MY RED EARED WAXBILL IS IN LOVE....WITH A STAR???

[lovezebs]

Hello Folks...

For the last little while, I've been hearing a cute little song out of the Waxbill flight. Whenever I would come near though it would stop so I wasn't sure who the singer was . Then I discovered a couple of tiny eggs in the seed container at the bottom of the cage, but both were cracked, so I disposed of them. Then yesterday, the mystery was solved regarding the happy singer.

As I was baking in the morning, I heared the song again. Being close enough this time, I spotted one of my tiny Red eared Waxbill boys, popping up and down with a piece of dry grass in his mouth. He was singing up a storm.

The recipient of this romantic display?

Sunny, my sweet little Yellow Headed Star ....

Next thing I know.... no candle light, no wine, no magic violins.... he jumped her. She took off, but I'm not sure if the deed was done.

Good heavens! Is this even possible??? Can they hybridize??? They are very different birds, but who am I to stand in the way of true love???

~Elana~

[CHIRP]

SEXIST!

[MariusStegmann]

I have had several of these mixed race pairings. I had a Lavender male with a Peter twinspot female, a Lemon breasted canary with a goldenbreasted waxbill hen, and a Silverbill with a goldenbreasted waxbill hen. I sorted ended the pairings and got rid of one of the birds and got the proper mate for the left over bird.

[lovezebs]

CHIRP
EXCUSE ME?

~Elana~

[lovezebs]

MariusStegmann

Hi Marius.....
Have you ever had any off- spring from these pairings?
Is it possible for a waxbill to mate and have chicks with a Star Finch ? They are a very different species, but she is laying eggs, even though they were broken and damaged.

~Elana~

[CHIRP]

Well - looks like you are off to a good start in 2015, babies on the way

[lovezebs]

CHIRP
That's the problem, that I don't know whether these two can even have babies together.

~Elana~

P.S. How are the Zebbies doing btw?

[CHIRP]

I hope you have luck, will be a good start to 2015 if they do have young

Thanks, yes they are fine (DON'T WANT TO HIJACK YOUR POST HERE). They are all ok, as usual active and healthy, he is building again as can be expected

I have them on a diet of AVI SUP now as well, cant do any harm.

Maybe we both have eggs and hatch lings the same time, so roll on 2015.......

Have a good 2015 Elana may it be "EGGFULLLLLLLL"

[Sally]

They are not listed at the Finch Information Center as being able to hybridize, but then who knows, maybe it just has never happened. Are there any other birds in the waxbill flight that could be responsible for the two eggs?

[lovezebs]

CHIRP

Best of luck to you in the up coming New Year, and best of wishes as well. Hoping you have an Eg-citing 2015.

~Elana~

[lovezebs]

Sally
There are a pair of Orange Cheeks, two male Red Bill Fires, two male Red Ears, and one female Star (who was bullied in another flight).

These eggs are too large for the Waxbills. They are sort of narrow and elongated (white in colour). I found another one this evening (this one whole) and placed it in a nest that has been in the flight for a long time.

Not holding my breath on this one though. Can't imagine what the kids would look like.

~Elana~

[Sally]

lovezebs The Star is probably stimulated to lay eggs by the mating behavior of the RE Waxbill. I would be surprised if the eggs are fertile.

[lovezebs]

Sally
Probably good for a mini omelet

If they were fertile though, that would be something though, wouldn't it?

~Elana~

Merry Christmas!!!