Bird Drama!!!

[Jen]

I moved my society, spice finches and canaries into my outdoor aviary last weekend. As I mentioned earlier, my first predator...ANTS...were the first visitors. Since then, it's rained EVERY day !!! So now I can add humidity and heat to the equation. So far, all birds are handling the change and doing very well.

Today when I got home from work I found my B&W Mannikin (in the flight cage) attacking my male FIRE Finch. (I could tell from the frumpy feathers on my Fire that this had been going on all day). I tried moving one of the pair of B&W's (to break up the "force" of the pair) into the aviary and kept the other adult in the flight to continue feeding the three babies still in the nest. Well, that didn't work! I found the remaining B&W Mannikin in the flight still in "attack" mode! So I moved the pair for Fire Finches that were being attacked into the outdoor aviary and moved the "attack dog" B&W back into the flight with his/her mate and babies. (The babies will be leaving the nest any day now). I'm not sure what caused the B&W to attack the Fire!?!?

On a positive note...I caught my new pair of Owls "doing the deed" tonight! They have been adding to their nest for a couple of days, then tonight...taa daa!!!! OMG...should I get my hopes up?!?! I don't want to think about it....okay...I'm pretty excited!!!!!!!! Not sure how to act!!!

Anyway...another day of rain forecasted for tomorrow, then it should clear up. Hope all my babies are okay in the outdoor aviary tonight. I added a light to the cage so the newly added pair of Fire's will hopefully will have a good evening! (I know my they are appreciating the peace and quiet!)

[DanteD716]

I'm sure once you finish the addition abs that have all that room they'll be less likely to harass one another

[KarenB]

The birds you moved outside, are they coping well with the heat? I would be afraid of putting mine outside right now since they are used to air conditioning.

[Jen]

Karen, yes they are doing really well. I was really nervous about it, but I started with my society finches and canaries. Then a couple of days ago I added my pair of Fires. So far so good! I see them bathing in the dish I put in there and eating well. I put a soft light on at night and check on them last thing in the evening before I go to bed and find that most have found a nest to sleep in or a roosting place high up in the cage.

I'm waiting for the three B&W Mannikins to fledge so I can add them with their parents to the aviary. I'll do that when the babies are eating on their own. Don't want to take any chances. I've been in the aviary many times during the day and found it to be cooler than I ever expected! It was just sheer luck that I placed the aviary in a place where there is a really nice breeze and some shade. They still get some sun early in the morning and in the afternoon they will get plenty if they chose once I finish the addition on the side. They will be free to fly out into the open caged area or back into the aviary. I swear I think I see little smiles on the beaks! I'm excited for them!!! Freedom to fly!

[KarenB]

That sounds great! I'm glad they are acclimating well. I think the only way I would have an aviary like that would be if it could be attached to the house and I could enjoy them in air-conditioned comfort

[MiaCarter]

I'm happy to hear they're doing well!

I'd love an outdoor aviary, but then I realized I'd never see them and enjoy them as I hate the hot humidity. I sit outside at night, so I'd get to watch them sleep.

Hard to say what triggered the aggression. The babies could have the B&W in aggressive mode, even if he's separated from the babies, so I'd keep him segregated from the others for a bit until the babies have grown and he calms down.

Stress of change can also bring out the nasty. I don't see it as much in finches as I do in parrots. You can end up with two birds who have a tenuous peace and once you add the stress of a new environment, it's just too much and they freak.

[Jen]

So far so good...The pair of Fires I added are doing great. Looks like the pair of societies are already on a new nest. Can't see how many eggs are in there but the female is setting tight.

MiaCarter, I postponed this outdoor aviary for the same reasons...I'd miss my birds being around me and their sounds throughout the house. But...I located the aviary EXACTLY where I can see it, whether I'm standing at my kitchen sink (where I spend most of my time when I'm home) or sitting on the couch watching TV, it's just outside my house where I can see them day or night. It has really worked out great so far. I still have my Gouldians in my house and the B&W Mannikins with their babies (in separate cages) and of course my Budgies! I plan on moving the B&W's out when the babies fledge. I love all my birds, but this will be more manageable for me with less cages in the house to clean!

[Colt]

Glad they seem to be doing well outside. And send that rain up here when you get tired of it... ;)