FINCHforum

Is it ok to keep one pair of RCCBs in an indoor flight of mixed, mostly male, passive finch species?

I am not interested in breeding, and from what I understand, very particular conditions need to be met in order for them to breed.

I do not have any nests or accessible nesting material in the cage, all of my finches get along great, and I'm wondering if having a male and female will create any issues or should I leave well enough alone with my one male RCCB

..To clarify, I don't want to add a pair of RCCBs.
I currently have one male RCCB and am interested in adding a
female RCCB

I can't really say, as I've never tried to do this. When I have an all-male flight, I keep it that way. If you aren't interested in breeding, is there a special reason to add a female RCCB?

I've had a pair in with other pairs of birds. There didn't seem to be any issues.

Leo519
I have a pair of RCCB in a mixed aviary with other finches and canaries and have not experienced any problems. The pair keep to themselves and don't bother any other birds, and vice versa. With a m/f pair, however, there will be tendency to mate & breed. If you don't want your pair to breed, you'll need to make sure there isn't any possible nesting site or nesting material in the cage.

Sally Colt

..There's a pet supply store across town that sometimes has various types of finches for sale. I was there Friday afternoon and they have a lovely female RCCB. The employee said they did have a male in with her but someone bought him who didn't want the pair.

I was SO tempted to get her but didn't know if her presence would cause any drama with the finches I already have, and even though I don't want them to breed I was thinking it may be "safe" to have a male and female RCCB since I figure the likelihood of them breeding is slim to none

Also I was concerned about any potential issues with aggression if I were to have a pair of RCCB's in with my other types of finches? Currently my one male RCCB gets along fine with everyone

I don't think you'll have aggression issues and she probably won't be sold to anyone without a male present.

I say go get her. ;)

I'd say go for it too, since CBs are pretty passive themselves. Just have a backup plan in case there would be issues.

vienneparis@Colt@Sally

Thanks guys!
It was so hard to resist the impulse to buy her on the spot, she's so pretty and reminds me of a (paler) Blue Cap
If I don't have to stay late tomorrow at work I'm gonna go get her

This is Pippa! I got her 10 days ago

Very nice. So glad you got her.

She is lovely, what does your male RCCB think of her?

Colt@Sally

Thanks! She is very sweet and lively.
I have her in her own cage in a separate room and the door to her room and the room where the big cage is are closed unless I or my husband are home since we have two indoor cats. But when the door to each of their rooms is open, my male Jake calls out to her - it's so cute!
She's in her last week of quarantine (been treated as precautionary, now just observation) and I plan to move her into the big cage next weekend to join Jake and the others. Can't wait!

Hi there ... so glad you got the wee girl.

We have a pair of RCCB in our male only aviary & we haven't had any issues & you'll find they are so sweet together.

One word of caution though as mentioned by others - they will try & build a nest with ANYTHING even remotely nest-buildingly. We made the mistake of giving the aviary a nice fresh but safe branch that had lots of little leaves/branches. All of a sudden Mr RCCB got very cross at everyone & they were both trying to turn it all into a nest including building inside the branches. They are very clever. Once we saw what was happening & removed the offending branch, life went back to normal ... as quick as that.

You'll love having them both, their songs to each other are beautiful & they are gorgeous wee treasures. Enjoy

7936tj

Hello there New Zealand!
Thanks for the info, I will definitely keep an eye out for that type of behavior..
Only a few more days til I move her in with Jake and my other finches
I really enjoy him he is such a delight and gets along great with everyone. And when I saw Pippa alone in the pet store it just made sense to bring her home. There's just something special about the Red Cheeks ..then again there's just something special about any finch!