Sad finding....

[Asym]

The problem with having a big planted aviary with birds who build their own nests is obviously it's hard to keep track of them in breeding season. I assumed one of my stars was on a nest but today I found a dead bird (that had obviously been dead for at least a day). And of course I'm still so new to finches that I can't convince myself if my remaining one is a male or female. I'm going to have to get pictures before I go to the bird show in two weeks to get a replacement.

I had wondered why the one star finch was suddenly being nice to the two young stars. He/she is probably lonely.

I'm just grateful I did get two lovely babies from the pair of stars.

[cindy]

So sorry for your loss.

[MissEdie]

Sorry for your loss

[L in Ontario]

Sorry to hear that. If you can post a pic of the remaining Star, we can probably let you know the gender you should look for at the upcoming shows.

[Zebrafincher]

Stars are generally very peaceable but you can get the odd one which is aggressive, especially in the breeding season. Any finch with red near the face could be a target. One of my stars, a red face, attacks my canary and he's much bigger! Sorry for your loss.

[Lisa]

Sorry to hear of your loss

[debbie276]

So sorry for your loss

[lovemyfinch]

So sorry for your loss

[Martie]

I'm sorry you lost your bird. You are right about planted aviaries, but I think they are happiest there despite any risk.

[dan78]

Sorry to hear, yes a photo of the remaining would he helpful to you for a choice of sex needed. Yes big planted avieries a well known for finches to go missing for a while and later to be seen again.

[finchmix22]

It's always sad to find one of our finches dead, especially when we've been breeding. I lost my YF Star hen about a week ago and her mate is very lonely, but I have two of their offspring. So, you are blessed to have some babies, but its still hard to lose one. I agree they are probably happier in a planted aviary, but they do have other risks. So sad.

[Sally]

So sorry for your loss, but I agree with the others--a planted aviary is far superior to any other enclosure for your birds.

[Asym]

Thank you for all your kind words.

I think the male died as I no longer here my adorable star finch song and he used to sing to me as I sat in the chair to bird watch. I love my planted aviary as do the birds. I wouldn't change a thing about it (except I wished it faced south instead of north, but I couldn't do anything about that when I built it from an existing structure). I stopped bird counting awhile ago b/c it was getting too complicated! Now I just count my young ones.

[limeslide]

So sorry for your loss.