orange breast won't nest

[cordo54]

my pair of orange breasted mannikins are slow to breed.Have them in a mixed collection of cordons ,ruddies, red faced parrots and double bars.all the others are building nests except the orange breasts.Have seen the male carrying grass around but he drops it and thats about it.Feeding heaps of termites and seeding grass along with the regulars.Anyone got any ideas on how to get these guys breeding or is it just a waiting game?

[GregH]

Hi Cordo54. I'm not sure what your level of experience is or even what "orange breasted mannikins" are but I'll have a go. I'm assuming that it the orange breasted, sometimes called gold-breasted, waxbill (Amandava subflava). It would be good to see a picture to ensure that you have a true pair. Do you know the age of the birds? (less than 8 months and more than 4 years and it nigh on impossible). Are any of the other finches with them being particularly aggressive towards one or both of your pair? (Edit – the aggressive Cordons in your other post could be the answer) In the past I've found that they like to make their own nest in brush rather than in baskets or boxes so are there enough suitable sites?

[Tiaris]

Could be time of year perhaps. Most of my Orange-breast pairs have now finished breeding for the season and are currently moulting. May be getting a bit too warm from now on for some pairs but all should be ready again by Jan/Feb.