The Ultimate Challenge: Breeding a Finch

If you have finches as pets and enjoy them a great deal you may want to take on the ultimate challenge; breeding a finch. Actually finches breed quite well in captivity. They are some of the easiest birds to get to breed. You only have to provide them with the right conditions, a healthy diet and an acceptable mating partner.

When you are going to start breeding zebra finches you should first make certain you have a male and a female. This can usually be determined by just looking at the birds markings. The male zebra finch is distinctively colored with patches of orange on their cheeks and their beaks are very red. Female beaks are more of a dull orange color and they do not have the bright orange cheeks.

Provide your birds with a cage or aviary that is large enough for them to reproduce in. The cage you currently have may be perfect for two birds, but if you are breeding them the two birds will quickly become four or even six birds. A good size for a breeding cage is 2 foot long by 1 foot wide by 8 inches high. If you can give your pair of finches more space than this it will be even better for your results.

You will have to provide them with a nest to lay their eggs in. Nests made from bamboo are very popular for finches. They are not expensive and readily available at most pet supply stores. You can purchase the bamboo nests in small or large sizes. It is probably best to get the larger size in case your birds have a large clutch of eggs.

Wooden nesting boxes are also frequently used for finches. You can place the wooden box inside the cage or you can mount it outside the cage, and provide your birds an access opening into the box. These make wonderful nests and are easy to clean and care for when the nest is not being used. The wooden box mounted on the outside of the cage also allows you to count your eggs, and check on the nest with the least amount of disturbance to the parents.

You can provide your birds with several different materials to build their nests. Bits of string and shredded tissues make good materials. Caution! Your birds can get tangled up in the nesting material and possibly die. Make certain the material is not to fine or not too long.

Watch your male bird for signs that he is fussing with the nest. He will begin to add materials to the nest and prepare it for the egg laying. Not long after you notice this behavior you should notice the birds either doing a little mating dance or they may start to sing their mating song. Either way it will not be long before you have eggs.

The female will do the majority of the nest sitting, but the male will help. In thirteen days you will have little baby finches hatching. Good luck.

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Finches - Get to Know Them

What makes finches such great pets? It is simple, they are easy to take care of, have a great personality and they are very dynamic small birds. Finches are practically magnificent pets for all types of owners, no matter if you're living in an apartment or a house, if you have kids or if you already have some other pet.

Most popular sorts of finches are the Society Finch, the Gouldian Finch and the Zebra Finch. They all have specific patterns, colors and charismas. Since majority of finches are very friendly, they can be kept in broad cages mixed with other sorts of finches or even some other sort of smaller birds. It is not recommended to mix them with bigger sorts of birds because they can easily become hostile and threat finches as prey. All birds like parakeets or bigger should not be mixed with finches to prevent aggressive behavior. Be aware not to overpopulate the cage to keep them from fighting for territory. Although finches are very social birds they are sometimes more interested in other birds company then in their owners, so it should be expected that not all of finches become naturalized to human touch. Compared to parrots, finches are a lot less sensitive to presence of their owner and willingness to play with them if they have company. Handling finches and finger taming them will not be possible in most cases, but there are a few species that will allow it after some time of hard work and patience. In situations when finches need to be handled put your palm on their back and gently grab them only with your forefinger and thumb holding head. This kind of handling should be performed only if you need to trim their nails and similar things. They almost never bite and their bites are not strong.

Finches are very dynamic and they need space to maneuver easily in the cage. They like to fly on short distances so it is suggested to have minimalistic number of crossbars and accessories in cage giving them maximum freedom of movement. Use simple toys to keep them occupied; some kind of bell, mirror or a plastic ring will do just fine. If you have more than one toy change it from time to time to keep them interested or just change the position of toy in the cage. All toys that can be used for parakeets should be suitable for finches as well. In their natural environment finches enjoy bathing and cleaning in wet grass. It is a nice treat for finches to put dish with water a couple of times a week so they can take bath and wash themselves.

Although they are sometimes more quiet then some other bird pets, finches are fun and chipper birds. They are also low cost in comparison to other birds because they are cheaper to buy and hold. Finches guarantee to make all their owners happy with their one of a kind charismas and pretty voices. Some sorts of finches have beautiful feathers and can sing divine songs.

