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Strawberry male too hyper.
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2016 6:37 pm
by Louys
I got a male strawberry Finch a week ago. He is VERY flighty.... hyper. I can't get close to his cage ( he is in a smaller separate cage) he flies so over terrified. Can't stay put on the perch, hopping all over the place. Is this a normal behaviour for them? I am thinking of not keeping him as if he stays like this he will disturb my Gouldiasns....Such a different temperament from Gouldiasns.....
Would a female calm him down? It is practically impossible to find one around here.
Re: Strawberry male too hyper.
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2016 11:35 pm
by Sally
Many Strawberry finches are very flighty, as are most of the waxbills. Give him some time to settle in to see if he gets calmer. I have some that I've had for several years that still freak when I put anything in their cage. It's just something I've learned to tolerate with waxbills, they are not as domesticated as Gouldians.
Re: Strawberry male too hyper.
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2016 4:11 pm
by Stuart whiting
Sally wrote:
Many Strawberry finches are very flighty, as are most of the waxbills. Give him some time to settle in to see if he gets calmer. I have some that I've had for several years that still freak when I put anything in their cage. It's just something I've learned to tolerate with waxbills, they are not as domesticated as Gouldians.
Yea quite agree Sally, it's just in there nature to be flighty,
I used to breed and exhibit linnets for a number of years and to any one knows what an average linnet is like in a cage will know exactly what I mean , most of em will go nuts as soon as you go near them some waxbills steady down with time but not many,
One way that may help a little is to put them in with some Fife canary hens, we used to put linnets in with the canaries and it did actually help at times but please remember that this certainly is not set in stone
Re: Strawberry male too hyper.
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2016 8:13 pm
by Louys
Thanks
Sally and
Stuart whiting I have to think about this.... Most likely I will find a home for him. I don't know why, I cannot find Strawberry breeders/owners anywhere....
Re: Strawberry male too hyper.
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2016 10:06 pm
by Stuart whiting
Louys wrote:
Thanks
Sally and
Stuart whiting I have to think about this.... Most likely I will find a home for him. I don't know why, I cannot find Strawberry breeders/owners anywhere....
Hi Louys,
Just out of interest, if you really do like the bird he'll be ok on his own for a while and maybe put him with one or two society or zebra finches later on if you manage to get any, also maybe a bigger cage would probably be better as he'll be able to fly properly, small cages are sought of ok but the problem is they feel as if they can't go no where when you approach close to the cage and can tend to knock themselves about a bit,
Just a thought
Re: Strawberry male too hyper.
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 10:59 am
by Louys
Stuart whiting Thanks for your advice.... Don't think I want to expand so much. Most likely I will stick with Gouldians. I will keep him for a while. Who knows I might learn to like him:)
Re: Strawberry male too hyper.
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 5:38 pm
by Sally
Strawberries have a lovely song, you may find that you enjoy him very much!
Re: Strawberry male too hyper.
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2016 6:30 pm
by Louys
Sally yes he sings sometimes. It is indeed beautiful....
Re: Strawberry male too hyper.
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 12:42 pm
by lovezebs
Louys
A big cage or flight, with loads of fake plants at the top and around the top perches will do a lot to calm your boy down.
He can go in with the Gouldians, however he will be a lot happier with a Strawberry female. If that is not an option, then another Waxbills will do: Red Ear, Orange Cheek, Goldbreast, African Fire, etc. I actually have a bonded pair of a Strawberry female and a Shaft tail male who are inseparable .
They need a place to hide to feel safe, and room to fly, along with natural sunlight the come into their true colours.
Re: Strawberry male too hyper.
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 2:03 pm
by Stuart whiting
lovezebs wrote:
Louys
A big cage or flight, with loads of fake plants at the top and around the top perches will do a lot to calm your boy down.
He can go in with the Gouldians, however he will be a lot happier with a Strawberry female. If that is not an option, then another Waxbills will do: Red Ear, Orange Cheek, Goldbreast, African Fire, etc. I actually have a bonded pair of a Strawberry female and a Shaft tail male who are inseparable .
They need a place to hide to feel safe, and room to fly, along with natural sunlight the come into their true colours.
Quite agree Elana, well said
Re: Strawberry male too hyper.
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2016 2:57 pm
by Louys
Well looks like I will not need to make a decision. Somebody REALLY wants him. And she has other wax bills. She will be driving long distance to pick him up on Friday. The Strawberry (and I) will be happier this way.
Thanks for all your help friends.