Cut-throat and Saffron Finches

Nagdabit · Post by **Nagdabit** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 11:25 pm

Somebody locally is advertising a pair of Cut-throats and a pair of Saffrons. I was reading about them over at the Finch info center but would appreciate some more detailed personal experiences if anyone would care to share

Thanks
Rory and Sherry

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Fri May 01, 2009 12:50 am

Both are considered aggressive species. They are beautiful but would harass you zebras. If keeping seperate cages then enjoy. Check out the info on finchinfo.com.
I had cut throats before. Very aggressive when breeding and my Hens suffered from eggbinding more than any other finch that I have bred. Maybe it was just my line but I have heard others say the same thing.
Never kept the saffrons.

solo_birdlover · Post by **solo_birdlover** » Fri May 01, 2009 3:31 am

Read what I had to say about them in previous postings. My own personal experience was different. I had a pair of CTs with two female Strawberries in the same cage -a small cage first- even though many people and breeders warned me not to put them togather. Yup, the little Strawberries kicked the "aggressive" CTs' butts ! But I dont know. I guess it depends on the individual bird sometimes. Mine were peaceful .

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri May 01, 2009 6:55 am

That's pretty bad when a bird harrasses a zebra!

I have seen them before at bird fairs. They always have the cut throats in their own cages. I don't know..... they for some reason don't interest me. I think it is the name along with the red line on their throats....

They aren't very attractive in my opinion. Sorry... hope it doesn't offend anyone.... just my opinion.

mike · Post by **mike** » Fri May 01, 2009 7:15 am

dfcauley wrote: They aren't very attractive in my opinion. Sorry... hope it doesn't offend anyone.... just my opinion.

They are actually surprisingly attractive. I didn't really like them when I first saw them but when I had them in my care I noticed a lot of interesting features. For example they look as though they have reptilian skin (scales) rather than fathers because of the pattern of the feathers. They have a very sleek form. They also remind me of chickens. But everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm sure no one is offended by yours. Since I'm on the subject, I'll tell you which bird I don't find attractive at all and this will probably offend everyone. I think gouldian finches are very unattractive. I think it's because they look like clowns; too gaudy.

Anyway the reason for my post, when I was in the shop before getting my cut-throats, I noticed they were biting everyone in the cage; anyone who got too near. They were very mean. I don't think I'd keep them with anyone but themselves.

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:25 am

In my local bird store they have one lone male Cut Throat in with a bunch of African waxbills. He seems very peaceful with them but maybe because he's the only one and he is out numbered. I really think it's the individual bird too.

I think the Saffron finches are Gorgeous! I would love to see them in person some day.

Renee

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Fri May 01, 2009 10:11 am

All birds get more aggressive when in breeding mode. Cut Throats are naturally more aggressive than some other species but when breeding they seldom tolerate any other, especially in a cage. As long as they were not in the breeding mode you probably could put them in a mixed aviary.

I agree with you Mike, they are very attractive and interesting birds. I wish I had had more success with them. Their feathering is some of the most beautiful, each feather is ringed in black giving it that scale look.... awesome.

Nagdabit · Post by **Nagdabit** » Fri May 01, 2009 10:28 pm

This is the reply I got from the party with the Cut-throat and Saffron Finches

"They are unrelated to my knowledge. I would like $125.00 for the pair of cutthroats and $75.00 for the pair of yellow finches."

Unfortunately we are just too jam packed with Zebras and don't have the room for separate cages for these guys, at least not right now. If anyone else would be interested I can give you her information. She also lives in York and I don't think shipping is an option.

Rory and Sherry

trevorama · Post by **trevorama** » Fri May 01, 2009 11:23 pm

I have kept Cut-Throats and they were only aggressive to other birds when they were trying to breed. Also, my pair were not very good parents, abandoning the nest/chick tossing. As a result I have a tame female (because we raised it after she got dumped). She's great. Unfortunately my male just lost his mate (in the on-going saga I'm dealing with) and he seems to be looking for a friend amongst the rest of the flock. I really think he misses her. They were truly bonded. I've enjoyed them dispite the chick-rearing issues. I simply stopped letting them build nests. Also, I really like his song. It's unusual and I think he's very pretty.

Nagdabit · Post by **Nagdabit** » Sat May 02, 2009 12:56 am

mike wrote:I'll tell you which bird I don't find attractive at all and this will probably offend everyone. I think gouldian finches are very unattractive. I think it's because they look like clowns; too gaudy.

