Peters's Twinspot male compatible with Gouldian Males

[w.l.]

1 Lavender and 1 Helena would get along but they'd be much happier with a mate of their own species - their characters are too different to be good partners for each other.

My Lavenders bred in a mixed aviary and didn't get aggressive - strawberries were more aggressive when breeding!
The trouble with Lavenders is that they are too inquisutive, and may destroy others' nests and steal their babies for nest decor (seriously!).
In a non-breeding collection two Lavenders would cause no trouble, just add lots of fun.

[marymac]

w.l.
How fascinating! So much good information I will have tomorrow with all of your wonderful input. Much thanks for sharing your knowledge of these guys!

[lovezebs]

marymac

Personally, I would get an Owl companion, for your singleton, and two of one other species which you find attractive, and which are peaceful and compatible. That's because I usually try to have at least two of each species if at all possible. I have found over the years, that most of these guys prefer to have another of their own kind to chum around with (it's just nature's way).

However, that will have to be your decision, as you look around and see what you find appealing. I have a sneaking suspicion, that you'll have a hard time walking away from the Cordon Bleu's, and a true pair of either the Red Cheeks, or the Blue Caps, would be a wonderful addition to your little collection (and won't be quick to breed either), but we we shall see.

Have fun, and don't spend all of your money,

[w.l.]

Personally, I would get an Owl companion, for your singleton, and two of one other species which you find attractive, and which are peaceful and compatible. That's because I usually try to have at least two of each species if at all possible. I have found over the years, that most of these guys prefer to have another of their own kind to chum around with (it's just nature's way).

Ditto.
Though my vote for that other species would go for the Lavenders.
Charming as cordons are, Lavenders have a much more interesting behaviour.

[Madcat]

marymac the next time I'm visiting my family there, I'm going!!!

[marymac]

lovezebs@w.l.

I'm on a wait list for a companion owl.

I GOT THE LAVENDERS!!!!!! They were in large aviary and he caught me a male and a female. They are beautiful and there so many that I enjoyed watching such a big and happy flock. BUT after about an hour in my 32'long by 20' wide quarantine cage I notice that they were going at each other! No one was being injured, but they are not getting along. I watched them for a long time to try and get a feel of what was up. The best I can tell is that the female is very upset and the male was trying to sing and chat at her. She went after him, then he returned her behavior. He would sit high up for awhile and when she'd act frantic he'd swoop at her and she's swooping and flutter all over. I have put out several food stations and water stations since these seemed to be where they were having issues. He's gone to a high corner under some greens and a nest to sleep. She never settled so I slowly dimmed then shut off lights. She's settled for now, but on a perch at the front of the cage.

I'm afraid she may have bonded to another and is stressed. I called the aviary and if they are no better tomorrow he said he'd let me borrow another cage to put one in and place them side by side. I feel pretty bad, I hope they settle in.

[lovezebs]

marymac

I hope they settle for you.
I imagine that it's somewhat unnerving to go from a large aviary to a smaller flight cage.

I would add lot's of greenery into the flight, even hanging some down the middle, so that they can get away from each other.

Tell us about the visit to the bird place, what was it like?

[marymac]

lovezebs
It was absolutely fantastic! The first thing that happened to me while I was looking at the finches was a 6 month old Tucan flew on my shoulder!!!! He was adorable and oh SO sweet!!! If I was rich I would have gone home with that sweet baby. I've never been more taken with a bird before in my life!

They also had some wild Trumpeters patrolling the aviary! I wore flip flops with pink polish on my toes and they would not stop pecking my toes LOL!!!!

But oh my gosh, I got to visit with every bird that you see on their site. My favorite finch was the Forbes. They were 10 times more beautiful in real life than their photos. But they were just too expensive for me. They will be a bird for me in the future though. He's very very successful at breeding them. He can barely keep up with them they're breeding so well for him. He originally was selling them for $500 a piece, but dropped the price to 200 because he's got so many now. As he walked me around the aviary the Tucan sat on his should and played with him and a yellow rumped cacique hung out with him as he walked outside and in his warehouse.

The owners are absolutely wonderful also! He's extremely knowledgeable on all the birds he has especially the finches and waxbills. I got a lot of wonderful information from him and I'm able to call him anytime I need for advice on any issues I'm having with birds and he's willing to help. I'd heard they were very good people and that was my experience also when I went there. Most of the finches are outside in massive individual aviaries within the main outer aviary. The Gouldians, Forbes, and a few others are housed indoors. Their home on the front of the property is absolutely spectacular. A very beautiful home in the upper Scottsdale community. I just had an absolutely wonderful day!

He also has a large Warehouse where he has a store. He sells a wonderful Finch blend. He credits his Finch blend for helping with the breeding that he is doing with a lot of these difficult to breed finches. So of course I had to get a bag.

So if anyone is ever in Arizona and wants to visit this place, please call me and I'll go with you!

[lovezebs]

marymac

Thanks for the description.
It kinda had me drooling a little bit

If I was living anywhere near there, I'd be over as often as possible. They'd probably have to chase me away with an angry parrot at my heels.

It sounds like you had a wonderful day altogether.

How are the Lavenders doing today?

[marymac]

lovezebs

Yes, I think it's wonderful!

I went back today, but to return the Lavenders. I was so sad. The female was just terrorizing the male. It finally escalated so badly that all he could do was hang on to the side, she wouldn't let him land on a perch without attacking him. I actually thought it was the male at attacking the female, but I decided to take both of them just in case so he could look at them. I was surprised to find out it was the female that was being the big bully. He offered to replace her with another but I just decided to return both of them at that point. He was so traumatized I didn't want to bring him home with another possible problem.

Soooooo, I now have a Blue Capped Cordon Bleu and a female CB!!!! They settled in very quickly and were not half as manic as the Lavenders had been. As the lights dimmed and went out tonight I peeked in and they were both snuggled up together looking just as sweet as can be! The female was so outgoing and inquisitve! She was exploring everything within the first hour.

[lovezebs]

marymac

Is your Blue Cap male or female?

If you have a male Blue Cap and a female Red Cheek.....
They will breed, and have hybrid chickies.

[marymac]

lovezebs

The Blue Cap is a male, the female came out of his red cheek aviary!!! I questioned him on this and now I'm confused!

[lovezebs]

marymac

http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... axbill.php

http://www.cliftonfinchaviaries.org/tfc ... cordon.htm

http://www.birdcare.com.au/cordon_bleu_waxbill.htm

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... 9&start=30

https://aviculture.co/cordon-bleu-waxbill/

Cordon Bleus
You may have heard the term cordon bleu associated with a chicken dish but it also a section of the Estrildid family. There are five species, three which appear similar to each other two which are different. The three are the Blue Waxbill; the red cheeked Cordon Bleu and the Blue capped Cordon Bleu. All of these birds can cross breed, and there are only slight visual differences between the three.

[marymac]

lovezebs
Ugh....
Well, if they bond and are a good addition, I'll just make sure we have no chickies!

[Shannylee]

marymac, that place sounds FABULOUS! The owner may be a good resource if you have a sick bird too.