Guess who got new birds last night?! UPDATE: Jan 29, 2011

[L in Ontario]

LOL @ Judy! We all understand wanting ...no, make that "needing" new birds.

Sally - I found the website again with the Lavender vocalizations for males and females, that I was on a couple of days ago.
http://www.lavender-waxbill.com/Cock_ca ... ation.html

I played the male and female sounds for my Lavenders and though they both got somewhat excited or agitated... neither made any of the 'male calls' as on that site. They both made the very short "chip" sounds, actually shorter than even the female sounds on the website. I would imagine that's because they are still so new here and not relaxed yet. I'll try again in a few days. Of course wouldn't you know, even the RCCB hen got 'excited'. Maybe it was just hearing another bird that got them all going.

[Pukasand]

They are beauties!! I love the Lavenders. Shaftails and Lavenders are the last two species on my 'want' list.

You're killing me here, Judy! How often have I said that? Actually I never want more birds... until I see a different species

I know..

...and Forbes.. and Green Twinspots....and........and.....and...

[L in Ontario]

A quick update on the Lavenders - as of tonight they have TWO eggs in their nest! I still do not know if they are two females or a true M/F pair. Obviously I'm hoping for chicks to prove what they are.

Also the Red-cheeked Cordon Bleu hen has made my male very happy and they have just completed building their nest (right at the front of their cage with the entrance facing the front. I'm surprised they didn't make it facing the back of the cage.

Tomorrow I'll start giving each pair a couple of mealworms and hope for the best for both pairs.

[lovemyfinch]

I would love to add lavenders to my list

[Queen_Bee]

Your new RCCB looks gorgeous! I hope she works out well. And the Lavenders!!! Wow!!! Beautiful birds - they are on my list (which keeps getting longer!! ) of birds I'd love to have.

Enjoy!!

Jacqui

[L in Ontario]

Thanks Janine and Jacqui - I hope they have LOTS of healthy chicks I can share with both of you.

[annague]

Gorgeous new birdies! Thanks for sharing pictures.

[L in Ontario]

Thank you Anna. Let's hope they produce lovely chicks too.

[annague]

I know RCCB's are challenging -- I don't know much about the Lavenders -- other than that they are really divine!! I can't wait to see their babies!

Are you going to do lots of live food?

I wish I could getting really good at producing my own live food-- not just mealies but all that other grotty stuff (bleh -- I guess I'd have to get past my gag reflex).

[L in Ontario]

I don't know about "lots" of live food but I'll give them whatever they can eat and a little more (to ensure they have enough).

The Lavenders did not touch the 2 mealies yesterday, but the RCCB's ate their 2. The male RCCB I bred - though he was fostered by my Socs, and his parents later died off separately (they were not ill). So I kept the boy and found a hen for him. When I gave the RCCB's the 4 mealies today - he was right in there, almost before I could get my hand out of the cage. I hope the Lavenders get to devouring theirs today too.

It's funny (to me) that both the Lavenders and RCCB's built their nests with the opening facing the front of the cage. I try very hard to make sure I cannot see into the nest when I put their food/water in their cages - so that if anyone is sitting in the nests, they cannot see "the big bad predator".

[L in Ontario]

Well I have bad news and good news.

The bad news is the Lavenders had one early DIS egg in their nest and tossed another (died). The good (great) news is that the eggs were definitely fertile - meaning I have a 100% male/female pair of Lavenders!!

Other good news is that the RCCB's are sitting tight with the male standing guard. I did not clean their cage today. It will have to wait until after hatching-time.

[lovemyfinch]

So sad that there are no babies this time , but sure am glad to hear that there will be in the future
Go RCCB's go

[annague]

That sounds very promising!!

I have one pair of RCCB's that often chooses a nest that faces out toward the BIG SCARY MONSTER too. But, they just skooch down when I'm close by and I act like I don't see them and they've raised several clutches like that --

CB's are rabid for those mealies -- dehead them and scarf them up faster than you can blink! (They'll even chase off the bigger birds if there are mealies in the offing).

Keep us informed, Liz!

[L in Ontario]

Thanks Anna - that's gives me hope that this pair MIGHT raise their own. I surely hope so!!!

How many mealies do you give them?

[annague]

They seem to really ONLY feed mealies to the babies for the first few days. I never let them run out -- so I usually fill the cup up twice a day to begin with and then up to three times when the babies are getting closer to fledging.

I have one pair that will toss if the mealies even get low so I am a little paranoid about it. My RCCB's are more nervy than my BCCB's and quicker to toss (but that may just be my birds).