FINCHforum

I have 3 bronze mannikins that I have had for about 3 months now. Two of them have been busy working on building a nest, while the other one just watches. Sometimes inspecting the others work but thats about it.

One of the two building the nest is doing this funny dance where he hops and crouches over and over. While he's doing this he also sings like crazy! He's so funny!

I was thinking they might be all males, but now I wonder if one of them could be a female. Do most finches act this way if no females are present?

In my experience males will display to other males. I have already had two male cordon bleus that were housed by themselves in a cage. They would both display to each other jumping up and down on a perch while singing. I don't know if bronze wing mannikins are the same way or not.

From what you are describing it sounds like you have a male/female pair. Time will tell.

I keep hearing about these birds, I might just have to get some for myself!

The mating dance is one of the strangest things in some species. When I had a pair of CBs, they would take turns doing the mating dance, and the female would dance and sing, too.

bluefinch said

From what you are describing it sounds like you have a male/female pair.

I sure hope so! The male? of the pair has been acting more aggressive towards the mateless bird. Nothing serious yet, but he has started chasing him around the cage quite a bit. It might be time to move him. I'm not sure.

hi c a
the bronze wings are amongst some of the most aggressive birds when breeding,i would suggest if you have a pair keep them and swap the odd one for a society or something else

ken

kenny wrote:hi c a
the bronze wings are amongst some of the most aggressive birds when breeding,i would suggest if you have a pair keep them and swap the odd one for a society or something else

ken

That would explain my troubles finding informaton on breeding mannikins! They definitely aren't as easy to breed as other birds. Would seperating them be ok for now? I plan to get more in the future(not sure what kind). Will he be ok In a cage next to theirs, or should I just take out the nest until I get him a companion?

I would think he should be alright by himself for a bit if you are keeping him beside the other birds.

Not all mannikins are hard to raise, just look at societies!