I am wondering about mixing the bird with another finch species such as a zebra finch. nm
Posted By: trose on 2007-07-23
In Reply to: Definitely get a companion bird - they are very social and need company. Poor thing is lonely. nm - birdie
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Update on Roxy the lone finch
She has already become very attached to her mirror. She is no longer constantly chirping, which I do miss but I know it wasn't her normal personality so I felt like it was her way of grieving. The websites that was suggested has been a big help. I has a chart stating which finches are best to combine. We will definitely get another bird for her, we just need to find the right one. Thanks to all.
Here’s to adding the zebra to the endangered species list!
Here’s to adding the zebra to the endangered species list!
Bird feeder and bird food?
For the older ones somebody might need to keep it filled.
LOL! Men are a whole different species, aren't they?
I have 'disappeared' a few clothing items too... They usually either don't notice or think they misplaced it somewhere - LOL!
not a Zebra
I would not recommend a Zebra at all. They are too flighty and notorious for plucking one another. Their breeding instinct is in the extreme and if you have a female the Zebra would be all over her -- even if you got a female Zebra--and plucking out her feathers. The Blues I've seen have been of the opposite disposition. I would stay within the species unless you wanted to expand and do a flight cage type of thing with other types of finches, but even there I would not put in Zebras unless the other birds were hyper as well. There are only certain types of finches that Zebras get along well with. They are fantastic birds but just too hyper to go with other more sedate finches like a Blue.
No, no, not a zebra....have you tried
BirdTalk? I would personally put an owl finch in with the Blue if you can determine that it is definitely a female (very hard to do with this species, but an experienced breeder with a mature bird could tell you), but I would only do that if you cannot find a replacement Blue. The owl finch will become the submissive one in the relationship, which is what the Blue needs.
Also, don't mix any birds until you use Clorox water to wash down your current cage, including food and water bowls, perches, everything. For any new bird you get, put two cages next to each other so the birds can get to know each other before putting them into the same cage, and even think of putting the Blue in the new bird's cage so the Blue won't have territory issues (they really mark territory).
I used to breed Blues in an open aviary with a variety of finches and they were most compatiable with the owl finches. Don't put any other African finch in with it, or any finch larger than it (which makes an owl just right if you can't find another Blue - owls are the smallest of the finches).
Here is a good species link:
http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/species/index.php
You could try mixing it with honey or
adding a bit of juice to it.
sounds like mixing flamable ingredients...
both these dogs have bred-in tendencies towards violence. Its part of their nature. Not to say it can't work, but personally, i would not try it. But then, i wouldn't have either of these breeds either.
Old Pyrex mixing bowls. I have lots of...
different patterns and colors and use them all. Also collect old milk bottles.
I had a cat who once caught a bird...
in mid air. I saw it with my own eyes or never would have believed it.
Maybe it was a bird - a hawk!
My hubby saw one land in our back yard. I'm grateful my dogs are over 50 lbs so they can't get carried off. But a small cat? Maybe. I saw a red tailed hawk carry off a large cottonmouth snake once. Flew right over our truck hood. Loved it.
lonely bird
I've had all kinds of birds but only a couple types of finches, none of them Blues. I do know that finches tend to be colony birds and prefer companionship as a rule. I think she is probably missing her best buddy and she is also afraid because she doesn't know what happened. If there was any blood involved with the dying bird, this will terrify birds even more. (They don't even like it if you wear red nailpolish.) That might account for the odd chirping. It might be to your benefit to try to find out what the other bird died from because if it had anything to do with something that is still in Roxy's environment, this will upset her.
Some birds bond for life and will never accept another companion. Others can resist a companion at first but then get used to them. This is breeding season. I would think she would be accepting of another bird right now.
My first suggestion would be to get a mirror and put it in her cage and see if that helps calm her down. Just seeing another finch like her buddy might help. Then, if you want to try getting another bird (which I would definitely do if she accepts the mirror bird), get one and put it in a separate cage right beside this one. Don't just put it smack into her cage. She could attack it for not being her buddy or for territorial invasion. But if the new bird is sitting in its own cage (can be a small travel cage for the trial) and yours acts like she wants to go be with it, then put them together for short periods of time at first and watch them carefully to be sure she doesn't attack the new bird. If they are compatible, then you've got yourself a new pair and Roxy has a new best friend. Also, it would be wise to keep the birds in separate cages for a while and watch the new bird's droppings, even have them checked out by a vet for parasites, etc., before you let them live together to be sure the new one is perfectly well.
