Zebra finches...

JoanMN

17 years ago

from the Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville, FL.

Don't they look like they have make-up on?

Testing the bath water.

Ahh, it's just right.

Could you hand me my towel, please?

JoanMN/FL

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

jel48
17 years ago
What a beautiful little bird! I've never seen a Zebra finch before, and yes, they do look like they have makup on! Went a little heavy on the blush and lipstick, I think :-)

Thanks for posting them.
minnie_tx
17 years ago
I've never seen these little beauties before thanks for sharing!!!
Related Discussions
Time to get this forum Lively again#3
Q
Comments (88)
Margaret, I followed the planting instructions for container grown lotus on the thread link I am posting below. The only exception is that I put half black cow and half of the cheapest brand top soil from walmart in each container. The more expensive topsoil brands have peat which will float. Also, I only put in 3/4 cup of osmocote instead of a cup but I have lots of pond fertilizer tabs I got cheap on ebay that I will add later in the summer. I did them the same way last time with good results. Lotus tubers are only sold usually March through the end of April so you will need to order early. Once they break dormancy they are very fragile and so people won't usually ship them. Last time I got mine off ebay and a few were not what they were supposed to be :/ This time I ordered from Texas Waterlilies and I got way bigger tubers and I have always received the correct tropical waterlilies from them so trust them to send the correct lotus lol. They also have some planting and care info on their webpages. You can start from seed but you may not get blooms the first year just depending on when you start them. Lotus will go dormant in the winter and are quite hardy even in freezing temps as long as the tuber itself does not freeze. I break up mosquito dunks to prevent mosquitos and throw a piece in each tub. You could also probably grow the Hardy waterlilies in tubs as well I have a yellow one that went crazy in a tub. They won't freeze and you don't have to protect them in winter like you do the Tropical waterlilies. I have found Hardy waterlilies in Petco & Petmart (by the pond products) sometimes Lowes also has them in late spring. Hibiscus::: I ordered Tie dye, Plum Fantasy, Heartthrob, Jazzberry Jam, Berrylicious, and a red dinner plate un-named one. I do like that Cranberry Crush I almost got that one as well LOL!. So many pretties out there.... It seems like the hardy hibicus should be easy to root from cuttings- have you ever tried that? Good idea on the wintersown seed method. I soaked the Luna Swirl seeds and started them indoors on the heat mat. I think the seeds came from Parks Seed. Here is a link that might be useful: Barrel Lotus This post was edited by sultry_jasmine_night on Tue, Mar 25, 14 at 11:46
...See More
Finch Aviary Question
Q
Comments (9)
Katie, I'm not sure what you meant by an airlock. You mean a passage so they can get inside and outside? Or a way you can get in and they can't get out? A few suggestions. Make sure you get welded wire that's made for bird cages. A lot of places on the internet sell that, and large retail bird shops can get it for you. The Aviary in Perrine, between So Miami and Homestead has it. Since it's for finches, I would build it out of 1 X 1 wood frame. With 1/2 X 1 inch welded wire. The wire comes in 3 and 4 ft widths. Build all six panels separate (four sides, roof and floor), with welded wire on both sides of the wood frame. Varmits can't reach through and grab your birds that way. You can use a staple gun with SS staples for that, goes real fast. Then drill holes and put it together with SS screws and lock nuts, so you can take it apart if you ever need to. A 6 X 8 X 4 aviary built this way is strong and not heavy at all. Two people can move it with no problems. If you need a way to get in, just build a separate box with another door that you can attach to the outside. That you can use just one layer of welded wire. Build the door to the inside as a 1/2 door, open at the bottom. The birds will go up when you try to get in and not past you and into the airlock. Another trick is to paint the wire, both sides, with dark brown annodized paint. You can roll that on. It makes the wire disappear. Personally, I would have the cage above the ground with no contact. Birds get a lot a parasites and disease from dirt. If you want to put them on dirt, I suggest you get a gallon of Novalsan and learn how to use it. Novalsan you can get at most any large feed and seed farm supply. Corrie
...See More
Zebra Finches...
Q
Comments (6)
Yep, all males here at our house. 2 Zebras, 1 Orange-Cheek Waxbill. I didn't want to explain to my daughter why I was throwing the eggs away. Beside the females don't "sing." I did get one little Chestnut Throated Seed Eater in the cage as well, but he was so aggressive picking the feathers out of the other species, I finally gave up and got a hen to go with him. The bird man at the bird store said there was no way they would successfully reproduce in my set-up. So far, so good, but now the female is picking on the male! If you have too many birds, don't release them to the wild! Try Craigslist or going back to the pet store you bought them or a more reputable bird store....
...See More
Zebra Finches are moving in.
Q
Comments (9)
Roselee I keep hoping that the folks with the aviary will come and call them home. the neighbor who enjoyed them in his yard said I don't know how you could catch them, they are so quick. 2 years ago before I knew where the aviary in the neighborhood was, there were several in my yard for a few weeks. Perhaps they have been living in the wild for that long....but I doubt it. They are so very distinctive.
...See More
grammahony
17 years ago
Are these native birds Joan? Or just on display with other birds? I mean, do they live in the wild in your area? Very pretty.
Leslie
JoanMN
Original Author
17 years ago
Leslie, I asked the folks there, they said they're tropical birds, not native in FL.
JoanMN/FL
lydia1959
17 years ago
Great pictures Joan!
donna_loomis
17 years ago
I had four of these finches many years ago. I loved to watch their antics and I absolutely loved listening to them. They don't chirp, per se. Picture this: a group of people standing around whispering in one another's ears. So cute.
pattico_gw
17 years ago
The first one on the left has her blush on just right...But the rest remind me of an aunt of mine...who always wore her blush too bright and in a complete round circle...As though it had been stenciled on.

