Chestnut Breasted Finch song

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tumbi1
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Chestnut Breasted Finch song

Post by tumbi1 » Tue Dec 13, 2011 6:40 pm

Hello all,

I'm new to this Forum and also to Chestnut Breasted Finches - I have had 4 for more than 6 Months, and I haven't heard any of them sing. They have built nests but not gone any further, so I am thinking I have been unlucky and scored 4 females. I have heard a clip on the Web of a male singing and I agree with some posters I have read on this Forum that they sound a bit like canaries.

Is it true they can be very quiet when singing? I spoke to a local breeder who said they can sing very quietly, but that doesn't sound right to me.

My setup is; I have an 18 feet by 9 feet avairy that is well planted with trees and grass with rocks etc, and I have 2 pairs of Gouldians, 2 pairs of Chestnuts, 4 pairs of Double Bars and one pair of Painted Firetails (newly introduced). The Painted Firetails have started building a nest and everyone else has bred so it is only my Chestnuts having problems.

Cheers, Mark.

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Re: Chestnut Breasted Finch song

Post by summert85 » Wed Dec 14, 2011 1:10 am

I dont know anything about Chestnut Breasted finches. So can't help you there. But I'm sure someone else here might know...Would love to see some pictures of your flock. :) :)
*Summer*
Pair of Gouldians, 4 Owls + 5 hatchlings, 4 Society + 3 Babies
Bunch of Zebras, Shaft tails + 2 hatchlings

http://www.ilovegouldianfinches.com

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finchmix22
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Re: Chestnut Breasted Finch song

Post by finchmix22 » Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:24 am

Mark
Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you have a great set up! What a large aviary. Please post some pics. As far as the chestnut breasted finches, many finches do not sing when they are with their mate, except for breeding season. I'm not sure about your particular species. Also, if they are young, they may not be mature enough to try singing or for the ol' hormones to kick in and get those boys a callin'. Keep us posted.
DEBORAH

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Re: Chestnut Breasted Finch song

Post by dfcauley » Wed Dec 14, 2011 6:57 am

I have a pair of chestnut breasted. Aren't they beautiful? I just love their colors.
As far as singing.... I am sorry to say that I do not enjoy their son. :lol: To me it sounds like a squeaky wheel and it goes on over and over. :roll: My males sings alot and it isn't that pleasant to me. :lol: But... if your's are building nest that is great!!! I had no success in even getting that far. My male was willing, but no the hen.
Donna

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Re: Chestnut Breasted Finch song

Post by tumbi1 » Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:09 am

finchmix22 wrote:Mark
Welcome to the forum! Sounds like you have a great set up! What a large aviary. Please post some pics. As far as the chestnut breasted finches, many finches do not sing when they are with their mate, except for breeding season. I'm not sure about your particular species. Also, if they are young, they may not be mature enough to try singing or for the ol' hormones to kick in and get those boys a callin'. Keep us posted.
Amazingly enough today I watched as one of them built a nest in some of the long grass, and then I caught him (it must be a him!) doing a display in front of one of the others. I watched them a bit longer, and when he went back to his nest the other one followed. Sounds promising! It is amazing watching them splice the grass and weave it together.

Here are some pics of my avairy. I built it from steel piping, and it has a timber frame roof with a clear perspex top so the entire avairy gets natural light. The north and south walls are enclosed in plastic to keep out the wind. Also where I live (north of Sydney in NSW Australia), so the weather is mild enough that I can keep the sides open Year round. The floor is sand and I have extended and buried the wire walls so the mice can't get in.
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My original Gouldian pair with adult young.  They have gone to the pet shop
My original Gouldian pair with adult young. They have gone to the pet shop
3 young Double Bars, first Day out of nest
3 young Double Bars, first Day out of nest

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Re: Chestnut Breasted Finch song

Post by tumbi1 » Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:17 am

summert85 wrote:I dont know anything about Chestnut Breasted finches. So can't help you there. But I'm sure someone else here might know...Would love to see some pictures of your flock. :) :)
Here's some more pics. The grass and trees have grown a fair bit since I took these and I have had to cut it back to leave a path in the middle.
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In amongst the young grass I planted from their food
In amongst the young grass I planted from their food
1 of 2 Double Bar nests in the Wattle Tree
1 of 2 Double Bar nests in the Wattle Tree
Double Bars.JPG

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Re: Chestnut Breasted Finch song

Post by tumbi1 » Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:34 am

summert85 wrote:I dont know anything about Chestnut Breasted finches. So can't help you there. But I'm sure someone else here might know...Would love to see some pictures of your flock. :) :)
Some more of my avairy. I'll take some new ones soon.
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Female King Quail.JPG
I planted some of their seed to produce new grass.  It is now quite long
I planted some of their seed to produce new grass. It is now quite long
Down the centre.JPG

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Re: Chestnut Breasted Finch song

Post by summert85 » Fri Dec 16, 2011 1:45 pm

Great pictures & a very nice aviary!! :D :D Thank you for sharing.
*Summer*
Pair of Gouldians, 4 Owls + 5 hatchlings, 4 Society + 3 Babies
Bunch of Zebras, Shaft tails + 2 hatchlings

http://www.ilovegouldianfinches.com

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Re: Chestnut Breasted Finch song

Post by G8love4finches » Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:34 pm

What a wonderful aviary!.....It looks great all natural!...Obviously your like it enough to build nests and raise their young!
...DeBBie...
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Re: Chestnut Breasted Finch song

Post by dfcauley » Fri Dec 16, 2011 2:49 pm

Beautiful!! How do you catch a bird in there???
Donna

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Re: Chestnut Breasted Finch song

Post by tumbi1 » Fri Dec 16, 2011 4:59 pm

dfcauley wrote:Beautiful!! How do you catch a bird in there???
Haha, not easy! My wife normally helps, so we use two nets, one at each end. Sometimes it can be difficult flushing the Quail out of the 'bush' too because they are smart enough to sit and not move when you are after them!

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