Page 1 of 3

Appropriate finches

Posted: 15 Dec 2010, 02:37
by Saara
Hey everyone
I am in the process of completing my finch aviary, its dimensions are 5x6x6. Whhat finches do you suggest i keep.

Re: Appropriate finches

Posted: 15 Dec 2010, 14:14
by Jayburd
what finches are locally available? have you kept finches before? there are many factors... I think if you can get them, keep cordons :D my favourites

Re: Appropriate finches

Posted: 15 Dec 2010, 15:31
by Diane
Orange breasted waxbills are a lovely little bird, then there are emblema, they are a very relaxed sort of bird, I get used as a perch when i go in the aviary, especially by the young ones! :lol:
If you want lots of movement, then parrot finches, the blue faced parrot finches seem quite shy and prefer the back of the aviary, while the red throated parrot finch is quite forward, but can be bossy too.
Gouldians are my favourite, plenty of colour, they have their moments when they swoop around the aviary.
Good luck with your choices and please let us know which birds you are thinking of getting.

Re: Appropriate finches

Posted: 15 Dec 2010, 17:18
by flap
I agree with the orange breasteds, they are still my favourites. Gouldians are nice too, very placid and sit around a lot. I think you can't have them with one of the parrot finches as they hybridize, is that right BB?

Re: Appropriate finches

Posted: 15 Dec 2010, 17:50
by Diane
flab wrote: Gouldians are nice too, very placid and sit around a lot. I think you can't have them with one of the parrot finches as they hybridize, is that right BB?
It wouldnt be advisable to have a single, opposite sex bird of each species as they can hybridize. I have kept a pair of BFPF in with a pair of YH gouldians.

Re: Appropriate finches

Posted: 15 Dec 2010, 17:51
by Jayburd
Flap, all parrot finches can hybridise with gouldians, but it rarely happens... but in case it does, if you see a "pair" of the two species, remove any eggs, and remove one of the pairs... like I said though, I don't think it happens very often.
hybrids are far less likely to occur when there are equal numbers of all species in an aviary, with no spares to pair off with others.
Agree with OBs and Gouldians, love them both :)

Re: Appropriate finches

Posted: 15 Dec 2010, 19:50
by snap_point
Jayburd wrote:what finches are locally available? have you kept finches before? there are many factors... I think if you can get them, keep cordons :D my favourites
Here here great little birds.

Re: Appropriate finches

Posted: 15 Dec 2010, 20:34
by finchbreeder
The first thing to do is find out what is available in your area and price range. Then let us know that, so we can advise what can be kept together from what is available. Good luck, welcome to the hobby and the forum.
LML

Re: Appropriate finches

Posted: 15 Dec 2010, 23:54
by Saara
Ok so i have seen the recommendations and i have to say they are interesting, I am still new to this hobby.
I live in Barbados and we have Goudians, Cutthroats, Societies, Courdon Blues, Star Finches, Javas and Canaries. I have not heard of anyone having parrot finches.

Re: Appropriate finches

Posted: 16 Dec 2010, 06:40
by mickw
Hi Saara,......Barbados!.....do you mean Barbados in the Carribean?!....wow.....we're reaching people all over the world!!

I have no idea what you have available over there. It could be that you can obtain some of the species we suggest, but some may be terribly expensive, and you may have access to some that we could only wish for in our dreams!

Have you any idea what species you can get there....or even take some photos at a birdmarket or shop for us to see.