One other thought that comes to mind is perhaps you had a male and female and did not know it. I confess I do not know how easy it is to tell the sexes of Blues. I'm used to the larger birds and using blood tests to be sure, as I paired and bred for sale. But a blood test is impractical on a finch as they really can't afford to lose any blood because of their small size!!! BUT, one could have killed the other since this is breeding season and birds, even finches, can get very aggressive towards one another, even those of the same sex.
I would suggest contacting a Blue breeder and find out more about their personalities and habits. And if you buy your second bird directly from a breeder, you can be more sure it will be a healthy one. The ones that end up in pet shops aren't always the best of the clutch.
I wish you luck and please know you have my sympathies in your loss. These little guys are really easy to get attached to. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions I might be able to answer.
Yes, get another bird. They become very attached.
xx
Here is an unusual bird
The lyre bird is a mimic, but does much more than just other birds! See link below.
Bird watching
I like to watch the birds out my kitchen window, but they spook easily, like every time we walk into the kitchen. I'd like to put a film on the window that would allow me to see out, but not be the mirror reflective type that would cause the birds to attack the window or try to fly through.
The only one I've found like that had a military camouflage pattern (not too lovely, LOL). I'm sick of searching, and was hoping somebody else had already found something. Oh, and the easier to apply, the better! Temporary/cling is fine, but I do have to be able to see out.
Thank you. Never in bird. I'm too lazy LOL :-) NM
x
Can you tell me where the bird story is?
Thanks
You mean the bird's tail? (sm)
It's fatty meat and tail bone. I think people leave it, but don't serve it.
Bird story
 I just had to share this story with all.
This morning while downstairs doing laundry I hear my cats carrying on and on. I was concerned because the last time they were throwing such a fit our dog was choking and they cried to get my attention.
I walk in my den to see what was wrong and to my surprise sitting on my window ledge was a woodpecker pecking at the window. I shooed him away x5 but he kept coming back. I have never had this happen before.
I used to feed my feathered friends about 3 years ago but gave this up as our dog (german shorthair) started hunting them. While I know it is in his nature I just couldn't see baiting the birds for him.
Now I am wondering what has gotten into this little guy who is still looking in at me right now, not pecking at the glass but just watching, any ideas????
Any bird lovers out there? I have a question sm
I have had to female (didn't want to deal with breeding, been there done that) Cordon Bleu finches for almost 3 years. My hubby purchased them for me for out 17th anniversary. It has been just the two of them in their cage since we brought them home and they hang right beside my desk so I can see them when I work. Last night we found 1 dead. The other one has been chirping continuously since early this morning. They are not extremely vocal birds (usually the males are) but they would normally chirp a little and would fly around quite a bit. I know Roxy is probably wondering where Velma is and that is the reason for the continuous chirping (including a weird sing-sing-whisthiling noise that I have never heard before). I have been searching on the web about getting another bird for her to have as company. I can't find anything definite. We brought these birds 3 hours from here as our local pet store only carries zebra finches. I haven't spoken to anywhere there yet but plan to. Does anyone have any suggestions? My heart just breaks for the lone bird but am not sure if getting another bird is the best idea.
How is the bird who lost its buddy?
Responding to the post below about the dog made me think of the poster whose bird died. How is the little one doing? Did you get him a new friend?
If you didn't stuff it in the bird...
I would just wait until Thanksgiving to bake it.
Hey fellow bird watchers...
We added a new bird to our backyard list today - one that we have been waiting to have visit for six years. I must admit I had given up, as this is known to be a rural bird and we are just inside town. We have downy woodpeckers out the wazoo all day long, but today, much to my surprise and delight, we had a visit from a hairy woodpecker. He landed on the suet cage that I have hanging on the offce window so he was only about 4 feet away and I got a really good look at him. What a thrill! Now if I can just lure in that elusive pileated...
bird feeder . . . not birdeeder LOL nm
x
We have a barrel of bird seed that we keep in the basement.
