What Species is Best?

elfhome · Post by **elfhome** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:49 pm

I know a lot about parrots but I'm woefully ignorant about finches. In any case, I do have experience dealing with diet, medical care, etc. My Cockatiel is bonded to me so I can't get another parrot. They're too needy (mentally/emotionally) for me to handle, anyway. I would love to keep some aviary birds though. My little parrot Bella comes first. She is my feathered child and as such I would never do anything that would take away from her care.

I don't even know if Finches are the best. I do like watching them and chattering right back at them, but I don't want to get a bird I can't care for. That would be cruel. I'm assuming they require the same level of care as a parrot, but don't have the emotional needy personality.

I'm hoping for a hardier species, one that does well in warm, moist air. I'd also prefer a (it's not necessary) species that is hard to breed because I don't want babies and I'm not exactly enthusiastic about boiling eggs. Also, I do not care about singing ability or looks. I don't plan on keeping them with Cockatiels because it's dangerous for the finches so no worried there. I also have no issue in keeping only one species in the aviary.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:17 pm

It IS tough to know if you will like finches...that is why I started out with 2 Zebra brothers ( didn't want babies) and they are a lot of fun...noisy....but fun and active and very curious! Then I got a pair of Lady Gouldians...I don't plan to breed them either as they are a problematic species unless you know what you are doing as they can get sick in a hurry I have found out from reading about others experiences here.

I am on a waiting list for a pair of Owl Finches and am so excited to get them! I do want to breed them even though they are difficult to breed. But this pair I am getting has already raised a clutch so I know they can do it.

Others here will give you their favorite finch breed too! I am learning about all kinds of breeds here for that time in the future when I add more varieties. But for now...2 Zebras and 2 Gouldians and eventually 2 Owls will be enough for me because that is all I have room for in the cage.

Make sure they have a nice large cage for flight if you decide to get some. The recommend width should be about 32 inches since they can't get their exercise like parrots by climbing around.

Check out the Gallery link at the top of the page and see what birds and accessories everybody has....lots to see!

Ok...you got your homework assignment...get to it!!

Post by **Sally** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 4:20 pm

You could have an all-male aviary if you don't care about breeding. You will need to research the species information at the FIC to see what might work in your situation. With some species, males don't get along, even without females present. If you want a hardy, easy, entertaining finch, I would recommend getting male Societies. They are hard to sex, only the males sing, but if you find a place that has a cage full, you can usually pick out some males.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:24 pm

Sounds like ya should stick with Bella, lol ANY finches ya get will require care and possibly take away fropm Bellas time,

I do agree if ya want no breeding get all males, and know all finches make noise and can be loud,

I took in a spice finch yesterday and hes LOUD, I dont know if its cause hes happy to not be alone again but yea LOUD he is, lol

elfhome · Post by **elfhome** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:58 pm

Fancie Flight wrote:Sounds like ya should stick with Bella, lol ANY finches ya get will require care and possibly take away fropm Bellas time,

I do agree if ya want no breeding get all males, and know all finches make noise and can be loud,

I took in a spice finch yesterday and hes LOUD, I dont know if its cause hes happy to not be alone again but yea LOUD he is, lol

Until you hear the earth-shattering scream of a Too greeting the morning, you've not heard loud.

Of course, Bella can be pretty loud when she thinks I've slept in too long.

I still have plenty of time to give care for Finches, and a little socialization (ie chatting with them, making a fuss over the birds). I'm still not sure about the Finches, but they sound sort of 'hands off'. Personally I am still unsure as to whether or not I can handle having the extra birds around.

Plus, there's the thought in the back of my mind that Bella could become jealous and want to turn them into ex-Finches. There's no point in bringing extra birds into my life if either Bella or the new birds would suffer from sub-par care.

Plenty of people have told me Finches are easy to keep. However, these are usually the sorts of people who would stick Bella in a cage with 3 other Tiels and feed them nothing but seeds.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 5:23 am

trust me I know loud, I have tiels and lovies and Sun conures, Come to think of it thats why I probably have hearing issues, lol

finches really arent alot of trouble I dont think but then I dont think ANY bird is, lol

elfhome · Post by **elfhome** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:35 pm

Fancie Flight wrote:trust me I know loud, I have tiels and lovies and Sun conures, Come to think of it thats why I probably have hearing issues, lol

finches really arent alot of trouble I dont think but then I dont think ANY bird is, lol

Toos are louder than Suns in terms of decibel level. But for size? Suns have all the competition begging for mercy! And Lovies aren't as loud as a Macaw but for sheer chattiness? LOL, yeah. That would explain the hearing issues.

It's not the volume or decibel level, it's how close they are to your ear drum.

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sat Mar 01, 2008 3:41 pm

I know I am very good friends with the local BIG BIRD rescue and dear lord, get 13 toos and a buch of macaws and othe rvarious birds and helloooooooooo

elfhome · Post by **elfhome** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 3:10 pm

Fancie Flight wrote:I know I am very good friends with the local BIG BIRD rescue and dear lord, get 13 toos and a buch of macaws and othe rvarious birds and helloooooooooo

Could you imagine if Suns, Lovies or Parakeets were as loud as Toos and Macaws, though?

Off topic, but have you ever heard a little bird try to imitate a big parrot? It's hilarious.
Macaw: SQUWAK! SQUWAK! SCREEEAM !
Tiel: Squeaka-Squeaka Squeak

Fancie Flight · Post by **Fancie Flight** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:52 pm

No but I was hearing a rooster crow for the longet time and sounded far away so Id go outside to check our rooster cause he didnt normally crow mid day and then after about a month we finally discovered My tiel Andi did a PERFECT rooster crow only not as loud, lol

elfhome · Post by **elfhome** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:50 pm

Fancie Flight wrote:No but I was hearing a rooster crow for the longet time and sounded far away so Id go outside to check our rooster cause he didnt normally crow mid day and then after about a month we finally discovered My tiel Andi did a PERFECT rooster crow only not as loud, lol

Yeah, those birds sure like fooling us, huh?