia madagascariensis. Breeding stock should be available. Make sure they are as pure as possible. Much of those in Australia have been polluted with blood lines of allied species. specialized live food requirements throughout the breeding season.

Grey Singing Finch (White-rumped Seed-eater), Serinus leucopygius. Pure forms of breeding stock will not be easy to locate.

Eurasian Siskin, Carduelis spinus. Pure forms of breeding stock will not be easy to locate. Should do well in Canberra climate.

Saffron Finch, Sicalis flaveola (sub-species pelzelni). Possibly too late. Suitable stock of breeding age will be difficult to find. Requires large planted aviaries and specialized live food requirements throughout the breeding season.

Tri-coloured Munia, Lonchura malacca. Breeding stock should be available. Will require acclimatization.

Rufous-backed Mannikin, Spermestes bicolor (sub-species nigriceps). Breeding stock should be available. Will require acclimatization.

Himalayan Greenfinch, Carduelis spinoides. Pure forms of breeding stock will not be easy to locate. Should do well in Canberra climate.

Oriental Greenfinch, Carduelis sinica. Pure forms of breeding stock will not be easy to locate. Should do well in Canberra climate.

OK Orix. so they're hardy then? know anyone around near me? when I've bred a few other, commoner species I'll give these a go.

[Jayburd]

thanks Danny

[finchbreeder]

Of that list I am prejediced in favour of the Tri coloured. Tried them some years ago and though I got eggs, no luck with hatching. Would love to try again but don;t have a Lonchura free avairy to do so in. They are a beautiful looking bird, even though they are "just" black, brown, and white. And easygoing in the avairy.
LML

[Jayburd]

have had 5prs over my time, easily my favourite available lonchura
That's the species I plan to try and initiate a program for in my finch club a few people already breed them

[E Orix]

Jayburd
When you are ready you never know what may become available.
I will do my best to assist you in the location of species,i still have a few contacts and even a mate or two.

[Jayburd]

thanks orix