Senegal Fire Finches and Aviaries?

[finchmix22]

I am wondering if the Senegal Fire Finch is a species that should not be in a mixed aviary? I read that the Bar Breasted Fire finch is not recommended in a mixed aviary, but what about the other subspecies?
I have a pair of Senegal Fire finches and they seem to be bullies with other finches in the flight. I tried moving them with bigger birds, but that did not matter. Do they need to be in cages alone? Thanks.

[L in Ontario]

I have a pair of young male Senegals in with Star, Gouldian, Red-cheeked Cordon Bleu, Shaftail and a Canary (and possibly others I can't think of off the top of my head). Never any problem with those two.

[annague]

Strange. I have 3 pairs of Senegals -- the last thing they EVER do is bully -- in fact, very timid from my experience.

Mine are in mixed aviary at all times and have been breeding successfully with no bullying or ANY territorial behavior -- I was thinking about moving them in with less large birds...

I wonder if yours feel defensive and that is why the misbehavior? How much room do they all have?

[debbyloo]

I have a pair of Senegal Fire Finches in a mixed flight aviary with all sorts of waxbills, gouldians, owls, etc. They all get along together just fine. However, I have noticed that when the fires are nesting (they have raised two clutches for me now), they are fearless about defending the area around their nest. Any interlopers or curious birds are seen off in short order. No physical harm done, but the fire finch will chase them away from the area immediately around its nest. Mine have always chosen a small covered nesting basket which I hung in an "off the beaten path" area with a good bit of plant cover. So, it's not like any other bird "had" to perch in that area, hence, not too much "seeing off." Hope this helps.

[finchmix22]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful. I guess the two are trying to breed, as they are scaring off the other birds from their nest. I have them in a 6x2x3 flight cage with 2 Gold Breast, 1 Red Ear, 1 St Helena, 2 Lavender, 2 RHPF, and 2 Spice. Is 10 too many for that size flight? I think everyone wants the same nest. There are six nests in the cage, along the same wall. Maybe they are too close, but there are plenty of perches and other places to go in the flight.

[L in Ontario]

It may be too many birds only because there are nests in there.

I have a double flight with more birds than that and there is no fighting - ever. But there are no nests either.

[annague]

Sounds like you have a very keen pair that is ready to defend their nesting site!

I agree with Liz... not too many birds for that space but if you have nests you may need to make them more private because of the competition. You could try moving some of the nests around and providing some good greenery coverage for more privacy and see if that helps.

[finchmix22]

Thank you for the suggestions. I agree they probably want some more privacy within the flight. The nests may be too close together, as I was trying to give them flying room and keep nests on one side of the flight. I will add some greenery to help with privacy, especially since today I saw our Lavender cock doing the mating dance and bouncing with coco fiber in his beak and singing to boot! Now, there are two pairs that want to nest. So, we'll make some changes.