** FINALLY GOT MY GOULDIANS**

[monotwine]

Gorgeous boys. I agree very colourful!

[annague]

Yes, Sundance is bee-yoo-tee-full! And so is Flame and so are my gouldian ladies. A very talented breeder of gouldians produced them.

I didn't get pictures of the girls today like I'd planned -- hopefully tomorrow!

[konkata]

You've got some very pretty birds! I'll be getting a "surprise" gouldian pretty soon. Someone in my bird meet up group asked me if I'd take her finches since she's not a finch person and included is a gouldian. I can't wait to see what colors

I love your silver hen. She's really eye catching!

[annague]

Thank you -- gouldians are very special birds -- be sure to show us a picture!

[Finchman1]

Hey Anna , how are your gouldians doing? Hoping they're okay...

[annague]

They are doing well! (Thank you for asking, Finchman). They got out of quarantine and moved in with the other finches of their sex for a bit and I just today paired them up. One pair is already checking out nests (Flame and Icicle). The other pair (Sundance and Moonbeam) are just getting used to each other again.

We shall see what happens! I'll keep you informed.

[L in Ontario]

That's a great update. I'm so glad to hear all is going well for them and that one pair is already checking out the nest - how wonderful!!

[annague]

I am very excited -- my first gouldian breeding attempt.

How long does it take (on an average) for them to decide if they like each other?

[L in Ontario]

I am very excited -- my first gouldian breeding attempt.

How long does it take (on an average) for them to decide if they like each other?

Oooh that's a difficult question! I've had pairs that mate within 5 minutes of being introduced to each other in the same cage and other pairs that take several months - literally!

[annague]

Let's hope mine are on the fast-track!

[colorin]

my two pairs were laying eggs in a matter of days
I love sundance! it's beautiful!

[annague]

Thank you, Colorin! He is a very handsome dilute. I wish I had the space to have a large aviary like you do but mine are all inside -- and they share their space with other species of finches so we'll see how long it takes them -- I'm not sure I could stand it if they take months! a

[annague]

Well a little update here. To make a short story long ... I put Flame and Icicle together in a Flight Cage and placed Moonbeam with Sundance in the Aviary Cage. Icicle and Flame definitely have bonded but I don't think she's in breeding condition yet because (although they looked at a few nests) he hasn't gotten her to pick one yet. I noticed he was pecking at her insistently yesterday when they were both eating some seed. (Sort of like the Society males do when they want a hen to notice them.)

I didn't think Sundance and Moonbeam were bonding as quickly but I guess I just am learning gouldians because today they were working on building their own nest. Yes -- I have multiple nests available in the aviary cage: bamboo, Abba, traditional gouldian, and tons of nesting material. But, they have started from scratch -- ??!! The good thing is it is on top of a support and has lots of greenery under it -- also the aviary has a roof so that is already there too since it's up close to the roof. All they have to do is build the sides. It's pretty funny looking so far but I'm proud of the new couple -- they are working on their house.

So... I decided since things were at a standstill with Flame and Icicle to put them in the aviary cage with Sundance and Moonbeam. I think everybody has already bonded (I hope). It's funny, though. You would have thought I put a falcon in there with the other birds when I placed calm, sweet little Icicle in there. They were spooked by her flying. Then she got spooked by their spookiness (what ARE they flying away from??) and started flying even more -- trying to join the flock in safety from whatever predator was spooking them. (And of course they would just fly away again when she came close).

They finally realized she was not a peregrine and calmed down quite a bit.

Once things calmed down I noticed that Flame was already checking out nests and Icicle was following him around interestedly.

So we'll see what happens from here...

[lovemyfinch]

Best of luck with them They definately do sound interesting to watch

[annague]

I thought it was about time for more pictures of my gouldians. Moonbeam has a black beak and is ready to breed. The 2 boys have been working together on adding nesting material to the same gouldian box nest. Not sure what that's about?!