I dont know what to believe!

[KoacNation]

So, I'm reading up on other species, particularly the parrot finches and the cordon bleus.

Half the sites says "dont put em in a mixed aviary", half say, "they get along great in a mixed aviary"

I'm trying to decide what to put together, and I would like to consider this combination

two female zebras (already have these, they are almost completely white)

4 gouldians (two normals split to blue already and adding two yellow split to blues)

2 parrot finches (if I can afford them, some sites have pairs for under $100 and others have $150 for just one, cant figure out why the extreme range)

2 female cordon bleu so they dont mate

From what I have read the parrots finches would likely breed, and the parrot/gouldian hybrids look so great, I wouldnt mind that.

Maybe 10 is too many? aviary is 6 ft across, 5 ft wide, and 2 feet deep

however, only 6 would be "mateable" so there wouldnt be some insane explosion of new birds

I dunno.
Just thinking out loud.

[Domenic]

Parrot finches will be aggressive mainly during the breeding season. Cordon bleus are incredibly social and friendly, though males will not tolerate other CB males. You won't have this problem since you only want females.

[Sally]

I have most of my finches in cages, so I don't have experience with mixed aviaries. However, I will try to answer a few of your questions. It's always confusing when you read contradictory statements, but one thing to remember--most of the time, people are giving their experiences, which may be completely different from someone else's. Though there are general guidelines for each species, each bird is an individual, and may not fit the profile. Some things you just have to try for yourself, keeping in mind that you always have to have a backup plan, in case what you are trying just doesn't work.

I'm confused by your aviary measurements, not sure which is which. The only measurements that are truly important are width and depth--height is nice, but doesn't really make much difference when birds are working out their territory (usually in the top half of the aviary). You can often have more total birds if you do all male or all female aviaries, breeding birds always need more space.

From a personal viewpoint, I am against hybrids. Each species has qualities that make it unique, beautiful, desirable. Any hybrids have to be carefully recorded and monitored so that they do not eventually dilute the pure species. Too bad we can't spay and neuter our hybrid finches! I just would hate to see finches go the way of dogs, where what was formerly a mutt is now a designer dog, and people are deliberately breeding mutts.

As far as the price range, prices are set by the market--if there are a lot of breeders in one area, prices may be lower. Someone who has the only Parrot finches in an area can pretty well set their price. Pet shops are usually high. Most breeders that are high are proud of the quality of their birds. Under $100 for a pair of Parrot finches is extremely cheap--I would be asking why. $150 for one Parrot finch is on the high side--I would also ask why. There may be a perfectly good reason for both those prices, but I'd still ask.

I can't speak for all species, but I do raise Cordon Bleus, and two females normally will get along with each other and with other birds in an aviary. Two males usually will not get along, even with no females present, unless it was a very large aviary.

I think one thing to consider in an aviary is whether it is to be for breeding, just a mixed community, or to separate the sexes. I don't know if combining breeding pairs with hens of other species would be the best thing in anything other than a very large aviary.

Hopefully others with experience in combining species in aviaries will chime in with their experiences.

[dfcauley]

Parrot finches need lots of room as they are very active birds. I don't think I would put them in that size aviary with that many birds.

As far as courdons, they are very peaceful and sweet little birds. I think all the others would be a great mix. I have never had problems with my courdons at all being agressive. If they are breeding..... two males will fight so only one pair per aviary is the recommendation.