Aussie Finch Forum

Was outside this morning feeding my crew and moving some new green eucalypt perches (leaves, flowers and nuts included, yum!) in for my major mitchell pair when I noticed something small buzzing out of the aviary. The mesh for the cockies is of a very large gauge (they looooove to destroy finch mesh ) so was not surprised to see another bird in there, as I have had silvereyes, various honeyeaters and even splendid wrens picking through the aviary at times. Then I noticed that it was black and white.... Having no native species in the area that small with that colouration, I stepped back and waited a few minutes for it to return. Strike me down I saw this little bloke: I have a (rapidly growing) breeding colony of these guys myself, but had not noticed any escape! I did a thorough check of all the aviary to check for any possible escape holes, but could find nothing at all. My only 2 possible conclusions are that A) at some time he has slipped quietly into the safety door with me, stayed quiet and still when I waved my arm around my head (as I do every single time I exit the aviaries it's a good habit!!!) to check for any birds doing just this and THEN flew out the door when I opened it, without me noticing, or B), he's somebody else's bird that has somehow been attracted to the racket my double bars make when calling to each other.

Anyway, 15 minutes later he was caught up, checked for injuries or illness (none), and is now happily in my holding aviary. He is either one of mine, or was REAAAALLY hungry, because as soon as I had the catching cage set up (inside the cockies cage where he was foraging) he was in it and caught. Absolutely stumped but all's well that ends well!

That is laughable, entertaining story, Spanna! So you raise those little buggers. I was going to get some once, but they just had to many in the cage! Was already to purchase bird keepers license and all. But for now the gouldians are enough. That is an awesome photo, wether the bird is your breeding or not, it too is awesome. Delightful to look at. Thank you!

Good catch spanna better than fishing I say. Will be a good addition to your colony.

Spanna Hi Just one question,is it black rumped or white and what are yours? Cheers Craig

It's white rumped, and I have both (in seperate aviaries!!!). White rumped are a lot more free breeding though, black rumps are still frustrating me with failed nests.

Hey spanna,
I saw someone once in a magazine saying he had great success with BRDBs using shredded newspaper as a nesting material... Not sure why, but works for him.
Just a suggestion

Looks a healthy little bird. Glad you caught him before the hawks.
LML

Well done on getting him in safe and sound!

Shredded white tissue in the avairy day before yesterday, and the Cubans and Double Bars got very excited. Yesterday the rat ball the Cubans used for a nest last year was almost full of nesting material, while the day before it had had nothing but the small amount of grass I put in for traction on the plastic. Now was it the Cubans or the Double Bars? Will have to wait and see.
LML