hey guys

[supaflyz]

Hey guys I just got a new cage from my aunt. I want to buy some birds for my mom to keep her company while shes in the backyard and patio. The cage is pretty big. Its 36 inches wide, 28 inches deep, and 40 inches tall. I never kept any finches before. Can you guys tell me what is the most colorful finch out there? I saw a bird posted online as a java finch. Its all white with a deep orange beak and feet. Is that a java finch? I look it up on google image and a totally different bird came up as java finch. The white finch is going for $20 each is that an ok price for them. I saw some gouldians but they are so expensive.

[mickp]

you have a choice of two when it comes to finches & color.
they are the gouldian and the grenadier waxbill.
there are many different gouldian color mutations available, my personal preference is the original color. the grenadier's coloring is so vibrant.
for a patio cage though I would choose gouldians

[supaflyz]

Hey mick do you know what is a good price for a gouldian finch.

[mickp]

that depends on where you live. I only know the australian prices

[JohnBoy]

I would recommend Zebra finches for starting out. They are reasonably priced at around $20 a pair, they are hardy and the male is very colorful.
Java Rice birds are also hardy. The normals would be more colorful than the whites. If you get Javas be sure to purchase Parakeet seed mix, not finch mix. The seed in the finch mix is too small for the Java's liking.

[MLaRue]

Another good starter bird is the Society Finch Low on bright colors but high in personality and hardiness.

[Domenic]

Would these birds be kept outside all year round? Depending on where you live this might be fatal to the birds. Gouldians are especially sensitive to the cold.

[JezeKat]

i 2nd that you should start out with a Zebras they are good bird. Puffin (my 1st finch/zebra) helped me learn a lot.

also as said society is a good starter as well. but every one i got was messy so i don't like them as much...

best lesson i ever learned is watch the size of the cages slits. Finches like to be silly and will fly out the slits for fun. it was funny to wake up walk past the finch cage and have a zebra ram into your head as he flys out the cage.

[mickp]

why does the myth persist that gouldians are so sensitive to the cold, it isn't the cold that does the damage to them. it is wind draft's that do the damage.
I know breeders who have their gouldians in aviaries all year and the winter temps get below freezing. they dont put in heating all the people do is make sure that the birds have areas in the aviary that are sheltered from the wind

[Domenic]

why does the myth persist that gouldians are so sensitive to the cold, it isn't the cold that does the damage to them. it is wind draft's that do the damage.
I know breeders who have their gouldians in aviaries all year and the winter temps get below freezing. they dont put in heating all the people do is make sure that the birds have areas in the aviary that are sheltered from the wind

I understand this Mick, I just don't want to overload a newbie with the differences of cold-sensitive and draft-sensitive. This cage is going to be outside unprotected from the wind regardless, so if it's cold there it will be drafty as well and the birds will fail to thrive.

[supaflyz]

how about white zebra finches guys?

[mickp]

Wasnt having a crack at you Domenic,not intentionally.
some of the myths that surround finch keeping/breeding amaze me. a lot of them seem to begin through one person misunderstanding the true meaning of what another person has said.

[poohbear]

Wasnt having a crack at you Domenic,not intentionally.
some of the myths that surround finch keeping/breeding amaze me. a lot of them seem to begin through one person misunderstanding the true meaning of what another person has said.

I only buy birds when there's an R in the month and never when there's a full moon.

[franny]

how about white zebra finches guys?

Zebra finches are very hardy, and a good beginner finch. As well as being very colorful, if you get the normal colour. But I like the all white ones the best myself. Very cute little birds. And they have a cute little "beep".

But if you plan on keeping that cage out on the patio, be sure it's escape proof! Or put it on wheels, so you can bring it inside when you need to change feeders and clean it. Zebs are FAST, and will make a "run" for it, if you aren't very careful when putting your arms in the cage.

I hear on this forum, that Zebras are the rabbits of the finch world, too. So if you don't want babies, don't put a nest in that cage. That's a nice size cage and a pair of zebras would be very happy in that size cage.