Tag Archives: finch

Why is the Goldfinch the only finch that can eat upside down?

Posted on January 31, 2012 by admin| 1 Comment

I live in So. Calif and have recently become interested in bird feeding. I have feeders for thistle that finches like and have heard that the Goldfinch (vs the common Housefinch) can eat upside down. There are feeders that accomodate this trait just for the Goldfinch without attracting the Housefinch. Does the Goldfinch range include So. Calif and will this special feeder induce them to feed? Finally, what is it about the Goldfinch that enables it to eat upside down while the other finches cannot?

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Posted in Bird Feeding

Tagged bird feeding, feeder, finch, finches, goldfinch, housefinch, thistle

Question on goldfinches?

Posted on January 30, 2012 by admin| 1 Comment

I have some questions on goldfinches, I am not really a bird enthusiast, meaning that I don’t know a heck of a lot, but I do enjoy watching them at the feeders. About 10 months ago, I convinced my husband to buy one “finch feeder” and some “Super Finch Food” from Lowe’s as I was sure I’d seen goldfinches in our area……..(Hollister, CA)
The feeder stood untouched for a good 6 months, and then suddenly there were like 14 birds fighting over a space to sit and I had to fill it daily. I ended up getting a second feeder, and then suddenly, as soon as they appeared, the birds left for about 2 weeks (some say to feed on budding trees?)
At any rate, they are back now and I think I must be the ONLY person in this town with a finch feeder, I have to fill them both every other day. There are often several finches waiting in the tree for a space on one of the feeders.
My question is, what is the BEST thing to feed them? Straight thistle seed, or the “finch mix”? They seem to like the straight thistle better but I want to make sure this is healthy for them, and also…………are these birds “year round” in California (about 100 miles south of San Francisco), or how should I plan for them? Is there anything they like in addition to thistle/finch food?

Thanks for your input.

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Posted in Bird Feeding

Tagged 10 months, Bird, bird enthusiast, enthusiast, feeder, finch, finch feeder, Food, goldfinches, heck, hollister ca, husband, lot, Lowe, lowe s, question, super

What to feed young-ish zebra finches?

Posted on January 8, 2012 by admin| 4 Comments

I took two little baby zebra finches (no adult colouring at all) out of my aviary and put them in an indoor cage. The nest had been abandoned and there was a dead baby bird in there too. The two birds I took out had just fledged and no other birds seemed to be paying them much attention. The nesting box was wrecked so I have since pulled it out. I have provided the two young birds with finch seed and water but I have noticed that there are no cracked seeds or husks. I presume this is because they aren’t eating. I’ve tried to feed them some warm porridge and milk through a dropper and this worked a little bit, but it was late and they seemed tired. Any advice on a homemade feeding recipe and feeding techniques would be appreciated. Thanx

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Posted in Bird Nest Boxes

Tagged adult, attention, Aviary, baby, baby bird, baby zebra finches, Bird, box, cage, colouring, dead baby, dropper, feeding, finch, finches, little baby, little bit, nest, porridge, seeds, two birds, zebra

what are the nesting materials needed for a gouldian finch?

Posted on January 6, 2012 by admin| 2 Comments

my father just made a nesting box for our birds, but how can we encourage them to use it and what are the most important materials for before, while, and after they have their eggs?

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Posted in Bird Nest Boxes

Tagged birds, box, eggs, father, finch, gouldian, gouldian finch

zebra finch advice please answer?

Posted on January 2, 2012 by admin| 1 Comment

iv had a zebra finch(male) since march when i took him on cause his mate died and his owner want it to keep my siskin(a rescue bird) company, so i took him on. I have now taken on a female zebra who i found outside, she and my male have paired up, well i think they have. My male had a nest that he came with that had all the nesting material that was in it when he was with his old partner, and he was very protective of his nest. i took the advice that i got from a question i post recently, which was to remove all the nesting material from his nest an clean it so that he would allow the female to share his nest and hopefully begin to breed. he now allows her in the nest but he isnt building a nest hes just useing the nest box when he goes to bed at night. will he start to make a nest or will he just forget about it? i have put hay in the cage but he is still showing no intrest at all. any help will be great and any tips to get them to breed will be great!! thnks a lot

if she did lay eggs in the nest box but the male didnt make a nest will her eggs survive and hatch or does the male need to make a nest. when i put the female in at first the male mated her but they havent done it since (that i have seen) and he mated her on tuesday and there arent any eggs so i guess it wasnt sucessful.

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Posted in Bird Nest Boxes

Tagged advice, answer, cause, finch, intrest, march, mate, material, nest, nest box, owner, siskin, zebra, zebra finch

Brome 1016 Squirrel Buster Finch Feeder

Posted on December 23, 2011 by admin| 3 Comments

Brome 1016 Squirrel Buster Finch Feeder

Satisfy hungry finches, chickadees, and other birds without squirrels swiping the seed
Innovative weight-sensitive design prevents squirrels and other large animals from reaching seed
Patented Tube Ventilation System keeps seed fresher longer to attract birds
Hang at least 16 inches away from secure foothold for squirrels
Includes 2-year warranty

Squirrel Buster 100% Squirrel Proof! The Squirrel Buster Classic is a value-priced, high quality bird feeder that is guaranteed 100% squirrel proof. It provides both a perching and clinging environment, disassembles easily for cleaning and features seed tube ventilation to keep seed fresher. Birdwatchers will Enjoy Viewing Unique and Entertaining Behaviors. Choose from the Classic, Finch Feeder, Mini and Plus Models. Classic – 1.4 Qt. – 4 Ports Finch Feeder – 1.4 Qt designed for Nyjer Seed – 8 Ports Mini – 0.75 Qt – 4 Ports Plus – 3 Qt – 6 Ports 2 Year Warranty Ships Quickly!