Aviary - Page 2

froggsong · #11 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 01:08 AM

Eventually (hoping it doesn't have to be years from now), it will be either 6'x3'x6' or 6'x3'x8' (I'd likely go with the taller one if I put in the birds). I might even go with 8' long if I have the side to side room and I decide to go with 8' tall. I'll have to find out if they eat any little birds in the wild first, and I'd like to find a native bird to put in there (if there are any small ones that are somewhat readily available). It would have to be a bird that can handle the high humidity and heat that the CWD requires. It would definitely be cool though!

mrcarabao · #12 (**permalink**) 03-13-2009, 11:34 PM

do it do it do it do it!!!

lol

Chu'Wuti · #13 (**permalink**) 03-14-2009, 11:46 PM

OK, now I have to ask if I can take photos of some friends' outdoor aviary in which they keep finches. It's beautiful!

beckdg · #14 (**permalink**) 03-15-2009, 01:31 AM

ok, now i have to ask if i can see those pictures.

... i'm sure they'd be beautiful.

mrcarabao · #15 (**permalink**) 03-23-2009, 04:15 AM

so wheres the pics chu?
haha

ike · #16 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 08:43 PM

From someone who has kept birds for a LOT of years, don't do it. Birds are the dirtiest pets on the planet, bar none. They are basically feathered poop machines, it hardens like concrete and the poop can end up anywhere because they can be airborn. Even the "walls" or sides of the enclosure will eventually be quite difficult to clean. That being said, they are quite engaging creatures. I have kept budgies, several species of finch and a white-capped Pionus (smallish parrot). I even had a whole room of my house converted into an aviary at one point, with built-in baths, fountains, hanging feeders and nest boxes. So, if you're determined to have birds and go with finches, orange-cheeked waxbills are both beautiful and active and I would recommend them, but you can't beat your basic Society Finch (also called Bengalese) for friendliness and liveliness. They should be available at any pet store.

kyryah · #17 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 01:05 AM

I would be worried about the possibility of parasite transfer from the bird droppings... I know that keeping birds around torts is a no-no, and I imagine it would be true for other herps.

Now, a big tall viv (Like one of the Majestics from Cages by Design) would be beautiful with a small group of Societies

I agree they are great, relatively quiet with a beautiful trilling song and like to be kept in group settings.

Kristina

ike · #18 (**permalink**) 04-14-2009, 04:16 AM

You are right on about the parasite issue. Birds can be carriers of giardia and other bugs. Even with something as big as the Majestic, cleanliness would be a 24/7 deal. It seems like if there is a clear wall (like glass or acrylic) it's a magnet for bird waste, LOL! I hope I haven't been too discouraging, as birds are really wonderful critters.....just relatively labor-intensive due to their habits.
Kyryah said: I agree they are great, relatively quiet with a beautiful trilling song and like to be kept in group settings. Sometimes the male's call can sound a bit like a rusty gate, though, LOL. Song is something to consider, though. Reptiles are pretty quiet by comparison. I had read somewhere that the male Society's call is completely individual, and that they practice it and add new little things sometimes!

froggsong · #19 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 06:11 AM

I'd never even consider adding birds if it weren't a HUGE setup, I'm talking a greenhouse or a whole room in a house... I am captivated by the idea still, though... I want to have a huge, open house (very few wall, and most of them movable, I hate things staying the same for too long) with a bug glass walled room in the center (round or octagonal) with all of my tropicals inside, with a huge pond, benches, even some trees. Now all I have to do is get rich enough to do it, lol... THAT would be the one to put a few small birds in... Maybe just a trio or quartet of parakeets.

Chu'Wuti · #20 (**permalink**) 05-04-2009, 02:14 PM

Gosh, I forgot I was going to ask my friend about taking pics of her aviary! I'm not going to be able to do it until after May 12 sometime, and she'll be busy finals week (she & her DH are both math profs), but I'll mark my calendar and set up a time with her after that if I can!