Built an aviary and bought two finches.

[JohnPeter]

Hello, I had some old furniture and decided to make an aviary, I put tree branches some harmless plants dirt two nests, this is the end result, i've closed the mid section now:

https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=57938B14

This is how it was:

https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=575B682B

My two birds:

https://scontent-mad1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hp ... e=5793D533

I've been told they were two males but i'm not sure how to identify, but if they are two males are they supposed to be gathering little plant roots and small twigs to make the nest? Thanks in advance.

[Sally]

I love it when people are creative enough to make aviaries out of old furniture! I'm no Zebra expert, but it looks in the photo like both birds have orange cheek patches, and if so, then both are males. When there is nesting material/nests available, even two males will build nests, that breeding instinct is very strong.

Welcome to the forum! 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 helps us answer locale-specific questions.

[lovezebs]

JohnPeter

Welcome to the Forum.

Nice job!

Two Zebra finch boys who like to build, just like their human Dad.

[JohnPeter]

Sally, I will read that when I have some time, as I have some doubts, but overall I think I created an environment that the finches are happy to be in, they sing all day.

lovezebs, oh i'm far from a craftsperson but I really wanted to do this, was hard.

Just a quick question, can I add two canaries and two goulden finches? Would they all get along? I've seen some birds in bad shape no feathers at the back of the head.

[lnlovesorange]

VERY normal for two zebra males to build nest.... They look like cute little guys (can't see them that well) looks like maybe a NG, and a lighter one....? But that aviary WOW, great job!!! That's so creative! How much space is there back to front? The picture I dont' think does it justice (it was sideways, so i kind of had to turn my head!!! LOL) But what a GREAT idea. I always wanted to do somethinglike this because I could never find a cage that I "LOVED" but i thought making something would be perfect. Now they have thier own room...but if they didn't! LOL. Great job, if you can post some closer pics of the birds!!! Good luck with everything! BTW, welcome to the forum!

[JohnPeter]

VERY normal for two zebra males to build nest.... They look like cute little guys (can't see them that well) looks like maybe a NG, and a lighter one....? But that aviary WOW, great job!!! That's so creative! How much space is there back to front? The picture I dont' think does it justice (it was sideways, so i kind of had to turn my head!!! LOL) But what a GREAT idea. I always wanted to do somethinglike this because I could never find a cage that I "LOVED" but i thought making something would be perfect. Now they have thier own room...but if they didn't! LOL. Great job, if you can post some closer pics of the birds!!! Good luck with everything! BTW, welcome to the forum!

The aviary is 127 cm x 108x cm x 40 cm, it's quite big for two little birds they are happy. It's in my balcony so it's a little narrow the space I'll take a better picture later.

[lovezebs]

JohnPeter

Hi.

You're a better craftsman than I, lol

In regards to adding more birds.....

Space wise, you could probably add a couple more birds (in my opinion ).
There is a compatibility chart somewhere in the Finch Information part of the Forum.

What I can tell you, is my own personal experiences.

It's the age old Zebra challenge

Zebra Finches, tend to be a mixture of honey and vinegar.
They are pretty, and cute, and hardy, and funny, and cuddly, and entertaining....
But...
They are also, territorial, aggressive, miserable, mean, vendictive , and can be a downright pain in the behind.

I have housed Canaries, Gouldians, and Zebras together.
Have I had issues?
Occasionally, yes.
I have had my Canary male Luciano, go after a bullying Zebra male, and almost kill him (for being a pain in the a_ _ bully). I had to separate them, and have not housed these two together since. However, I have a young Zebra pair at present with Canaries and Gouldians, without any problems.

Canaries, can get territorial as well, and aggressive especially during breeding mode. Normally one should not house Canary males together (as they will fight). Again, there are exceptions to the rule. My Luciano, lives with his three children (2 boys and a girl), without any major problems. However, another son, has had to be housed separately with another female, because he challenged his father's authority.

Gouldians, are gentle, laid-back back sweethearts. They usually get along with each other, and with other species as well. They are a delightful species to have in your home.

And so....
In the end, it all comes down to individual bird personalities.
One can try and house different species together, but must always be prepared to separate them into different accommodations, if it doesn't work out.

