Is this a hen or a cock bird?

[Howldaloom]

Ok here is my situation. I have a "pair" of european goldfinches. Alot of you will probably already no about me struggling to pair them up and disputing the sex of the apparent cock bird.

Anyway the "cock bird" is still not in condition as it has black on the tip of its beak. And the hen is very aggressive towards it esp around her nest site.

I aslo have a fife canary cock who is just finnishing moulting so he really isnt ready for breeding yet. Anyway i put him in with my goldfinch hen just to see what would happen.

NO AGGRESSION WHATSOEVER! I put some nesting material in the nest and on the floor and the hen is busily picking it up flying around with it and shredding it. The canary cock is eating bits of apple and picking up the odd bit of nesting material also.

They are watching each other closely with a rather intreeged expression. The hen is allowing him near her nest and letting him pick at the nesting material.

The goldfinch "cock" looks like a cock bird sings a little but not very well but other then that is behaving more like a hen. Showing no interest in the hen at all and has shown her nothing but aggresiion in return.

Im wondering if my hen is tolerating my canary more becuase its a cock bird. And she is aggressive towards the other goldfinch because its another hen?

Both cock birds are not in condition but she tolerates my canary more then one of her own?

What are your opinions?

[Danny]

Two hens will sometimes be equally as aggressive as 2 cocks so it is an option. It could still be a simple incompatibility between those two goldfinches and she happens to like the canary better.

[nirep]

Nothing wrong with maybe some goldfinch mules.Sounds like you just need to know if your cock goldie is in fact a cock bird and your mind would be at rest.Did you seperate him for a while and see if he sings madly?Here is a brand new you tube link where the hen initiates mating and cock bird does not sing just to confuse you a little more.

Here is the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaiMVg6k7KY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[matcho]

What about taking the canary out of where it is and putting it with the other goldy with nesing material etc and compare the reactions? Might help with the sexing situation.

Cheers

Matcho

[Howldaloom]

Will a canary cock and goldfinch cok fight if in the same cage?

[Howldaloom]

I put my APPARANT cock goldfinch in with my canary cock and NOTHING.

Neither are in 100% condition so they are not really playing with bedding but they are just ignoring each other really. The goldfinch cock looks slightly weary of the canary.

The goldfinch hen follows the cock around carrying bits of bedding. Showing no aggression towards the canary and the canary doesnt show interest in her either. I no this goldfinch IS in condition though.

I put all 3 in a cage and things were calmer though. The apparant goldfinch cock growled at the hen though