I don't feel like I'm "New to the Hobby"...

[Neighbor Boy]

Hi, again! A few days ago I started a thread calling for a few specific breeds of mannikin. Some lovely members helped me to conclude that they are all near impossible to get my hands on, so I’m moving on.
I want the forum’s help. I can’t decide what species of finch to get. I hand-built a 36”x26”x26” cage. I’m planning on getting 2-4 male finches, never breeding. When I first started researching finches I thought this was a pretty good plan, and although I’ve read so much information since then that I’ve begun to feel a little discouraged and overwhelmed, I will stick with it and I’m still confident I can make a few finches happy with what I can offer. Now I need your help deciding on the right species for me. I feel like there are certain breeds that wouldn’t do well in a cage like this. I was considering two male Java finches but have ruled it out, it seems they would do better in an aviary (I’d be happy to be told I’m wrong about this, I’d love some Javas). I’m trying to look at finches in finchinfo’s “passive” category (http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... /index.php) because it seems like birds of a more outgoing disposition would do better in a smaller cage with other males. Are there any I should rule out? Are there any that would do particularly well? I’m looking for birds that are relatively easy to find and less expensive (but who isn’t ).
I’ll be honest, I feel discouraged. Guys, I've done a LOT of research. Too much. I’ve “decided” on what seems like 20 species so far, only to meet barriers, in the world and in my mind. I know I overthink things, but this seems crazy. I just want some birds to I love! I don't really know what you could suggest that I haven't already considered but I might as well put it out there.

P.S. Honestly, I feel like two male Java finches would make me the happiest right now, someone please tell me this could work.

[paul-inAZ]

Look at societies aka Bengalese.
Plentiful, cheap, active but not noisy, lots of color choices [Pieds are dirt common. Some colors like the Europeans are somewhat uncommon but are beginning to show up here], easy to care for.
http://www.zebrafinch.com/SocietyFinch/Society.html

[Stuart whiting]

Hi fella,

You mention that you don't feel new to the hobby

My freind it takes a long time to understand birds and you'll never stop learning, I've bred and exhibited birds now for some 36 years and am still always gonna be learning,

There's always gonna be barriers but need to learn how to get round them and by choosing birds which you feel can easily cater for,
Once you've gained certain knowledge about different species IE species that are a little more delicate and require more attention then you can decide on what you want for your collection

Understanding the bird world is certainly not gonna be learnt overnight and you need to study as much as you can in particular categories at a time to help with the research,
I personally have a thirst for knowledge and am always researching

You can try putting cock birds together mate as this is your choice but as I've already mentioned in another post that you really need to pay attention and watch the birds if you intend on doing this as cock birds can have a tendency to be spiteful to one another, yes I know some birds like society, normally Gouldians etc can be ok but still need to be alert,

I personally would never keep two cocks together in a cage, this is just my opinion as myself being an exhibitor I'd never wanna take chances in getting any damaged through bickering or fighting

Different if there are a few mixed birds in an aviary because the birds can manoeuvre more easily out of the way if any bickering should occur.

If yer looking for birds that are easier to cater for then birds like zebras, society / bengalese, African / Indian silverbills, spice finches, white headed and black headed muinas are probably gonna be more suitable to start off with

in fact youl find that most of the muinas and manakins are quite easy to cater for, just more of a case in trying to contact a few breeders over where you are

[debbie276]

I would go with gouldians, owl finch or society.
Personally I don't think it would be terrible to have a couple java in that size cage, especially non breeding males. I'm not positive 2 males together would get along but I'm sure someone here can answer that. You also have to be sure Java are allowed in your state because they are banned from a few.

Good luck in your search,please let us know which you decide on.

