Cockatiels v Finches

13 Feb 2011, 07:33

Hi all I am building a large habitat aviary 5.5m long x 3m wide x 2.6m high. I know Cockatiels are a good bird to put with finches. But I guess the question on my mind is: Would having Cockatiels in with the likes of Gouldians and Hecks and Red brow Finches disrupt their breeding?

13 Feb 2011, 07:56

If you do get a quiet pair that wont harass birds they WILL decimate nests and any brush you put in there at best they will disrupt sitting hens.Personally I would never run parrots with finch.

13 Feb 2011, 08:30

I completely disagree with your statement that cockatiels are good with finches. Cockatiels can be VERY aggressive towards small finches, and I would not put finches and such birds anywhere near each other. Not even in an aviary 200m square.
I think the only parrots safe to house with finches, and only if the aviary is big enough, are neophema grass parrots, bourke's parrots and Varied & Purple Crowned Lorikeets

13 Feb 2011, 08:51

I didn't think about Neophemas, in my experience they are very docile little parrots. But I think I will stick with finches. 1 because they wont strip my aviary of vegitation and 2 they move around quite a bit so they create plenty of interest.

13 Feb 2011, 09:15

Good decision

13 Feb 2011, 09:27

Quarrion are chewers and even the most docile birds will still love to chew away at a finch nest ...

Neophemas are great little birds to have with finches .

HOWEVER I do have a pair of Emblema in with a pair of Quarrion ( avairy ) without any dramas also without any breeding , theres the trade off.

13 Feb 2011, 09:49

Jayburd is spot on! This question comes up quite regularly on other forums I am on. Forget about the Cockatiels. If you are going to put hookbeaks with finches than stick with neophemas and bourkes. Cheers, Case

13 Feb 2011, 13:46

Even the neophemas are chewers, I've given up on them in with the finches (given up on them altogether actually as I don't have enough space for parrot aviaries as well as finch aviaries now that the types aren't co-mingled). Neophemas may, in their own breeding season, nip at the toes of the finches at worst. At best they'll chew all the cane / brush nests you care to throw at them and the finches won't breed accordingly. As for (Jayburd's) comments about grassies, they chew everything (including finch toes) even faster than the neophemas.

As long as breeding is not your aim, go for it ;) .

13 Feb 2011, 19:10

Yeah I was in Peninsula Bird World in Mornington Victoria today and had a look at their huge range of finches. I am quite confident that I will be able to establish an intersting and colourful community. I have a soft spot for Cordon Bleur finches, i love how they look. They arent aussie finches are they? And will they go ok with aussie finches?

13 Feb 2011, 19:13

No, they are African finches and there are several species. the Red cheek and Blue caps are the varieties available in Australia I believe. With the species available your way I am sure you will land up with a beautiful collection. They go fine with a variety of Australian finches. Cheers, Case