Orange-cheeked waxbills
Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 7:38 pm
I went to our semi-annual Bird Mart today, and two different vendors had lots of Orange-cheeked waxbills. The first priced them at $35/pair, so I asked how to sex them, and was told it was very difficult, you just had to take a chance. The second vendor priced them at $10ea, and said he could sex them by the orange cheek (more color on the males). He also said that they make good fosters for Cordon Bleus, just as Societies are good fosters for Gouldians. I asked if they are fed insects when fostering, in order to provide the correct diet for CB babies, and he said no, just seeds, but you can feed mini worms.
I just remembered reading that these birds are very hard to sex visually, and had never heard of them being used as fosters for CBs. They are cute little birds, and I thought I might take a chance and get a few, but didn't really have the room for them right now, so decided against it.
Upon arriving home, I did a web search, and can't confirm anything he told me, either about sexing or fostering. Also, I watched as he caught six birds for someone who wanted three pair--catch a bird, male, catch a bird, male, catch a bird, male. He then asked the person if they wanted all six in the same carrying cage, or if he wanted the females separate. The person said they could all go together, so he resumed--catch a bird, female, catch a bird, female, catch a bird, female. Remember, this is a cage full of these little guys, probably at least 20, flying in a blur. Pretty lucky, to always catch what he needed, huh?
Anyway, has anyone ever heard of them being used as fosters for CBs? If I had room, I would have gotten them to try out that theory. Or is there new info about being able to sex them visually?
Oh, and I did get what I went there for--2 male Stars, 3 Gouldian hens, and a pair of Owls!! They are all in quarantine in my bedroom right now, and I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I'll be awake with them at dawn!
And I did overhear a lady asking about getting information on finches, so I butted in and told her about finchinfo.com. She was getting a pair of Owls, and I told her I had just read up on them last night, since I had planned to get a pair today.
I just remembered reading that these birds are very hard to sex visually, and had never heard of them being used as fosters for CBs. They are cute little birds, and I thought I might take a chance and get a few, but didn't really have the room for them right now, so decided against it.
Upon arriving home, I did a web search, and can't confirm anything he told me, either about sexing or fostering. Also, I watched as he caught six birds for someone who wanted three pair--catch a bird, male, catch a bird, male, catch a bird, male. He then asked the person if they wanted all six in the same carrying cage, or if he wanted the females separate. The person said they could all go together, so he resumed--catch a bird, female, catch a bird, female, catch a bird, female. Remember, this is a cage full of these little guys, probably at least 20, flying in a blur. Pretty lucky, to always catch what he needed, huh?
Anyway, has anyone ever heard of them being used as fosters for CBs? If I had room, I would have gotten them to try out that theory. Or is there new info about being able to sex them visually?
Oh, and I did get what I went there for--2 male Stars, 3 Gouldian hens, and a pair of Owls!! They are all in quarantine in my bedroom right now, and I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I'll be awake with them at dawn!
And I did overhear a lady asking about getting information on finches, so I butted in and told her about finchinfo.com. She was getting a pair of Owls, and I told her I had just read up on them last night, since I had planned to get a pair today.
As for sexing - I've heard and read just about everything under the sun for sexing these tiny guys. The honest truth - you cannot reliably visually sex them. The cheek doesn't tell you, and the vent doesn't tell you. You just can't do it.