It's Official! (a quick question though...)

otto&lucy · Post by **otto&lucy** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:23 pm

Well, the long awaited day is here and we went this morning to get our new Society's. The breeder had quite a few clutches and didn't know the sex of any of them. I don't know if you read my post before but I was hoping for all males because I'm afraid I'm not seasoned enough to handle any babies. Needless to say, I don't know what we ended up with but there are 4 of them.

I still so excited but verrrry nervous.

A quick question I hope some of you can answer for me...

Is it normal for them to sit perfectly still until they get used to their new enviornment? They were very active and appeared to be healthy at the show but now that they're in their new house they're pretty quiet, I wasn't sure if that was normal or not.

Thank you!! Oh! I'm going to post a pic too.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:55 pm

How fun for you!!

When I first got my Zebras...they were kind of quiet for a while too....I think they just need to get their bearings and will start moving around once they are comfortable and not scared.

Yes.....you MUST post some pics....SOON....like yesterday...LOL!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:02 pm

I just found your pics in the Gallery.....very nice looking societies! Now I want some too...hehe!

But one thing struck me in the photos....I wonder if they aren't scared because of the big dark leaves overhead. I had read in another post that their birds got skittish when they put the plants on the top of the cage.....just a thought.

lyderbug · Post by **lyderbug** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:23 pm

Give them time.

When we got out Societies it took them a couple of hours to move...then it took a few days before they were comfortable and bouncing around..it took a about a week before they didn't jump everytime we moved around the room.

I think the greens will be fine...reason being you introduced them into the environment with the leaves there. If you placed the greens there after they became comfy in the environment then you would find them to be skittish.

Another thought..make sure they have plenty of room on the sides of the cage. What I mean by that...when we first got our finches we put the cage in a corner and they appeared to feel cornered. They did not settle very well. As soon as I moved them to another part of the room where they had more open space, they were happy little buggers.

Just give em some time...let them be...they will be just fine as soon as they realize that you are not there to hurt them

otto&lucy · Post by **otto&lucy** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:17 pm

I'm soooo in love!!!!!!

Thank you so much for your responses! I ended up taking a light sheet and partially covering the cage for about an hour and a half and lo and behold they started fluttering about. They were checking out their new diggs and taste testing the food and water and chirping happily. Their movements caused the sheet to slide off the cage and it didn't even phase them. They've been doing well ever since.

It looks like I have two younger ones (by the light coloring) and two older ones. The older ones are the leaders of the group that's for sure. They're the first to get into everything and the little ones are a bit more cautious.

Can anyone tell me what the males song sounds like? Is it a chirping sound? Do the females make any sounds at all? I'm still trying to figure out what sex they are.

Great birds I tell ya, great birds.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:23 pm

That's great that you got your Society finches now! Congratulations!

Yes the males have a chirpy sound (one of my males sounds just like a cricket!).

I don't know what the female sounds like as mine are all males.

lyderbug · Post by **lyderbug** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:54 pm

The males have a song that they sing..a mating song where they puff up and chirp a song.

The females have a slightly different sound to them and only chirp and peep here and there.

I love that cricket sound...but the one that makes that sound in my group of societies a female.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 3:02 am

Congrads on the new birds,

Post by **Sally** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:58 am

Congrats on the new finches! The lighter color doesn't indicate age, they just come in all shades of brown, fawn, pied. Only the males sing, I can't describe it, but you will know when they do it. They puff out their chests and sing this chirpy, squeaky little song. The females will chirp, but one note at a time.

otto&lucy · Post by **otto&lucy** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:41 pm

Thanks for the clarification on the colorations Sally

. At the bird show a lady mentioned that her two youngest society's were the light brown, I automatically assumed that meant the color indicated age but now I see that she just meant they were younger in general. Oh my, so much to learn.

They're all doing sooo well. I made egg food for them today but they wouldn't eat it! I didn't know I was THAT bad of a cook.

Post by **Sally** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:24 am

Don't be embarrassed, there is so much to learn about these birds, it just takes time to take it all in. Birds are so funny about food--some will love carrots, others will act like it is poison. I even have a few birds that will eat the eggfood, then one day they won't touch it. I think they just like to keep me hopping!

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:51 am

Did ya post a pic yet?? Im dieing to see the new family members.
Point me to the pics, lol