Aussie Finch Forum

Hi all,
Several weeks ago, I noticed a large bundle of grass accumulating on top of the feeding cage. Eventually the painteds showed themselves to be the builders, laid several eggs and incubated just fine.
Recently the chicks hatched, and I could see their heads bobbing up and down in there when I was feeding the birds in the morning. The only strange thing I noticed was they were silent - never made a sound, whereas the Gouldian babies are really noisy!
Anyway, went away this weekend and came back to find the whole front and top of the nest gone, and one of the babies on the floor of the flight, about a meter from the nest. No sign of the other chicks (at least 1), and no signs of rodents or other predators. Parents seem unconcerned, and the baby I found seemed in good condition with a full crop.
While I was away nothing had changed in their care, same amount of termites/greens/soaked seed daily.
Any idea why the chicks died and the nest was dismantled?
Thanks
J

Plenty of nesting materials available for the other birds in the aviary??

Yep they've had loads of swamp grass, coconut fibre, blow grass, emu feathers and dried seed heads....

One possibility down then.

Hi Jarbury ,after 15 year designed to go back breeding painted,only had them for week,I got the two female from my mate and two male from another friend and they pair up and made nest and also I have chick now ,I just wondering what another birds you have in there or other bird their need material or nesting spot,as you said there was plenty material go around, it sad that you lost chick and I hope your next round go good for you.Bye for now

Cheer from Mr Tino

Hi mr Tino,
In there with them are single pairs of:
Jacarinis
Long tails
Cordons
Saint Helenas
Tri nuns
Gouldians

Also two pairs of red brows, and spares:
Plum head male
RFPF male
Redbrowed male

And LBQ and Senegal dove pairs.

Currently nesting are the saint Helenas, cordons, and gouldians, the doves have just hatched chicks, the rest are showing a little interest.

Yes it's a bit crowded, and I intend to remedy that - but I don't think they're stealing for nesting material....

My guess would be Longtails..even though not nest building they would still go looking for roosting areas, and have been known to destroy nests of others....

What size is the aviary Jay?

Hi VP,
Actually, I was thinking the long tails would be least likely - neither of them look very well, and I'll be posting something in the health forum about those later..
Tiaras, the aviary is 3.6 x 2.5 x 2.5