Roughing out a plan.

[sierranomad]

As I mentioned in my intro, I've been looking up info on finches, and my head is spinning with the options.

Here is a rough sketch of what is in my head right now, suggestions/input is welcome: cage/aviary: If inside it will be 2' x 8' wide x 6.5' high. If outside (built into back porch w/ our large windows as one "side",) it would be 5' x 12' x 7' high. We rarely get a little below freezing...high twenties. But being on back porch (facing West with trees and bushes growing in that direction) would have a lot of protection and some heat from the house because our insulation is terrible, especially by the windows.

Regarding birds: I am looking at: Society, Zebra, Cordon Bleu (the Blue Capped Cordon Bleus in Domenics avatar are striking (1 pair) , Strawberry (1 pair), Zebra and Owl. I would probably only consider all of these if I have the larger, outdoor aviary.

From what I've read, it looks like these birds ought to get along? I read that the Cordon Bleu can be aggressive to other blue birds, and the Strawberry to other red birds during breeding. So one pair of each should be OK?

I haven't looked at the price of these, except for the Society and Zebra. I'm thinking that I will probably start with these since they are "easy", before adding the others.

Any of you knowledgeable folk here in N. California (Gold Country)?

[Domenic]

2'x8' sounds a bit skinny. The second one sounds like it would be a very nice sized aviary. Finches are not as susceptible to the cold as they are to the wet and cold or cold and windy. If your birds are protected from the rain, from drafts, and from direct sunlight (with shaded areas), they will do fine in almost any weather.

Your list of finches will definitely be compatible (and thanks for the compliment on my CB's ) and I think it is wise to start with the societies and zebras. Someone recently said here on the forum, "it is much easier to lose a bird that cost $5 than a bird that cost $100." It is unlikely you will lose your first birds, but societies and zebras are the hardiest of finches and will be more forgiving than some of the more fragile species. You may want to cross out strawberries from your list though, they are extremely hard to come by these days. A member on the forum just flew from Texas to Seattle to get a pair.

[Sally]

Regarding birds: I am looking at: Society, Zebra, Cordon Bleu (the Blue Capped Cordon Bleus in Domenics avatar are striking (1 pair) , Strawberry (1 pair), Zebra and Owl. I would probably only consider all of these if I have the larger, outdoor aviary.

From what I've read, it looks like these birds ought to get along? I read that the Cordon Bleu can be aggressive to other blue birds, and the Strawberry to other red birds during breeding. So one pair of each should be OK?

I have an indoor aviary that is 8' long and 2.5' deep. The length is the most important measurement, and 2' deep is a little skinny, as Domenic said. But we all work with the space we have available, and if 2' is what you have, it will work.

Personally, if you can have the 5'x12' aviary, that would be preferable. Or how about both? If you do an outside aviary, many people cover the exposed sides with either heavy plastic or those corrugated plastic panels during the winter. As Domenic said, the most important thing is to protect them from wind and drafts. You would need to supply a source of heat--heat lamps work great for that, hanging in the top of the aviary, over part of a perch, so the birds can get warmth when they want.

As far as species, the only thing to watch for with Zebras is that they are in the 'pushy' category, and they sometimes can create trouble. The more room they have, the less likely they are to be a problem. Strawberries are definitely difficult to come by--I am the nut who flew to Seattle to pick up a pair! Why not get a pair of Fire finches instead, if the red color is what you want? Blue-capped Cordon Bleus are wonderful aviary inhabitants--colorful, wonderful song, active--but keep them to one pair. The males get aggressive with other males when breeding. Prices for them have come way down recently. Owls are a wonderful choice--lots of personality.

You are lucky to live in California--I've heard the bird marts are great out there, so keep an eye on our calendar for events in your area. Marts are a great place to get birds at reasonable prices. Also, there seem to be a lot of finch keepers and breeders on the West Coast--if there is a bird club in your area, look into that, as it is a great way to make contacts and learn about local resources.

[sierranomad]

THanks to you both!

It looks like I'll go w/ the outdoor aviary (for now). And perhaps the indoor later.

I've crossed Strawberries off my list, as suggested. I noticed the price on one post as $140 each. That's a little too steep for my wallet, even after I do gain experience/confidence. I had heard that they have a beautiful song, and that was the main thing I was interested in (though the red is nice, too.)