[LadyGouldianGirl]

Hi there. I'm a newbie too. I've had my 2 Gouldians for about 4 weeks. I totally understand you on "overthinking it". There is so much information on the internet to read and many different opinions on care and personality. My newbie advice is to stop reading. It seems you've done more than enough and now are getting yourself confused...which is exactly the point I was at a few weeks ago I was finally able to make a good decision by visiting with the birds and watching them. Luckily I have a very nice, well-cared for bird store in my area (very rare to have such a nice "store"). I went there everyday on my lunch hour to watch the birds. They had a few different species for me to see. After watching them and seeing their personalities and how they act/sound/etc. I was able to make a decision not only on the species but the exact birds I wanted. This would be my advice. See if you can find any good breeders in your area that would let you observe the birds for awhile. Don't get discouraged...trust me, I'm an over-analyzer too but I'm so happy with my 2 little guys

(BTW...I see you're from Louisiana...I'm originally from NOLA )

[Neighbor Boy]

LadyGouldianGirl
This sounds like really solid advice. You're so lucky to have a store like that near you. Honestly, that sounds like the most dreamy and lovely lunch break, just going in and looking at birds for an hour. Unfortunately, I live in the middle of nowhere and the closest place that sells bird is a Petsmart in the city 2 hours away and they only sell zebras and societies, breeds I'm not really interested in. I'm pretty much going to have to have them shipped to me which I'm not happy about but, literally, the alternative is driving for a couple of days to pick them up, sight unseen. So I want to make sure the breed I get will be right for my situation. Thank you for your advice, though. I hope someone else reads it and is able to follow it!

P.S. NOLA is one of my favorite cities! So cool to see you're from there.

[debbie276]

You could watch youtube videos of the birds you are considering. I especially watch video that shows their singing, what is pleasant to some may be very annoying to another. Many think the zebra are great but their constant beep beep beeping drives me batty, they NEVER stop.

[Stuart whiting]

Hi there. I'm a newbie too. I've had my 2 Gouldians for about 4 weeks. I totally understand you on "overthinking it". There is so much information on the internet to read and many different opinions on care and personality. My newbie advice is to stop reading. It seems you've done more than enough and now are getting yourself confused...which is exactly the point I was at a few weeks ago I was finally able to make a good decision by visiting with the birds and watching them. Luckily I have a very nice, well-cared for bird store in my area (very rare to have such a nice "store"). I went there everyday on my lunch hour to watch the birds. They had a few different species for me to see. After watching them and seeing their personalities and how they act/sound/etc. I was able to make a decision not only on the species but the exact birds I wanted. This would be my advice. See if you can find any good breeders in your area that would let you observe the birds for awhile. Don't get discouraged...trust me, I'm an over-analyzer too but I'm so happy with my 2 little guys

(BTW...I see you're from Louisiana...I'm originally from NOLA )

To be onest I'd never knock the internet for advice

Yes there is a lot of info out there but it's a case of trawling the net and then noting all info that is very similar regarding certain birds, topics etc,

If I'm trying to research a particular subject it can take me a good few days of my hrs day and night before I'm happy enough with what I've found and I go with the response from at least several similar articles all stating the same info before I'm happy this over time obviously becomes better combined with yer own personal experience

It's all very well in going to a pet shop and looking at the birds but how long does one wanna be there for,

as Debbie has rightly stated that a lot of info can be found on you tube, from the right video footage from experienced breeders this in itself will teach you a lot and without having to leave yer house

There's an awful lot to learn as regards to proper bird keeping and simply can't be learned over night,

I've been breeding and exhibiting now for some 36 years at champion level and am still learning as there's always something new to learn

[w.l.]

Javas are described on Finchinfo as very peaceful, but my experience with them was different. Two of the same sex didn't get along, and when a male-female pair finally did, they behaved most unwelcoming towards a Spice I tried moving in with them once. So if you want Javas, try and get a true pair, and be prepared for them to be your only birds in that cage.
If you don't provide a nestbox and nesting material, even a true pair won't breed.

I personally find wild colored Javas beautiful, but eventually ended up keeping only the related Timor Sparrows. The Timors also behave in an unfriendly way towards other finches even in a spacious birdroom, BTW.

