Just wondering....

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:49 pm

In a VERY VERY VERY large aviary would it be possible to house finches and canaries with doves and button quail?

They all seem like peaceful birds so IDK what the outcome would be.

Has anyone tried this?

Thanks!!!

-Jonah

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:11 pm

In a VERY VERY VERY large aviary you could keep finches with Effalumps and Woozels....

No problem....they will get along fine once the finches get used to the size of the doves.At first they will be a bit nervous of the bigger birds.
Be careful where you put your feet with Quail, they are little devils for getting under your feet.

Tread carefully...

Paul.

fairestfinches · Post by **fairestfinches** » Fri May 02, 2008 6:06 pm

You should be fine housing them together as long as they have enough space.

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Fri May 02, 2008 6:24 pm

In a VERY VERY VERY large aviary you could keep finches with Effalumps and Woozels....

Maybe Effalumps but not Woozels. Woozels are very good at breaking and entering into nests.

You should be fine housing them together as long as they have enough space.

Thats very cool. Hopefully when i have my own house i'll have a screened in patio just for them(with double doors probably)

Be careful where you put your feet with Quail, they are little devils for getting under your feet.

Yeah i've heard that. lol.

Any other birds you can think of that would be good?

Also, is it possible to own hummingbirds?

fairestfinches · Post by **fairestfinches** » Sat May 03, 2008 1:01 am

Hi, JB!

It's typically "safe" to house passive finches together. That would include lady gouldians, societies, orange cheeks, goldbreasted waxbills, owls, stars, mannikins, cordon bleus, and swees (yellow bellied waxbills). However, it's always a good to keep an eye on the birds even with mixed flights of passive finches since birds do have individual personalities and not all of them learn how to "fight nice." ;)

Depending on the size of their enclosure, it also might be possible to add lavendars, fire finches, strawberries, parrot finches, red cresteds, etc. to the mix. However, these birds can become aggressive when breeding so you would have to be cautious when mixing them with passive species. Also, some like strawberries, become aggressive towards other birds with red coloring.

Many folks commonly mix finches, canaries, and button quail.

Michele

Post by **Sally** » Sat May 03, 2008 1:11 am

Also, is it possible to own hummingbirds?

I can't speak for other countries, but if you are in the USA, nope! It is against the law to keep any native birds, which is why we are all collecting birds from Africa, Asia, etc.

fairestfinches · Post by **fairestfinches** » Sat May 03, 2008 1:39 am

Also, this might be a good place to add that it's illegal to release any non-native species of bird in the US.

Someone recently contacted us inquiring as to whether we could import a particular bird that's native to Africa for them so they could release it in their locale to help control certain insect pests. Had to inform them that it would be illegal for them to do that. Good part is that there is a bird native to the US that eats/helps control the same pests and we were able to provide them with info on how to attract that particular bird.

Michele

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sat May 03, 2008 4:05 am

Avoid Green Singing Finches in a mixed aviary,they are notorious fighters.
Paul.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:23 am

if the aviary is big enough, be nice to know some measurements, I would even consider a trio of cubans 1 male 2 females. but I have found with cubans that if they raise young successfully it pays to remove any young males asap cos cuban males fight worse than cats & dogs

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Sat May 03, 2008 1:08 pm

fairestfinches wrote:Hi, JB!

It's typically "safe" to house passive finches together. That would include lady gouldians, societies, orange cheeks, goldbreasted waxbills, owls, stars, mannikins, cordon bleus, and swees (yellow bellied waxbills). However, it's always a good to keep an eye on the birds even with mixed flights of passive finches since birds do have individual personalities and not all of them learn how to "fight nice." ;)

Depending on the size of their enclosure, it also might be possible to add lavendars, fire finches, strawberries, parrot finches, red cresteds, etc. to the mix. However, these birds can become aggressive when breeding so you would have to be cautious when mixing them with passive species. Also, some like strawberries, become aggressive towards other birds with red coloring.

Many folks commonly mix finches, canaries, and button quail.

Michele

I know about other finches but I mean like other birds totally. Like honeycreepers maybe....or maybe entirely different animals...maybe some tortoises?

Quote:
Also, is it possible to own hummingbirds?

I can't speak for other countries, but if you are in the USA, nope! It is against the law to keep any native birds, which is why we are all collecting birds from Africa, Asia, etc.

Ok....then how come places like Butterfly World can have them?

Thanks everyone!! Keep the suggestions coming. Also any recommendations for the actual size are appreciated.

Post by **Sally** » Sat May 03, 2008 4:09 pm

I don't know what Butterfly World is, but I'm assuming it is a commercial exhibit type place, and they get licenses to keep species that we cannot, and they are regulated by the government.

Honeycreepers are beautiful little birds, but one thing to remember with the softbills, they love fruit and nectar, and their poops are very liquid and messy. My parents had a mynah years ago, and the bottom of his cage was disgusting in no time at all. They had to clean it once a day at a minimum, and often twice a day.

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Sat May 03, 2008 4:50 pm

Sally wrote:I don't know what Butterfly World is, but I'm assuming it is a commercial exhibit type place, and they get licenses to keep species that we cannot, and they are regulated by the government.

Honeycreepers are beautiful little birds, but one thing to remember with the softbills, they love fruit and nectar, and their poops are very liquid and messy. My parents had a mynah years ago, and the bottom of his cage was disgusting in no time at all. They had to clean it once a day at a minimum, and often twice a day.

Thats right about Butterfly world. Cool.

So for the Honeycreepers and Mynahs if the aviary floor is grass won't the feces just fertilize the grass?

So Honeycreepers and Mynahs can be kept with the ones already listed?(Passive finches, doves, canaries, button quail, and shaft tail finches)

Thanks!

Post by **Sally** » Sun May 04, 2008 1:43 am

I just mentioned the mynah to illustrate how much more work they are, as far as keeping them clean. I don't believe I would mix a mynah with finches, they are much too large. I don't know much about softbills, you would have to do some more research on mixing them with finches. Even with a grass floor, I would think a mynah could make a stinky mess. From having to clean Sam's cage (the mynah), I would prefer a concrete floor that I could blast with a hose!

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun May 04, 2008 2:21 am

Don't go mad...What you building Noah's Ark? Mynahs and some other large softbills will love to dine on eggs and chicks.Stick to finches.
Paul.

JBHerps · Post by **JBHerps** » Sun May 04, 2008 1:06 pm

Don't go mad...What you building Noah's Ark? Mynahs and some other large softbills will love to dine on eggs and chicks.Stick to finches.
Paul.

Lol. Just looking at possibilities.

Will do.

Thanks everyone. Huge help!