Can Fire Finches and Gold Breasted Waxbills live together?

peeps3 · Post by **peeps3** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:41 am

Hello! New here and need some quick advice! We just purchased a pair of precious gold-breasted waxbills and a pair of fire finches. We were told at that time that they would good choices to put together. But, sadly, we lost the male gold waxbill a week later and he looks like he died after some aggressive pecking at his breastbone or else somehow our cat found a way to get a claw through the bars. The business that sells for the breeders told me that I should separate the gold from the fire finches and that it was probably because it is breeding season. They said maybe they were wrong to suggestthey could live together. Now it sounds like, after listening to other bird peoples' comments, these species should not live together. What do you think? I would like to be able to put them back together after we get another male and breeding season is over. I actually don't have room for too many cages. But if this is true I will not do it!

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:22 pm

ok now I see the problem I would keep the pair in 1 cage and the gold in a seperate, ESPECIALLY during breeding season.

If you want hem together I would build a HUGE cage for the 2 pairs but again ONLY on the off season.

Goos luck to ya,

Post by **Sally** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:05 pm

I have been searching for some info for you and can't find anything specific. I have Goldbreasts, and when I first got three pair, I had them in a quarantine cage together, and they did fine. Now they are in separate breeding cages, and I did read that Goldbreasts need a spacious aviary if they are kept as a group.

I also had two pair of Fire finches, which I kept in one cage during quarantine. I had to separate them, as they started squabbling. I believe the male Fire finch becomes aggressive during breeding season.

I got another pair of Goldbreasts, but lost the hen. Then I lost the male of one pair of Fire finches. Now the male Goldbreast and female Fire live in my community cage, they are best buddies, but no breeding is allowed in that cage--no nests.

Don't assume your cat didn't get to the bird. I learned the hard way that cats can get the birds. Since I didn't see it happen, I have to guess, but I think when the birds sit at the end of the perch, next to the bars, the cats can just nab them with their claws. The birds that are in my house are in my second bedroom, and the door is kept shut against the cats--I can't trust them.

So much of finch compatibility depends also on the housing--some species that live together just fine in a walk-in flight 6' long cannot be housed together in a smaller cage. Unfortunately, not all sellers or breeders give correct information--I once was told that I could put two pairs of Cordon Bleus together in a cage--wrong! Your best option may be to have two cages.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:13 pm

Oh I didnt mention cats, lol I agree CATS and BIRDS dont mix. IF you dont plan to breed then yea MAYBE cats can be near the birds, But if your breeding NO CATS<

I dont allow my cats in the bird room no matter what cause those lil paws can get just about anyplace.

And I look at it his way Do I want to sleep in a spot with a rattle snake over me NO so why should my birds sleep with a cat on the cage??

no cats near birds for me its that simple,

Aussiefinchfanatic · Post by **Aussiefinchfanatic** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:22 pm

Here is a link to a great aussie site that has information on mix collections of finches

http://www.finchsociety.org/cfa/mixed/mix.htm

Post by **Hilary** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:45 pm

I have two breeder cages (30x18x18), and each has a pair of goldbreasts and a pair of firefinches. I have had no problems at ALL. In fact, in one cage the firefinches are on their second nest (tossed the first clutch as well as the first two chicks of this clutch, but I THINK they have others that they're feeding). The male will chase the GBs away when they get too curious, but that's it. I had a nest in the other cage because somebody was laying eggs on the floor of the cage, but I kept seeing all 4 birds in and out. I finally pulled the nest and found it full of both GB and FF eggs! Needless to say neither pair would sit, so I pulled the nest before somebody got bound.

Aussiefinchfanatic · Post by **Aussiefinchfanatic** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:27 pm

here is another link

that may be helpful to waxbills

http://www.finchsociety.org/cfa/wax/wax.htm

Post by **Sally** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:06 pm

Great links, Aussie! I was up half the night reading!

I have bookmarked that site, as I think I will be referring back to it a lot.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:16 pm

great sites, i was readin too, lol wheels are turnin now, lol

peeps3 · Post by **peeps3** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:39 am

Thank you so much for these links and advice! Hoping to find some new friends for our little female golden waxbill today.

Aussiefinchfanatic · Post by **Aussiefinchfanatic** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:28 am

no problem at all.. some excellent advice...

also visit this site

http://www.cliftonfinchaviaries.org/articles.html