FINCHforum

Knowing that I was going to a small bird fair today, I spent all week researching different species of finch and listening to their song on youtube. I had an idea what I was looking for but went into sensory overload with all of the options once I got to the fair. So, I ended up coming home with a rockstar I knew nothing about...a Cuban Melodious finch. He's adorable and I like his song very much. I also came home with a male blue/red faced parrot finch. Both birds stood out with their song and personality, I couldn't choose between them so I got both. So, now I have two males...one is a passive species and one is potentially highly aggressive. My question is, is it possible for them to live together happily enough in a 30x18x18 cage since there won't be a female of either species around? Or, should I just go ahead and separate the two (I bought another cage just in case). They rode home together in the same cage (came from the same breeder) and so far so good but I don't want to take any chances. Thanks!

I congratulate you on only coming home with 2 birds....My first bird show/fair I came home with 10!!....I am definitely a finchoholic!!

Oh, I knew that four birds is my limit and I already got a pair of Lady Gouldians at the end of January. Though, I have considered having a custom hutch aviary built to put up in the lobby of the vet clinic where I work...maybe. So far, these two birds have been together for 3 hours and I haven't seen any aggression. We'll see if it stays that way.

They are beautiful As for aggression, each bird has its own individual personalities. Always hope for the best but better to be prepared just in case.

Congratulations on your two newest finches!! They set off each others colours beautifully!

Did the breeder say if the Parrot finch is a hybrid or who it's parents are? I've never seen a Blue headed Red-throat Parrot Finch. What would you pair it with eventually? A Red-throated Parrot Finch hen or a Blue-Faced Parrot Finch hen?

Nice birds and they should get along fine till there are hens involved.
Yout parrot finch is a "Peale´s Parrot Finch"

Jerry

I think I'm going to separate them. The Parrot Finch is now running the Cuban away from the food even though there are two bowls...maybe I should give them four? So much for him being the passive of the two species. Haha!

Thanks so much Jerry for identifying the Parrot Finch. He was the only one with that coloring and he sang more than the rest. The seller said he was a mix between a Red Parrot Finch and a Blue Parrot Finch. I had no idea, just liked the bird. So much for all the research I did this week...didn't buy anything that I'd heard of before.

The seller said he was a mix between a Red Parrot Finch and a Blue Parrot Finch. I had no idea, just liked the bird.

Ok sorry, then he isn't a Peale's parrot finch.
I heard of the two varieties cross breeding.
Maybe that is how the Peale's came to be.

It's like the Siberian goldfinch crossing with the European Goldfinch, you get a bird that is darker than a Siberian, but with a sweeter voice!

Jerry

That's OK! I just wanted a pretty pet so I'm happy enough. Unfortunately, getting the Cuban out of the 30x18x18 cage is proving to be about as easy as catching the spot from a laser pointer. I don't know if I can do it!

In the Peales Parrot Finch the head is red

L in Ontario wrote:What would you pair it with eventually? A Red-throated Parrot Finch hen or a Blue-Faced Parrot Finch hen?

Hopefully he is sterile and not able to breed with either species.

Finches are very social except when breeding/producing young. As long as you don't give them a reason to start getting territorial I'll bet they get along just fine.

You chose some pretty birds!

I was finally able to catch the Cuban and now he is in a cage right next to the Parrot Finch so, hopefully, that's enough company. I don't plan on breeding either one, just wanted something pretty with a nice song.

These are Peale's parrots
http://img48.imageshack.us/i/Short-Tail ... 1.jpg/sr=1

There is a Red Colored parrot finches (sometimes called a red ear) that look like this. These birds are found in a different region than red throats or blue faced and are not thought to be the result from a cross species, but a species seperate from the other parrot finches.
http://pragtfinker.com/images/fugle/aus ... loria1.jpg

http://www.ifinch.org/images/mindenao.jpg

http://www.idre.hu/kepek/diszpintyek/Er ... ria%20.jpg

But you definately have a hybrid between a blue faced and red throated parrot finch. You can tell by how low the red goes down the throat. The red throat is the only parrot finch species with this characteristic.
http://users.skynet.be/fa398872/hybr12.jpg

pupDr wrote:I was finally able to catch the Cuban and now he is in a cage right next to the Parrot Finch so, hopefully, that's enough company. I don't plan on breeding either one, just wanted something pretty with a nice song.

You most definitely have two beautiful birds with fantastic songs!! I'd love to hear your Cuban finch singing if you can get a audio video of him. I was told my Cuban male does not sing the usual song of Cuban finches.