Aussie Finch Forum

Orange breasteds prefer live food when they have chicks. But if you can just give them some seed that has gone weevilly that is sufficent. As already said Painteds are similar in requirements and compatible, as are Canarys, and a couple of pair of whatever sort of Manikens/munias/nuns most appeals to you would also be good. Particularly if you wish to help preserve species with low numbers.
LML

I would go emblema or ruddies, bit of colour and breed easily,easy to determine sex at young age they'll love the warmer weather make sure your aviary stays dry, emblema dont like damp aviary floors.

Jusdeb if you are refering to me, thanks for the kind words. I am still skulking about every now and then, just don't really post much. Bit out of my league giving you guys advice! Not overly familiar with your climatic conditions etc.
orange breasts I take it they are what I know as golden breasted waxbills? Cute, passive and tiny.
I would also go with the Senagal firefinches. They are similarly sized and will add a dash of solid colour besides. OR if you wanted something muted perhaps an orange cheek or two will highlight the orange breasts and not clash colours...or contrasting colours go for a pair of Cordon bleu, but then they need live food.
Don't know if you get any of those?

There you are Mono , nice to see you back ..One day perhaps when you have the time it would be interesting to hear what finches are available over there and what are popular ...

Deb I think that the Aussies are just easier than the others. When I look here that's basically all that's available and I finally found someone who is going to import (Holland) and what they chose is Diamond sparrows, Parsons, Masks and of course Canaries. I think the Aussies smaller demand for live feed and temperament makes them more suitable to domestication. On top of that the export ban in place for the last 60 years has selected for a population that will breed in captivity and outside of Australia the capacity to (frequently) import wild-sourced birds until recently delayed selection pressure for types that are more domesticated.

jusdeb wrote:There you are Mono , nice to see you back ..

second that

jusdeb wrote:One day perhaps when you have the time it would be interesting to hear what finches are available over there and what are popular ...

What a good topic for the newsletter ....I know I never give up do I?

bluebutterfly213 wrote:jusdeb wrote:
There you are Mono , nice to see you back ..

second that

third that

monotwine wrote:Senagal firefinches

we don't have them here, unfortunately. Only the Ruddy (red billed fire finch Lagonosticta Sengala)

monotwine wrote:it out of my league giving you guys advice!

never! everyone has their own ideas and theories, and their own way of doing hings. It's always good to say things, someone will be able to use it. and if someone says 'my way is better!' don't worry, it works for you.

Well the good news is as far as I know the "ruddy" is the Senegal firefinch aka Red-billed firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala). So many names for the same little bird. Mine breed on next to nothing. My most successful pair bred a lovely little hen in my auterity diet season. No high protein seeds, no worms, no egg food. They seem to be tough and easy once they pair up. Plus I find mine don't actually mind mild nest checks.

Diane: Tell you what I will do some research, cannot promise it will be worthy of a newletter article though. I keep what what birds I find attractive (and available) but know the market out there is bigger than my one aviary.

monotwine wrote:Diane: Tell you what I will do some research, cannot promise it will be worthy of a newletter article though. I keep what what birds I find attractive (and available) but know the market out there is bigger than my one aviary.

Thank you. All articles add to the interest of the newsletter. You might do something in a totally different way that works really well for someone. Looking forward to reading your article.