Which to buy: Gouldians- 2m or m/f

[artgecko]

I am planning on setting up my first bird cage / flock and am leaning towards a pair of gouldians with a single male canary. I do not intend to breed the gouldians, so I was wondering if purchasing two males would be OK? I have read that gouldians tend to be more peaceful, so I was hoping that this would translate into males being able to live together. What would you suggest, 2m or m/f?

Thank you for your time and help!

[debbie276]

Absolutely doable to have 2 or more males together. Added bonus is their colors are brighter, they sing and no worries about an egg bound hen.

good luck, keep us posted on what you get

[artgecko]

Thank you! That was what I was hoping... I am new to keeping birds, so didn't really want to deal with egg binding, etc. if I could avoid it.

Thank you for your help.

[debbie276]

Your very welcome

[lovezebs]

artgecko

You already had great advice.

I'd like to add to that, that male Gouldians, do seem to truly enjoy each other's company, and will sing to each other. They will actually have singing contests, where one will sing, and the other will listen in rapt attention, with head thrown back and eyes closed.

Enjoy your new birdies.

[artgecko]

lovezebs- That is great to know! I was wondering if I would miss out on a lot of social interaction by keeping 2 males, so it is great that I will still get to hear / see them sing. I would love to have a group larger than 2, but I do not think my cage is large enough for more birds (36" L x 24" T x 24"W) especially with me wanting to keep a male canary with them.
Thanks again for your input!

[artgecko]

Wanted to update you guys. I went to the show today and 3 sellers had gouldians, but none of them looked good... ratty tail feathers on many and most didn't have great color. They were all being sold by dealers too, and had wild-caught birds on display near them. I decided to pass this time around and wait until I can go to the show Laraine will be vending at. I was surprised at how pretty the yellow headed males were though. I'd only ever seen them in pics and they looked much better in person.

I did buy 2 female canaries and 2 English budgies from breeders though.

Here is a link to my thread with their pics My two new canaries

[Madcat]

artgecko glad you went with your gut. Good luck at the bird show!!!

[Barbara]

Artgecko--congratulations on your new birds would love to see pictures of budgies

[artgecko]

Thanks!
Barbara- I will post pics below. The breeder shows his and was even selling show cages with them. We got a light green dominant pied hen and a sky blue normal cock. The breeder was recommending we buy another cock (a dark green carrying blue) as he had better conformation to breed with, but my husband wanted a blue bird to contrast with the green hen. I've been surprised by how inactive these are compared to the "parakeets" you see in pet stores.. They are MUCH larger and seem healthy, but don't climb / fly around as much. They are not tame at all and the breeder said he raises his completely outdoors all year round. I am hoping they will be more active once they settle in. The cock is especially shy and hides near the top of the cage (I think we may have gotten a bully of a hen too, so that can't help lol). btw, I asked the breeder to do a light clip on their wings just so they couldn't fly as fast or high if they got out during transfer / medicating during quarantine.. We will let them grow back out and probably not clip again after that.

Pic of the pair


sky blue cock (better view)


Both of those were taken with flash.

I really would like an opaline (sp?) and perhaps a yellow face mutation as well. If things go well with these, I may call the seller and purchase from him at the next show (November) and request the mutations I am looking for. I was also given the name / contact info of another breeder to pursue, but I am not sure if he attends shows. I *think* this breeder will be at the same show Laraine will be at, but i'm not sure.