Hi, Grateful for advice please

[phedgehog]

Hi I have just joined your forum. We have a small aviary comprising 2 budgies, 1 zebra finch (soon to be 2) and 2 canaries.

We started with the budgies then in June this year bought the female canary and 2 zebra finches. They got on well with the budgies, and the finches (both male) stuck together as a pair. Unfortunately one has just died, a neighbours cat got near the aviary and I think it died of shock, which we are very sad about, however we have now rectified this by blocking of the aviary with more wire.

At the weekend we bought a male canary to accompany Lemon (the female). However this new chap seems very domineering and is chasiing her away from the food and all over the aviary, as soon as she perches on a branch, he goes to her and she flies off.

Is this normal behaviour. Can they be added to at a later stage or are they only compatible from babies.

I would be very grateful for advice as we are quite novices at bird keeping and are concerned about our dear little 'Lemon', who is usually a happy contented little canary, but now seems very nervous.

Will they settle down do you think?

Thanks.
Pauline.

[george]

Hi Pauline!

I've been keeping finches and canarys for quite a few years now so I hope I'll be able to help, if not, you've come to the right place as someone will be able to.

Firstly, as much as you might not like to, I would be suspicious of the budgies! I don't keep them as I find them to be quite nasty to other birds unless they're kept with larger birds (everyone's going to moan at me for saying that now!!) although they do make good house pets. I took my neices elderly budgie and that got on ok in my avairy as I guess it couldn't be bothered to create trouble. I got it a friend though and within a few days, the new one had plucked a diamond dove nearly naked, pulled two chicks out of a nest and caused lots of bite wounds to several finches. Of course, it's entirely possible that your birds are much more laid back than the one I had. I'd just keep an eye on them. Especially around breeding season - they will pull other birds of nests and throw chicks on the floor and all sorts.

As for your canary, they should settle down. Bear in mind it's summer and the breeding season (unless you're in the southern hemisphere!). I should think the new male is trying desperatly to get her attention and she's not too interested. Mine often go a bit "loony" if I put a new canary in but they quickly settle once they've worked out their pecking order. If the male continues to be a pain, try putting him in a cage inside the avairy for a few days so Lemon has a chance to have a look at him and get used to him being there without being hassled.

I hope that helps, and if there's anything else, just ask - we don't mind! Lastly, welcome to birdcrazy!!

Georgina xx

[phedgehog]

Hi Georgina
Many thanks for the advice. I am so grateful to find people in the know. I will put the new canary in a cage within the aviary for a few days and give Lemon a break. And hopefully it will work out.

I did wonder about it being the 'time of year' (we are in Essex by the way) and hopefully thats all it is.

Thanks again.

Pauline.

[Berserka]

G'day Pauline, Welcome to Bird Crazy

Unfortunately George is totally correct with the budgies, I have kept and bred them for many years and larger parrots not easily intimidated is the best way to keep them. They may not atm but the budgies will pick on the smaller birds. I had zebra's in with mine for awhile but soon found the female budgies carrying the zebra's around like a handbag of sorts. Had to remove the zebbies!

There are always exceptions and some budgies are so good that they would even raise another species. But a strong eye must always be kept on them regardless.

I sure hope you stick around and show us your birds and discuss them with us further. We never get sick of chatting bird.

[george]

I hope the canarys do settle down. Hopefully, if you put the male in the cage, he'll have to sing for Lemon's attention and she might be more inclined to take notice of him! Baby canaries are really sweet too if you can get them to breed for you (that's not difficult, trust me! Lol!). It might be worth taking the budgies out as an experiment actually, the new canary maybe flapping about and getting a bit excitable because he's scared of them. I should imagine they're pretty intimidating to a small bird.

Let us know how you get on with the cage idea won't you? And we love photo's on here... hint hint!! xx

[Admin]

yay!! another essex girl to keep me company welcome to the board

[laurie]

Welcome to the bird crazy Pauline!

[Scully]

Welcome to Birdcrazy Pauline

I love the little finches, hope things settle down in your avairy

enjoy the boards ;D