My First Waxbills - Strawberries

ohboi_jc · Post by **ohboi_jc** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 2:15 pm

I am picking up my first waxbills tomorrow - the strawberry finch! I think I am turning into a finchaholic.. First it was the zebras, then the societies, then the gouldians.. and now the strawberries. I am so excited but I have questions on this species. I did my research but there is nothing better than first hand knowledge. Hopefully other strawberry owners can chime in.

I know about the live food but do I also have to offer pellets as suggested by the breeder? And where do Houstonians purchase meal worms? Hopefully KarenB can chime in on this (I forgot how to tag names). I know some of you guys order from Amazon or Grubco and I can do the same but I would rather just pick them up locally. I know Top Flight in Pearland, Texas have meal worms but they are not opening back up until 2015.

The strawberries are moving from an aviary to a well planted cage. Is there anything I can do to make this transition easy on them?

Any additional tips and care for this species others want to share? What kind of nest do they do best with? Thanks in advance. I am so excited!

Ginene · Post by **Ginene** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 2:18 pm

Congratulations, ohboi_jc!!! Best of luck with your Berries

. Are they wild caught or captive bred? I bet Sally can give you some helpful hints.

ohboi_jc · Post by **ohboi_jc** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 2:55 pm

Thanks Ginene! They are imports so I am assuming wild caught. The breeder is retiring and selling a good number of her birds. She told me she had 10 strawberry pairs and this is her last pair so I am really lucky!

Ginene · Post by **Ginene** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 2:57 pm

You are very lucky, ohboi_jc!!! I hope you are able to get them to breed!!! Best of luck to you

Gráinne Barrett · Post by **Gráinne Barrett** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 4:42 pm

Hi, strawberries are a nice species but mine have not bred yet! Good luck with yours anyway

Btw if you want to tag names just place this symbol @ in front of a persons name.

Post by **Sally** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 9:41 pm

ohboi_jc Congrats on the pair of Strawberries. Supposedly, these birds came from aviaries in some place like Taiwan, which is why they were allowed in the U.S. I just assume they are wild caught. Jan had a really good price on them.

They should do fine in a planted cage, as long as it is at least 30x18x18. I have kept mine in cages 34x18x18 to 40x20x20 to 32x21x35, one pair to a cage. They do like privacy, so either plants or artificial foliage--you can even tie some plastic plants on the outside of the cage.

They may or may not use wicker nests. More of mine prefer to build their own in a plant, using coco fiber to build the nest and white feathers for lining. They usually don't like a lot of nest checks. They will lay 3-5 eggs. The hen does most of the incubating, but the male stands guard and will take over while she takes a break. Once the eggs hatch (in 11-12 days), your first clue will be a huge increase in the amount of egg food eaten, and then you will hear sounds like tiny crickets as the babies start to beg.

Mine have been fine without live food. I offer my egg food, plus freeze-dried bloodworms (fish food) mixed in. They also like veggies, sprouted seed, and spray millet. If you offer mealworms, they need to be the mini size.

The babies fledge at about 18 days of age. My parents have always been good feeders.

Post by **Sally** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 9:41 pm

ohboi_jc Congrats on the pair of Strawberries. Supposedly, these birds came from aviaries in some place like Taiwan, which is why they were allowed in the U.S. I just assume they are wild caught. Jan had a really good price on them.

They should do fine in a planted cage, as long as it is at least 30x18x18. I have kept mine in cages 34x18x18 to 40x20x20 to 32x21x35, one pair to a cage. They do like privacy, so either plants or artificial foliage--you can even tie some plastic plants on the outside of the cage.

They may or may not use wicker nests. More of mine prefer to build their own in a plant, using coco fiber to build the nest and white feathers for lining. They usually don't like a lot of nest checks. They will lay 3-5 eggs. The hen does most of the incubating, but the male stands guard and will take over while she takes a break. Once the eggs hatch (in 11-12 days), your first clue will be a huge increase in the amount of egg food eaten, and then you will hear sounds like tiny crickets as the babies start to beg.

Mine have been fine without live food. I offer my egg food, plus freeze-dried bloodworms (fish food) mixed in. They also like veggies, sprouted seed, and spray millet. If you offer mealworms, they need to be the mini size.

The babies fledge at about 18 days of age. My parents have always been good feeders.

ohboi_jc · Post by **ohboi_jc** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 9:55 pm

Thanks Sally! Very helpful information. I heard they have one of the most beautiful songs. I cannot wait to pick them up tomorrow.

Sam007 · Post by **Sam007** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 10:54 pm

Congrats!

ohboi_jc · Post by **ohboi_jc** » Sat Oct 25, 2014 11:41 pm

Thanks Sam007!

MiaCarter · Post by **MiaCarter** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 5:05 am

ohboi_jc Congrats on your strawberries!
These are among my favorites. You're going to love them!

I've always found them a bit flighty, especially compared to the bolder breeds like zebras and societies, even gouldians.

They're so very lovely. I'd adore another pair. You lucked out for certain!

ohboi_jc · Post by **ohboi_jc** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 3:18 pm

I have pictures! Enjoy.

Edit: I don't know why the pictures are being uploaded sideways from my phone. Argh. Sorry guys.

Madcat · Post by **Madcat** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 3:43 pm

Dag man!!! You dun went all out ain't you? !?!? Nice!!! Question for ya....do you have to give strawberries the red colorant food like red factor canaries?

ohboi_jc · Post by **ohboi_jc** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 3:47 pm

Haha Madcat I feel like I can move up to waxbills now after having success with other species. Let's see how this plays out! To answer your question, they do not require red colorant. During breeding season, the male will get the red plumage on its own. Right now, he's molting so not much red going on.

isobea · Post by **isobea** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 4:44 pm

Congratulations ohboi_jc! Lovely birds and you already posted pictures, too. I really like the way you set up their cage. I just got a pair about 10 days ago and they look exactly like yours. The male has the same mottled look so they seem to be molting this time of year (this is my first pair also). I'm still waiting for the male to start singing. Do they stop singing while they are molting (just like my canary does)? Do you know how long the molt will last? It takes my canary about 6 weeks.
Good luck with them and maybe we can both welcome some cute little babies next year.
Iso

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My First Waxbills - Strawberries

My First Waxbills - Strawberries

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Re: My First Waxbills - Strawberries

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Re: My First Waxbills - Strawberries

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