Are Cuban finches aggressive?

FINCHIE · Post by **FINCHIE** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:01 pm

Just a random question, everywhere I seem to read it says that Cuban finches are quite aggressive, is this only towards their own breed? Because my male Cuban is vey close to my Owl finches, he is forever preening the Owls, and they sit there and seem to enjoy it?

hilljack13 · Post by **hilljack13** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:57 pm

I have never heard of the Cuban finch but I don't think you should have any problems with yours if you havent by now. Sounds like you got a good one if what you read is true about them being aggressive.

Post by **Sally** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:31 am

The Cuban or Cuban Melodious finch is listed at the FIC as aggressive, generally not suited for a mixed aviary. A woman in this area breeds them, and I believe she keeps just one pair per cage, as the males will fight. They are lovely little birds, but I don't have the setup for them. Finchie, perhaps your Cuban is OK with the Owls since he doesn't have a mate. If you got a mate for him, he might act completely different.

FINCHIE · Post by **FINCHIE** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:04 am

Hmmm interesting, he actually does have a mate who is equally interested in the Owls. Maybe these two just have a thing for Owls...

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:40 am

while I dont have cubans (yet) a good friend does.
he says that by trial and heartache he learnt to only ever keep a trio ( 1 male and 2 females) in any aviary. the males apparently hate the sight of each other

jonvill · Post by **jonvill** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:11 pm

Yes Cuban Melodious Finches are aggressive towards others of their species and green and yellow birds too. They are worse when breeding.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:09 pm

I've seen six pairs together that did just fine... but they didn't have nests or anything for building a nest. But if you put them in pairs intending on breeding they are aggressive.

They are also really hard to find here to Colorado.

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:05 am

jonvill is correct! Keep them away from similarly coloured finches and don't try to colony breed them in a small aviary.

williep · Post by **williep** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 7:42 am

I hope I'm not repeating what everyone has already said, but I've been told that the Cuban male is the problem (towards his own species and other green birds as others mentioned) but that the can successfully be incorporated into a mixed aviary provided there are no other males or green birds around. So if you intend to keep a single pair in an aviary with other birds you should be ok, just keep a very strict eye on him and make sure you have somewhere else to move him/them to if necessary.

FINCHIE · Post by **FINCHIE** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:40 am

Hmmm my little Cuban pair don't seem bothered by my Gouldians or my Blue Faced Parrot finches. They both love my Owl finches though... a bit weird! Lets hope they don't breed and kill their babies ( I hear they kill their offspring???)! Such little bullets considering their size!!!

williep · Post by **williep** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:47 am

finchie, birds are mostly more intelligent than we give them credit for. I think some individual Cubans might be so territorial that any green birds is perceived as a threat and other will identify goulds or parrots as other species and not be bothered with them at all. So the golden rule still applies: Even though they are listed as aggressive species, individual birds might be incorporated into an aviary with no problems. The compatibility chart is a guideline that will work in most cases but is not cast in stone, if the setup is working for you, by all means stick to it!

FINCHIE · Post by **FINCHIE** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:53 pm

Thats true, thanks for the advice! Lets hope they don't turn on me...