New male society finch not interacting with male cage mate

[Songlover]

We have had male society finches for several years, always keeping two so they don't get lonely. We recently had two of them die from presumed air sac mites (both purchased at PetSmart, one only lived two months and the next one only 10 days). Their cage mate, whom we had had before each of them, seems unaffected and so far hasn't shown any sign of infection. A week ago we purchased another male society finch from a different store, but he has not adjusted well. They don't interact with each other, and the new one won't sit on the branches or go into the nest. I even made a makeshift nest on the cage floor out of a little box and newspaper strips. He won't go anywhere near it. The only time they go near each other is when they're eating. He does sing and seems otherwise healthy. We've never had birds just ignore each other before. Any suggestions?

[Angela&Shalamar]

Hmmm, what were the conditions in the store cage? The fact that he's staying on the cage floor suggests he could be ill, weak from lack of activity if the cage was to small before or intimidated by the other finch. Was he alone in the cage at the store?Assuming he isn't ill, I'd just keep an eye on him. He may just be taking some time to get comfortable. Just because some one puts you in a room with another person you've never met doesn't mean you become instant friends.

[Songlover]

He wasn't alone at the pet store, though the other (4-5?) birds in the cage were females. None of them were very active, not like the ones at PetSmart, but given the track record with the last two we got at PetSmart, we didn't feel good about purchasing there again. He will fly up to the sides of the cage and slide down; he just won't go near the branches or nest and sleeps on the bottom of the cage.