Aviary Plans - Gouldians, Waxbills & Canaries

[Rox]

So after the initial excitement of planning a second breeding aviary was over and the research into keeping the more aggressive finch species began, I have completely decided AGAINST keeping a flight of the more ‘bully’ finches. Main reason being that it limits the types of birds I could keep together and I would like to keep a mix of birds that use nest boxes/cups and those who weave their own nest. This assists to reduce competition over nest sites (the ‘bully’ birds all seem to prefer weaving their own nests). So between myself and my poor mother who has to be my sounding board, we have decided to keep a mix of Gouldians, waxbills and canaries in each aviary, as this is a nice mix between nest types and sites. I will probably keep my pair of Star Finches (I have a soft spot for them) but I am still undecided about my hyperactive RH parrot finches…

I am fortunate to have breeders here in SA that can source a variety of waxbills. If I purchase birds, I would like to purchase a minimum of 2 pairs to at least be able to swop blood lines if I have any success breeding them. While my true breeding hope lies with the gouldians and canaries, the waxbills are beautiful eye candy and I would LOVE for them to breed if they are happy enough.


Now finally my questions, lol!

I have seen so many comments about keeping waxbills as one pair per aviary/flight. From what I have read, it’s only really the GB Waxbills that do well in a colony type setting (I totally understand that the Twinspots and more aggressive waxbills like Melba’s should be 1 pair only per enclosure). And yet I have seen posts/photo’s on different websites from aviary breeders who keep colonies of Firefinches, Orange Cheeks or CB’s together in colonies. Does this only work if you have a large amount of pairs together or would eg 3 pairs of each work? Or would I just be asking for trouble? Alternatively, I will then keep 1 pair per aviary.

Below are the waxbills which I am looking into and I would appreciate some feedback on whether they should be kept alone, can be kept in a small colony or if they will hybridize with another waxbill on the list

Available to purchase:
GB waxbills (already have)
BB Cordon Bleu (already have)
Orange Cheeked waxbill
Red-Eared (Black rumped) waxbill
Firefinches

And then we have my wish list aka when I rob a bank
Peter Twinspot
Lavender waxbill
Yellow-wing Pytilia (red headed pytilia)

Also, any comments on the Jacarini Finch (Blue black grassquit) or Scaly Feathered Finch (weaver)? The breeder I purchased my CB’s from has them and I think they are just too beautiful!

The new aviary should hopefully be going up next weekend. You would think it's Christmas already I am so excited

[procfamily]

my aviary has a single pair of golden breast finches, a pair of red cheek cordon blues and and a pair of blue breasted cordon blues. It is a 12 foot by 10 foot space and they aren't completely peaceful but with the space they keep out of each others way with a minimum of short-lived chasing. The cordon blues are more likely to bother each other than the gold breasts.

Also in the aviary I have two pairs of gouldians, a pair of owls and two pairs of stars and seven societies. Only one baby owl has made it to adulthood, although many eggs have been laid by every breed. so I see why those interested in breeding use cages.

[Rox]

procfamily thank you so much for the feedback

I haven't had any problems with my Gouldians, Stars or Canaries breeding in a mixed flight. I haven't had any success yet with the GB or CB's but we are only now going into the breeding season my side. So will have to wait and see (it's my first proper season with them).

I will probably end up having 1 pair of each in each aviary and see how it goes from there. So far there has been no arguing between my GB or CB's, they don't seem to interfere with each other. As mentioned, breeding would be a plus. I just don't want unnecessary fighting if i can help it.

[monotwine]

You are fortunate in that you have a good sized aviary with variety of birds requiring varied habitats so you are wise in your thinking of how you plan to keep them.
From my limited experience:
GB waxbills (keep and breed as a flock)
Cordon Bleu (single pairs breed best. I've kept up to 3 pairs together before only one ever really breed in such a set up. The other two never get a chance, so if you want to breed them all, separate the pairs for best results)
Orange Cheeked waxbill (keep and breed as a flock)
Red-Eared (Black rumped) waxbill (flock type too, but I've never kept them)
Firefinches (successfully kept and bred as 2-3 pairs per aviary)

I saw a pair of lavenders the other day at a trader. Was sorely tempted, but they were expensive and quite ratty after spending time in quarantine and import. Felt sorry for them. Felt sorry for the orange cheeked waxbills too, so got some of them for aviary entertainment. Very cute little birds.

I've not kept scaly feathered weavers, but seen them as flocks in other keepers aviaries. They've always been in large planted ones. http://weavers.adu.org.za/newstable.php?id=247
From the link above they sound quite gregarious. I'd love to get some, but alas already have yellow bishops, so my weaving nest type lot are already represented. Go for it.... I'm not the best person to ask. I'd get them all if I could.

[Rox]

monotwine

Monique, as always, thank you!!!

I'm definitely going to keep a flock then of GB's in one aviary and a flock of another in the 2nd aviary and split the 2 pairs of CB's up (need to catch the little terrors first...) Now to decide what the other flock should be!

Question: How many pairs are good number for starting a flock?

Ps. We are grannies now. Blake and Violet finally fledged this one on Monday. A chubby "only child" but it's a good start after 2 dud rounds

[monotwine]

oh yay Congrats. Let it start at one and move into many numbers later.

3 pairs can make a nice start to a little flock. I love how they group together and move around. Your initial purchase will have to consider the on going avail of your flock choice. less avail buy more to hedge your bets of securing viable pairs and genes.

Im def coming to visit soon!