Star Finch nest building

[a_gouldian]

We just received a pair of Red-faced Star Finches and they are in a Prevue F050 breeders cage. We put a nesting bird house on one end of the cage and on the other side are some branches with more artificial foliage. They are trying to build a nest in the upper corner on the opposite side from the bird house. I have attached a pic of the cage.

It doesn't seem like there is enough room there. They seem to be aiming to nest in the exact corner of the cage in an area that is about 3-4 inches square. Should we let them continue and see what they do or put a bamboo nest right in the corner, or something else? Right now the male is mainly using coconut husk fiber to start the nest and I put some in the bird house and sticking out of the bird house and all he has done is pull it out. I have never seen them go in the bird house.

[Sally]

Some birds simply prefer to build their own nest, they don't appreciate the offer of a free nest box! Also, some birds aren't comfortable with a nest box on the outside of their cage, so they can't check it out on all sides/top plus guard it from predators. The male is taking the coco fiber out of the nest box because it is easily available to him. I'd keep supplying the coco fiber and let him build his nest.

Nice cage! I'd be tempted to change out the dowel perches for natural branch perches and fewer of them. JMO

[a_gouldian]

Thanks for the input. Do you think the full spectrum light should be moved to the right side of the cage where they are building their nest or do they generally prefer less light where their nest is? They fly back and forth and perch on both sides of the cage but they do spend most of their time on the natural branches on the right side of the cage. There is a small window to the right of the cage where the sun comes in during the afternoon.

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

Nice set up.

My Stars, preferred open Canary style nests, or old Easter baskets. I would offer one close to the corner where they are building, and also offer lot's of nesting materials. Then leave it up to them.

Don't forget some nice juicy mealworms and flightless fruit flies (to put them in the mood).

[hanabi]

I have set up all my breeder cages with at least four nesting sites using four different types of nests (internal or external nest box, a canary nest, a urn/bottle nest, and a platform with 3cm sides in an upper corner where they can "roll their own". You can get an idea of the setup here:

https://youtu.be/jtNadSqXQA0

I find that pairs of the same species can choose different types of nests, i.e. one pair of my Plumheads took to an urn nest while the other pair chose canary nests on two separate occasions. Both completely ignore nest boxes, yet my Gouldians always seem to prefer nest boxes over any other type of nest. Two pairs of my Gold-breasts chose urn nests but a third pair built upon a platform. The unused nests can be taken out after the pair have made their choice if necessary.

Variety is the spice of life I guess.

[debbie276]

yet my Gouldians always seem to prefer nest boxes over any other type of nest.

I think since they have those iridescent nodules on each side of the mouth so the parent can find the chick in the dark it must just be hardwired in their little heads to find deep dark nest sights.

Nice set up, best of luck

[Ahmet_Menderes]

a_gouldian

Nice set up.

My Stars, preferred open Canary style nests, or old Easter baskets. I would offer one close to the corner where they are building, and also offer lot's of nesting materials. Then leave it up to them.

Don't forget some nice juicy mealworms and flightless fruit flies (to put them in the mood).

Really Amazing sally
Do you have pics for these stars in the open Canary nests ?
thanks alot

[Sally]

Ahmet_Menderes That wasn't me with the open canary nests, that was lovezebs. When I had Stars, they always used the hooded wicker nests (but then, I think that was all I offered to them, so they had no choice!).

[Ahmet_Menderes]

When I had Stars, they always used the hooded wicker nests (but then, I think that was all I offered to them, so they had no choice!).

As I'm new to the forume and trying to read ALL the topics at once
I think that I got confused