Which breeds go together best in an outdoor aviary

Question

I'm thinking of getting back into birdkeeping again after a break of around 15 years. Previously I only kept budgies- which are still my favourite!- but I want to create a large natural looking flight area with as much variety as possible. Budgies, cockateils, love birds, canaries, Rosellas and a finch or two amongst others are on my wish list! The shed is 2M x 3.6M (6.5x12feet) so it will be big enough for a few little communities in there! The flight size is still to be decided but there is a good bit of space available. My question really is are there any combinations of birds that work particularly well together and most importantly are there any bad combinations which could land me in an avian wrestling situation? Chhers for any advice!

Paul

Answer 1

Hi,

Sounds brilliant, the only trouble would be the lovebirds and cockatiels as they won't get on and may kill each other. I can't really say about the rosellas they may harm the finches i don't know though.

But yeah the others will be brilliant, good luck.

Answer 2

Mixed species aviaries are not generally a good idea.  

If you want to keep budgies then you will need to keep only budgies.  They are quite aggressive for a bird their size and will likely injure or kill tiels or finches if kept with them and will likely be killed or injured by any of the other species you mentioned.  

For the greatest variety you can keep a variety of compatible finches.  Just make sure you research your finches first so you don't try to house incompatible species together.  Canaries can also safely be kept with finches.  Diamond Doves (which you didn't mention) can also safely be housed with finches.  Some keepers have had success keeping tiels with finches but there is always the risk of the tiels killing or injuring them.    

"m not familiar enough with Rosellas or Love birds to make recommendations for them.  

Answer 3

I have two aviarys one as 95 budgies with 5 kakarkis, one lovebird (Very happy) 6 cockatiels

In my small aviary I have 35 zebra finches and 5 bengalese finches and 2 canaries & 6 chinese painted quails

Never put finches with budgies. The budgies will bite the finches legs off

Answer 4

Your best bet if you want to have a variety,is Cockatiel's most varietys of Finches.

The species that you have mentioned Budgie's, Lovebirds,Rosellas,are not good mixers and in some cases are killers!!

You could keep those species in seperate flights but always make a  double divider where Lovebirds are to be kept.

There is a good book on species that can be kept to-gether, Foriegn Birds by A Rutger,vols 1-2.

Answer 5

KEY +should be housed alone for successful breeding If dont wish to breed then fine.

*Birds that are aggressive towards each other should limit to 1 pair in mixed cage

Passive-These birds are docile and canusally be kept with other birds As always obseve the birds to make sure they are getting along!

Avadavants-+ (Red & Green)

Black-cheeked waxbill

Black-rumped waxbill(Redeared Waxbill)

Blue faced parrot-*

Blue-brested Parrot +

Bronze-winged Mannikin +

Button Quail

Chest nut breasted Finch

Common Wax bill

Cordon Bleu Waxbill *-Do not mix with Purple Grenadiers)

Gold breasted Waxbill +

Gray headed Munia +

Green Twinspots- (Do not mix with star finches)

Lady Gouldian Finch

Nuns,Mannikins +

Masked Grass Finch *

Masked Fire Finch *

orange cheek Waxbill +

Owl (Bicheno) Finch

Painted Finch

Pearl headed Silverbill

Pictorella Finch

Pintailed Parrot Finch

Silverbills (African &Indian)

Socity Finch

Spice finch

Swee Waxbill

White-backed Munia +

White headed Munia

Yellow rumped Finch

Yellow winged Pytilia

Pushy-

Aurora Finch

Dark fire finch

Green Singing Finch

Lavender Finch

Orange winged Pytiha

Aggressive-

Cuthroat Finch

Diamond Firetail Finch

Gray singing Finch

Java Sparrow

melba Finch

Weavers

Not suited at all in mixed

Bar breasted

Fire

Crimson

Cuban

Melodious

parson

Peter's twin spots

Voltet eared Waxbills

African gray/Umbrella cockatoo, African gray/Blue and gold Macaw, Yellow naped Amazon/Citron cockatoo, Scarlet macaw/Mullucan cockatoo, and Budgie/Galah in a pet store!

If you do make combo be sure that the smaller birds are safe from the larger since they are defenseless agaist the beaks.Birds from the same region should do better.Cockatiels and budgies or Bourkes parakeets may get along. Finches and other small birds can be mixed in a large flight cage but best to come from same continent.

Lories, conures, and quakers, harass the larger birds, caiques and love birds are aggressive at times. Hyacinths are rough when they play.

When housing birds outside  there are obvious risks, They are open to predators, parasites and illness, thieves, and the elements.

Predators - birds of prey, rats,mice, snakes, foxes, cats, These birds also need shelter from the weather.Mixing different type beaks on birds is not a good idea since some can kill other sized birds with them.