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Breeding Gouldian Finches: The Two Major Methods For Outdoor Aviary Breeding

If you have been keeping a pair or a number of Gouldian finches for a long time and you've successfully kept them healthy and happy, you can start breeding your Gouldian finches. You can make a flock or make some money selling their offspring. Basically, you trigger breeding of this variety of birds by putting them on a protein rich diet. A protein rich diet for Gouldian finches consists of seeding grasses, egg foods and sprouted seeds. During the lean period, you can pick your finch pairs and start introducing this protein rich diet.

As for the perfect time for breeding finches, you can start pairing your birds up at the beginning of summer. The climate conditions in your area will also affect the success of breeding. To stimulate your birds to breed, you can provide them with artificial heating and lighting. You're going for conditions that mimic cooler climates with shorter daylight hours. Aside from the perfect time for breeding Gouldian finches, you also have to ensure that your birds are in the best health. If you notice your birds being active and bright, you can start breeding.

For breeding Gouldian finches, you have two major methods to choose from. There's the selective breeding method and there's the colony breeding method. These are both for outdoor aviary breeding. With selective breeding, you get a lot more control. Basically, this occurs without interference from other Gouldian finches. You have to isolate a pair from the flock. The tricky part of this is that you have to test the pair's compatibility. Observe the way your Gouldians interact with each other. The first sign that they can make a good pair is when they chase each other around the cage and seemed to be fencing with their beaks.

When this happens, it's time to isolate this pair from the other birds. Continue to observe your pair if you want to succeed in breeding Gouldian finches. If the male finch is interested, he will initiate courtship. This is indicated by the male standing tall, and staring at the female. The male can then start with a whistling routine. If your female finch is interested, you'll know when she bows her head, moving it from side to side. If you need any more proof of their compatibility, observe your pair at dusk. If they get along, they'll be roosting beside each other.

With colony breeding Gouldian finches, this method is a bit of a hit or miss. Unlike the selective method, you will have very little control on the breeding. Outside factors like overcrowding, stress and offspring genetics will be just some of the few things you have to deal with. You have to remember that when you breed Gouldian finches in a colony, overcrowding results in a smaller number of offspring. If your birds are stressed, they will also easily succumb to infections and health issues. As for offspring genetics, you have no control over the pair and you might get offspring with color mutations.

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Finch Breeders - The Good and the Bad

Finch breeders can be found around the world. What does it take to be a finch breeder? The most basic of answers would be the love of these birds and the desire to learn what it takes to be a breeder. Weather you want to become a finch breeder or just want to learn from a breeder, the most important thing is to make sure the person you are dealing with has a good reputation.

Getting to know the finch breeders is something that may take some time. You can start by speaking with them on the phone. You can discuss the birds with them and what the prices are. The ideal situation is to actually meet them in person and to be able to see the birds that they have raised.

Visiting A Breeder - A Good and Bad Scenario

The Bad - Scenario number one goes something like this. You have read about breeding and want to get advice from a breeder. You call a few and then make an appointment to visit them. At your first visit you are not at all impressed. The breeder brings you into a room that has no natural light. He flips on an overhead light and you see a dozen small cages with way too many birds in each one. Upon closer inspection of the cages the water bowls are empty and one of the cages has a dead bird at the bottom of the dirty cage. Does this seem like the type of breeder you want to learn from? Of course not!

The Good- Scenario number two goes like this. You make an appointment with another breeder. Upon arrival you are taken into a bright room with plenty of natural sunlight. You see the cages are clean and all bowls have water in them. The cages also contain fresh fruits and vegetables. The birds seem happy. They are flying around doing their thing and enjoying life. Notice the difference in scenario number one and number two. Finches breeders will vary and you need to use your own good judgment in who to trust.

In time, with due diligence, you will become an expert breeder. By doing your homework and continuing your research you will accumulate a vast amount of information. The end result will be that you will be able to take pride in the knowledge that you are a finch breeder that is well respected. You always want to strive to have a good reputation among your peers. It will certainly pay big dividends.

Being among the breeders who are respected and well known will bring many benefits. As the supply companies get to know you they will begin to offer discounts. You will also have people contacting you for advice and for sales. If you are planning on making the breeding of finches into a business this is very important. The more business you get by word of mouth the more you will be known in the finch breeders world.

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Size Matters in Finch Cages

The finch is one of the smallest birds that people keep as pets, but, size matters in finch cages. The birds are so little. Some of them are barely 3 inches as mature adults. The biggest ones are 10 inches long and that is from tail tip to beak tip. It would seem that you could house them in any size cage.

