FINCHforum

I wouldnt do it but I am curious. I was told my cordon was a female but after hearing him sing and reading in this forum I am led to think he is a male. The reason I ask is I also have a lone RH WB gouldian female that is unpaired. If I leave them all together will he try to court her or attempt to breed with her ? I am hoping to find a quality cordon girl for him in the very near future. I do not want hybrids.....LOL

Cath

I would breed them out of curiosity, see what happens. I personally love hybirds.

Yeah probably a good idea to get a mate of the same species for your lone male cordon and same for the gouldian.
Don't want things to get too out of control.

It would be a good idea, to get same species. But you never know, you can have pretty hybrids.

DanteD716 wrote:you can have pretty hybrids.

Aren't cordons and gouldians pretty enough without trying to cross them? Hopefully being from different continents they are so unrelated they would not breed.

Now I am even more confused as I did ALOT of reading in the finch info last night. My lone gouldian girls beak is red on the tip with black on top. From what I was reading it would seem perhaps she is a he ? I was told she was young yet from the man I got him/her from but he was also wrong about my courdon too. He said they have red cheeks but after much reading he is a BCCB not a RCCB. I have also noticed my RH PB gouldian male chase her/him alot. I think today I may seperate them until I get my larger flight this week so my bonded gouldian pair can have privacy.

Bird in question....
RH WB GB Normal

I dont believe that gouldians and cordons could breed, being completely different species. I have housed them together for years without any suggestion of mating behaviour between them. I am curious though, what would be the purpose of such a hybrid? They cant be used in any breeding program and dilute the gene pool of particular species. I dont know about anywhere else, but in OZ it is a big no no amongst breeders. Nevertheless, I am sure there are heaps of hybrids out there who make perfectly wonderful pets.

I agree, breeding hybrids on purpose is a big "No No." The babies are weakened genetically and the species becomes diluted. The young are usually infertile, so why bother?

They are pretty, but I love hybrids. And I personally would, and will breed some. As long as the buyer knows what they are getting or you keep them, I don't think it's bad.

Also, owls and zebras are two different species and can produce hybrids.

Yes, both are Australian. You are missing the point. Just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be done!

Alright, well that's your opinion! As long as the buyer is not being mislead I don't think it's bad.

From a breeding point of view it is a completely useless exercise. Intentional cross species hybradization pollutes the gene pool and can allow for non pure bred birds to enter a breeding program, often by mistake. There is no way that all birds being bred this way can be controlled so as to ensure that they dont end up in someones aviary, especially those birds who look pure but have hidden extra species genes. The bird world is littered with examples of breeders who have had to work very hard trying to reverse situations where this has happened. I am sorry, but I dont agree with intentional cross species breeding unless there is a species protection imperative or a sanctioned, controlled and legitamate breeding reason.

Both of the birds (gouldians) in your image are hens.. just to settle that question ;)

Thank you everyone for easing my mind about them crossing. I think I would be horrified if it did.....LOL. After much reading on here I felt horrible that I had all four in a 30x18x18 cage so I took my extra cage ( same dimmensions as other cage ) and opened both up and attached them together so now they have 60 inches of flight and the picking has stopped. I also added in some silk plants and OMG they love it ! They each were taking turns in flying and it was so adorable ! Today I get my S76 and the only bird that seems affected is my RH WB hen but everyone is getting treated. I put a bath in for them and my courdon boy took 4 baths.....was hilarious.