Gouldian question

jimlas · Post by **jimlas** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 10:29 am

I am not sure this is a health problem or not. I just brought home my pair of Gouldians a few days ago and they will, not all the time, but will sit there on the perch and beat their wings really fast, off and on.Almost vibrating a little, but that might not be right. They are not scratching or itching or anything at all and I have seen that in one of my Pied finches when he was so warn out from feeding his chicks. Is it a nervous problem maybe?? Is it because they are in a new cage and want to fly but not sure of their boundries yet??

nixity · Post by **nixity** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 10:32 am

Probably has to do with the new cage.
Do you know what size cage they were housed in before?
I see this often when birds are moved from large cages to smaller ones.
What size cage is the pair in?

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 10:37 am

Here is a thread that addressed this exact topic.

http://finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8 ... g+flapping

Quick and short of it is that it wants to fly but cant. Never has been an issue for anyone. They adjust to their new environment quickly.

I have 2 yellow goulds. 1 came from a finch forum member who has a large aviary and the bird grew up flying. The mate I purchased for him was most likely accustomed to small cage life. They were purchased at the same time and put together in a 30x18x18 flight to go through quarantine. It was definitely smaller than what the male was used to and definitely larger than what the female was used to. The male ALWAYS flapped and the hen just watched him oddly ... she was probably thinking, hey buddy, relax, you have more space on your half than I had my whole life.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:22 pm

Chris,

Is he still doing that? I hope not......

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:28 pm

dfcauley wrote:Chris,
Is he still doing that? I hope not......

Nope. But he flies around a lot in the cage. The hen mimics him almost exactly. For her though, it was a matter of learning HOW to fly, not adjusting to such a small space. That girl, I swear, she has probably never spent any time in a cage larger then a cubic foot until I got her.

Flight plans are drawn and I will start building in 2 weeks when I have some free time. Both will have more than enough room to spread their wings inside of 2 months.

Still having trouble getting them to eat the way he used to at your place. Talking to Tiffany (nixity) about a proper diet for them since they dont seem to like much of anything that I give them.

jimlas · Post by **jimlas** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:18 pm

I am pretty sure that is what is happening with this boy. I think the breeder had them all in a big flight. I am going to have to get out my hammer and nails

akidsgal · Post by **akidsgal** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 5:10 pm

I have noticed this with some of my Goulds as well. I have seen it though as pre-breeding behavior. Soon after the next was built in and occupied. I think there are many a reason for this.

Flying room is a big one but there are others too.

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