Owl Finches

[terrylt7]

I went to the show in Baltimore yesterday. There were so many nice birds. There were 2 different vendors with Owl Finches. One vendor had them but didn't know the sexes. I really wanted a male and female. The other vendor had some awesome looking vendors but while I was looking, someone bought them all, but a couple males. They are going to be at the show in Exton Pa. They said they would have more at that show, so........lol I put in my order and they took the info. So really excited about getting Owl Finches but the best thing about getting them is the price. Both vendors were selling the for $ 90.00 a pair!! So if possible I would like to get as much information about these finches. I have been reading a lot online but would appreciate and info with members that have the Owl Finches. Thanks

Terry

[newlinta]

Terry,
Who did you order them from?
I'm getting a pair at the Exton show,too...from Mike Lamereaux(out of Harrisburg,Pa) for the same price.
I pre-ordered them a few months ago along with a OH/WB/sfYB gouldian male.
He raises some beautiful birds and is a very knowledgeable,helpful guy!!
Tim

[cindy]

I recently picked up two pairs of owls (very hard to come by in Florida) for $170.00 per pair. If you can get healthy good owls at $90.00 per pair that is a great, no TERRIFIC price.

Mine are really sweet. One of the pairs is a little bolder than the other, owls are one of my favorite finches.

Mine love seed, dried egg food mixed with ground Roudybush, mealies, greens. They bathe like a bizillion times a day. In the morning after I turn on all the finch lights the two pairs (in separate flights) chime in a group call and sort of announce the morning.

I offered both pairs a choice of Bamboo finch nest or keet open front box. One pair likes the box the other chose the nest. Their favorite nesting material is cocofiber and Timothy grass (Petco). I cut the fiber and grass into managable pieces. The males like to dance for their females with the grass stems that have the seed heads still on them. I use thick stemmed silks for them to perch and hide in.

Mine are building, courting and mating but so far no eggs...I am patient.

Keep us posted and let us know when you get them. You'll enjoy them.

[Sally]

Owls are terrific little finches, lots of personality. As cindy said, they love to bathe. They also like to sleep in a nest rather than a perch, if possible. Mine tend to be a little flighty, though some are calmer than others. If they breed, they may pop out of the nest every time you enter the bird room, so you won't see them on the nest and won't realize they are incubating, then surprise you with babies--nice! That's a great price!

[cindy]

Sally, mine are a little flighty at first but settle down once they see you aren't going to try to catch them and you have food. They are building, building, building. I love the little mating dance. I am so happy to own mine and can't wait for them to have little owls!

[terrylt7]

Tim. Yes that is exactly who I am getting them from. He does seem very nice and the birds were beautiful. He had Gouldians also they were very nice. On his webpage he has Cordon(spelling) Blues and I don't think they were about a little more then the Owls. I think $110 but don't quote me on that price. They are in Harrisburg Pa, but I would make the trip anytime to get some of his birds. LOL
I can't wait for the Exton show and that is when I will get them. Maybe I will see you there!

Terry

[terrylt7]

Cindy,
Your Owls are beautiful. I have always wanted a pair but I figured they were a lot of money, but thought one day I would get me a couple. Then when I started walking around the show yesterday and seen two vendors with them for $90.00, I was like oh my goodness. Then I did some fast talking to hubby. LOL They were the cutest little things with them all in the cage. The person that bought them all knew that was a deal also and lucky them. I have just gotten into finches and also canaries. I guess I got my first back in late winter of last year. I have never bred any of them. I am just trying to learn as much as I can before I try to breed. I have several kind of finches and my canaries are a pair of Glosters one being crested and a cute little yellow Fife and three female american singers. Thank you for all the information about the Owls and those pictures are awesome of your Owls. Have you ever had any babies? Also how do you get such good pictures? Thanks for sharing the pictures and information. Oh I almost forgot, I am getting them on the 31st of October at a show in Pa.

Terry

[terrylt7]

Sally,
Wow by looking at all the birds you have listed I take it you must breed finches. Wish you lived closer I you sell them. Well I guess it would be good if I ever breed them I don't know and they just pop out cause I would be a nervous wreck. Are they pretty easy to breed? Yes it was a great price for the owls. If I had been a little earlier I might have gotten more then one pair. I love to watch my finches bath, and if I am standing in front of the cage, I am wet also. lol Thanks for the information.

Terry

[terrylt7]

I must not have had my glasses on when I first posted about getting the Owls. I thought I put it in the Finch Chat section and here it is in the market place. Sorry about it being in the wrong place.

Terry

[Sally]

Why don't I move this to Species, since it is turning into a general discussion of Owls, and others may learn something, too.

[Nagdabit]

Never bought anything from Mike, but have had numerous conversations with him at various shows. Stand up guy with very good quality stock. Both you and Tim are getting excellent birds. We should be at the Exton show as well. Still a little unsure about all the details as of yet.

Rory and Sherry

[cindy]

I haven't had any eggs yet but they love building and fussing over the nest. Both pairs have been mating, the male courts and does his little dance multiple times. I try not to disturb my finches, I give them treats after lunch and feed and water after dinner. I clean the trays and grills on Thursdays.

They don't eseem to mind the activity in the room like my washing the floor, the dogs runnig around playing. They seem interested and get down onto the bottom or a low perch and crane their necks to see. I try to talk to them or do their little sound if I need to come into the cage.

When they were in quarantine in the back room so to not startle them coming around the corner to the room I would do the little "meeee" sound they make to announce myself. They would bend down and look towards the door to see me come in.

They do flutter around alot but settle easily, I noticed the females more so than the males seem more flighty especially one of mine.

I am considering getting the flight cages that are a little taller for the owls so they can go to the top and not be so frightened. Right now they are in separate 30 x 18 x 18 flights but next to each other where they can see the other pair's cage. In the picture the owls are on the top left and right on the shelving unit. I have a total of six cage, two more are up top with Gold Breast and Orange Cheek in them. Currently on the bottom I have Red Cheek Cordon Bleu and Helena under the owls, the bottom 2 shelves are storage. My Shaftail are in a larger separate flight cage.

[terrylt7]

Cindy
I love your set up of your cages. Are they breeding cages and what size? Do you use them for your normal cages for the finches? Also where did you get the shelving unit. Its very nice how you have it all set up. Thanks for sharing.

Terry

[cindy]

Thank you Terry,

Target has the wire shelves for $39 in white, black or chrome. It comes with a 5th shelf but to put all the cages on I could only use 4 of the shelves.

The cages are 30' long, x 18' high x 18' deep. I have a pair of RCCB in one, a pair of owls in two of the cages, a pair of Orange cheek in another, a pair of St Helena in one on the bottom.

My shaftail are in a bigger 38' w x22' deep x36'' high cage.

[cindy]

The mating process...how long does all the little dancing go on for before they actually have eggs?

It just seems like this one little male owl of mine has danced and danced for days and days, he must be exhausted!!!!!

This has got to be the longest courtship

Is there a Justice of the Peace around so we can pronounce them hubby and wife so they will settle down and have chicks??????

Oh my, he is dancing again!