What about Black Bellied Firefinches?

[annague]

Well, my Diamond Doves intimidated my little Blackbellied Firefinch pair and then (strangely) decided to use the Blackbellies nest for their own (they are laying on top of it of course).

Undeterred, the BB FF male has created a new nest up high along one of the twisty branches in the aviary with a vine behind it (for support).

They are just adorable. He stands guard over her about a foot away all day and she is in plain sight in her nest this time. (Although I pretend I don't see her).

I'm including pictures.

[MLaRue]

Mine will use the small wicker nests - never higher than about a 1' off the ground. They stuff so much stuff in there you are like how do they even fit in there?!

Good luck with them - they are such beautiful birds! ;)

Don't forget the feathers - Fires must have lots of feather choices ;)

[CandoAviary]

What a lovely pair they are .... He looks like he will be the most attentive Dad Best wishes for eggs soon

[6finchfriends]

She is just adorable sitting in her nest with her mate standing guard. I sure hope they lay a few fertal eggs for you. You do seem to have wonderful luck with your breeding pairs. Okay, I'm off to do research on another breed of finch I know nothing about

[annague]

Thanks everybody -- they are fun birds.

You know what, Misty? I don't have to worry about getting them feathers because of my pair of Diamond Doves in the same enclosure. DD's shed soft, fluffy white downy feathers like mad and the little FF's just snap them up! (Hey works out good for me!) Now if the DD's would just stop laying their big fat fanny's on any little nest nearby we would have some real progress!

[Flight of Fancy]

Now if the DD's would just stop laying their big fat fanny's on any little nest nearby we would have some real progress!

Lol Anna! You would think they would be a tad more cooperative...

[annague]

FOF, DD's are not the best nest builders in the world (that's understated!) So, they were probably just thrilled to find a 'ground' nest that is really cushy and soft-- it just happened to be occupied by 2 little black-bellied firefinches that are probably 1/10th their size... oh well... it all worked out o.k.

I like the BB FF's nest up higher anyway -- feels safer to me

[L in Ontario]

Best wishes for a nest full of happy BBFF hatchlings!

[annague]

The Firefinches have rebuilt their nest in the same site after it fell and I supported it with some vines I clothespinned into place underneath so here's hoping no more falls!

Anyway, they have been sitting very faithfully and I promised to take another picture of their new nest and am attaching it here...

Mama Firefinch is very alert to my camera but she didn't move... she really wants some babies! Hopefully we will have some little Fires in a week or so...

[nelloyello11]

Anna, your pair is beautiful! Such vivid coloration! Best wishes for some babies soon!

[MLaRue]

Awwww! Precious! What a wonderful Mommy to be...

[lovemyfinch]

She`s giving you that protective mamma evil eye

[G8love4finches]

Beautiful birds, can't wait for baby pictures!

[annague]

All, the eggs hatched just fine and Ember and Ash have been feeding and caring for their young like champions. (They did stop sitting about a week after hatching -- typical of African finches).

I am enclosing a picture of the nestlings. I think I may have 3 but you can only see two faces in the picture -- if you look really hard. These guys almost never make noise -- I think they are being very well fed.

[L in Ontario]

Fantastic Anna!