FINCHforum

Hi. I haven't had birds for a while but I've missed them terribly.

I've had society and zebra finches in the past.

I will be getting 6 female society finches this week and I can hardly wait.

This breeder also has Gouldians which I've never had before.

I know if I were to add zebras they could intermate if I got males. (And not a good to combine with society)

Does that go the same for Gouldian?

I read gouldian r shy. The cage will be in my livingroom as the only place available near the entrance area.
My apartment gets very hot in summer and very drafty in winter.
Society finches didn't have a problem with it last time but 2 parakeets didn't make it through the winter.
So birds that don't do well with cold won't be good for my place.
Nor birds that can't hsndle hot temperatures and some variations especially during winter between 75-80 during day to 55-65 during night.

Gouldian ok?
Canary ok?

R gouldian like canaries that can be kept single or do they need a companion for sure?

No breeding, just for company.

I don't know where you live and how suddenly temps change but can tell you that Gouldians can be kept in outdoor aviaries here in the desert.
Winter nights can dip to freezing and summer temps get into the low 100s F. Make sure they have access to plenty of water in summer.

Gouldians won't interbreed with other species but if kept with zebras you will be looking at anything from bullying to murder.

paul-inAZ - thank you, it doesn't sound like gouldian r as delicate as online research had made them seem.

While I love zebs for their active chirpy nature, I don't like how they can be too aggressive both to each other and to other birds unfortunately.

I'd do the Gouldians, and skip the Zebras. They will terrorize the Gouldians and the society finches. Unless you want to breed, I would get male gouldians. Color is just a bit brighter than the females, and you would not have to worry about egg binding.

wilkifam - thank you

On pictures below which r male or female?

Will male gouldian annoy female society finches, sing to them?

Do they look healthy?

It seems they r in a large enclosure. I don't like birds going to a smaller area than they r used to.
Would a cage 32 x 18 x 35 be ok for 2 gouldian males to be happy?

They all look very healthy.

CathyCraftz - thank you

Yellowpurple

From left to right:
First photo: both male
Second photo: female?, male
Third: female, female, male, female?, female?, male, unsure, male, male, female
Fourth: male, male, female?
Fifth: female?, male

Males typically have a red or yellow tip of beak, more blue, and yellow extending further down the underside. Females are a bit duller with greyish beaks and shorter tail prongs.

Icearstorm - thank you for the helpful information on the pictures and how to tell

Yellowpurple
You're welcome!

Canaries do great, and actually need the changes in temperature to have a healthy life (provided the light matches what's outside). I've had canaries in cages with finches no problem.

Rob - thank you