When I decided to keep just Java Sparrows I didn’t want to go to any old pet shop or bird auction to get my first birds.

I knew that I wasn’t going to get quality birds from a pet shop or bird auction (although you do occasionally come across a “gem” that has somehow ended up there) so I decided to go straight to the countries main Java breeders. My first “port of call” was Steve Nesbitt from SN Aviaries.

I contacted Steve Nesbitt through his website and arranged a visit to meet and select some birds.

As Steve is very well known in the Java world I thought he would be an ideal source of information and advice.

I was not disappointed!!! I left Steve's aviaries with a STUNNING pair of Normals.

 

I have since purchased birds from Tony Gladwin, another well known and highly respected Java Sparrow breeder. Like Steve, Tony is a font of information when it comes to keeping and breeding these wonderful birds and both of these men are very open and honest and will share their methods and experiences with you.

The main advantages for going to breeders is that they can guarantee un-related birds, sexed birds, close rung birds and they will also give you the bird’s hatch date (they will also give you parent and grand-parent history if you want!) These are all important factors if you aim to purchase and develop stud of quality birds.
 

My "Normals"

I think the "Normal", "Wild Type" of Java Sparrow has to be my favourite. As I have mentioned previously, if some asks you to describe a Java Sparrow you would say, "A grey finch type bird with a black and white head and red beak".

They don't sound like a particularly attractive bird, but seeing these birds close up really shows how stunning they are.

Pictured here is my best normal cock bird, this was the very first Java that I purchased from snaviaries, it really is an immaculate example of a Java Sparrow.
 

My "Fawns and Silvers"

Here is a photo of three cock birds (2 Fawn's and a Silver).

I don't plan on getting any more colours as I don't really have the room to house them....maybe I'll reconsider when I get some external flights built.

(This page is still in it's infancy...I am currently building a "photographing cage" to make taking pictures of my birds easier.
I don't know if many of you have tried to take good photo's of your bird's, but take it from me...it's difficult to get them to smile and pose!!!....Please contact me if you would like to see my photo collection of empty perches!!!)