A few years ago, when the contents got low, we found a 3-legged mouse trapped in there. The seed was low enough that he could not jump back out. Well, having had kept mice in the past (pet store varities) I put thick gloves on, caught him and set him up in a nice cage with all the stuff mice like. I would hold him every day and sign Micky, Micky Bo Bicky, banana fana fo ficky....and so on. Every day. But after two weeks I realized that he was not enjoying it. So, 3 legs and all, I took him out to our bottom field and let him loose. He ran and skipped to the closest tree and climbed that tree up about 15 feet. He then sat an a branch and gave me the evil eye. Didn't know he could do all that with just 3 legs.
Well, a few weeks later, guess who was back in the barrel? I got the heavy gloves out and went to reach for him, he FLEW up my hand, arm, jumped 15' across the room and ran under the door to freedom. Guess he really did have enough of my singing. Never saw him again. (was definitely him cause you can't miss noticing a 3-legged mouse). Oh well...
Saw a surviving baby bird today!
That snake got something in my yard, but today I saw a baby bird on the ground. Just like last year there is a baby thrasher (I think I called it a thrush last time?) with this cute, stubby little tail. He's all fluffy and as big as his parents except that he has a little stubby tail in place of their 4-inch long tails, LOL. He hops out into view, opens his mouth, and then a parent comes down and shoves food down his gaping gullet. Soooo cute.
I had Sasha tied up, guarding the front yard to keep the neighbor's cat away. Not sure where the snake is, but he should be stuffed for a couple of days, anyway.
Have seen lots of birds do this with those fake bird-like
sdf
The Bird Cage! I love that movie.
Hank Azaria is a hoot. In fact, all the principals do a great job.
MTness: The bird story below is so strange. (sm)
I'm so sorry for your loss as well. I cannot even imagine (and don't want to!) how hard that must be for both of you who posted about losing your sons.
That bird thing is so bizarre. I have heard of people having signs that loved ones are about to die but did you ever make any sense out of the bird??
yeah, what strange bird story?
I couldn't find it either.
I saw the bird story, but didn't catch
what was odd about it. You saw a huge bird on a roof in Florida, but I've been to Florida and there are some really big birds there, just like on our coast here in NC. I did't catch what was odd about it.
I was watching a bird at work today.
I could hear it calling, so I looked up and watched a hawk circling. He had a lot to say. I believe he had an opinion about the squirrel tail hanging from another plant-stocker's trailer. She usually adorns her cart with flowers, but she recently added a squirrel tail another worker gave her. It's not a plain squirrel tail; she adorned with pink ribbons.
(I'm not missing MT at all, LOL).
So it wasn't contest where they threw bird out of plane and
s
Reveling in adding a new bird to my life list
of birds I have seen - a red-breasted nuthatch - not common this far south - at my suet feeder when suddenly birds scattered and my resident Cooper's hawk almost hit the window in front of me. Don't think he scored this time.
Any idea how to keep cats out of bird nests in trees? sm
This is the 4th day in a row I have had to pick up a dead, mauled bird (3rd baby). I am assuming cats are the cause, since neighbors and I did not have a problem until this year, when we started seeing a couple of roaming cats. My dog is no help as he is still a puppy and is afraid of the cats. 
Anyway, does anyone know humane ways to keep cats from climbing the trees? I know, you can't fight nature, but thought I would ask anyway. Thank!
I ran over my science teacher at the dinner table because Big Bird said to. nm
nm
it takes 3 weeks for a baby bird to learn to
We have to watch the dogs and cats really close until all the babies leave the yard and it is a long three weeks. Our babies usually hide in the pumpkin patch during flight school with mama guarding from the fence.
Definitely get a companion bird - they are very social and need company. Poor thing is lonely. nm
x
Wondering
Dear Wondering-
You already have insight. Your heart and gut are talking to you or you wouldn't be posting this question. You are not in high school anymore. Remember, if he will do it WITH you, he will do it TO you. Do you want to be girlfriend on the side number two? If so, go for it. I would bet if you asked his current girlfriend of 7 years she would have an entirely different take on their level of committment. You are an intelligent woman. You are going through a lonely period in your life. Fill yourself up with friends that are worthy of you. Take another guy pal on your business trip with you and enjoy yourself!
