Aussie Finch Forum

Good morning !

A little bit complicated but in a nutshell we brought home a male buddy for our male gouldian finch over the weekend and it has upset our cage dynamics.

The new bird is very relaxed, as his gouldian friend, the cordon bleu keeps out of everyone's way but the zebra finch has turned on his best friend the red factor canary. This is upsetting because they use to hang out all day together and squish together to sleep at night on the same little perch.

The canary is now on the floor of the aviary and the zebra finch will find him and chase him around aggressively. I took the zebra finch out for 24 hrs but after being reintroduced it has begun again.

Should I leave the group to sort out their dynamics in time or take the zebra finch out for a longer period of time? I think this is stressful for everyone including myself. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Note that I have added extra water and feeding bowls and there is plenty of space and all boys in together, no females.

Thank you !

Well you have done the right thing in adding extra food and water bowls.
Gender is not involved in pecking order. Any new bird can see a change or attempt at change of the pecking order.
You say there is plenty of space - how big is the avairy?

Thanks for your reply.

It is 160cm high by about 1m wide and 40 deep, approx 3 flight cages together in size.

I have since taken the zebra finch out because it just didn't seem right for everyone to be stressed because of him picking on everyone. We were just trying to do the right thing and get the gouldian a friend - I wasnt expecting this to be the result !

The size is good for 4 finches. However finches (and most other birds too) do better in cages that are longer than they are high. The higher than wide design is for peoples convenience in that they will fit in smaller spaces. They build social housing like that too. Oops getting on my particular winge there.
I assume you have the perches staggered so there are 3 or 4 spots where 1 - 4 birds can sit without preventing flight?
Birds generally do best in groups of 3 or more, so your thinking was good.
Unfortunately birds are like people - they all have different personalities. Most are sociable, some a little reserved and the odd one is the class bully.
All you can do is allow the Zeb to socialise from a smaller cage next to the big one for a couple of days, then try again. If necessary repeat.

Thank you yes many staggered perches and I keep them to the sides so they can fly from side to side of the cage. A couple of different spots for fresh veg so nobody needs to line up to eat. There is a multi ring swing they all like to sit on too.
I have taken the zebra out for a second time, and will keep him out longer this time. Fingers crossed!