Orange Weaver

[PrettyBird]

Hi Everyone,

Im new here
I have a small indoor finch aviary, where I am just starting to add finches to. Ive had various types of birds my entire life, and just starting up again.
In this aviary the first finch I got was a yellow male Napoleon Weaver Finch. Hes a gorgeous black and yellow.
I had been trying to find him a female, but its been very hard to find Napoleon Weavers in my city so I had no such luck.
Few weeks later I found a finch breeder in my city. She told me she had orange weavers that were just brought in, one was a female. So I bought the female and brought her home.
They got along fine in the aviary together which was great. Time passed, I started to hear the female orange weaver singing...very loudly in different pitches, making like grassy sounds (Hard to describe) then she would stand up straight while singing, and tilt her head to the right side, in the direction my Nap. Weaver finch was. I found this a little odd. Im not expert on weavers, but to have a female singing like this didnt sound like something they would do? Anyways weeks passed and just today I was cleaning their cage I looked at her and saw she has ORANGE on her throat and some starting to show on her wings. Im thinking she HAS to be a young male who is going through their moult? (I will try and upload some pictures of her, once I figure out this site.) BUt is this normal? Is she definatly a male? I dont think females can sing the way that she did, and change color like this. she looks like a sparrow with the new orange appearing on her throat. I know this breeder doesnt know very much about weavers and only took in the weavers as a trade for some of hers. Im just a little frustrated that I now possibly have 2 male weavers of differnt species in the same aviary. Im a little worried they might fight once this "female" changes into the orange and black? They get along so well right now.

[ac12]

I read NOT to put 2 males weavers in the same cage.
They could become VERY aggressive to each other. I would guess that yes a hen would bring out the aggression. So better to separate them before you put a hen in the cage.

[annague]

Yes, be very careful -- just watch them because male Weavers can get vicious with other males.

[PrettyBird]

Thank you for the responses. Yes I have read this as well.

They have never shown any aggression towards each other at all. Like I said I am not sure if that will change or not. They are different types of weavers, the yellow Nap. is smaller than this OW.
But I will keep an eye on them, If they ever are aggressive once he changes color, then I have a seperate cage to put one in.
I have decided that I am not going to get a female weaver.

[PrettyBird]

Here is the picture I took today of the Orange Weaver. (breeder told me it was a female) As you can see theres orange appearing on her throat. There is also some black starting to appear around the eyes. Im definately thinking that this is a HE not a she.

[ac12]

They are really nice looking birds when in color.
I was very very close to bringing a pair home. But I decided that I need to read up on them first. It was a good thing that I did, cuz after reading up on them, I decided that I could not raise them.

[PrettyBird]

question: I would like to add some more finches to my aviary. right now I just have my two weavers.
I really want to get some goulds and stars.
Im wondering if this is ok to put in with the weavers. My aviary is large enough where they can have their own space if needed.

As I have said they dont show any agression towards eachother at all. Im not worried about my yellow Napoleon weaver since hes so little. The OW is the one who I wonder about since the sex of him was up in the air until recently. Im wondering if he would show agression once hes colored in to any other finches I add? IF so I do have a cage for him.
I jsut really would like more finches. Any suggestions? Advice? Has anyone else on here owned weavers?
Thanks in advance.

[PrettyBird]

well I contacted the breeder who sold me this OW. She told me that I can bring him back and exchange for a female weaver. So thats good I guess.
I will also be buying some LGoulds and Stars cant wait!

[wellingtoncdm]

Weavers can be aggressive and territorial. I almost think two lone males would be better than a breeding pair. Either way their strong personality may not work with calmer Australian species like gouldians. Everyone has different opinions and experiences but when I had a large mixed aviary with finches from different continents it was a disaster.

[PrettyBird]

thank you for the info. what sort of finches do you suggest to add to my aviary? if the weavers are the issue and are as aggressive as people say (which they have not been at all so far) then I can always take them out of my aviary into a large cage. curious first to see what finches work (if any)

[wellingtoncdm]

As I understand it, weavers do best in harems with two-three hens per male. That might work in your aviary. They weave great nests. Mine weaved lots of cocoa fiber all over the place in addition to several nests. The only drawback is the colors aren't as bright when the male is not in nuptial plumage.
As to other finches in a mixed aviary there are plenty to choose from. I would stick with passive birds from the same continent and also watch the species which can crossbreed resulting in sterile hybrids.

[monotwine]

This may sound harsh, but I would suggest you re-home/sell all the Weavers with a breeder that can accommodate their needs. They need a VERY big outdoor aviary (8m +) and like mentioned above they require a harem of hens to breed.
You would not keep two large dogs together in a small yard if you came home to them fighting and ripping each other apart and could not ever exercise them properly.
It’s much the same with the weavers. They need big spaces to manoeuvre and express themselves. Their drive is for breeding and it would not be great to keep them from doing that.

Why not rather get the finches you like. In a small area weavers would not be suitable for housing with smaller birds. Finches would love your indoor aviary and you would get many hours and years of enjoyment watching them live and breed.

[PrettyBird]

You may be right monotwine. Its hard for me cause I love all my pets, and dont really want to get rid of them
I got the ynw finch for free from someone leaving the province. She didnt even know what type of finch he was and didnt know how to feed him properly. So I took him and and took care of him. I was more so looking for a companion bird for him so and thats where the ow came from.

I guess if I ever want more finches then my only option is to rehome them? I do not have an 8 m+ cage I can build in my home. There just isnt the space for it. I cannot build one outside, being in canada and right next to the mountains it would just be too cold.

thanks everyone for the responses. I will have to think about this.

[PrettyBird]

contacted the breeder. she said she would take in my weavers for trade for a gouldian pair.
I guess Im a little sad to see them go, but happy at the same time.

[wellingtoncdm]

contacted the breeder. she said she would take in my weavers for trade for a gouldian pair.

Sounds like a better fit.