Lilly
Wondering
You will be okay. Just take one day at a time. Sometimes that is the best we can do. My daughter became a widow at 29. It was a very difficult road for her. It sounds like your heart is healing and you are "waking up" out of that fog of grief. Bless your heart! You have a good head on your shoulders. That is a wonderful idea about bringing another MT friend with you to the out-of-town meeting. Enjoy yourself! My daughter is engaged to the most wonderful man now. She has been blessed to have two wonderful men love her, although she went through some difficult years. This will happen to you too. Aim high - don't settle for less. If you think you deserve the best, you will attract those kind of people to you. Best wishes!
I was wondering, too.
x
I could be way off but am wondering if she was
trying to detox herself off methadone and/or other drugs since her ex recently made that accusation. That may explain the *nurse* and the
*paramedic* bodyguard they brought along on the trip, why they left the baby home, and the flu-like symptoms (which they said was a stomach thing - methadone withdrawal can cause severe stomach pains) and if it was a stomach virus, then why cough/cold medicines? Cough medicine is known to be used to ease opiate withdrawal as it has similar properties as opiates. Valium is also frequently used when detoxing. There was also a mention she had fevers of 104-105 and was doing ice baths. Wouldn't most people go to the doctor at that point? How she actually died is still baffling to me but how sad if she truly was trying to straighten out her life. And perhaps we'll never really know for sure.
Here is what I'm wondering
If he really did not have the lowest votes and they changed it. You just never know :)
I have been wondering,,,,
Are chairs everywhere getting smaller or is it my butt getting bigger? Are these places downsizing? Hmmm, would like to know.
I am wondering too....
nm
Thanks! I was wondering what to do...n/m
x
Just wondering..........
I was just wondering if anyone else was having periods between their regular/normal cycles. This is definitely not the norm for me until now. I have had other symptoms since about 41 but my gyne just gives me some dumb grin, as if it is all in my head. Now, with the unusual bleed, I'm not sure what is going on.
That is what I was wondering.
Sorry, but I couldn't turn my child down for medical help whether I raised him or her myself or not.
Wondering
Wow! Forgive me, but I cannot even believe you are asking this question and even considering it! Forget trying to be the "cool" mom and do what you KNOW is right!
I was also wondering how she had $$ or if
she had a job. Another card to play, and its tough, but you can just throw it out there, is that if she does not straighten up, for lack of a better word, that you would speak to her employer. She's a minor, remember, 100% minor. So, you could throw out there that if she threatens to run away, you would have no choice but to mention this to her employer, as when she is at work, its their responsibility to be sure she doesn't leave, etc. Or that you would have to meet with her guidance counselor at school, etc. I'm sure she would rather do anything to avoid any sort of other authority interventions. Though that is what she needs as well. Sorry if they don't have guidance counselors - mine are homeschooled. But my guidance counselor in high school really tried to save me many times, while my parents never got involved. They just didn't want to know, though I was slick. I still got straight A's, graduated 2nd in my class, had a great job, etc. But I was running the streets nightly by the age of 14, and lived things I thought were great, but wished I never had a few years later. Its true that kids really want to be kids in the end. Also, I would not let her drive, as you had mentioned. So, dropping her off at work and picking her up - that will be a lesson in humility for her as well, but again, she needs not humility as much as being reminded that she is under YOUR authority and not the boss, and not an adult. As others have said, its tough love, and a hard balancing act. Know that you're not alone. Also know, though, that she is young and inexperienced, and you should be able to "bluff" your way a bit thru some of this hard stuff. I would bluff my way to hoarseness if I knew my kids were doing half the stuff that I did at 16. Please don't forget the big picture, though I know how its tearing your heart and soul to go thru this. Praying, praying, praying for you, too.
thanks I was wondering too!! LOL
so the zinc helps dry out your hair? I used to get highlights for that purpose because my scalp is so oily; i wasn't aware that a dandruff shampoo would dry out your scalp, thanks!
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