FINCHforum

Does anyone have any experience with a Cuban Melodious? It's such a pretty little bird with it's black face and yellow collar. Does it mix well with other finches The feed store has one available, and it was so hard not to be implusive He's still calling to me, but I thought I better do some research before I invest in him.

I'm OCBB.. obessive, complusive, bird buyer. So I didn't come home completely empty handed They also had a male blue-capped Cordon Bleu which I was tickled to find. He's really looks great and has quite a personality, but it's going to take a little while to get use to his song and he is quite joyful

I've seen some Cuban Melodious, and they certainly are a pretty bird. I don't know that much about them, except that you can't have more than 1 pair to a cage (which wouldn't apply for you) and they are fairly expensive, so if he is a good price, I'd sure be tempted. Since they are aggressive to their own kind (males), you'd have to watch if you had other finches that would be similar color. I think they need a large cage or flight, as well. There is a little bit of info on them at www.finchworld.com.

I love all the Cordon Bleus, I have two pair of the Blue-capped. I don't hear my males sing very much, though now that they are set up in breeding cages, they are singing more, and one time when I separated a pair, the male sang his heart out.

I'm begining to like his song, he has added more melodies and he is quite vocal. I'm anxious to find a mate for him hopefully at the bird fair next month. Do you feed yours mealworms or do they seem okay with a regular diet (seed, fruits, veggies, egg food)?

I'm still holding off on the Cuban Melodious as the gouldians present alot of yellow and he might not mix well. I have to think if I can re-arrange to accommadate him.

I use pellets instead of a finch seed mix, but I also give them spray millet once a week as a treat. My CBs aren't real good about eating eggfood, though they will eat a little, they love greens, and I do feed mealworms. Not so much when they are resting, but now that they are in breeding mode, they will have mealworms every day, and up the amount each day. I read that they really like white worms, so I got a culture and had quite a few built up. I decided to split the culture and try to increase the amount I had, and they aren't doing well now at all; hopefully, the white worms will recover and start to reproduce again. Last year, I offered them white worms, and they would have nothing to do with them. This year, they tried them and really go after them, so I am upset that I messed with my culture. I did not have any luck breeding them last year--one pair incubated infertile eggs, and the other pair never even had one egg. I have set them up in breeding cages now, and after a settling-in period, both pairs are busy stuffing the bamboo nests with coco fiber and other nesting material. I will keep my fingers crossed! I just have to wait it out, as you cannot do nest checks at all.

I wish you luck this season...I have such a hard time being patient about nest checks, but I guess as I do more breeding I'll get use to it.