Info on weavers and whydahs please?

[kimnfinches]

Me and my dad have just finished building an outdoor aviary about 20 by 30 feet. We were thinking it would be cool to place a weaver and a whydah out there. We already have 2 little zebras out there and they seem to enjoy it. Would a weaver and whydah be ok out in the aviary? I was also thinking of a couple of green singers. All birds going out there will be male. What type of food would be best for them? Any info on them will be appreciated!!! Thank you!!!

[MariusStegmann]

Just take into account that most male wydahs are very aggressive around food.

[MiaCarter]

I have a weaver and a PT whydah.

They're in my bird room with zebras, gouldians and a society, plus 2 budgies and 2 cockatiels.

They do really well, although there are sometimes minor conflicts with the zebras. Never over food; it's usually over territory. (It's tough to even call it territorial. The weaver will bump into a zebra on the perch and the zebra doesn't appreciate getting bumped into and they'll get into a beak fencing match for a few seconds until one backs off.)

The weaver and whydah cage up together at night. They have an odd relationship. It's peaceful co-existence and absolutely nothing more. They never come within 4-6 inches of each other, never preen each other, cuddle, etc. It's bizarre, really, as finches always seem to bond with their bunk-mates.

Both my weaver and my whydah are very much loners, so I plan on getting another another whydah and another weaver in the near future.

The PT Whydah has the most lovely song. He starts every morning at 5 am (on the dot, before I've even turned the lights on in the bird room!) and doesn't stop until late afternoon. It's so lovely. He rivals the most vocal canaries in repertoire and pretty-ness of his song.

[kimnfinches]

Thank you for the comments I appreciate them, I will think things over on what to do. I am now considering a pintail, I love to walk out and hear the birds singing. Would a pintail and paradise whydah get along or is it best to get 2 of the same? Thank you for the comments! I want to be sure I make the right choice.

[wessel]

I used to have yellow-crowned bishops, take in mind that when you give them nesting material, they will build nests against the wire. If you are planning on breeding them, always more females than males. Preferably for each males at least 2 females. Also keep in mind that weavers could be very aggressive during the breeding period, so it's reccomended to mix them with birds equal to their size or larger, however I had them with common waxbills and got no problems.

Never mix different species of whydah/weavers toghether, if they are also different genders, however you could luck out like mia but she only has one male and one female, so there is no competition, normally they are very aggressive with each other, of course there are a few acceptions like the red-billed quelea.

If you plan to breed whydas, keep in mind that some species are parasitic, that means they lay their eggs in other birds (like common waxbills or orange cheecked waxbills) nests. So if you are going to choose the whydahs, consider also buying a small group of common waxbills, (3 pairs at least) if you want succes breeding them.

[w.l.]

wessel

OP has written that all birds going into their aviary will be males, so breeding obviously won't be an issue.
I would still be cautious about male weavers though.
Females are less aggressive, but still, my golden weaver females can give each other bites that seem strong enough to finish off a waxbill!

[kimnfinches]

Thank you for replying, I think I will get one whydah and that hopefully shouldn't cause any problems. The cage is 20 by 30 feet and there are only 2 little zebras so they will have a good area to call their own territories. Thank you so much for the info!!!

[wessel]

w.l. kimnfinches
Sorry, I misread

If you are only going to do a single male, I don't think there will be any trouble. In the beginning the other birds will probably be scared by the long tail, but they will get used to that.

[MiaCarter]

Agreed, I would not mix Pintail and Paradise whydahs. I've had both though never at the same time. But they're both rather pushy.