Good luck

[StodOne]

JohnPeter Great work , although I would put the thick branch only one one side so that the birds have room to fly , anyways looks great .
To identify a male and a female with a zebra finch
1.Females show less coloration then the male ( depending on the mutation though)
2.Males have darker red bills and legs while the females have lighter orange bills and legs.
3.You can tell on your finches because of the cheek color ( I am not sure but I think that there is a mutation with the female that also has a cheek but it is paler then the males)
It is totally normal for them to build a nest , it is not only to attract a female but to make themselves a comfortable home.
I have also read that some zebra finches can be together with another male because there are some zebra finches that look for similarities in that finch that a bird that raised them or their father had.
Males will also learn a song from the finch that raised them.
And I think you can keep together zebra's and gouldians if they have enough room.
Also here is a cage calculator so you know how many birds you can keep in a cage that size http://www.finchinfo.com/housing/cage_s ... ulator.php

[debbie276]

The calculator says 2 to 3 birds.
If you add one or two of the same species you may not have problems unless they want to breed.
I would not add gouldians to that mix in such tight quarters, in my opinion it's just looking for trouble.

Here's a link to the Species page to give you a general idea of compatibility.
http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... /index.php

good luck

[JohnPeter]

The calculator says 2 to 3 birds.
If you add one or two of the same species you may not have problems unless they want to breed.
I would not add gouldians to that mix in such tight quarters, in my opinion it's just looking for trouble.

Here's a link to the Species page to give you a general idea of compatibility.
http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... /index.php

good luck

I didn't think they were tight quarters honestly, I thought I could fit 6 small birds in there with this size and that they would still have space to fly, this is bigger than bird cages for all the grey parrots i've seen, any bird i've seen for that matter and in the pet shop they have this size for 10-15 finches, but i'm happy with 4 finches, I checked your link, do you think it's risky to add a couple of another species that is considered passive?

[lnlovesorange]

I'd have to agree, I think you should put a perch on either end (again it's hard to see from the picture) but it seems they have AMPLE room to fly, which is what finches want, so that is great, but they like to fly back & forth, so a perch on either end will aide them in being able to fly the full length of your beautiful craftsmanship! One in the middle kind of defeats the purpose of how large it is! And agreed with adding species... lovezebs hit the nail on the head with Zebras, I've never heard them described more perfectly, you Love to hate them hate to love them, love loving them, and hate hating them!! LOL They are wonderful little birds with loads of personality, but they can be nasty. I had Zebras and Gouldians, and until I got a bird room, I didn't house mine together.... And I think just from being in the saem room as the Zebras the Gouldians learned, cuz I've read that they are a gentle non combative species, and my goulds don't take ANY crap from the Zebs... they land next to the goulds and try to cuddle them, and they get a little peck! Not viscious or anything but Zebras are touchers, and Gouldains are NOT! But, don't get me wrong your housing unit you built is fantastic, I just wouldn't add any more birds than what the calculater says, and if it says you can add one or 2 more, I'd stick with the same species! I do hope you can expand your finch collection though, other species are wonderful... But I must warn you they get very Addictive, more addictive than pistachios, or pringles!!! LOL Good luck!

[StodOne]

JohnPeter Also before posting an image try adding [ img ] link [ / img ](without the spaces I made) so that people can look at the pictures without having to click for a link of them , it is much more convenient

[wilkifam]

Really nice job.

If they weren't zebras, I would say you could put two more birds in there. But. I would not house Gouldians with Zebras. They will get picked on. You might be able to put one female canary in there with them, but I would not put a pair. Male canary will get territorial and then the Zebras might lose. If you had more passive species instead of Zebras, like goulds or society finches, waxbills, etc, you could maybe house 4 or 5 birds in there.

[JohnPeter]

Oh I think i've just made a newbie mistake, I bought a female zebra( the shop only had one), the males were getting along so well sleeping together, now with the female there is a more agressive male that doesn't let the other one anywhere near so they are each one in one side of the aviary, I think i'm going to have to try and catch the agressive male and exchange him for a female of another finch species, I'd like to ask if that would work for bringing peace again to my aviary. Then i'd have the non agressive male zebra, the female zebra, and another female finch of another species. Thanks in advance.

[Sally]

We've all made newbie mistakes, it is how we learn. Putting a female in with two males almost always leads to problems, especially with any of the more pushy/aggressive species. If you keep the hen and one male, your next problem will be babies, as Zebras are as prolific as rabbits. Even without a nest, they will try their darndest. They will use any little scrap they can find to try to make a nest if one is not available to them. Even if you don't supply a nest, they will be mating and the hen will be laying eggs everywhere. Then your next problem could be an egg bound hen.

Personally, unless you want to get into breeding, I'd return the hen and keep your aviary to a man cave.