Suggestions needed

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 9:52 am

Ok, so I'm planning this aviary and I went out and priced some birds at the same place I got my zebras. The goulds are beautiful but at over $200/pair I don't think I want to make that kind of investment in a pet, maybe if I was thinking of breeding, but not just for looking at. SO I need some suggestions for birds that will mix well with my 2 zebra finches, have a nice song and look nice. I like owls and they're more in my price range. I was planning on putting 3 pairs in the cage, the cage will be 52x24 which is 2 inches on the small side of 4 - 6 birds, as it is the cage will fit 4 - 5 birds according to the calculator. I was hoping that if I put docile species in then there shouldn't be a problem about the missing 2 inches. Sam and Andie are currently in a cage that is about 3 inches too small for a pair of birds and they do just fine, so I'm hoping that this will be the same for the new aviary. I was planning on Isoing the new birds in the aviary and letting them set up their territories then after the quarantine time period is over introducing Sam and Andie. Hopefully they won't be as territorial being introduced to other birds' space. So what species would you reccommend?

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:53 pm

Not knowing what is available in your area or what kinda prices the various species are bringing makes it difficult for me to make any suggestions.

Zebras can be real pests when mixed with other species. You might check the compatability chart on the Finch Information Center. Maybe choose a few of the less docile species that can hold their own against the Zebs.

Sorry not much help I know.

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 4:34 pm

oh availability I didn't think of that. Well just make suggestions based on what you would think would work and then, hopefully I get enough suggestions that I can pick 2 species that are available

I'm just looking for suggestions because I really don't know much about the different species of finches. I'd like something with a pretty song and a nice look to them, hopefully somewhat hardy too

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 5:48 pm

I once had a pair of owls and stars in with my zebras... all 6 birds in the same cage. The owls and stars always got along, but the zebra male always chased everyone. I've always kept zebras by themself

queenb · Post by **queenb** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 6:12 pm

What's the weather like up there? Are your birds inside or outside? I have had zebras and owls together and the owls held their own. They sure are cute, but I wouldn't say they are hardy...

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:52 pm

oh they're being kept inside, so I'd say the weather is pretty balmy ;) I really like the look of the owls too, they're super cute and the sounds I found for them online are pretty nice too. What do you all think of strawberries or maybe goldfinches? It'd be nice to have a singer, but I've had a hard time finding online clips of singing. I guess it's time for a trip out to Wings and Things to examine their stock.

Sally H · Post by **Sally H** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 2:09 am

I've housed 2 zebras with 6 owls in a 6 x 3 x 3 cage. They got along fine but the Owls were alot happier when the Zebs moved out. My owls don't sing very much or very loudly. I heard a Euro Goldfinch at a bird show recently and thought it had a very pretty song.

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:47 am

does anyone have experience with european goldfinches and/or whydahs? they're both in the same category as zebras so maybe they could coexist peacefully? Or java sparrows? Or shafttails? I really like the look of the shaft tail and the song of the javas

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 3:35 pm

I love shaft-tails. They are very humorous birds and tend to do well with zebras (at least, mine did).

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 5:07 pm

Oh good! I was doing some research (work is REALLY slow today) and I really like the look and sound of them too, nice song and they sound like they're funny little (or not so little) birds. How do you think a pair of those would do with my zebra pair and 3 button quail? I know the shafts are bigger so if I get them I'll probably only limit myself to the 2 pairs.

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:52 pm

They aren't that much larger in body size--just a little more robust. The measurements of their 'body size' tend to be larger because it includes the length of their tail which can get fairly long (not like a whydah's though).

They will probably do well, but it's really impossible to predict how individual pairs will get along until you try putting them together.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:20 am

thalia
javas are very docile despite thier size,but when they are breeding they are ver aggressive and territorial they need a lot of room and really go for other species as well as there own i have known them to nip toes off smaller birds and shake them realy badly by any part of the body they can get hold of they will be ok as long as you dont put any nests in

ken

Thalia · Post by **Thalia** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:00 am

omg kenny! that's AWFUL!

I don't think I'd get them just in case then. I think I'll get the shaft tails and button quail and call it a day

I can't wait to get this aviary up and built! I found out the wood I want is going to cost me like $20 for the whole thing! SO excited, the weather just needs to warm up. I guess if I get antsy for more birds I can always put a nest in and the zebras will be happy to oblige lol.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 6:31 am

hi thalia
i am sorry to put you off ,as they are beautiful birds but they do have a massive beak compared to other finches and as i said they are fine as long as they are not nesting

ken

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 7:06 am

They've got massive beaks and some hellish looking claws!

Looks like something you'd find on a bird of prey.

Me thinks you need to get out the clippers Kenny.