Actually I have to agree with you to some degree. They really haven't ever done much for either one of us. Although we do like some of the off color ones that people have posted pics of on the forum. Especially those with a variety of shades of blue.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sat May 02, 2009 6:25 am

That is funny I never heard anyone say they didn't like gouldians

Butt hope Paul doesn't see this one......

That is what makes this world go around... we all see things with different eyes.

Maybe I will next a closer look at those cut-throats at the next mart. I have been known to change my mind.

Nagdabit · Post by **Nagdabit** » Sun May 03, 2009 12:14 pm

Not to belabor the point, but after talking it over with the wife yesterday afternoon, I believe I understand why I only like certain kinds of Goulds. In viewing the thread on Coby in my opinion that bird is absolutely gorgeous. See, my background is in colors, and I am very anal about things matching. Coby's colors are, for the most part, all of the same family, so they blend well. Whereas the colors on other Goulds contrast (ie green and red are opposite to each other on the color wheel) so for some reason that bothers me. I know it's stupid but it's the "Adrian Monk" in me I guess.

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Sun May 03, 2009 1:26 pm

Aaahhhh, I bet you have a very traditinal color palette in your home....no mod decor like a subdued grey and black with splashes of orange and chartruese....... I bet your Christmas tree is not done in the traditional red and green but blues and silvers or burgandy and creams.... am I close?
My whole downstairs is grey , black and stainless. The only color is a 210 salt water fish tank with gaudy colored fish and the tropical fish prints on the walls.......We even covered the pool table with grey felt so the only color is the bright, gaudy pool balls. The gym is also charcoal grey floor with black and chrome equitment...but there are very coloful, gaudy mask (that is exactly what we call them) hung all over the walls. These are a result of the charitable event, Mask Gala, we attend every year for covenant hospice. Artist, actors, etc. paint and decorate plaster masks to be autioned off to raise money for the charity. ( there are around 40 hanging in there) It inspires us to stay healthy......
While in the 2nd story library it is rich creams, burgandy, brass, red oak, rose marble tile..... all in the same color family. Each brings out a totally different feeling.
While the 3rd floor is our retiring suite....It is done in soft natural maple and shaded whites and greys. The color of the mountains in winter. My wolf sulpture collection is housed there and it really gives that den/sleep secure place feeling. I also love colors and how they make you feel...so I can relate to what you are feeling.
I guess the birds are the same way..... my goudians, red headed parrot finches, scarlet chested parakeets make me smile, laugh and excited. While my zebra phaeos, whites , greys, and the goldbreast, and canaries are very relaxing and calming........
I guess I just like it all

Nagdabit · Post by **Nagdabit** » Sun May 03, 2009 3:38 pm

Don't cha just love how these threads can't take such drastic turns and end up going in a totally different direction.

Anyway...

CandoAviary wrote:Aaahhhh, I bet you have a very traditinal color palette in your home....

Quite the contrary, we are not afraid of color, it all just has to blend together well. The wife always loved interior decorating and has a very good knack for textures and the sort. Generally I don't get too involved, I'm just overly anal about colors.

Our house is just your basic three bedroom rancher, and each room has it's own color scheme, but it has to be harmonious. For example our kitchen is kind of an olive green with cream trim and copper accents. Sher got some copper metallic paint and lightly sponged it over the green walls. Then we took the same copper paint and diluted it to use as a stain on all our cabinetry, while I bought some sheets of actual copper metal and cut it to use as a back splash, which was then mixed with cream and copper colored ceramic tile.

I have a difficult time when things don't match., I guess you could say I have a touch of Obsessive Compulsive Behavior. While eating at a fast food restaurant some time ago I was distracted because the yellows didn't match. The upper wall color was towards the green side of yellow and the lower was towards the red. It drove me nuts to sit there and eat my sandwich staring at this "horrendous mismatch', while I'm sure no one else ever even noticed it

Sorry for that scary little peek into my inner workings...

As for the birds, while we enjoy the beautiful colorings our Zebras display, we're more intrigued by how they behave and interact. As much as we'd like to set them up in some sort of an aviary environment, I think I'd really miss that close interaction that we have now with them back here in our office / computer room. And besides, in our small house we just don't have a place for such an apparatus. As the wife joking says, guess we're going to have to build onto our house so we have a place for the birds.

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Sun May 03, 2009 4:13 pm

Thanks for sharing your True colors

Sound like Sher's decorating skills and the copper crafts are right up my alley..... Love unique one of a kind creations.