Having trouble with european goldfinch breeding

[Finchus]

I have just bought two E. golfinches the female is wild and the male is bred in captivity bu the only the male seems ready to breed what can I do! Please someone help [/b]

[Nipper06]

I got my Green Singing Finches to breed in this large cage. I don't know if it helps but I bought some hanging plastic plants and I partially hid the best cup behind it so they would feel more secure. I also have no other birds in this cage except the breeding pair.



Another thing to try is put in more than one type of nesting material. I offered a variety of materials - including burlap strips, "guinea pig" hay, and coconut fiber.

Lastly, I assume you know European Goldfinches use an open nest cup like a canary? They will not nest in a box, to my knowledge.

[Athanasia]

If the female is wild give her time to get used to her surroundings they need a lot of space, more than most birds need and the nest should be hidden behind plants, I've seen breeders in Greece using fir branches. Be patient, it's really difficult to get them to breed.

[jonvill]

I had my wild caught goldfinches for a year before they went to nest.
The fake evergreens help, they like a hidden nest high off the ground at leat five feet off the ground and they don't like nest inspections at all. In fact I made it a point to never look at the hen when she was on the nest. It gave her the impression that she was well hidden!
These birds have a black tip on their beaks, when they are in breeding condition, the beak will be pale and the black tip will be gone. That is the best way to tell if they are in breeding condition. Blattner's Goldfinch mix is the best seed available for these finches!
Best of luck