Advice on first bird

[finken]

I'm looking to get my first bird. I'd like a smaller bird that isn't too loud, but that does sing. Searching around I settled on a strawberry finch. Is this sound logic

I've read that the males are the singers. But are strawberry finches happier in pairs? Should I be getting two birds? I don't really intend to get into breeding them...

Thank you in advance for any suggestions you have!

[Sally]

Finches are usually happier in pairs or groups. If you are not interested in breeding, you could always get two males, though I think a male/female pair is more fun. Strawberry finches aren't easy to find, but they are delightful little birds.

There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier to answer locale-specific questions later on.

[lovezebs]

finken

Welcome to the Forum.

Strawberry Finches, are lovely little birds, but I would definitely not recommend them as a first bird.

First of all, they are rare, and not easy to find. Second of all, they can be quite pricy , as in several hundreds of dollars, if and when you do find them. Thirdly, they do need unfiltered sunlight or special lighting for the males to develop their red feathering. Fourthly, they do better with live foods (meal worms, fruit flies etc.)

As in regards to 'one' bird.... Finches, do not do well as an only bird. They need to be kept in pairs, or as a small flock.

If you are looking for a singing bird, who is a delightful companion, relatively inexpensive, and who will be happy on it's own, I would recommend a male Canary. A German Roller, has a quiet song, and would keep you entertained for years, with his sweet song and cheerfull personality . Canaries, are also much easier to keep, than many of the tiny Waxbills.

Good luck, and please feel free to ask any questions you might have. We'll do our best to answer them.

[mohum]

I would go for the male canary too.

[paul-inAZ]

I also suggest canaries. I got to them lately and have come to really appreciate them.
In addition to the song and ease of keeping them they are very calm and unruffled by things that can panic other birds. And, they don't need much space or another canary for company should you choose to keep only one.
Some are artificially color-fed [like the reds] and some song-bred for their song.
The song-bred canaries could come down to choosing a color and the style of singing. Of those that I have the Belgian waterslager has a quieter lower frequency song [like an alto in human terms]; american singers are sopranos and Spanish timbrados are more flamboyant, louder, coloratura sopranos.
Then there is the so called 'kitchen canary' which is not purebred but can have a lovely song.
A place to hear some of these:
http://abirdinthehand.info/Home_Page.php
Some of these sound clips are not the best but it gives you an idea. There are other sites.

[finken]

Thank you everyone for such good input!

I had previously dismissed canaries based on the few youtube clips I'd watched. I know, I know, not the best way to choose - but the videos I'd found were much louder canaries. I hadn't realized there were so many varieties! The Belgian waterslager definitely does have a lovely song.

I'll keep looking around and get to know canaries a bit more.

Thank you!

[debbie276]

How about gouldians? They have a soft non ear piercing song that they sing all the time. The males do the singing, have the brightest colors and get along with each other very well.

[Barbara]

I have 2 society they are so fun to watch I am thinking they are both males but not really sure,don'the want to breed them either.they love each other and sleep together on the very top perch,no nest,but heard they would sleep together in nest even if there males. Good luck with your search