Some fairly hardy and easily available species that I could imagine in a colorful all-male flock include Spice, Star, Owl, Gouldian.
There would be many other suitable choices, but you've either ruled them out (zebras, societies, silverbills), they are hard to get (your nuns and mannikins) or require a bit more specialized care (waxbills). I also found waxbills were mostly miserable in cages similar in size to yours, though I know they are commonly kept that way in North America. Once transferred to aviaries, they became totally different birds though!

My conclusion: If you feel drawn towards Javas, get a pair of those!
You can always build a new cage for other birds later.

[LadyGouldianGirl]

Stuart whiting

I believe you misunderstand my point. I was only giving advice from a personal, newbie level. As a novice pet bird owner, it is clear there is much conflicting advice on the internet. I never said not to research. I did weeks of research myself before getting mine. But at a certain level it gets overwhelming and confusing. Yes, we are all constantly learning which is why I am on this site. I welcome advice from all and value expert opinions. I only offered advice in this situation because it seemed she was getting frustrated and on the verge of giving up which would be a shame. I love my little birds and wish all to experience this joy as well.

[Stuart whiting]

Javas are described on Finchinfo as very peaceful, but my experience with them was different. Two of the same sex didn't get along, and when a male-female pair finally did, they behaved most unwelcoming towards a Spice I tried moving in with them once. So if you want Javas, try and get a true pair, and be prepared for them to be your only birds in that cage.
If you don't provide a nestbox and nesting material, even a true pair won't breed.

I personally find wild colored Javas beautiful, but eventually ended up keeping only the related Timor Sparrows. The Timors also behave in an unfriendly way towards other finches even in a spacious birdroom, BTW.

Some fairly hardy and easily available species that I could imagine in a colorful all-male flock include Spice, Star, Owl, Gouldian.
There would be many other suitable choices, but you've either ruled them out (zebras, societies, silverbills), they are hard to get (your nuns and mannikins) or require a bit more specialized care (waxbills). I also found waxbills were mostly miserable in cages similar in size to yours, though I know they are commonly kept that way in North America. Once transferred to aviaries, they became totally different birds though!

My conclusion: If you feel drawn towards Javas, get a pair of those!
You can always build a new cage for other birds later.

Totally agree, well said

[Stuart whiting]

Stuart whiting

I believe you misunderstand my point. I was only giving advice from a personal, newbie level. As a novice pet bird owner, it is clear there is much conflicting advice on the internet. I never said not to research. I did weeks of research myself before getting mine. But at a certain level it gets overwhelming and confusing. Yes, we are all constantly learning which is why I am on this site. I welcome advice from all and value expert opinions. I only offered advice in this situation because it seemed she was getting frustrated and on the verge of giving up which would be a shame. I love my little birds and wish all to experience this joy as well.

Totally understand, I respect your comment

[w.l.]

There's an awful lot to learn as regards to proper bird keeping and simply can't be learned over night

That's certainly true.
But you mostly need all that knowledge to keep and breed more difficult species.
To keep 2 Javas healthy and happy without breeding, one doesn't need a massive amount of info.
Place them in a decent cage in a suitable location, give them a seed-mix, some eggfood and greens, fresh water daily, and they should be happy, I'd say.
This is why it makes sense for newbies to start with one of the "beginners' species" like zebras, societies or Javas.

It seems that at least in North America Gouldians are also popular among beginners, but they are not quite as hardy as the species mentioned above and do need more attention/knowledge to keep healthy.

[Stuart whiting]

There's an awful lot to learn as regards to proper bird keeping and simply can't be learned over night

That's certainly true.
But you mostly need all that knowledge to keep and breed more difficult species.
To keep 2 Javas healthy and happy without breeding, one doesn't need a massive amount of info.
Place them in a decent cage in a suitable location, give them a seed-mix, some eggfood and greens, fresh water daily, and they should be happy, I'd say.
This is why it makes sense for newbies to start with one of the "beginners' species" like zebras, societies or Javas.

It seems that at least in North America Gouldians are also popular among beginners, but they are not quite as hardy as the species mentioned above and do need more attention/knowledge to keep healthy.

Absolutely agree 100 %