Do you know what type of finch this is?

Shy2 · Post by **Shy2** » Sat May 10, 2008 10:25 am

I am really enjoying your forum. There is so much information here, that I would love to sit and read and learn all day, but I have family in from out of town for DH's birthday. But I can't tell you how excited I am to have found you.

I only brought my very first finch home last evening, and I am hooked. I want more and a bigger cage and...... I am sure you understand. I believe I may be addicted.

I am very new to birds, this being my first. I am hoping someone can help me determine what type of finch I have. I have told my store in the introductions under the post "Hello from Brantford Ontario-need advice quickly if possible".

I am hoping that I can post pics here, so here goes....

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Sorry, the pictures are kind of dark. I think my son has a better picture on his camera, that I will try to get. Is there a way to tell if this is a male or female? I don't care to get a mate for it so they lay eggs, but is it better to only have a male and female together or is it ok to have two males or two females?

Thanks.

Post by **Sally** » Sat May 10, 2008 11:05 am

OMG, that is a Strawberry finch!! He is male, either coming into or going out of breeding plumage. Male Strawberries have the most beautiful song. Read the species info on him at the FIC, linked at left. These guys are getting so hard to find. They used to be impoirted from Asia, but Asian imports have just about stopped because of bird flu over there.

First off, the cage is way too small. Though tiny birds, Strawberries really need flyiing room. I wouldn't keep them in anything smaller than a 30x18x18" cage. Most finches do not like being alone, but you may have a hard time finding a mate for him. You could put a Society with him for company for now, either male or female, it doesn't matter.

He will eat a good finch seed mix, eggfood, veggies, and a mineral mix. If he doesn't get really good light (sunshine-type bulb) or several hours of sunlight daily, his coloring will not be at its best.

If you do find a female Strawberry for him, these guys are not very easy to breed, unless the conditions are right. They like lots of privacy.

It looks like he has a coded leg band. Someone else on here was able to get info on their bird thru the Canadian version of the NFSS. I will find that thread and let you know. OK, that was Liz (L in Ontario) who found out info on her banded birds. The Canadian club is the AACC, so you can either google it or find out from Liz. She has a thread under Breeding about closed-banding her Gouldians.

Shy2 · Post by **Shy2** » Sat May 10, 2008 1:37 pm

Thank you Sally. I am so glad you could identify him. I had no idea his species was hard to find. Apparently the people who bought him got him at a PetSmart store.

I don't necessary need to breed them, but I would really like to find a friend for him.

I am off to go look at bigger cages shortly, I want to give this little guy the best home possible, with the biggest cage I can afford, and have room for.

I would love to build an aviary, but I don't think I have room for that.

I will have to do a search more on aviaries and find instructions.

But thanks again for your help.

Does anyone know where I might find a mate for him? How do you get birds from other areas, if they aren't local? Do you have to drive to pick them up, or can they be transported/shipped safely somehow?

Shy2 · Post by **Shy2** » Sun May 11, 2008 8:32 am

Sally, I got a bigger cage yesterday. It was the largest finch cage I could find, after going to three different stores here.

I bought a Vision L01
http://www.zooplus.com/shop/birds/bird_ ... ages/43683

It is so much wider, more room to fly. It only came with two perches. Should I add a couple more?

There is also a swing, a ladder, a mirror, a nest, cuttle bone. It is not crowded, and there is lots of room to fly now, just wasn't sure if there should be more perches. He seems happy in this big cage, and has continued to sing and chirp.

I just feel sorry for him that he is alone. The pet store I was at, don't sell finches anymore. The girl said people didn't want them and their breeder doesn't breed anymore.

I really want to find him a friend soon. Just not sure where to look, but I won't give up my search.

Post by **Sally** » Sun May 11, 2008 11:45 am

Some of the forum members have purchased the Vision cages and are quite happy with them. I don't know how to link to a thread, but if you look under Housing, there is a thread by IBleed4Thee called Cage Size, with a discussion of a Vision cage. That one was smaller than yours, and was to be used for breeding, so not the best choice for her. This one is about 29.5x15x21.5 in inches, so close to my 30x18x18 breeding cages.

I use natural branches from shrubs in my yard--this gives some variation in size from one end to the other, which is good for their feet. I would only have two perches plus the swing in a cage that size, and put one branch at each end, swing in the middle.

He probably won't sleep in the nest, so that could come out, just takes up space. Same thing with the ladder--if he uses it, fine, otherwise take it out. Check the bar spacing, with finches you want 1/2" or smaller, or they can slip right thru the bars.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Mon May 12, 2008 3:27 am

what a great way to become a finch fanatic, watching your first bird go through it's adult moult and attain its full color.
another name for strawberry finches is red avadavat. hopefully there is a breeder in your area somewhere that you can purchase a partner from for the little guy.

Dani · Post by **Dani** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:03 pm

Congrats on your beautiful Strawberry Finch, what a lucky find and you didn't even realize it! Woo hoo If you have room for the nest, I would leave it in. He wont sleep in it, but he will probably sit on it and start to pull it apart which is good foraging fun. I know there are some that say finches don't need toys, but all my finches play with little bells and small paper/foraging type toys. Also, a small handful of hay in the bottom of the cage or stuff it in his nest is also fun. You can buy small bags of hay in the sm. animal dept. it doesnt matter what kind, I like the Bermuda Grass from Kaytee! This will keep him busy while you look for a friend!! Good Luck, let us know how you make out.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Wed May 21, 2008 9:31 am

You are lucky to have a Strawberry.....he is so pretty...I love the spots. I hope you can find him a buddy but you have your work cut out for you as it sounds like it might be difficult.

Shy2 · Post by **Shy2** » Wed May 21, 2008 10:52 am

I do feel very lucky to have my little strawberry finch. And you are correct that it is difficult to find another, at least in Canada.

I have three other people in Ontario that also have a male finch as their mates have died. So hopefully between the four of us, we will be able to find little little beauties.