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Finch Compatibility in a Mixed Aviary

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Finch Compatibility in a Mixed Aviary Australian and non-Australian that I am familiar with. These are, in the main, those that are common in Australian Finch Compatibility aviculture. Some may be less familiar in the USA, while some of the "bread in a Mixed Aviary and butter" species in USA aviculture may not get a mention due to their rar­ by Mike Owen, Ph.D. ity in Australia. I have also used the Queensland, Australia common names current in Australia; some I know have different common c names elsewhere. To avoid confusion Q) ~ o I will add the scientific name for each Q) ::t!. ~ species the fir t time it is mentioned in >­ .0 o the text. (5 .c a.. The first point to consider is that, provided their environment and diet are satisfactory, finches want to breed. If nest boxes or baskets are not pro­ vided then they will go ahead and build their own nest, much as they would in the wild. In fact many species will happily ignore provided artificial nest sites and do their own thing any­ way. Thus in a finch aviary you can reasonably expect your finches to try to breed, and it i this breeding activi­ ty which leads to many of the compat­ ibility problems that can arise. These problems can be divided into two main areas, hybridization and competition. Hybridization can be a serious issue Bourk'e Parrots make an ideal addition to a finch aviaryfor those who wish to include parrots. A pair ofRosa Bourke's is shown with Gouldian Finches, a Red Star Finch, and in finches, especially now that impor­ a Zebra Finch. tation of new tock into the USA is either very difficult or impossible. It is an issue that Australian aviculturists have faced for everal decades since here are few pleasures in avi­ mate of Queensland, and so my com­ the importation of exotic birds into culture that compare to ments need to be read with that in Australia ceased around 1950. The T watching a mixed aviary of mind. In Queensland, and indeed in arguments against the production of finches going about their daily activi­ much of Australia, finches are kept in hybrids, and the problems that they ties. The combination of their lively outside aviaries, almost alway with can cause to the genetic purity of a nature, never ending song, and a kalei­ shelter from the elements over part of species are well known in aviculture doscope of colors amongst a variety of the aviary but with part of the aviary and I will not repeat them here. living plants and shrubs provides a open to rain, wind and sun. These uffice to say I am opposed to deliber­ most relaxing and enjoyable picture ­ aviaries can range from small one ate hybridization, and with finches at least it should. If you have the right maybe only 6 feet by 3 feet up to special care should be taken not to mix of compatible species, then it is enormous flights covering several hun­ house together species that are known indeed enjoyable. However, World dred square feet. The largest I have to be at risk of hybridiZing. War III might be a better description if seen was about 100 feet by 25 feet Competition between species is the mix is wrong! It is therefore impor­ and about 12 feet high. most often related to breeding activity. tant before stocking an aviary with The keeping of finches in cabinets Such behavior as fighting over nest finches to carefully consider just which or in inside flights is rarely practiced, sites, the stealing of nesting material pecies can be housed together to pro­ except in specialized breeding pro­ from another nest, and fighting vide a compatible group of birds. grams. However the principles ofcom­ between males of the same species for Before I start with my di cussion I patibility I talk about here will still dominance, can all be a problem. It perhaps need to make a di claimer. apply, be it on a smaller scale. might come as a surprise to parrot My experience of finches is in I have also restricted myself to dis­ breeders to hear that those little finch Australia, in the mild sub-tropical cli- cussing the species of finches, both beaks can, size for size, do as much 14 May/]une 1999 A further group offinches that some­ damage to another finch as a parrot's ever, a species that can be extremely times cause problems in a mixed aviary beaks can do to another parrot. aggreSSive to its own kind, and defi­ The first group of finches to be dis­ are the Chestnut-breasted Finch nitely do not have more than one pair cussed are those that are unsuited to a Lonchura castaneothorax, Cuhan Finch in an aviary. Indeed even other species mixed finch aviary. The two main Tiaris canora, Zebra Finch Poephila. that have some yellow in their mark­ species I am familiar with are the Cut­ guttata, Bengalese Finch Lonchura ings, especially around the head, are at throat Finch AmadinaJasciata and the domestica, Red-headed Finch Amadina risk from a male Cuban, and it is quite Java Sparrow Padda oryzivora. The elythrocephala, and Black-throated capable of killing another finch. Cut-throat has the nasty habit of taking Grassfinch Poephila. cincta. The presence of the ubiquitous the bahies of smaller species, and The Chestnut-breasted Finch is Zebra and Bengalese Finches in the list since it is one of the larger finches it is often an aggressive member of an of trouble makers will no doubt sur­ unsuited for a mixed collection. While aviary, and will frequently interfere prise many. They are in many ways J have heard of some kept without with the rest of smaller species. It the ideal finches for beginners, being problems in mixed aviaries, the risk to could, however, he safely housed with hardy, easy to breed, and cheap to smaller nesting birds means that it is larger finches hut never with other purchase. While active in the aviary best avoided. members of the Lonchura, since all they are birds that are also very unlike­ The main problem with the Java members of that genus can easily ly to attack and injure other occupants Sparrow is its size. It is one of the hybridize with each other. of the aviary. Their vice comes, how­ largest of the commonly available The male Cuban is one of the most ever, from that strong urge to breed finches, has a large strong beak, and is attractive of finches, with its combina­ that they both share. They are very capable of inflicting serious damage to tion of black and yellow face, and in prone to take over another finch's nest any smaller finch that gets in its way. general has only just crept into this and use it as their own, often leading Both finches are quite suitable to he group of potential trouble-makers. to stress for the other species, and as kept in a colony situation with at least While most behave themselves in a we all know, stress in birds can lead to three pairs of their own kind, and may mixed collection, an occasional male sickness. Bengalese also have the habit even do well if the two species are carr' be aggressive to other small of helping to feed the young of other housed together, since hybridization is species, and hence it is one to keep an species, and while this in itself is not unlikely between the two. eye on in the mixed aviary. 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From my experience, doves that are compatible with finches include the Diamond and Peaceful Doves from Australia, the Central and South A Cut-throat Finch and a Java Sparrow are not the ideal companions for a Red-faced American Talpacoti Dove, and the Star Finch.
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