Can you pick me the perfect finch!?

[ecogreen]

The major problem we have around here are cabbage white moths which eat EVERYTHING here, they don't just restrict themselves to plants in the cabbage family, I've been picking them off my hazelnuts, tamarillos, herbs, you name it. They are a soft, fleshy green caterpillar. The only other one I've seen around is the orchard moth caterpillar which is another soft, fleshy grub

[Diane]

Ob's are lovely little birds.
Forewarned is forearmed though = the cock bird likes to sing early in the morning, its a nice song, but loud for such a little bird! The 12mm wire, Im not too sure, will let others answer this.
I would think as long as you kept an eye on the numbers of zebras they should be ok.
Cubans are pretty birds too, always on the go and they have a nice song too. Cubans do have a bit of a reputation though, so if you do decide to get a pair make sure they have been ok with other species.
I agree with finchbreeder about St Helenas, I think I will be looking for a pair of these at the next sale after all the good things I have head about them.

[finchbreeder]

Cabbage whites are the ones I was thinking of. Quail absolutely love them. And think waxbills would also eat them OK, but my quail beat them to the few I chuck in the avairys. But others may know better.
LML

[Diane]

My quail eat earwigs, but again they are a ground bird

[ecogreen]

Haha, not worried about noise, I live with three galahs and three corellas The block is rural and located on a highway with a business next door(nursery) so the noise of chatty finches isn't going to bother anyone.

This is our block as it looks currently:

gives you a bit of an idea what I'm starting out with, the front 1/3 of that is all mine to play with and given the block is nearly 90metres deep that's quite a big chunk!

[finchbreeder]

Oh so jealous. Sounds like you have been planning things out well before proceeding but. Good luck with whatever you decide.
LML

[E Orix]

I have an aviary about the size you are thinking of building and to stock it concider the following.
Mice, I have never seen a large flight able to withstand a mouse invasion so you will need to feed in a controlled area where you will at least have a chance to starve them out.
With fruit trees don't over crowd with European species a couple of pairs of Goldfinches would be good and will nest in Apricote trees etc but to many as well as Canaries will attack the fruit buds. Infact I wouldn't even think about Canaries they will eat not just buds but everything else as well. Obviously except for the Neophema Group I wouldn't think of putting Parrots in the flight.
As for the rest of the finches I can't see any major problems except you will have great difficulty in growing Lettuce and other Leaf veg's etc as the birds get up earlier than we do. Tomatoes,Corn Cucumbers,Cabages and the like grow very very well without the need for sprays etc.because the finches will eat any bugs.These days I don't grow veg's in my flight but have a number of Rose bushes, those in the aviary are bug free while those outside are continually being bug attacked.Obviously you will need Bees to access the set up and the birds will leave them alone except if you decide to put certain Softbills in as well.
Chickens in the aviary,if you must!!! limit the number to just enough to keep you in eggs.Before you release them make sure you dust them for mites well away from your flight and do it over a 14 day period.It will be a pain but it is the only way to clean them of Mites etc. and not infest you new flight.
Just remember you need to create one or two good sheltered areas as well as feed stations as you will still get some rough weather where you intend building the aviary. There are some good bird breeders in that area it may be prudent to meet a couple and talk about the areas conditions.

[MadHatter]

I'm wondering whether Silvereyes might also be worth considering. Exceptional for pest control and will leave your leafy greens alone, but on the down side, they may damage more of your fruit than you'd like. No idea whether they are on license or not in your state.

[Jayburd]

chats and cordons

[MadHatter]

You might be on to something there Jay. Chats, so far as I know, are not highly frugivorous, so they might be ideal.