Aussie Finch Forum

Just a hint if you are going to keep them in that cage put some natural branches in as perches to avoid foot trouble and some large ones to wear down the bengos nails as they are prone to overgrow.

Buzzard-1 wrote:Just a hint if you are going to keep them in that cage put some natural branches in as perches to avoid foot trouble and some large ones to wear down the bengos nails as they are prone to overgrow.

Thanks, will go for a forage tomorrow to work ( golf course ) and pick some up.
Also, just to break the monotony of the cage - what sort of foilage / branch can i put in there that isnt poisonous ? Just something i can break off a tree or shrub somewhere.

Any dry branches are safe, Stay clear of green sappy branches to be safe.

Mannikin is a family name. Kind of like Terrier in dogs. Refers to a group of related birds. Bengalese or Society is the type of Mannikin that you have. They are a type of bird that likes a roosting nest to sleep in. Which is why you find them in the food bowl in the morning. A pair, 2 males or 2 females, they will still use a roosting nest. Once they have a nest they will be easyer to sex, as males will be likely to start dancing.
LML

Longtails also like to roost so I reckon that's why yours goes in the seed bowl. I think it's a cock - if you hear it sing, that will prove it.

How you sex the Munias and Mannikins is under the bill Male have semi circle type shape and Hens Have a V under bill.Works for me on my Bengalese,Spice and Tri Nuns and will probaly work on all other Munia species.Other Factors taken into account are head shape,Size and sometimes colour on other munias but dont use colour on bengalese cause all different.

Jewel,

They are nice coloured Ginger Bengalese Finches you have there! Because you have the Bengalese indoors and it sounds like you are giving them lots of loving attention you will quickly be able to easily pick the differences between the two birds. As a few have said a singing Bengalese Finch is the most clear indication that you have a Male and it shouldnt take long before you are sure that one of you new friends crows or never has.
Bengalese will probably breed quite well indoors so if you introduce a nest basket or something you may discover that you have a pair before you have a chance to work it out yourself If you have a bird that crows and a bird that lays eggs then you can be sure that you have a Set!

All that aside its always exciting to hear someone discovering Finches and I hope you get a lot of enjoyment from your birds.

PK

Is the bengo in the middle 4th photo down doing a bit of a dance? Looks like it from its stance

FM1,
To me it looks like the front one is preening the other side of back one's head. That's my two cents.

Aussie_Bengo wrote:FM1,
To me it looks like the front one is preening the other side of back one's head. That's my two cents.

And why the long tail is plucked around the head,the colprate is in pic 4. Craig