Everyone, give me your opinion on my next pair!!!

[Finch Fry]

So i have been thinking and talking alot about getting some new finches and cages etc.

First of all, right now, I have a pair of zebs and 2 hatchlings. I have 1 cage suitable for the parents and I have a smaller backup cage for the babies, its temporary as they already have a home lined up for them as soon as they are weaned.

Its been about 5 weeks now since I have owned my little zebs and I clearly have the finch bug. But mind you, its still only 5 weeks experience. Minimal experience before hand with zebs as well.

So whats everyones opinion on my next pair?

I will be putting them into a 30x18x18 cage (min size) and whatever it is, will be a M/F pair.

I am down to owl, fire, RCCB or BCCB, or gold breasted.

Given my experience level and the cage, what do you suggest? Also, is it recommended I have a pair of societies on hand first as a foster unit in case of baby mishaps? Will the Zebs suffice as fosters?

[L in Ontario]

I'm going to make one comment and then sit back and see what others have to say...

I think all of those could be very 'tricky' to breed if that is what you're looking to do with them. If you're just looking to enjoy them and not worry about breeding - then any of them may be fine. JMHO

[franny]

In a cage that size I'd be tempted to go with the smallest finch, the Golbreast. Though I could be just a bit biased.... I was very lucky I think, as I got mine at the end of July, and they were nesting by mid Sept. The first eggs (3) were infertile or DIS, but the second clutch, all 4 hatched and were raised successfully, with no live food. They are colourful, tiny, and very quiet birds, so even my non-finch-loving sister approves of them. They are probably the easiest to breed of those you mentioned.

[GOULDYGIRL]

Fran,

Do you find they are very active? I ask because some birds although very small are more active and need more space then others. Also, I guess it depends on the individual bird/birds but they have a bunch of african finches at this store in a large flight and like for instance the red fire finch male I like seems not that active and quite. The other birds, orange cheeks, lavenders, and gold breasted seem very nervous and extremely active.

Your flight is pretty large though for just two tiny birds but do they use all the space?

Everyone who has Goulds say they love to fly around and are active but mine are pretty mellow. I'm curious to see how they will react when I get my aviary set up.

Renee

[FeatherHarp]

Only one choice that I see....OWLS....OWLS!

Did I mention OWLS?

[L in Ontario]

Hey Deborah... Do you like Owls?

[franny]

Fran,

Do you find they are very active? I ask because some birds although very small are more active and need more space then others. Also, I guess it depends on the individual bird/birds but they have a bunch of african finches at this store in a large flight and like for instance the red fire finch male I like seems not that active and quite. The other birds, orange cheeks, lavenders, and gold breasted seem very nervous and extremely active.

Your flight is pretty large though for just two tiny birds but do they use all the space?

Everyone who has Goulds say they love to fly around and are active but mine are pretty mellow. I'm curious to see how they will react when I get my aviary set up. Renee

I would say that they are moderately active. And yes, they can be a bit nervous. They are particulary nervous of anybody wearing yellow! If we go near the cage in our yellow safety jackets they go nuts! Or in a yellow housecoat I have! They get a bit nervous when I walk around to the back side of the cage to clean, but otherwise have gotten used to my usual cleaning and vacuuming.

When I'm not actually bothering them by cleaning, they are very mellow and quiet most of the time, and then they have their times for showing off their aeronautic abilities (usually about a half hour before lights out).

They love to forage on the bottom of the cage (I have meadowgrass hay sprinkled on the bottom of the cage), and of course love their baths from a saucer on the bottom. So while they are very comfortable using the WHOLE cage, I don't think they need a particulary tall cage, since they like hanging around the bottom anyway. I just like the bigger cage as a personal preference. But they can fly straight up from the bottom to the top perch, and even hover for quite some time, to examine something new in the treat cup, so I suppose the added height gives them some excercise.

Vocally they are very quiet compared to Societies who always sound like a bunch of crickets. Their normal calls are so quiet you hardly hear them, since they are in the living room and the tv is usually on.

Since they are my only pair, it's hard to say how they'd be in an aviary situation. Some others here seem to find them too nervous for their liking, but I wouldn't say that mine are overly so. They ignore my cat, who sits with her face smushed up against the cage while they bath, yet they panic at the sight of my sister's yellow nightgown! They are such funny little characters.

[GOULDYGIRL]

Fran, thanks for the interesting info. They sound like a very entertaining pair I think just like people birds can have their own personalities too.

The fire finch I talk about is usually at the bottom of the cage as well, but he does fly around a bit with his orange cheek friend ;) He's about the only one that doesn't go crazy when I go near the cage. The other african finches freak out! He just sits and looks at me and wonders when I'm going to take him home, hehe!

Renee

[franny]

It could be that he's less excitable because he's an only. If he had a mate in there he would likely be cockier.

[GOULDYGIRL]

Yeah, I think that's the problem, poor baby ;( Somebody had bought his mate and now he's all alone. Now they can't find another female for him. I am just imagining how he'd be to see one again, lol

Renee

[dfcauley]

I agree with Liz..... the courdons are hard to breed if your wanting that. I have mine in a very large aviary and have problems.... They also love to fly and need lots of room.

The fires or goldbreast are great little birds. The goldbreast are really nervous and flighty. But then again so are owls in my opinon. But I am like Deborah..... I LOVE the owls. They are so cute and full of personality.
It is just really hard to sex them.

You do have a tough decision. Aren't you coming to the bird fair? When you see all the different finches available you may change your mind all together. Have you ever thought about star finches? They are calm and hearty birds and so sweet.

[Finch Fry]

You do have a tough decision. Aren't you coming to the bird fair? When you see all the different finches available you may change your mind all together. Have you ever thought about star finches? They are calm and hearty birds and so sweet.

I am coming to the fair and I have thought of stars. I am quite partial to the yellow stars. They are really great looking. I dunno how much i should expect to pay for a pair. I am very open to getting a pair of them.

As for owls, they seem to float towards the top of my list. They seem like they would be a great pair to have. I dunno what it is about them, they just look so beautiful.

Now I was asked if i plan to just enjoy them or if I want to breed them. I want to enjoy them and ultimately breed them. I feel its natures way for the finches to be in M/F pairs and for them to breed, so I would not deny them that.

The most important thing is that I know enough not to endanger their health. That's pretty much my only concern. I am intelligent enough and persistent enough to learn from breeding mistakes to finally get it right. So a difficult breeder isnt a deal breaker for me.

[dfcauley]

[
As for owls, they seem to float towards the top of my list. They seem like they would be a great pair to have. I dunno what it is about them, they just look so beautiful.
.

Understand completely about the owls. They are adorable! It is their little faces.

[L in Ontario]

I agree, Stars would be a very good choice too. Quiet but pretty songs, lovely to look at and entertaining in watching their activites.

[Finch Fry]

I have given MUCH thought on this matter of which pair I shall get at the bird fair. GF consultation, or as mickp would say, she who must be obeyed. given my experience level and bird needs and what I think I can do.....after reading all of the FIC info on the suggested pairs and the ones I was interested in, it seems that the Star is in fact a really good choice for my next pair. Should challenge me more than the Zebs in breeding them, but at the same time, should be rewarding and doable.

Can I get some opinions one what prices I should expect to pay on a pair of red stars and a pair of yellow stars?
Are the mutations, like cinnamon, cost more?