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Hello out there! Can anyone give me a little advice on Orange-Cheeked-Waxbill finches? I have owned a pair for about 5 months now. I won them in a raffle at a bird fair. I have done a little research in terms of what to feed them, but they seem rather picky eaters. I feed them greens (when they eat them) and other than that, they only seem to eat their seed. I give them two varieties, the LM Animal Farms Classic Finch food, and the Kaytee Fortified Daily Blend. The latter is a white - type seed, and the first one has canary grass seed, jelly doughnut seed and white millet. I immediately purchased a much larger cage so they are able to fly around, up/down, back/forth, and they have a swing & cuttlebones broken into small peices. The only thing I haven't done is to insall a nest I purchased for them, b/c truthfully, I don't want more finches! These are so skittish. Cute as buttons, but I feel bad b/c they are always so frightened when I go into the bird room. One other question: I have their cage opposite my female Eclectus'. cage. Could that be too scary for them? Thanks for answering

If they're very close to big birds and not used to them, it could be a problem. My guys were well established in their aviary when we introduced our TAG, who watches them daily from his gym. Most of the little guys don't seem the least bit interested in him, though the Gouldians do occasionally come to the window to check him out. But being brought into a new cage & set beside a big ol' hookbill could indeed be stressful, at least at first.

I don't know orange-cheeks, but generally your diet sounds fine. In addition to their seed mix, my guys like all kinds of veggies & fruits, and we throw in millet, thistleseed and one of the manufactured treats as well. No need to chip up the cuttlebone: they'll work on big ones. You might consider adding grit and a calcium source (we feed egg shells we've boiled/nuked).

Sure you want more finches... don't we all?

Cheers,
Pat

I have to ask...........what is 'jelly doughnut seed'?

One thing you could add to their diet is mini mealworms.

To help calm them you could hang some faux silk vines in one corner of the cage for them to hide in. The location of their cage may also make a difference in their reaction to you. They'll be much happier if they're at your eye level and also at an even level with your larger bird.
Also try covering the end of the cage where the vines are hanging. Birds this flighty do best when they don't feel like they're in a goldfish bowl.