My "Habitat" Aviary

For questions about finch enclosures (cages & aviaries).
Rox
Proven
Proven
Posts: 2112
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:57 am
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by Rox » Thu Mar 21, 2013 4:03 am

I grew up with birds and aviary's around me, thanks to my dad. I was finally able to start keeping my own birds last year and then found this beauty in January in our local classifieds. My dream to start a habitat aviary had come true!

We removed the middle panels and gates and have kept them in case I decide to turn the aviary back into 3 flights at some stage. The perspex side panels were removed and will be reattached in winter. We basically then buried the back and sides into the ground and used extra wire fencing in front buried into the ground as well for potential escape artists. Strips of wire fencing were attached along the back, for easy attaching of nest boxes. All foliage along the back is either dried or fake plants. These can be easily washed or replaced. The middle front section is planted into the ground, with pot plants along the front. These just get hosed down. The canaries quickly taught me which plants are bird proof and which can be detroyed in a day :shock: My garden is kept organic for my dogs and cats, so I also go and pick from safe plants for them on a daily basis to have some variety, along with their fresh veggies, fruit and seed. There are food bowls on the side panel, on the floor and on the "fresh food" table at the front of the avairy.

I moved the birds into their new home 4 weeks ago. I have my first set of Gouldian eggs due to hatch this week. My first Peruvian Ground Dove hatched last week and my pair of Society's are sitting on a new batch of eggs. Oh! And my Golden Breasted Waxbills are building their own nest for the first time, so I think they are happy :D I still have loads to learn about all these birds and I'm loving it!

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

Young Parrot Finch pair. He is 6 months, she is 3.5 months
Image
Image

The very neat nest he built, lol
Image

The Gouldians
Image
Image
Image

The Gouldians roost in this tree every evening if not in the nest. And every evening, each leaf needs to be nibbled on to make sure everything is still in order. It's too cute!
Image

3 Society youngsters which fledged the day I moved them in.
Image
Image

Tom, my favourite little guy
Image

Peter, one of the plant killers...
Image

Peruvian Ground Dove hen
Image
Roxanne

Gouldian's, Blue Breasted Cordon Bleu's, Orange-cheeks, Violet-eared, Black-cheeked waxbill's and Peter's Twinspots

User avatar
mayble
Sisal Slave
Sisal Slave
Posts: 563
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:34 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by mayble » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:12 am

That is fantastic!
Lucky birds (and lucky you)!!

finchandlovebird
Proven
Proven
Posts: 2052
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2011 7:35 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by finchandlovebird » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:28 am

Yikes. That is more than sensational =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D>
Dolly J

1 Canary
, 1 Parakeet
Raised Gouldians & Scarlet Chested Parakeets in past years

debbie276
Bird Brain
Bird Brain
Posts: 14789
Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:30 am
Location: WV

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by debbie276 » Thu Mar 21, 2013 9:43 am

VERY nice and beautiful birds!:)
Best of luck
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)

GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56

User avatar
lyzzyjayne
CocoFiber Craftsman
CocoFiber Craftsman
Posts: 620
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2012 8:35 pm
Location: Jacksonville FL
Contact:

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by lyzzyjayne » Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:35 am

That is so fantastic!! Made me a bit teary-eyed it's so beautiful. Congratulations to you and your birds!! =D>
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” - Anatole France

1 Blue Pacific Parrotlet Female,1 Peach Faced Lovebird Female, a Plethora of Finches, Java Sparrows, Canaries, 2 dogs and 1 Loving Husband~

User avatar
jonvill
Amateur Architect
Amateur Architect
Posts: 459
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:32 pm
Location: San Francisco, CA

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by jonvill » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:21 pm

Amazing pictures!
Image

User avatar
PrettyBird
Proven
Proven
Posts: 2143
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:51 pm
Location: Alberta, Canada

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by PrettyBird » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:34 pm

Beautiful! great shots, great aviary, great birds!
Dee
English & American Budgies, Gouldians
Image
AACC member
http://lilbirdtoys.weebly.com

Rox
Proven
Proven
Posts: 2112
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:57 am
Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by Rox » Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:54 pm

Thanks so much everyone :D I must admit, I still catch myself with a silly grin on my face when I sit there watching them. Seeing them happy makes me happy!

I did a nest check today and can confirm that the normal Gouldians have 5 hatchlings and one egg left. The yellow Gouldians surprisingly have 7 eggs. They are only 10 months old and I'm not even sure if she has colored up properly yet. But they are doing a good job so far, so will see how it goes.

These Gouldians surprise me constantly. They have now started landing on the food bowls before I place them down. They love their veggies!
Roxanne

Gouldian's, Blue Breasted Cordon Bleu's, Orange-cheeks, Violet-eared, Black-cheeked waxbill's and Peter's Twinspots

User avatar
nelloyello11
Weaning
Weaning
Posts: 1901
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2011 11:50 pm
Location: Buffalo, NY

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by nelloyello11 » Thu Mar 21, 2013 2:12 pm

Gorgeous set-up!! you have some very lucky birds! =D>
Nelissa
Image
1 NG (Peter), 2 SF/FF (Astrid & Nina) and 2 BC (Desmond & Penelope) Zebra finches
2 Owl Finches (Hedwig & Fawkes)
Painted turtle (Keeker)

User avatar
Ginene
Molting
Molting
Posts: 4333
Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:52 pm
Location: Staten Island, New York

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by Ginene » Thu Mar 21, 2013 5:40 pm

Congrats!!! Your aviary is stunning! I have to admit...I am jealous :mrgreen: !!!

User avatar
Toddmin
Sisal Slave
Sisal Slave
Posts: 569
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:34 am
Location: Atlanta, GA

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by Toddmin » Fri Mar 22, 2013 7:30 am

What a fantastic setup! I am very envious!
- Todd

User avatar
wilkifam
Weaning
Weaning
Posts: 1771
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 2:01 pm
Location: South Central Montana

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by wilkifam » Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:06 am

That is beautiful! Great job, and wonderful birds!
Lori

Gouldians
Societies
Java FInches
Bourkes
Scarlets
Myers Parrot - Murphy
African Gray - Nzinga
2 GSD's - Heidi and Chiko
1 Minpin - Ted
1 Heinz 57 - Buster Brown
Chickens

javansparrow
Mature
Mature
Posts: 130
Joined: Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:37 am
Location: Surabaya, Indonesia

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by javansparrow » Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:34 am

That's beautiful! Congratulation! =D>

edit: one question though: what is peter? strange behavior. I saw only on my weavers.
Jim.

User avatar
birdclaws
2 Eggs Laid
2 Eggs Laid
Posts: 708
Joined: Sun May 22, 2011 10:08 am
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by birdclaws » Fri Mar 22, 2013 2:17 pm

Beautiful aviary and birds.
Nice to see someone else with peruvian ground doves!
What's your secret to breeding them?
Brian

Gouldians, Java Sparrows, Cape Doves

User avatar
Tammy
Persistent Pursuer
Persistent Pursuer
Posts: 289
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:59 pm
Location: mississippi

Re: My "Habitat" Aviary

Post by Tammy » Fri Mar 22, 2013 3:05 pm

that's beautiful, I love peter, he's funny. - tammy
2 boxer, one fawn male and one brindle female
a pair of parakeets,
2 beautiful children
1 husband

Post Reply