The finch is a very active and social bird. They must have room to fly around in their cages. They like to hop and even run. When you put a finch in a cage that is too small for the bird to exercise its wings by flying then the bird will get sick. They actually need all that activity to maintain good health.

For most of these little birds it is more important for you to be concerned about the length of the cage you keep them in, than it is for you to be concerned over the cage height. The length will give the birds a little more room to fly some. A longer cage also provides them room needed for hopping and running.

If you are getting a cage to house a pair of small finches then you want the cage to be at least 30 inches long. Eleven to twelve inches high on the height will do just fine as long as they have at least 30 inches in length. Make certain that there is a perch for each bird in the cage also. Finches will also make use of toy swings. Do try and position the perches and swings where the finches have to fly a little to move from one to another. This will promote healthy activity.

You want to consider the number of birds you have, and the amount of room it will take for the birds to exercise properly when you are building a finch aviary. Be certain that when you decide on the aviary and the size that you take into consideration how your finches move. Some fly more horizontal than others. Taking time to know what your birds require will make your aviary a better habitat for your feathered friends.

If you want to breed the birds in your finch aviaries make certain you do not have the cage overcrowded. If the aviary has too many birds in it the finches will not pair off and mate correctly.

You also want to make certain that the breeds of finches you have in your aviary are completely compatible. Some of these birds are nosy and intrusive to other birds when they are nesting. Some of the breeds can become aggressive to others during mating season. You want to be certain that if you have a pushy or intrusive breed like the Bengalese that you house them in an aviary away from calmer breeds like the Nutmeg.

Size does matter in finches cages. The size of your cage will determine the health and happiness of the birds you house there. Give them room and then watch them play.

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Bird Feeders: The Secret In Attracting Birds

Bird feeders, bird tables, tray feeders, whatever you wish to call these devices, are the very secret in attracting birds. If you are fond of birds and you are being pampered every time you hear them singing then why don't you allow them to live in your own space or in your backyard. It is not difficult to convert your own patio into a dazzling bird sanctuary because it only needs a little planning and preparation. You can start by simply completing all the bird supplies needed. Aside from the feeders, you also need to add bird houses and baths. These are also needed when you are after attracting birds.

As mentioned, start attracting birds by simply completing the items needed. If you are already through with these, then you can already decide where to place those things. Start placing the houses since they are the ones which will be consuming most of your time. But, before you place anything, take all the mess first, clean the area and eliminate unnecessary things. Bird houses can be placed on tree branches or you can make poles for them. Next, work on placing bird baths and make sure that they are placed conveniently so birds can easily locate them. Now, after the two are placed, you can already start placing the bird feeders. Are you sure that those feeders fit to those birds that you are trying to attract? Birds can be easily attracted if bird trays suit their interests and needs.

After placing the bird feeders, do not forget to provide the right choice of food. The main reason that you are having those food trays is to offer your feathered friends some food to eat. This is why proper placement is a crucial factor that you need to consider. Different birds are attracted differently so study how you can improve your luring strategies. And, believe that as long as you have the right tray feeders and the right food inside, wild birds will simply be fall on your trap. The common bird seeds are Millet, Sunflower, Nigger Seed, Safflower, and Canola seed. These are often used as bird seeds to lure birds to stay.

Stores for bird feeders are all over and you can even go for made to order feeders as long as you know how to make your own designs. With this, you can expect to own a distinctive bird sanctuary in the end far way different from the usual norm. And, attracting feathered friends can be easily done.

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Finches Care: Tips For Raising a Happy, Healthy Pet Finch

For the bird lover who does not have a lot of extra time or knowledge of birds, finches care is quite easy. Although many people love birds they have no clue in the care that may be involved. Larger birds are not the way to go for those just beginning in the world of bird ownership, so finches make the perfect choice.

Finches will take much less time to care for, are less expensive and they are a joy to have. Although happy birds and very social they will and do have basic requirements that will need to be met. Finches can live anywhere from about four to seven years. The average bird can live longer if taken care of very well. Finches care does require the basics, which we will touch on.

The first thing you will need before getting your finch are all of the supplies. When you bring your finch home you will certainly need a home for him or her. Buying a cage is not an expensive adventure, as finches do not take up a lot of room. The more bells and whistles you get with the cage the more expensive it will be. The size of the cage will also depend on how many finches you are planning to purchase as well as whether you will breed them or not. When purchasing a cage it is important to remember that the birds will need enough space to fly around. Birds cannot survive if they are cramped. Being cramped as well as too many birds in one cage will not promote good health.

