Goldfinch pair

I placed this pair side by side since yesterday. This morning, I let them together and so far, as seen with Shamas, the male that is interested in breeding will immediately check out the nest box and try to attract the attention of the female.
Now the only thing to hope for is that the female is equally ready. The male is a proven cock which I am also using to produce mules with canaries. But I do need more pure Goldfinches to continue and they are hard to come by here. So, this is the next viable alternative - produce some so that 2015 can be more interesting ;)

Happy holidays!

Photo cage

Was building a small aviary & I had some extra pieces of wood. So, decided to make a simple cage to photograph the finches. They are impossible to photograph in their normal cage where they will be darting here and there. The above was basically made from leftovers and a stapler. ;) 

Above is a 4 months old Goldfinch mule taken in the cage. 

This is a Yellow-rumped Seedeater. 

Now its much easier to take their photos :) 

Incardellato

From left, only chick from first clutch which is now undergoing molt. They usually molt to adult feathers by 3 to 4 months old. Second and third birds are from 2nd clutch. After which there were some disruptions. 3rd clutch is only at second egg today. Hope things resume back to normal.

It will be interesting to see how they will turn out and hopefully I can get an Agate female canary to come into the picture for some colour :)

The above is close to 3 months old & shedding a lot of small feathers. It sings its sub-song every time I put him atop the fence for some sunlight.

Breeding hybrids are frowned upon by some (these folks, I avoid), but with an aim to produce better songsters, I am beginning to be a convert :)

First clutch Goldfinch X Timbrado

Hatched yesterday 7th Aug. Appears to be 2 chicks at least.
I have been lucky thus far. Been reading a little bit on pairings to create hybrids. It is not always smooth and is usually more difficult to pair when compared to same specie pairings.
To be fertile at first attempt and having a relatively trouble free pair.... hmm yes! lady luck is with me :)