Favourite Finch

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 5:42 pm

Hi Guys,

This is my first post and I am moving onto finches from hookbills. There are currently so many species available that I am a little overwhelmed by the choice. I am particularly attracted to finches with a pleasant song and would be swayed in this direction if it were down to deciding between just two or three candidates. My question is, if you keep just one species of Finch to the exclusion of all others which species would it be? and why?

In anticipation of your responses

Ian

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:41 pm

If you want a finch that is both pretty to look at, and has a nice song, then I think the Cordon Bleu is my first choice. (I prefer the look of the blue capped - but they are hard to find here. Where are you located?)

Second choice would be Strawberries, for their song.

If you want colorful as well, with a pleasant but not spectacular song, then either Stars or Gouldians would be my personal next choice. I only have Goldbreasts, and they are very quiet, though active and fun to watch. But not much in the way of a song.

But you will probably get quite a few differing opinions!

Welcome to the forum and welcome soon to finch keeping!

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:44 pm

Hello...Welcome to the Forum!

I would say get Owls but I am prejudiced....don't know why.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 6:58 pm

It really depends on your personal wants. If you want an easy breeding bird - go with Societies or Zebras to start with.

James · Post by **James** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:21 pm

Well come, If you will fill out your profile it will help us help you. Plus we would like to get to know you. This is a great forum, we will get to be friends.

James

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:12 pm

Ian,
Everyone has their individual favorites. Start with the Finch Information Center and read about them. Some species have voice clips to listen to.
If you're only going to acquire one specie, then no problems. But, if you get different species, make sure that they are compatible.

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:41 pm

Welcome Ian..

You will find a lot of great people and advice in here. Know that I have.

Everyone has already said what I would. Check the Finch Information Center and make your own conclusions. Just know they are addicting and you will want more

There are a lot of choices.

Post by **Sally** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 3:05 am

Green Singers are wonderful singers, related to canaries, but they are difficult birds for the beginner. It is hard to pick just one favorite, and we all have different likes and dislikes. Cordon Bleus are easy to keep, not easy to breed, have gorgeous color, wonderful song, and they will usually get along with other species. Stars and Gouldians both have fairly quiet little songs. As atarasi said, if you want more than one species, best to stick to the passive ones, lots fewer problems with them getting along.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:02 am

Hi All,

Thanks for all your great replies, I have been reading intently each species profile and visited many local outlets that sell Finches (Here In Sunny Swindon in the UK). I would like to specialise in possibly one finch in order to further the captive population for aviculture. But as I have found with hookbills there is only so much information that you can read about and it often falls very short of what can be conveyed from an experienced keeper. I do like Green Singers and Cordon Bleu`s but bird keeping needs to be a combination of both pleasure and mental stimulation. When both of these elements are combined within a singular species then the keeping becomes more of an art form of which great knowledge and skill develop. There must be a particular species that each of you just `feels` an affinity for and is both stimulating, captivating and whose keeping becomes a `way of life `.

Sorry to drift there but I hope you get my point.

I am really in to keeping a mono species and pooling all opf my knowledge and skills into this singular species.

I have at present acquired a pair of captive bred European Goldfinches, but to re-iterate I am attracted to Green singers too.

So really any input with regard to your favourites would be wholly appreciated.

Many, Many Thanks

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:24 am

sunny and UK in the same sentence, that just doesnt ring true. well maybe once or twice a year

in regard to the finches I would say green singers or strawberries for sone, gouldians for colour.
hopefully Poohbear (Paul) will read this post and be able to let you know which birds are more readily available in the UK. he is our resident pommy nutter

( but also very knowledgable about birds)

lonchura_boi · Post by **lonchura_boi** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:28 pm

black and white mannikin (aka bluebill mannikin, lonchura bicolor

they are firely little characters, murderous infact, i lost a whole nest of of silverbills at fledging to them as they are so aggressive.

they are smart looking little birds, have a sweet, quiet call and are fairly undemanding. they are a challenge to breed, lol, identifying a pair is the hard bit!
they are sooooo hard to get in this country now because of import bans, but if i could get them again... i would jump at the chance!

lonchura_boi · Post by **lonchura_boi** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:31 pm

Ian wrote:
I am attracted to Green singers too.

:

good luck finding them at a decent price... the last time i saw them a few weeks ago, they were £65 each

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:03 pm

Ian,

Do you have any bird shows or bird marts (not stores) in your area? If you do, you'll be able to see and hear them up close and talk with the breeders on the ones you have an interest. I've found they love to talk about their birds and you can get some great advice. The breeders know better than any book or forum.

Just a suggestion.

Ian · Post by **Ian** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 4:25 pm

Hi Guys,

Saw some Silverbills today at a local dealer`s, I hadn`t really considered them before because of there muted colour. But when I watched there acrobatic antics and gentle sociable nature in the aviary I was quite taken by them. Anybody else keep them?

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:41 pm

I had a pair , but I donated them to a school classroom. I did keep one of their babies because it had a deformed claw. (no problems perching and living a happy llife in my aviary)

They are very docile birds and bond very closely with their mates. They aren't necessarily pretty birds, but very enjoyable. I would recomment them.