Scarlet Honeyeaters in with redbows or RH Gouldians????

[natamambo]

I have a pair of Scarlet Honeyeaters arriving hopefully in about 4 weeks. The flight intended to house them currently contains 4 RH YB Gouldians. None of those birds bred at all last season and all the boxes were removed in July. I was getting ready to move them out and and prepare the flight last week but couldn't find one of the hens. Imagine my surprise when she emerged from a cane tunnel nest left in there as a roosting shelter for redbrows in the flight. I've watched her for the last week, she is definitely down but I've yet to identify the father.

I don't want to lose the clutch given the lack of success I had with Gouldians this year. Can I leave all 4 birds (given that I don't know which cock to remove) in the flight when the honeyeaters arrive? If so would it be safe to continue leaving the birds in there later (to avoid the need to cull my Gouldian population quite so heavily)?

Could I leave the redbrows in with the honeyeaters? I had planned to move them out but they do like the planted aviary better and my other Gouldian flights are plantless to make it easier to keep them clean and my previously perfectly behaved wrens are behaving a bit secretly evil this year and I have had to move the very harassed painted out of that flight so I'm not game to put finches in that one either.

The flight is 1.2m x 2.8m heavily planted with red grevilleas in pots. Flying live food will primarily be supplied by adding maggots and pupae to a fly bin on a regular basis in the way that I already do for the wrens and chats (which is working a treat in the current warmer weather).

[Danny]

I have them with redbrows, ruddies, RFPF, cordons, song sparrows, singers - no issues noted

[natamambo]

Thanks Danny

[Tintola]

I also have them with many other small species, no problems. I think that the only time you will have issues is if you put them in with oher honey eaters. Put a compost heap in to attract the ferment or vinegar flies, they love them. They will love those grevilleas.

[SamDavis]

I have a pair of Scarlet Honeyeaters arriving hopefully in about 4 weeks.

Wow, cool! You best get the camera primed and ready.
Hopefully it will be my turn next to give them a go - no doubt you'll have heaps of young to sell me!