Song sounds of Gold breast waxbills - Pleasant or not?

[anneenna]

I am very interested in Gold breast waxbill finches. After searching the internet on them I have come across info. that lists their song and sounds as nice and other that lists them has loud and high pitched - not real pleasant. If you have these finches how would you describe their song and calls? Pleasant or not? Loud or Soft? Thank you for help on this.

[Hilary]

Mine call, but to tell you the truth I've never heard any of the males sing! They're pretty quiet birds (at least mine are).

[Sally]

I haven't heard my males sing, either. Mine are very quiet--of course, I have a Green Singer which will drown out any and all! They are so tiny and cute, though, I just love mine.

[anneenna]

Thank you very much for your answers to me question. Have you been able to get these birds to breed for you? If so, how difficult was it?

[Sally]

I have read on another forum of people breeding imported Goldbreasts. I have 3 pair, 1 pair is domestic male/imported female, another pair is imported male/domestic female, and the third pair are both imported. The thinking is that the domestic partners might be more easy to breed, and will convince the imported ones that it is a good thing!

All three pair of mine have laid eggs. One pair hatched out five. Unfortunately, I had a mouse invasion in my bird room, lots of commotion, and all pairs abandoned eggs/babies. So I am starting over now, but encouraged by the fact that I had at least some initial success. And the pair that hatched out babies were feeding them.

Two pair used the wicker hooded basket nests. With the third pair (and this is the pair that hatched out eggs), they are in a breeding cage that had an opening on the front for a nestbox, but the door to cover the opening was missing, so I hung a birdbath over the opening, stuffing it with hay so the birds wouldn't just think it was a way out. Wouldn't you know, that is what they decided to use for a nest! After the disaster, I cleaned out nests and set them up again, but this time I gave them a regular plastic nestbox, partially stuffed with hay, but they are still not comfortable with it--I may have to give them back their bathtub to use.

They eat eggfood, but pretty much ignore the mini mealworms I have offered.

[anneenna]

That is an interesting story about the bird bath nest. We are working on a small aviary to put a pair of gold breasts in. Any suggestions on what they may like or dislike? I am planning on a couple of nests, perches at various heights, artifical ivy as my other finches really enjoy it, and food dish on floor, water buddy waterer as my other finches took very well to them and they work so nice - not dirty water ever.

[Sally]

They like some privacy for their nests, so you could put some plastic plants around the nests. For nesting material, mine used various combos of coco fiber, bermuda grass hay, and white feathers for lining the nest. They don't like nests checks, don't even like you looking at their nest. After I had checked one nest (after the mouse invasion), they pulled feathers across the opening so you can't see in at all. I was looking at the nest one day, the feather was pulled aside, and the male peeked out at me, then promptly pulled the feather back across the opening, like slamming the door in my face! They like to bathe, but usually wait till I have left the room. And they are very slow to accept new foods. Mine get upset very easily, but settle back down fairly soon. I also have full-spectrum lights on mine, not only to encourage breeding, but to help maintain their colors.

[Carmen]

I can confirm all these stories about the Goldbreasts.
I am in possession of one pair, a captive bread female and an imported male. My hen layed a dozen eggs last year, but every time she stopped brooding just after a few days. The male did not want to help her.
They are very shy (although I don't have the idea they are very much afraid of me), and easily upset. When I put another eating dish in there they were stressed and didn't eat anything until I replaced the dish.
The female has plucked the male in his neck. I hear that a lot from other breeders and I don't like it at all. They can be quite nice though.
I have never heard the male singing, too. It's right about the high pitched sound, but I wouldn't call it annoying. I quite like the sound. It is not their call; they only use it when they feel there is danger.
Their call sound is soft and not high pitched at all.

I keep them in a breeding box, but I can recommend a nice planted aviary for them. Bird keeping is so much nicer when you can see the birds flying around in natural surroundings!
I have no idea if they destroy real plants? Anyone an idea?
Otherwise you could plant it with bamboo and ficus plants.

Carmen

[Sally]

Well, I went out to check cages this afternoon, and in one of the Goldbreast cages, I saw a tiny bit of pink lying in the hay on the floor of the cage. I picked it up, and it was moving! It is incredibly tiny, very pink, with lots of fuzz--must be only a day or two old. It was cold, but still alive. I decided to try to put it back in the nest. What a job--trying to fit my fingers inside this little tiny entry hole and not drop the baby and not spook the parents (well, they were already spooked). I finally got the baby back in the nest, and left the room to see what the parents would do. They are back on the nest, and so far, the baby has not been tossed (it has been several hours). This male has been wonderful about sharing duties. All I can do is hope. I sure didn't want to have to try to handfeed anything that tiny--I was almost afraid to pick it up.

[ladylovesfinch]

I do hope the little chick doesn't get tossed again. That must be a tiny babe. It's hard for me to imagine as I've only seen zebra finch chicks and the adult gold breast is smaller than those chicks where when they fledged. Keeping my fingers crossed for this lucky one you rescued.

[Hilary]

I've got my fingers crossed, Sally! Good thing you found the little guy. You need some good chick luck!