Placement of cage

[Chuck]

I have a new Soceity Finch. I got a single bird for now, rather than two, since the only other one in the petshop looked less healthy. The one I have is doing very well, seems very energetic and happy. I'm not sure I understand why the common advice is to put the cage out of the path of interaction with humans. Everything I've read said to place the cage "out of the path" of people. I have the cage in a window above the kitchen sink, where the bird, named Atticus, can watch me cook and do dishes, etc. He seems to love the interaction, in fact to thrive on it. I couldn't imagine putting him somewhere where he'd be off by himself. Maybe Society Finches are different than other breeds in terms of desire to be near people, or maybe because he's a singleton for now. But I thought I'd check in about others' experiences with cage placement. As far as I can tell, he couldn't be happier. I also have an African Grey who hangs around, and Atticus seems to be very engaged with him as well.

[Sunbay]

Atticus Finch!!!
Perfect!
We have a Great Blue Heron that hunts from our dock.
He is "Hank Heron".

[Sunbay]

I love watching the birds, so does everyone who comes into the house. I don't see the point of having them, if you can't have them be a part of the house.
I am recovering from ankle surgery, and my SIL is here recovering from back surgery. We set up 2 'zero-gravity' chairs in front of 2 of the aviaries, in the living room. We spend hours and hours watching "Finch TV"!
The Gouldian males will come up close, and if you wag your finger up and down, they will do their "hoppy dance." Too darn cute!

Personally, I think they 'get used' to being in area of activity, and enjoy it.

[Nerien]

How "over the sink" is the cage? If you dump a pot of boiling water (like draining spaghetti), is he completely clear of the steam? And beware if you use spray cleaners on the sink or counter, or anything with a lot of scent/odor.

We put a plant shelf across the window that's behind the sink, took a while to realize why only the really tough plants stayed alive up there.

[Ginene]

The kitchen isn't a great place for a finch. Way too many chemicals that can cause it to get sick and die...cleaners, Teflon, scented candles, etc. My societies are SUPER SOCIAL and loved being in my family room. Its a bit safer location and still allows your bird to be a pet.

[debbie276]

My gouldians love being part of the family. They are right next to the back door in the solarium attached to the kitchen.
Welcome to the forum

[30 Seconds to Bob]

I have to agree with Ginene on this one. A kitchen is probably the worst place to keep a bird - especially one as small as a canary or finch. They have a highly specialized air sac system in addidion to actual lungs. Smoke and fumes from cooking and cleaning can "do a bird in", in no time. Also, kitchens often experience rapid temperature changes from cooking, or opening the oven, refrigerator or freezer. (Again, not good for little birds)
They do get used to human traffic, so that isn't the issue. A well lighted corner of a living or family would be a much better choice for cage placement. I've even built simple wall shelves for the smaller cages to house individual birds. Bob

[Chuck]

Thanks for all of your comments. I raise parrots and know about teflon, chemicals, etc., none of which I use. So there's no danger of harm coming to the bird, at least not more than is always the case with a bird in a household. Over many years, I've never had a single incident occur in which a bird was harmed by anything in the envrionment. I think we learn, as bird handler, to be constantly thinking ahead and on the alert for anything that could be a danger.

[wellingtoncdm]

Welcome to the forum. Societies are great birds.
If you put your location in your profile we can answer more specific questions that may pertain to what part of the country you are from.

[Musetta]

Welcome! Societies are very social. I keep mine right in front of my home office desk, which is where I spend most of my time during the day. They don't seem to mind my presence (I am right now watching one of my Socs bathing in her water dish about two feet away from me...and making a HUGE mess--I just got splashed, as did my computer...haha). My Gouldians are in the same (large) flight cage, and they seem to like my company, as well. They will come right up to me when I am standing outside of their cage.

I have had experience with finches who are more skittish and less inclined to want to be in the constant presence of people (spice finches, for example). So I think it does depend, to some extent, on the species. And sometimes on the individual bird!

Would love to see a pic of Atticus! I hope you find him a friend soon!

[Mands]

Chuck

I bought a pair of societies around 4 weeks ago. I have them on the kitchen table, with the TV going, the dogs barking, the back door opening and closing and all the noise in the kitchen.

While all this has been going on, 2 weeks after I got them they started to build their nest !! We now have 5 eggs and she is sitting happily.

I am hoping that because they were not stressed and laid in that environment things will all work out. I know its only early days but as for societies being very social, I can tell you that mine are !! They are wonderful little birds.

Good luck.

[Chuck]

Mine is also a really nice bird. Thanks for your response.