Aussie Finch Forum

mattymeischke wrote:Well, its been several weeks so I thought I would post an update on the chaffies.

They built a beautiful nest, but continued to fight vigorously. For those old enough to remember the Pink Panther movies, they reminded me of Inspector Clouseau and Kato. One would be eating something and the other would unexpectedly barrel into them from the side.

Then, about two weeks ago, I noticed the hen was missing some feathers on the back of her neck. Only on the back of her neck, like in star finches when they are laying. Further, it seemed to be him chasing her but not vice versa. I was worried that she may be losing the fight, but then I saw him do the courtship two-step and the deed of joy. At the same time, their live food intake increased from 5 or 6 mealies a day to 20 or 30.

Incidentally, I am having some trouble getting them to take any live food apart from mealies. They seem wholly disinterested in maggots, termites, slaters, crickets and earthworms. This despite several sustained attempts to introduce them: presenting them variously, giving them with mealies, giving them in the morning with no mealies until the afternoon etc... I know they like moths but have yet to set up a trap. Anyone have any tips for getting them to eat maggots (for example)? I am almost tempted to put a stray canary hen (I have spares at present) in with them to teach them to eat maggots and termites.

I had been providing heaps of cobwebs, and she had been promptly down to the forked stick and using them up quickly while building her nest. She had slowed down, so I had been providing less, but she seems to be using them again over the last few days. At the same time, the mealworm consumption has gone down significantly.

I suspect she is building another nest. I wonder if the hot weather last week put her off, or if my attempts to encourage a wider range of live food by holding mealies back until later in the day have upset her. Either way, they certainly haven't killed each other (or even injured each other) yet.

Incidentally, Fatso (the goldfinch-canary mule) has been using heaps of cobwebs too, which is a bit strange. Might he be building a nest? He is a bit confused, and fair enough....

elferoz777 wrote: photos of the nest would be quite interesting...I would like to see how you are keeping them

Netsurfer wrote: I'm yet to decide should I buy a pair of Chaffinches or Himalayan Greenfinches

mattymeischke wrote:Hi, sorry for slow reply.
I don't check the nest, but can see their movements from the house (though not the nest).
She has been sitting in the first nest again, for about two weeks I think.
She comes off about three times a day and gorges on mealies.
They still haven't gone for the crickets which they are still being offered.

Hopefuly I will hear something from the nest soon.

elferoz777 wrote: photos of the nest would be quite interesting...I would like to see how you are keeping them

chaffie at nest.jpg

Netsurfer wrote: I'm yet to decide should I buy a pair of Chaffinches or Himalayan Greenfinches

If this pair produce, I'll swap you a proven pair of chaffies for some of your white-winged wrens...

mattymeischke wrote:They use a huge amount of cobwebs.