Part of proper finch care is choosing the best cage and when doing so be sure it has a perch. Finches need perches and there should be at least two in a medium sized cage. For the bottom of the cage it is easy to use layered newspaper. The top layer of newspaper can be removed daily for easy cleaning. This will help make things easy on the owner. Time spent cleaning is time taken away from actually enjoying the birds.

The second thing to consider in your finches care is the type of food you will be giving them. Your local pet store will have a variety of seed and pellets available. Although the seed may be cheaper be warned. It can also be messy. The finch have a tendency to discard the part of the seed they do not eat everywhere; picking up discarded seed is not a very enjoyable experience. If you are questioning the best type of food to get the breeder that you purchase the finch from will recommend one. Although the required care is basically easy this is very important for the health of your birds.

As with any living thing water is also a large part in finch care. Your finch will need to have fresh water at all times. Because they are small they can become dehydrated very easily. Rule of thumb is to refill the water as soon as you notice it is getting low. Clean water is also necessary for them to bathe which should be done at least once a week.

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A Happy Finch Is A Healthy Finch So Choose Your Cage Wisely

When choosing a cage for your Finch or Finches, there is a multitude of shelter choices. Because Finches are wild and winged creatures, it's vital to have a cage that is large enough for them to spread their wings in. Finches' cages should be wider, depending on if you are breeding or have more than one bird. The Finch bird is sensitive to temperature, specifically heat that is anything over 90 degrees. When you have purchased the bird and are transporting them to and fro, avoid doing so when It is detrimentally hot outside. A chilling wind in the dead of winter is also a risk to the bird's health, for it can freeze them to death. Depending on whether or not the cage is inside or outside, you can always cover the cage to provide heat.

The size of the Finches' cages needs to be large enough for it is their life long sanctuary after you bring them home. Provide a good amount of perches inside of the cage (wooden or concrete). You should provide a cup for their food, a tank for their water and a bath that needs clean water daily. Finches enjoy being in water and during the warm weather, light misters inside of the aviary or cage is an option. Depending on whether or not you are breeding the Finches, include a homemade or store bought nest for the male and the female. On the floor of the shelter include greenery or store bought materials for the cage. Those will eventually serve as a cushion for the female's eggs. The Finch should have a nest box for them to sleep in, and a bird protector that will prevent mites, insects and mice from entering into their housing. The bottom of the cage should have a grit or grit paper and their shelter should be kept clean at all times.

The placement of a bird cage or aviary should be in an environment that doesn't attract a lot of heat or sunshine. You can hang a bird cage from a wall or on a stand, preferably at your eye level. The cage should be close to a wall or in a corner so that the Finches feel secure. Avoid putting the cage right in front of a window or next to a door, exposing the birds to too much sunlight or giving them the opportunity to escape when opening and closing the latch. If you are breeding Finches or have a grip of them, then an aviary is recommended. They are spacious environments for the birds and give them more of a "homey" feel. You may place this aviary indoors or outdoors but either way, it needs a given amount of light and air circulation. This too should have a protective mesh over it. The important thing to remember is that Finches' cages should be large enough and clean enough to make them feel at home. They are birds that have very lively and attentive personalities and are well worth the maintenance. If you have kids or have guests over often, they aren't dangerous birds.

If you are expecting a bird that interacts with you and pays attention to you than know that Finches are most often interactive with each other. It's recommended that if you are buying more than one, buy them in even numbers because they tend to pick on the "odd man out," or the Finch that is smaller in size. They can get violent towards each other, which is another reason why Finches' cages should be large enough so that they all have their own space. If you overcrowd a cage or aviary there can be feather picking, and do not house them with birds of a different breed. If you are experienced in training birds, Finches can be finger trained but it is most often the breed of the finch that you can do this to. Know how to handle the bird if you are going to move them- Put the palm of your hand on the birds back and wrapping your fingers around it, putting your forefinger or your thumb on the side of it's head. Don't be scared of the bird, for it won't bite; if the bird does, it doesn't hurt at all!

