Buying one finch?

marisab · Post by **marisab** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 2:34 pm

Hello.

I own no birds currently, however in the past I have owned and bred parakeets. Now I mainly own and breed geckos, but would like to own some small birds, particularly finches as pets.

Today at my local pet store I saw a Java Finch that I LOVED. He/she (I know sexing can be difficult for a beginner) was really interested in me, and seemed to be showing off at times. It would fly right up to where I was near the cage, and was in general very entertaining.

But it was housed alone and they had no other Java Finches for sale. I know SOMETIMES java finches can be housed with other species, or obviously more than one java finch, but is it not right to just keep one?

I cannot seem to find information about housing just one finch. If its cruel, or thy would get 'lonely' then I have no problem buying a pair, but this little guy all on his own was adorable and I'd love to have picked him up but wanted to do more research first, especially about owning just one.

thanks

marisab · Post by **marisab** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 6:51 pm

Any ideas guys?

Post by **Sally** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 9:43 pm

I have never had Javas, so I can't help you there. I do know that with most of the finch species, they like company, especially of their own kind, but will very often buddy up with other species. One of the members here, kenny, raises Javas, so give it a day or so, he's usually on here pretty often, and he can probably help you. Also, here is a site about caring for Javas:

www.javafinch.co.uk/

marisab · Post by **marisab** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:58 pm

Thanks for the reply.

I actually went and bought him tonight. I bought the biggest cage they had that was acceptable bar spacing for finches. He was in a VERY small cage at the pet store. The new one is very long, so a good amount of flight room.

I also told him to order me another one so I could get this one a friend, and in three weeks he will get it in.

Hopefully I can keep him happy until then. For now he is fairly aggitated, and trying to escape the cage.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:07 am

What type of pet store did you get him from?

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:05 am

hi
the reason why your java is unhappy in the cage is ,it is used to flying in a larger space..but it will settle down eventually ...the problem with javas is they are colony breeders on the whole.....they can be bred in cages but they have to be fairly large ones..if you are not interested in breeding then thats fine..but getting it a partner will help as usually the same sexes dont argue as most finches do but they do like the company of thier own kind so you are doing ok to get it a mate..as long as you do not put anything else in with them..they can be hand tamed also if you have the patience

ken

marisab · Post by **marisab** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:59 am

Hello

Yes I am not interested in breeding them at all so maybe I will get another male.

The pet store I got it from is just a local store...not sure what you mean by "what type" he was in a small cage at the store, but all the cages for all the animals are always spotless and always have food and water. I have sold reptiles there and when I come back they are always in as good or better condition than they were with me.

He seems quite healthy although I have never kept finches before. This morning he is singing up a storm this little tune he keeps repeating, and is not aggitated like last night. He jumps around a bit but also sits in one spot sometimes.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:47 am

thats great to here that he is settling down you should be twice as happy when its mate arrives

ken

marisab · Post by **marisab** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:59 pm

I purchased him a mirror yesterday. He has been sitting by it for 80% of his time since, but doesn't interact with it at all...ie. he doesn't sing to it, or rub it or anything.

I was searching some Java Finch links last night, and one of the pages I guess had an MP3 play when I loaded the page of a female Java...and he went 100% NUTTY!!! Flying all over and calling. I felt so bad!!!! I have my computer on mute now when I look up Java information.

Boothcreek · Post by **Boothcreek** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:47 am

I find Javas to be very attached to a bird of their own kind. I was the brief owner of 2 very in Love Javas, sadly the hen died only 2 weeks after I got them (died from being egg bound). He sat on the spot where she died for a few days and kept looking for her all the time. He stopped singing completely and even tho I have him with my other finches(weavers and societies) he still wont sing and doesn't look as happy still.
Next Auction I hope to be able to buy him a mate(our Store hasn't been able to find any Javas to order in for me).
Very social bird I would say, but do best with their own kin.

Boothcreek · Post by **Boothcreek** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:47 am

I find Javas to be very attached to a bird of their own kind. I was the brief owner of 2 very in Love Javas, sadly the hen died only 2 weeks after I got them from being egg bound. He sat on the spot where she died for a few days and kept looking for her all the time. He stopped singing completely and even tho I have him with my other finches(weavers and societies) he still wont sing and doesn't look as happy still.
Next Auction I hope to be able to buy him a mate(our Store hasn't been able to find any Javas to order in for me).
Very social bird I would say, but do best with their own kin.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 12:14 pm

i have had a pair of normals now for about 4 years and i check the rings when i let them out into the aviary and they always seem to get together with each other and are like an old married couple

ken