cordon bleus

[star]

Will two male cordons really fight if there are NO female cordons in the aviary?

[L in Ontario]

Some say yes and some say maybe. I'm not sure anyone knows for positive. All you can do is try but stay nearby for the first while to ensure they don't get out of hand. It probably depends on the inidividual birds, and I think there should not be any females within hearing distance of them. Let us know how it goes if you give it a try.

[Sally]

I posted somewhere else that I have two male BCCB/RCCB hybrid siblings that are coexisting just fine in a cage--in fact, they built a nest and sat on foster eggs for a good two weeks (unfortunately, the eggs got too cold before they started sitting). They are like a sweet gay couple, I have seen them mating, but they are in my dining room and the other BCCBs are in the bedroom--out of sight, but within hearing distance. If you decide to try it, just have a backup plan ready if they don't get along.

[annague]

I can tell you about my own experiences. There doesn't appear to BE a black and white answer -- I think it may depend on the birds.

They are just fine together as long as it is not breeding season OR if one is a RCCB and the other is a BCCB OR if they grew up together (but they may still squabble occasionally).

During breeding season if I put two males of the same species (or is it genus?) together they sass each other constantly -- However, if I mix it up and put one of each in there the RCCB's will soon make sure the BCCB's know their place and exist peacefully together and even feed each others chicks (or they have for me).

I will tell you one thing -- even when they are together during breeding season they mostly just perch and scold each other for long periods of time -- they don't try to bite each other or attack each other like birds of many other species. They fight like girls (verbal) as opposed to boys (physical).

I hope I haven't confused things!

I love them. Fun, fun birds.

[star]

Okay, I'm thinking of trying it. I don't have the birds yet, but will post the outcome if I do decide to do two males together.

[annague]

Bully for you! You'll never know unless you try it. Let us know what happens. Is there a reason you're doing 2 males instead of a pair?

[star]

I only have one aviary with a few mixed species, and I don't have space for breeding. The males are just so beautiful, that one is just not enough. I'm still debating.

I do have male/female firefinches and goldbreast pairs, But with those I have 2 pair of each, so therefore more than one male for each species.

One is never enough!