A bird I didn't put on my list that is on my "long term" list is the Gouldians. They are astonishingly beautiful.

I do have a couple of other questions now though, but they fit better in another thread.

Thanks again.

[Ursula]

If you're interested in a lovely song consider a European Goldfinch. Mine has the most beautiful song of all my finches (IMO ). I've heard that goldfinches are also especially suited for outdoor aviaries since they live in climates where it gets pretty cold in winter... (My aviary is indoors though.)

One thing though: They are considered to be more on the pushy side. And very agile! Mine zips through the aviary like a fighter jet. But he's not a problem with the other finches, he gets along well.

Edited: Here's a youtube movie of a goldfinch singing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pys8wwJvwGg (That poor guy is just in a way too small cage!!! See how he's active and trying to fly? They need lots of room! )

[sierranomad]

Thanks Ursula. I'll add one to my (growing) list. In place of the Strawberry. I notice that you have only one...so they are OK with no other of the same kind?

[Sally]

Another bird that has a wonderful song that is often overlooked is the Gray Singing finch. They are plain little gray birds, so people are not drawn to them, but they have a wonderful song, very canary-like (they are related to canaries).

[Ursula]

Thanks Ursula. I'll add one to my (growing) list. In place of the Strawberry. I notice that you have only one...so they are OK with no other of the same kind?

I had a couple orginally but one of them sadly died after only a few months. No apparent sign of illness or anything, I don't know what was wrong. Yes, he seems to be doing fine with the other finches. He sings his heart out, especially at lunch time when the sun shines in. He's more quiet in fall and winter but still very active. I have him for about 2 years now and he didn't seem too distressed alone, so I just never got another one.

[sierranomad]

Oops. Meant to delete.

[sierranomad]

Another bird that has a wonderful song that is often overlooked is the Gray Singing finch.

Thank you. I'll take a look at them, too. Maybe easier to get and cheaper.

EDIT: I looked at a Sacramento breeders (Exotic Finch) list of birds and he has the Green Singing Finch. Do they have the same melodious song as the Gray?

I had a couple orginally but one of them sadly died.

Oh, sorry to hear the female died. I'm sure that it was painful for you.

Thanks for letting me know that they are OK if they are the only of their kind.

Thanks to you all, my plan is starting to take shape. I think I'll start with a few Societies (maybe 4) and gain some experience with them. Then next Spring, Summer add some of the others.

I hate to have any birds be "Guinee Pigs", but if I give them TLC, try hard and treat them right maybe they won't fare too badly for it.

[Domenic]

Green singers have a very nice song, although a lot of people say the grey singer is slightly nicer. I've only owned the green singer, so I can't give you the best comparison, but I have heard many clips on youtube and can't say I prefer one to the other. On the other side of the argument, the green singer is much more colorful than the gray. I would take a look at some videos of them singing on youtube and see which you prefer.

[sierranomad]

THanks Domenic. The Green Singers are nice looking birds. Haven't seen the Grays yet.

[ac12]

You might want to think twice about mixing zebras with gouldians or societies.

They may get along in the space you have, but my experience with zebras is that they are quite pushy.
- I had to remove a zebra juv from the societies cage, as it was aggressively keeping the societies away from the nest.
- I has to remove 2 juv zebras from the societies as they were too aggressive to the societies. Chewing up one of the societies tail, and just being aggressive to them.
- New juvs introduced into the male/female community cage have been aggressive to the new cagemates.

Based on how calm my gouldians are, I would place them like societies, quite peaceful.

[sierranomad]

You might want to think twice about mixing zebras with gouldians or societies.
Based on how calm my gouldians are, I would place them like societies, quite peaceful.

THanks ac12. I want to avoid aggressive species, within reason. I'll forget the Zebras and start just with some Societies.

[franny]

I started with societies. And I still love them, though I've recently become a BIG fan of gouldians. But you can't beat Societies for being "easy" keepers and fun birds to watch. The male has a cute, squeky song, and dance. And their chatter is pleasant, and not too loud.

I had good luck with my first societies, and as I mentioned in another thread, they raised babies, with my cat spending much of her time asleep on the top of their cage! So I think you can't go wrong starting with Societies!

Gouldians are a bit slower and quieter, from what I've seen of my pair. They don't seem to flit about the cage as much as the society, though the girl does enjoy doing laps around the cage, when the sun hits the cage.