What type of finch to get?

[JeveFinch]

Hi, as I said in my first topic on this website I was originally going to put two pairs of different breeds of finches (for example a pair of zebras and a pair of gouldians) but most people seemed to advise me against that so I went out and got an aviary. I had a very trustworthy breeder come and look at it and he said that I could comfortably have four pairs of finches in there or five at the most (to be fair to the birds). About a month ago I got two pairs of zebra finches (I love them), and I was going to get gouldians but I live in a very cold place and a friend who breeds them needs special equipment and specially designed aviaries because once it gets too cold they just die so I was put off them for now while I am still a beginner. I was just wondering what other finches could I put in with the zebras. I am looking for something that looks good and preferably sexually dimorphic but I can be persuaded otherwise.

[monotwine]

I was going to say as a beginner bird Id suggest society or Bangalese as they called here, without Zebra. You could still try a pair of them if a) your cage is big enough for 3pairs of personalities, b) you have calm Zebra. If it doesn't work out you may either have to get another cage or find those new birds a home. Zebra can be difficult to house with other birds if they not in a large space.

[Sally]

It depends on the size of your aviary, as Zebras tend to be quite territorial. If they have enough space, they can get along with other species, but they usually tend to be somewhat pushy.

[Ginene]

JeveFinch...Green Singers are easily sexed and probably pushy enough to live with zebras. I have housed my zebras with Societies (sexed by looking for the male song & puffy dance), Shaft Tails (not easily sexed) and Cut Throats (easily sexed) . I had my best luck housing my zebras in individual M/F pairs and in separate male and female cages.

[wessel]

I've had zebrafinches in a large aviary with canaries and societies and that worked out fine, canaries (if you have adults) are easily sexed, I've had them outside with temperatures below the freezing point and I've bred with all of them. However it could be different in the US.

[lovezebs]

JeveFinch
Hey there.
If I were you, I would house Zebbies with more Zebbies. They have the same mind set and you can get so many different nutations now, that it doesn't get boring. If you love Zebras, then why not stick with them?
Other finches.... Societies are lovely starter birds, however it can be tricky to sex them if you don't know what to look for. Also they can breed with Zebras which opens up a whole new kettle of fish and not desirable.
Cut Throats, will stand up for themselves, but you might end up with some grand battles on your hands.
Green Singers, will hold their own, but there again, you may end up with pulled feathers or worse, depending on the individuals. You can only have one male Green in a cage, or they will kill each other.
Gouldians? Not sure where you are living, but it has to be a warm climate if you are planning on keeping them outdoors. Or you have to deal with indoor facililities or heating etc. As for Gouldians and Zebras together, it can be done (doing it right now in an indoor flight) My Gouldians are holding their own, believe it or not and managing just fine. Will attempt some pictures to show you.

[Prism]

Though I've not personally had Zebras, it's most often recommended not to house them with Gouldians who are very passive. I'd stick with Zebras to avoid fighting, bullying or cross breeding.

[lovezebs]

wessel
Hello.
I noticed the picture of the bird beside your name. Is that one of yours? It is beautiful. What is it, if you don't mind my asking?
Your English is excellent, by the way. So much better than my Dutch (which is limited to two or three words)

[JeveFinch]

lovezebs I believe the bird in wessel 's photo is a yellow crowned bishop (correct me if I'm wrong, I'm not the most knowledgable).
... And I don't know the exact dimensions of my aviary but it is definitely big enough for another pair because my grandfather gave it to me and he peacefully had plenty in there. My zebras are actually quite accepting and relatively calm, although they are still active and curious they tend to keep to themselves in the company of other birds. I am looking at gold finches, green singers or St. Helena waxbills. Does anyone know what those birds are like to breed (as in difficulty). And will they use a nest box or whisker basket as I have read that some finches like to be on the ground to breed

[wessel]

lovezebs
The bird beside my name is a yellow-crowned bishop bishop weaver (Euplectes afer afer) and yes I own two males of them, but it's now breeding season so they have such a nice color, when it's over they start to look like the female. They can handle zebrafinches easily and mine can withstand 5 degrees celcius, i don't know what temperatures the winters are where you live. But this isn't an easy species to breed, because they are weavers they don't use nestboxes, they weave them theirself. But to keep they are no problem. (In the Netherlands atleast.)

[wessel]

JeveFinch
I've had st. helena waxbills since the beginning that i've had finches and I haven't bred with them yet, because I have to territorial finches with them in the aviary. I've had them with zebrafinches and they treated eachother just fine but if you plan to breed them I would recommend to keep 1 or three+ pairs in a big planted aviary without pushy types (like zebrafinches) or to many other finches.

(Sorry for my last post it was early in the morning and i made some flaws like putting 2 of the same words in sequence and I confused lovezebs and jevefinch.)

[NewTampanian]

JeveFinch
I've had st. helena waxbills since the beginning that i've had finches and I haven't bred with them yet, because I have to territorial finches with them in the aviary. I've had them with zebrafinches and they treated eachother just fine but if you plan to breed them I would recommend to keep 1 or three+ pairs in a big planted aviary without pushy types (like zebrafinches) or to many other finches.

(Sorry for my last post it was early in the morning and i made some flaws like putting 2 of the same words in sequence and I confused lovezebs and jevefinch.)

Question about your weaver, do you have any experience with them and other birds? I have an orange weaver and I heard they were territorial, so far I haven't had any problems with the one I have, a java, and a pair of whydahs, or should I remove him now?

[wessel]

NewTampanian

my weavers are the sweetest birds in the world, but i think that's because there aren't female weavers in my aviary but i have them with small waxbills like the st. helena and the strawberry and some other finches. but since you have 2 pin tailed whydahs, it could be a problem, it's recommended to put only one species of weaver/whyda in a cage, but if the whydahs you have are both male i don't think it will be a problem, i think it will be a problem when there will be female involved, the weaver should be fine with the java, furthermore observe much, you will find out much about them and based on your observations you should decide to get him out or not.

I hope this answers your question, feel free to ask more.

[lovezebs]

wessel
Hi.
Thanks for letting me know about the bishop weavers. I can't have an out doors aviary. Winters here go down into -30's, so not a good idea. To have an outdoor setup here, it would have to be summer only, and summers are not very long, so would not be practical. Instead, I have indoor flights.

[NewTampanian]

NewTampanian

my weavers are the sweetest birds in the world, but i think that's because there aren't female weavers in my aviary but i have them with small waxbills like the st. helena and the strawberry and some other finches. but since you have 2 pin tailed whydahs, it could be a problem, it's recommended to put only one species of weaver/whyda in a cage, but if the whydahs you have are both male i don't think it will be a problem, i think it will be a problem when there will be female involved, the weaver should be fine with the java, furthermore observe much, you will find out much about them and based on your observations you should decide to get him out or not.

I hope this answers your question, feel free to ask more.

I agree, I was going to purchase a female weaver but I was afraid that if i did he would feel like he had something to defend and in turn become agressive with the other birds. I thought the same with the whydah pair since they're so closely related. Everything seems fine so far though, they all preen, bath, and sleep on the same perch together at night. Thank you for your advice!