Golden Song Sparrows

[The Fledgling]

I have 2 babies, here is a picture of them together and there is also pictures of their mum and dad.

[kenny]

hi elsa
they look really sweet little babies,and well fed ones at that and mam and dad look healthy also but they still have some work to do though.thanks for the picture they look really great makes me a bit jealous


ken8-)

[laurab]

Hi Kenny, I didn't record how long they were in the nest, but it seemed a lot longer than other finches.

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Elsa and Laura,

In previous years compared to the present situation of UK Aviculture regarding the import bans etc, the breeding of Golden Song Sparrows wouldn't have been such an exciting event, but considering our present situation Elsa's breeding success is extremely important.

It would be a good idea in tracking down fellow breeders of this species to exchange birds in the hope of avoiding losing them in UK Aviculture.

All the best, Paul.:-D

[Waxbillman]

well done Elsa

lovely chicks.

Matthew

[kenny]

hi laura
they might be a bit like javas and come out of the nest fully weaned

ken

[laurab]

Elsa's song sparrows have been out of the nest for a while now, but they are living on the floor. I heve seen one fly about 3 feet into the air but it is unable to sustain a long flight.

I have now moved them into the bird room so that i can keep an eye on how much they are eating.

What would be the best thing or things to give them to help build them up?

[chris]

i'd place a low perch in the aviary around 12inches off the floor and keep raising this about an inche every day untill their wing muscles hav built up enough and they no longer need it. this worked with a batch of canaires i had that never wanted to fly either

as for diety stuff, no idea

Chris:wink:

[Waxbillman]

same as Chris said really Laura

sometimes chicks come out and are abit small and cannot fly very well/at all, a few years this happened to a gold-breast chick is was so small it was unable to fly for a few days

Matthew

[laurab]

I am sorry to say that we lost one of the baby song sparrows :(

I spoke to Paul about it tonight and we came to the conclusion that it may have been de-hydrated.

Although the remaining bird is weak, it is looking far better than it did this morning.

I bought some Kaytee hand rearing food today and the little one loves it, it also enjoys white mealworms.

I am keeping my fingers x as I would hate to loose another one of Elsa's birds.

[Waxbillman]

what a shame, though with this weather we are having its un-surprising

Matthew

[kenny]

hi laura
thats a real shame,how much more bad look are the people on here going to have...we look forward to having a great hot summer and when it comes it turns out to damn hot !



ken:(

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura/Elsa,

How is the remaining Song Sparrow chick doing?

Apparently there is a consistent breeder of these birds in Ferndown, he may be easier to track down through the local clubs, Poole and Parkstone being the best option?

Paul.

[laurab]

Hi Paul

I failed again! :sad:

[Waxbillman]

so sorry to hear that Laura :-(

better luck next time, you can do it

Matthew

[kenny]

hi laura
what a shame,i hate these down sides to the hobby

ken:-(

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

I'm really sorry to hear that mate,:-( but don't think for a minute that you failed.:-x

This Summer has been a real bitch for many of us,:-x many species that would normally enjoy long hot and dry periods during our Summer are suffering a great deal.
If we are suffering so much in the UK, try to imagine how much birds are failing in their native Countries.:shock:

Paul.

[laurab]

........and August is supposed to be hotter!!! :shock:

[chris]

Hi Laura,

that's not what i've heard. august is supposed to be cooler than what we've had lately, with september being hotter than august but not as hot as july, and a possible indian summer which i'm counting on to have any chance of breeding anything this year

Chris

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

I'm sure you noticed the article in Cage and Aviary this week regarding the successful breeding of Golden Song Sparrows, the good news is that I know someone who has the contact details of the author of the article.

If you are interested I will do my best to put you in touch with Gillian Sumner.

Paul.;-)

[laurab]

Err.....I missed it!! Good news is, there are more babies in the nest ;)

I was begining to think I would have to buy Elsa some Zebras' to get her going!!

[Waxbillman]

i'm know Gillian sumners an all, used to be in the society, i know that MI has them, and i think he has bred them this yeaR, sorry LB another set of initials to wangle your mind.

MG

[laurab]

Ok MG, have a laugh at my xpense C if I care!

I will deal with ul8tr ;)

[Waxbillman]

:lol: i'm telling the truth LB, MI does have them

MG ;-)

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

I'm pleased Elsa has more Golden Song Sparrow chick's, hopefully better luck this time.:wink:

Do you know what the parents are feeding the chicks with?

Paul.:wink:

[laurab]

Hi Paul

I don't get to see them being fed very often but I have seen the hen take in mealworms. They also have egg food, soaked seed and softbill mix available as well as some greens I put in.

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

The reason for my question is because the previous chicks failing to survive past fledging may have been due to something lacking in their diet that I hope can be rectified with this current round of youngsters.

Do you feed your Mealworms before they are offered as food for your birds, and do you dust the Mealworms with a Vitamin supplement such as Vionate etc before feeding them to your birds?

I feed my Mealworms with Eggfood and/or Insectivorous mixture as well as Fruit and Vegetables, then dust the Mealworms with Vitamin powder when chicks are being fed in the nest.

Paul.;-)

[laurab]

I've been dusting them with something but I can't remember what it is called.....talc maybe:roll: :-D

[kenny]

hi laura
is it johnsons....by the way i saw some good probiotic stuff at pets at home for dusting i dont normally buy stuff from there as it tends to be run of the mill stuff in another jacket but thier stuff seems ok. also they are selling off all the birds cheap in our local one as they are stopping selling the birds at the end of the year

ken8-)

[laurab]

Great news, Elsa has a fledged Golden Song Sparrow :grin:

[Waxbillman]

brilliant news, well done, fingers crossed it makes it

Matthew

[kenny]

hi laura
thats excellent news!

ken8-)

[Rogerb]

I saw the babe for the firt time today it hides a lot in the bushes :D it seems to be doing fine :grin: fingers crosed :grin: MR B

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Elsa, Roger and Laura,

Congratulations with the latest chick, I hope all goes well.;-)

Paul.:D

[laurab]

Elsa's Golden Song Sparrow is sitting on eggs again ;-) should I leave the fledged Sparrow from the last round in the aviary, or should I remove it?

[PAUL HEARN]

Hi Laura,

As long as no aggression has been shown towards the fledged chick so far, there should be no need to remove it, but I would keep a close eye on them as a precaution.
If you choose to remove the previously fledged chick to be on the safe side, introduce it back into the breeding group outside of the breeding season if you intend on building up a breeding colony of these birds.

Paul.;-)

[Waxbillman]

hello Laura

having no experrience with this species i would say to be sure, i have done it without problems with avadavats and crimson rumps, .....

nmay be better to remove just in case though

Matthew