song finch/ siskin compatability

adamharbeck · Post by **adamharbeck** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:43 am

G'Day Forum,

Does anybody know whether or not a male red siskin can live happily with a male goldfinch mule? The flight is 1m x 1m x 1.5m and they would be the only birds in there.

Adam

williep · Post by **williep** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:08 am

Adam, I'm not too sure about the 2 species but I've found the best way to test the theory is to put them together and watch for compatibility or aggressive behaviour.

Evens species listed as passive aren't always compatible. For instance Red Headed parrot finches are listed as passive, but put a male together with a normal star finch male and you have an instant clash. Learned that the hard way, luckily they seem to lose track of each other as my aviary is well planted.

adamharbeck · Post by **adamharbeck** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:22 am

Thanks Williep,

I tired (and failed) to keep a canary with my societies the same way but a siskin costs a lot more so it would be good to have a rough idea

The salesman at the bird shop I go to said that multiple male canaries can be coused together as long as there are no females to squable over. The only thing is sales people often tell you what you want to hear. Like the old "fish only grow as big as thier environment". I would have hoped that they are different enough looking but they do have a similar song (same genus).

williep · Post by **williep** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:40 am

adamharbeck wrote:Thanks Williep,

Like the old "fish only grow as big as thier environment". I would have hoped that they are different enough looking but they do have a similar song (same genus).

LOL, yes I've heard and was caught by that one too before.

Does your goldfinch mule have any red markings, this is definitely then looking for trouble, don't know what it is with red birds but they all seem to hate other red birds. Your mule is probably a bit bigger than the siskin too? That might also cause trouble.

Other than that I can't give more spesific advise - good luck.

adamharbeck · Post by **adamharbeck** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:44 am

Yes, the mule has a lot of red in the head and dark orange on the breast which i am going to try and enhance through colour feeding. Might be best to give the siskin a miss untill I get my "dream aviary".