More Mixing of species ????

rkn · Post by **rkn** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:29 pm

Hi All,

Well after much thought I am ready to add to my finch garden! So what do you all think about adding canaries (love their singing) and parakeets (for some odd coloring combo and interest) into my mixed aviary? Mine is quite large so lots of room to work out sqabbles and too, I have the dreaded "time out" pet co bird cage close by. But am thinking when I introduce some new finch pairs may as well put in the canary and parakeet I am thinking of.

ideas? pros? cons? anyone mixing a large species group? I got 8 total now and only one female zebra left and she's the biggest problem in the bird herd...lol

thanks all, am hoping at the end of the month i can make all arangements and pick up the newbie birds!

rkn

lyderbug · Post by **lyderbug** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:21 pm

I would avoid putting a parakeet in with any finch...even if it is in a larger area. Parakeets are cute...but they aint too nice to the little guys. Even if they have plenty of room you run the risk of a wing or leg being ripped up pretty good.

I would love to see pics of your garden...I hope to have a finch garden one day.

rkn · Post by **rkn** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:36 pm

Oh I thought the lil parakeets were ok? Glad I am asking...

pics of the garden are on my link below if it works...

any advice on the carnaries?

rkn

jabo322 · Post by **jabo322** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:10 pm

I don't know for sure, but with plenty of space I think canaries would be okay. I would avoid budgies though, especially if you're considering just one and it would have only the finches for company. Even if they got along well most of the time, it would take just one small squabble to risk serious injury to a finch. Hookbill beaks are just so powerful.

Post by **Hilary** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:58 am

I agree. Personally I wouldn't risk a budgie with the finches. Given the room you have (nice photos!), I would think a canary would be fine. Now you just need to decide if you want color or song.

lyderbug · Post by **lyderbug** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:39 am

Okay, dumb q time....is a budgie the same as a parakeet? or is there a difference?

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:26 am

Lyderbug....first of all there is no such thing as a "dumb" question...if you don't ask how will you learn?

Hmmm...I guess I should have asked more questions when I was in school....LOL!

To answer your question...the following is a snippit from an avian website.

"A budgie is a parakeet, but not all parakeets are budgies. The term parakeet is a general designation for a number of small parrots with long tails, including the budgerigar.

Budgerigar describes a single species, Melopsittacus undulatus. However, there are two breeds of budgerigar which differ in size and shape. The most commonly one kept as a pet is the American budgie which is smaller and less expensive than the larger English budgie."

rkn · Post by **rkn** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:56 am

yes I mean budgie parakeet, the lil guys...the pet store here said they mix well. So was thinking of trying it but doubtful will since it seems she is maybe mistaking. Is why I am asking overall. I know canaries are larger finches and should mix ok in a larger aviary or so I am told.

anyone have any experience mixing these?

rkn

lyderbug · Post by **lyderbug** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:28 pm

FeatherHarp: Thank you for the clarification.

As far as what a pet store employee says( no offense to those who do not apply here)...i wouldn't trust them. It's easy to see a bunch of different birds in the wild all gettin along so well.....I would really doubt that putting a budgie with a finch is a good idea. I wouldn't test that either. I've tried mixing finch species on what an employee said and it didn't work well..I've since learned two things 1) always ask that employee if they are very familiar with bird care and have had experience and 2) learned to always ask this forum before I think about what I'm going to buy.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:19 am

I would never put my keets in with my finches uh uh ,,,,,, canaries I think would be ok with LOTS and I mean LOTS of space,

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:32 am

I think of parakeets as companion birds. Finches are more for looking at and enjoying from afar. Why have a parakeet in an aviary if you can't interact with it? Maybe keep the parakeet (if you get one) in the "time out" cage and enjoy it more one on one!