There's a multitude of things that you can include in the Finches' cages: toys, mirrors or grass. The more greenery and nature that you put into the cage, the more likely it is that the mates or group of Finches will feel more at home and will cooperate as if they were not in a cage. There are hundreds of different types of Finches and they all tend to behave a bit differently. For breeders, it's suggested that you do not breed the male and the female until they are of 8 months, and they should appear is if they are happy and well nourished. Also, do not let the same Finch mates keep on breeding because eventually, the baby Finches will be born as weak or defected. At times the weak birth can also be blamed on a poor diet or unhappy parent Finches. The purchasing of a Finch should include your attentiveness and notice, if the bird's feathers do not look bright and healthy. If the bird has an illness he or she may not sit up straight and it's eyes may be closed. A healthy bird eats it's food and moves daily; speculate the wings, nails and beak to make sure that they are in a healthy condition.

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Keeping Society Finches As Pets That Are Happy and Healthy

If you're weighing your options and having a hard time choosing among the large variety of finches, society finches as pets is simply one of the best. Basically, if you compare this variety to other finch varieties, you'll have a pair that's easier to care for. If you're looking to breed finches as well, society finches are excellent breeders. Taking a look at the origins of this breed of finches, they've never been in the wild which means that they're great for keeping in your home. They're a hardy kind of bird and thrive very well given the right kind of care.

Let's say you're planning on buying a pair of finches for breeding and you've already decided that you're going to keep your birds in a cage. Society finches as pets are easy to keep in a cage and what's more, they prefer breeding in cages so it means you accomplished two things in one shot. One of the basic rules with keeping society finches as pets is to get a pair. You can keep one if you like but the thing is, finches easily get lonely and they'll have a more content and pleasant life if they have a companion.

With two finches, you'll have a more fun as well. Society finches as pets are popular because of their cute little antics, their beautiful colors and their soothing tweeting and chirping. If you have two of them, you'll also have a blast watching how they interact with each other. The basic thing to remember is that these finches are very social. You can put this characteristic to good use if you want to keep different variety of birds in your aviary together with the society finch. They can live quite comfortably with similar sized birds.

Speaking of your birds' home, it's important that you provide your pet society finches with enough space. If you're confused as to which kind of space would be better, horizontal or vertical, the answer is horizontal. You need to give your birds room enough to fly and they're not helicopters that fly up and down. At the minimum, the cage should be about 20 inches long. Also, make sure that the bar spaces are small enough to keep your birds from wiggling their way out. The cage has to be equipped with a number of perches as well as an accessible food and water dispenser - that's a big convenience for you as well.

In line with keeping society finches as pets, you also have to provide them with the proper nutrition. Seeds are a staple but that doesn't necessarily mean that this is the only thing you feed them day in and day out. You can also mix the seeds with vegetables and fruits. The best vegetables would be leafy green vegetables like romaine or spinach. Fruits like pears, oranges, and melons would do very well too. Make sure to cut these up into smaller pieces. Interestingly, you can give them a treat in the form of live insects.

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Finches Aviary: Build or Buy?

There are 145 species of finches, and perhaps among the many of them one or a few of them might have caught your eye. If so, you might wonder - if you plan to buy the finches -where will you house them? Will you make use of cages or finches aviary? If you plan to buy more than two finches, then an aviary would be a better choice than a small cage, since finches love to fly about.

Getting Your Aviary

You can access your aviary through a multitude of ways. First, you can buy them locally or online. Some avian specialty stores and breeders may also sell aviaries and birdcages along with their birds. Or, you can buy and have an aviary shipped to you from a multitude of sellers available online. The second way to get an aviary is by having it built. You can commission a carpenter or a skilled builder to create a finches aviary from scratch, or you can go the DIY route and take the project on by yourself.

Building a finches aviary or buying it will be your ultimate decision, and here are some things to consider to help you decide which path to take.

Building Your Aviary

Pros:

- Cheap. What's good about making your own aviary is that you can create one that's fairly inexpensive, because you get to choose the materials to use. Even if you plan to commission the labor work for building the aviary, you will still end up saving more money than buying one.

- Customizable. Building an aviary opens you up to a whole world of possibilities. You can customize the aviary depending on the style, color and design that you want. You can create a design that fits your backyard or projected area perfectly, making sure that the aviary isn't too large or too small for the space.

Cons:

- Skills Needed. Going DIY will require some skill and precision. If you don't know anything about hammering and carpentering - then you might have to leave this project to the experts.

- Takes Time. A finches aviary can't be built in a snap. It's basically a weekend project, at a minimum. But, if you're a busy person or if you work at a slow pace, you're looking at several weeks before finally finishing the project.

