FINCHforum

Hi Forum,

Not sure if this is the right place to be asking this but here goes. Last Saturday i went up to the bird store to buy a replacement for my goldfinch mule which passed away unexpectedly (no idea what from, possibly a fright or spider bite) leaving a very depressed companion behind.

I had only planned to buy one but took pity on a very young bird which was not enjoying life in a big flight full of bossy canaries. I brought them both home, but them in the cage and they have settled in fairly well it seems. However, they are not singing. My other birds sang pretty much as soon as i took them out of the box. Why are these 2 hesitant? My remaining mule sings and calls to them but they dont reply. One (the older one) "croaks" at the younger one when he comes to near but thats all. Are some birds just not big singers or will they sing in time? They are gorgeous birds and I dont mind if they never sing as sweetly as the bird I lost but i'm just worried that they're stressed or something.

Adam

Probably depends on their age and individual stress levels.

Some birds just take a while to settle in -- or if they are much younger they may just not be ready to sing yet.

They may be moulting and most don't sing much during their molt.

I hope thats all it is. The young one whistles now and then (hes still learning i think) but the older one just croaks! Ill keep the greens an thisstles up to him while hes moulting.

most song bird males should have their own cages. these birds sing to declare their territory.