Beautiful birds..I don't think they are around here...I've never seen one.

patti
Terri_PacNW
17 years ago
awe..We used to raise them when I was growing up..they LOVED their baths...took them multiple times a day!
ronm80
17 years ago
Joan, I live about 1 hour and 1/2 from Gainsville, fl. I would love to go to the Butterfly Rainforest. I found a website but not much information. Can you tell me more. Thanks, Ronnie
JoanMN
Original Author
17 years ago
It's on or near the University campus, I think. It was small, but packed with butterflies and flowers. They had a big research dept. that you can walk past, they are mounting and breeding butterflies.
We also found (online) a butterfly farm, haven't been there yet.
Here is their website.
http://www.greathousebutterflyfarm.com/

Here is a link that might be useful: Butterfly house
petaloid
17 years ago
We have a big cage with zebra finches in the living room. The males wear blush and striped bibs, while the females dress more simply.

I believe they originated in Australia. Very cute birds and easy to breed in captivity. Hubby says they sound like a flock of miniature geese. Always busy and fun to watch.

Thanks for sharing those terrific photos!
nanny98
17 years ago
Thanks for the sweet memories. Until last summer I had two little white/pearl grey ones. We travel lots (just home from a 10 day trip) and we have in the past traveled with as many as 15. They are very sweet and easy to take care of. And their purpose in life is to have more babies....and 15 arrive pretty quickly! Thanks again. I miss my two! Nanny
patti43
17 years ago
Ron, if you're familiar with Gainesville you'd just love the butterfly rainforest. Do you know where the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is off 34th St.? It's right next to it. (Hull Road) There is a museum there too, which is pretty interesting.
lattefairy
17 years ago
Ahh they are so beautiful! I love their little orange cheeks! :)
orie
17 years ago
The Petsmart near us sells them. They are adorable. We used to have a couple of their cousins in our school as pets. They loved the children. If any girl with long hair sat near their cage, they loved pulling the hair, tugging it into their cage and playing. So, so cute.
pkguy
17 years ago
I always loved birds and Zebras were the first that I ever started breeding. They are prolific breeders. A pair will be a dozen in short order and so on and so on if you're not careful. I like the little beeping type sound they make.
From Zebras I moved on to breeding canaries which are somewhat more difficult.
glenda_al
17 years ago
Somehow I missed these pictures.

Great shots, Joan!

Zebra finches...

Comments (17)

jel48

minnie_tx

Related Discussions

grammahony

JoanMN
Original Author

lydia1959

donna_loomis

pattico_gw

Terri_PacNW

ronm80

JoanMN
Original Author

petaloid

nanny98

patti43

lattefairy

orie

pkguy

glenda_al

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Zebra finches...

Comments (17)

Related Discussions

JoanMNOriginal Author

JoanMNOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

JoanMN
Original Author

JoanMN
Original Author