Is my European Goldfinch Sick?

Alec's Finches · Post by **Alec's Finches** » Wed May 13, 2009 7:00 am

My Euros mouth is always open, all the time and sh also has gold specks on her head. Is anything wrong? Please Help, Thanks

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Wed May 13, 2009 11:31 am

Birds will breath with their mouths open when stressed, out of breath...after lots of flying. If it is doing it while at rest could be Air sac mites. Treat with S76 or Scatt. I have no idea about the gold specks.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed May 13, 2009 1:27 pm

Candace gave good advice. I don't know about the gold specks either. Can you post a pic of them?

Alec's Finches · Post by **Alec's Finches** » Wed May 13, 2009 5:42 pm

heres some pics

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37208085@N02/3529596644/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37208085@N02/3529596442/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37208085@N ... otostream/

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed May 13, 2009 5:50 pm

Here's one I found on a site that also has a bit of yellow mixed with the red. Maybe it's normal. But the open mouth definitely means it's feeling stressed.

http://www.birding.in/images/Birds/european_goldfinch.jpg

Alec's Finches · Post by **Alec's Finches** » Wed May 13, 2009 5:59 pm

thanks, thants what i thouht 2

but any idea what i can do about the open mouth?

it seems to be open less now tho, and i think thats good

also, it flys and jumps around like CRAZY!!!!!! IT NEVR STOPS WHEN I GET NEAR!!!!!!!! EVEN WHEN IM 2 FT AWAY FROM THE CAGE IT STILL DOES!!!

but thats usally normmal, ther ultra hyper.

mabey its just trying to catch its breath.

Thanks for taking your time 2 look up the pic =]

franny · Post by **franny** » Wed May 13, 2009 6:02 pm

It sure is beautiful. Maybe it's a wild caught bird since it's so nervous. Maybe hang some plastic or silk plants on the outside of the cage to give it some privacy until it settles down a bit and gets used to you.

Alec's Finches · Post by **Alec's Finches** » Wed May 13, 2009 6:23 pm

its illegal 2 import wild caught birds 2 the us.

ill see what i can do. have u ever had this problem?

mike · Post by **mike** » Wed May 13, 2009 6:30 pm

Alec's Finches wrote:its illegal 2 import wild caught birds 2 the us. ill see what i can do. have u ever had this problem?

I pretty sure that's not true. The US has a big market for WC animals.

Alec's Finches · Post by **Alec's Finches** » Wed May 13, 2009 6:38 pm

hmm there seems 2 be alot of argument of this subject

here read this, it says its illegal, but people still do it

http://baraza.wildlifedirect.org/2008/0 ... -is-close/

it also really makes you think about wildlife.

mike · Post by **mike** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:40 pm

Alec's Finches wrote:hmm there seems 2 be alot of argument of this subject

here read this, it says its illegal, but people still do it

http://baraza.wildlifedirect.org/2008/0 ... -is-close/

it also really makes you think about wildlife.

That's about illegal wildlife trade, which means smugglers who do not go through the proper channels to acquire wildlife. With the proper paperwork, wildlife can be imported into the US.

Alec's Finches · Post by **Alec's Finches** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:35 pm

hmm o well. over time many wild animals can be demostocated,some just cant live well in captivity (like exotic primates) and some depend on humans (dogs and such)

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Fri May 15, 2009 11:40 pm

Last year I purchased a pair of Goldbreasted Waxbills from this guy who buys them from someone in California who imports them. I think importing of birds is very common. I had to give them up because they wouldn't settle down and their constant crazy flying was too much for me. He also sold Twinspots and several others that were wild caught.

Alec's Finches · Post by **Alec's Finches** » Sat May 16, 2009 8:07 am

mabe mines is wild, oh well ill wait

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Sat May 16, 2009 12:59 pm

I use to have this breed. They are very hyper and usually do best in a large aviary. Even if it is not wild caught it may have been bred in an aviary setting which will allow them to behaive more like wild caught. Especially if put in a small cage (small determined by what they were use to)

These europeans can crossbreed with canaries... could be a mule that is a crossbreed.....could explain the color or mutation.