Buying Your Aviary

Pros:

- Convenience. Buying your finches aviary spells complete convenience on your part. You don't have to saw up wood, cut wire mesh or lift your fingers at all. All you have to do is head to your local seller (or check the internet) and make a purchase. You can even have the aviary delivered and installed in your home.

- Beauty and Quality. You can search for beautiful finches aviary designs online, which are made from strong materials and exhibit quality craftsmanship.

Cons:

- Limited. The designs and sizes might be limited, and you might not find the right aviary to meet your liking.

- Expensive. Aside from the price, you will also have to pay for shipping fees in order to get the finches aviary to your home.

Given these considerations, you can now pick the best scenario for your situation. If you have the time and effort to spare for this project - then by all means, build a finches aviary. However, if you're looking at convenience and have the money to spend, then there's also no problem in buying an aviary for your finches to live in.

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Finches Information - Who Else Wants To Have The Happiest Healthiest Finches Possible?

Finches are adorable little birds that have become among the more preferred birds selected for pets. What attracts many pet lovers to finches are their bright colors. Their petite size and ease of care makes them great for children and small living spaces.

Finches have a lifespan of 4 to 8 years. The simplest way to maximize their lifespan is by providing them with the most beneficial care possible. You must spot symptoms of sickness in early stages to enable you to effectively treat.

Different species of finches have unique colorations. For instance, The American Goldfinch has predominantly golden feathers, as the name implies. The purple finch features a somewhat purple, reddish color with streaks of black on the wings.

Based on established finch data, most finches come in brown and green plumage, and you'll notice a distinct lack of light shades. Some varieties of finches are dichromatic, which means you can distinguish the gender by studying their colors. The males usually have bright markings as opposed to paler colors of the females.

Bathing is an integral part of any creature's routine, and finches are no exception. In the wild, these dainty birds enjoy playing in the morning dew. Provide a shallow dish of water inside their cage or aviary a couple of times per week to enable your pets to clean their feathers. Be prepared to clean up the minor mess they're likely to make after bathing!

Basic care of your finches includes providing specific food items and fresh water every day. Additionally, it is essential to clean the cage at least once a week to prevent the birds catching diseases.

Mating finches is an interesting endeavor but you'll want comprehensive information specific to your species of pet finch to make it work successfully.

While finches are typically indigenous to the southern hemisphere, there are several breeds that are located in North America. There is a family known as the American Rose finch, which includes the purple finch, the Cassin's finch, and the House finch.

Some varieties of finches migrate to the continental United States at particular times of the year on account of food scarcity and extreme winters. These include the Redpoll and the Pine Grosbeak Finch. Visit your state or province department of game and wildlife online to discover which species of finches inhabit your location. Also, check out authority sites on the internet for in-depth information regarding finch habitats.

It's no surprise why these active little birds are so well liked as pets. Finches are easy to maintain and make wonderful pets for anyone, including those who live in an apartment, have children, or in households with other pets.

Every one of your finches will display a distinctive quirky personality. Their high level of activity will give you hours of visual and audio entertainment. With their ease of care, finches make ideal pets for many people and can fit into almost any lifestyle. Of course, as with any hobby, the more finch information you have the better. All in all, finches are cheerful and enjoyable creatures that can add joy to your home life.

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Finches From Galapagos Are Known As Darwin's Finches

The finches from the Galapagos Islands were part of Darwin's original research on evolution, Darwin spent a great deal of time on the islands studying the finches behavior and evolution. These finches are frequently referred to as Darwin's Finches.

On the Galapagos Islands you will find thirteen different species of finch. There is some controversy here, as some people report the specie count to be fourteen. Each of these species is a direct descendant from one original species of finch that was found on the island. The Galapagos Islands have such varying climates, and temperatures that the little birds had to adapt to the area they lived in whether it be hot or humid.

The biggest adaptation they made was in their beaks. Of the thirteen species of finches found on the islands you will find different beak structures among them. As years went by, the little bird's beaks evolved to better enable them to eat the food sources most readily available in their habitat. As hard as we work to provide our pet birds with the perfect habitat, and climates, it should amaze us that these little creatures have survived at all. Darwin himself found these little birds to be fantastic adapters to their environment.

All the ground finches, (Small Ground Finch, Medium Ground Finch, Large Ground Finch and Sharp Beaked Ground Finch) have crushing beaks. The Vegetarian Finch also has a crushing beak. While the Tree Finch and the Cactus Finch both have beaks built more for grasping. The Woodpecker Finch and the Warbler Finch, both have beaks suited to probing for their food.

