So I am giving up on pairs...

[fhgwgads]

I tried to put two of my girls in with Sparrow so far. They first girl, Cleo got along with him for about 15 minutes and then started attacking him unprovoked and was promptly removed. I have his cage on a table, one girl in either side and one on top... all blocked from view of each other by towels. I noticed he was hanging out more on the side by Terminator after hearing her. For two days I lifted the towel and he sang and danced for her.. she even wagged her tail for him and was making weird yipping noises constantly. I then put her in and they seemed ok for a few minutes and then she started fighting him somewhat unprovoked. The only difference is this time he flew away from her squealing more than holding his ground. I took her out... she was hard to catch and by the time I caught her and put my hand in her cage and opened it to let her go she just laid frozen in my hand for a minute. I didn't dare move until she hopped off. I am at least hoping she realizes I am not attempting to kill her because she has been insanely skittish ever since she escaped. Since then they have all been rather calm.. but I feel bad that Sparrow is alone and bullied. When putting a new bird in with another.. how much fighting is normal? How long? What you're of fighting? I just couldn't bear to watch them fight at all!!

[EyesofFreedom]

maybe it's a comfort thing... he is happy in his cage and seems to want a mate but they are invading his space... how about take another cage and set it up different... then take the two that you are gonna pair up and put them in that... that way it's new territory for both of them...?

[finchmix22]

What size is the cage the pair is being put inside? I'd try Will's suggestion and set up a different cage, so neither one will be territorial. I'd probably use a 30 inch wide breeder cage and see how they do. Good Luck.

[fhgwgads]

EyesofFreedom@finchmix22 it is one of those petco long flights. I tried foliage, tried rearranging.. nothing. He does have one eye and a crooked beak do I am wondering if they think he is weak or unfit to be a partner. To me he's a sweetie but to them he's probably a mutant.

[Zebrafincher]

Hi fhgwgads,

I have three male birds (one canary - Kevin the Cranky, one Zebra Finch - Beaky, one Star finch -Merl) and they all have their own single flight cages. None of my boys get on continuously THAT well and seem to enjoy their own space. This is esp. evident with my canary, Kevin, who tries to either beat up the other two (sometimes when he's feeling dominant) or attempt to mate with them (in Spring! Yeesh!).

I fly them all together but supervised. My two finches have their own mirrors, and love them. Maybe try a mirror with Sparrow. If he can hear and see the other birds, he's probably fairly happy. My little Beaky is as happy as Larry and is constantly beeping and meeping around the room! He's best buds with Kevin (most of the time) and gets on fairly well with Merl, my star finch. There's nothing to say he HAS to be in a cage with someone else!

[EyesofFreedom]

He does have one eye and a crooked beak do I am wondering if they think he is weak or unfit to be a partner. To me he's a sweetie but to them he's probably a mutant.

that might be it... animals seek the strongest mates they can and usually chase off what they see as weak

[chirpy]

fhgwgads So sorry to hear you are still having problems

I agree maybe a mirror may help lonely sparrow? I put one in there when i first had R&R and Roseanne was in love with herself she would look at it all day until Rocksteady starting getting mad at it so I took it away! as long as hes not attacking th emirror it might help him out

Poor little guy.. such a sweet heart..

[Ginene]

Or a male society finch as a mate??? They are awesome and sweet!

[dcompt]

I was wondering about trying a male society with him too. Would you have a place for the society if it didn't work out?

[wilkifam]

I would not put a society in with a Zebra.

[fhgwgads]

Ginene@dcompt@wilkifam only problem is I would probably have a beat up society!! Lol.. he is a sweetie by himself but even though his vision is compromised he is a VERY strong boy. He just doesn't hit girls. Poor boy. And I didn't have another cage I already have to find bigger cages they are in cages that aren't big enough at the moment due to fighting.

@chirpy it never ends! They seem ok alone but Sparrow tries so hard to sing for girls!! I could try a mirror but I think he might be scared of it. I think EyesofFreedom is right.. He is considered an unfit mate. Zebrafincher I think I will keep them as is.. I just wanted poor Sparrow to have someone but he still seems happy!

Also has anyone heard of zebra finch females making weird squeaking yipping noises?? It's so strange!!

[chirpy]

fhgwgads thats no fun... poor my little Sparrow.. it sounds like our friend who tries hard but can't get a girlfriend! You can try a mirror, they were scared for a little while but they got used to it and Roseanne LOVED the darn thing and Rocky was getting jealous.. that's why I had to take it out since he would be singing and she owuld be like "oh this one is prettier (herself)".

How are Kuri and Shadow?

[Nerien]

Also has anyone heard of zebra finch females making weird squeaking yipping noises?? It's so strange!!

Mine make all kinds of weird noises at times.

[fhgwgads]

chirpy LMAO... this one is prettier!!!!! I am cracking up!!! Poor Rocky.. it just makes me sad when he sings so beautifully and dances and tries so hard and they like him when they are stuck in their own cages alone but once they are in with him they are like, "oh wait... nevermind!!". He is such a sweet, beautiful boy. I live the way he sings and he is so cute.. He moves do elegantly too! Even though he has one eye! Sometimes he even sings into his food bowl so it sounds like surround sound to himself... it's adorable!!

@Nerien I had never thought girls made any other noise but "meep" and "WAHHHH". It wasn't even like the cuddly noise they make when they are nesting.. it sounds like a tiny yipping dog. It just blew me away that it was the girls because I know the boys name all kinds of noises.

[chirpy]

fhgwgads wait, my soc's make funny noises at night! It's like a BurrrrrR!

My little guy John is funny. He stops in his track and sings for NO reason. Nobody is near him (all eating) and he just starts up LOL