Which is easier to keep?

[wilsta]

I want to know what finch species would be easier to keep? I have had Zebbies in the past but would like to dive into something that would be a little more challenging so i want to ask your opinion on what species would be at an intermediate level - I am interested in the following species -
Gouldian,
Masked,
Painted,
Long tails,
stars
cordons and BFPF.

In regards to housing, diet, breeding, ease of keeping/managing temperament, what the most satisfying and frustrating species?

Thanks

[Buzzard-1]

Are you prepared(or have access) to feed live food? what is your set up like?

[GregH]

Gouldian,
Masked,
Painted,
Long tails,
stars
cordons and BFPF.

They are all easy to keep but to breed is another matter? If you're used to Zebs then Gouldians are probably the easiest as they rarely take live food. Cordons the most difficult because of their obligate live food requirement to raise young and you can never miss a feed (2X a day minimum) . Aside from the Gouldians all the species listed will do better with live food. Nest inspections are a great temptation for those new to the game but Cordon's and Stars are likely to abandon if you to look in their nests. Another consideration is your budget and aviary size as Masked, Longtail and Blue-faced parrot finches are all monomorphic so it pays to buy not one pair but 3 to ensure you get at least one pair. Given the amount of time Painted spend forraging on the floor don't get them if you have an area that is constantly wet or you are at constant risk coccidiosis.

[desertbirds]

Painteds and Stars i think would be easiest out of that lot.If you can source Gouldians that have been bred for generations in open aviaries with cold winters,you will probably find they are as hardy and easy to breed as the other species.Cordons do need live food,they can desert nests and the young ones can bail out too early.I havent kept the others but Cordons are a good introduction to other species that need live food to produce consistant clutches of healthy young.Just by looking at a price guide is fair indication of what species are the most commonly bred and easiest to keep

[Buzzard-1]

If you want a good investment outlay some $ on Russell Kingston Books his most recent book (THE FINCH a breeders companion) is invaluable read and decide for yourself.If your not sure about anything or wish for conformation then post a question there are members on here that would be more than happy to help.

[wilsta]

I do not currently have a setup as space permits me to obtain a large aviary. I would like to obtain a smaller aviary with only a few birds or a single pair of one type in a smallish aviary setting. My first interest was Gouldians but i am concerned about the weather and wind factors, i am concerned about painted because they like to spend most of their time close to the ground (I have a dog). Live foods is a factor as i am not prepared to venture out to collect termites, but i could handle crickets and mealworms, plus I wouldnt know where to look for termites so i guess cordons would be out of the question.

Another factor is that i do not get much early morning sun because of the position of our place (duplex) we get large amounts of sun in the mid to afternoon.

[jusdeb]

Painteds ...dont need live food ...not aggro...good breeders...very pleasant little dudes.

[Diane]

Painteds ...dont need live food ...not aggro...good breeders...very pleasant little dudes.

Totally agree on the painteds, I dont think I could have an aviary without them now, I get used like a perch by the young.
My main interest is gouldians so I have a bias there.
Also have blue faced parrot finches, and I find them a quite shy type, but mine have been easy breeders.

[Buzzard-1]

Depends on what you are after.If you are after quiet easy breeders go with Paints.If you are after the visual aspect go for the Parrot finch (They don't stay still for more than .5 of a second).If you are after a middle range bird go stars.They all are beautiful and free breeders all do better with live food but will survive without, providing fresh greens and other fresh goodies are supplied.

[snap_point]

I would say Stars, they never sit still for long and are always tweeting away. Fairly simple to keep to with a feeding of seeding grass every couple of days and live food when they have young. They are pretty hardy to so ill handle cool conditions.