R. James—Aviary Management



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condition at some time or other—the birds then act or react as

instinct dictates. And here are some of the writer’s impressions.


All the Whydahs are egg-eaters, the Pintailed Whydah is a killer,

likely to scalp any other inmate from a Waxbill to a Java Sparrow.

The Gouldian Finch is peaceful and tolerant to all smaller birds, but

only one pair can be kept in an aviary in the breeding season. A breeding

pair of Gouldians may object to the company of a Goldfinch in the

breeding season, the Goldfinch being the only possible exception

I know of. The Avadavat will agree with anything in, or out of the

breeding season, but an unmated bird may cause trouble in the breeding

season. The Orange Cheek and the Grey Waxbill will agree in flocks

at all times, though unlikely to make a sincere attempt to rear young.


Golden-breasted Waxbills will agree in quantities and go to nest

without undue quarrelling. The Cordon Bleu will enjoy the company

of others of the same kind, but when in breeding condition they

object to another pair in the same aviary ; strangely enough they do

not object to a crowd of others. They are never aggressive to birds less

colourful than themselves in the breeding season, but likely to be

at war with such birds as Gouldians and Goldfinches. This war will

last until the breeding urge leaves the birds. Not more than one pair of

Lavender Finches can be kept together at any time, and only a true

pair can ever be kept, they are then not always to be trusted

with other birds. The Tits are not safe with anything at any time.

The Zebra Finch will upset the nesting arrangements of any

breeding pair from a Waxbill to a Canary. If the aviary is large

enough, and not too much traffic, then the following may successfully

rear young, even though two or more pairs are in the same aviary :

Twites, Greenfinches, Goldfinches, and Linnets. The writer can never

at any time trust two adult Bullfinch cocks together. Chaffinches

are amiable to each other and all other species, except when in breeding

condition, and at such times they only object to their own kind.

The Thrush family will tolerate smaller birds only until they have

young of their own, then they are likely to kill Finch-like birds and

also eat Finch chicks. The Skylark is likely to be most spiteful to

other birds when in breeding trim. Diamond Finches and Grass Finches

may be trusted with other breeding pairs if the aviary is of fair size,