The different species of ground finches use their crushing beaks to pick ticks from tortoises and iguanas for food. They will also kick eggs into rocks and eat the contents of the egg. The Woodpecker Finch will use twigs and cactus spines like tools to dig the larva out of tree branches, one of the only species to use tools.

The Sharp Beaked Ground Finch is often referred to as a vampire. It will land on the backs of the Masked Boobies and peck them to feed on their blood. Rather a vicious little finch.

The thirteen species of finch found on the islands are not considered the brightest or the most colorful of the finch family. In fact, these finches are mostly in shades of grey, black, brown and olive-green.

These amazing little birds manage to survive some extreme and harsh conditions on the islands. Some years there is adequate rainfall and when this occurs there is more than enough food to sustain all the birds on the islands. However, this is not the case every year. Some years the islands are drought stricken and food is scarce. This is the reason the birds have evolved and adapted to allow them to eat a greater variety of foods. They do not always have the abundance of grass seeds, and their adaptive beaks come in handy.

These compact birds blend into their surroundings very well. They are small like sparrows. The Vegetarian Finch is about the biggest finch on the islands. Their drab colors and quiet mannerisms help to hide them from natural predators.

This is a good thing. The finches from Galapagos are a real treat to see, because they are endangered. There are very few of Darwin's Finches left on the islands. Evolution, I guess, can only protect them for so long.

Parrot Toy Safety - How To Choose Safe Toys For Your Parrot Or Cockatoo   Finches Information and Tips for Bird Lovers   Choosing the Proper Finch Aviary Can Make All the Difference   Aviary For Finches: A Home For Your Birds   Are You Interested In Breeding Zebra Finches?   How to Give Your Pet Aviary Birds the Right Start for the Breeding Season   

Pet Birds From Australia - An Introduction to Rosellas

Of all native Australian birds used as pets the rosellas are amongst the most sought after. This is due to their wonderful variety of colouring, their size and their unique markings. Their scalloped feather markings on the back is what makes them unique in the avian world. There are several different species of rosella, all of them unique in their own way, and they all have similar requirements when used in aviculture.

Common in all rosellas is the scalloped pattern to the feathers on the back and all have distinctive cheek patches. A very colourful and medium sized parrot native to Australia and the surrounding islands. On the Australian mainland these colourful birds tend to inhabit areas of farmland, woodland, forests and suburban gardens and parks, in the coastal mountains and plains but not the outback. Specific breeds tend to inhabit a particular area. Most species of rosella live in large flocks in the wild but not all.It is commonly held that their name originates from the area of Australia in which they were first noticed by early pioneers, the Rose Hill area of Sydney.

The most common species appear to be: Western Rosella - smallest of the species with two subspecies itself and is found in south west Australia. Crimson Rosella - five subspecies and inhabiting east and south east Australia. Green Rosella - the largest species and native to Tasmania. Pale-headed Rosella - two subspecies and found in the eastern part of Australia. Eastern Rosella - three subspecies and although native to the eastern area of the country they are found in many regions including Tasmania and have been introduced to New Zealand where feral populations can be found. Northern Rosella - mainly found in the north as the name suggests but can also be seen in open savanna country and a few other areas, this one is also more likely to be found in small groups or just in pairs in the wild. All these are popular as pets.

An aviary is the best option when keeping rosellas in captivity as this ensures an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible. If an aviary is not an option then they will do OK in cages, as long as the cage is adequately large enough for their requirements. They will need to have regular exercise outside the cage however and should get the opportunity to have a fly around. These birds are not usually talkers and will mainly chirp & squawk, although they could learn a few unique sounds or the odd whistle. A single rosella will form a very strong bond with its owner.

An important warning with regards to keeping rosellas:

They are best kept alone or in pairs as they can be very aggressive towards each other if a lot are enclosed together, a strange thing about captive ones this is as they tend to live mainly in flocks in the wild. Whether kept in aviary or cage try to only have no more than two, and ensure they are of the same species subfamily. These birds will fight to the death in captivity if different sub-species are allowed access to each other, so make certain that if keeping more than one type of rosella to separate the different sub-species by housing in separate aviaries or cages. If the aviaries are connected together you must at the very least double-mesh so as these birds cannot get any physical contact. Beautiful birds yes, they do have these requirements however, but they are easily achievable.

Most bird keepers will suggest that rosellas are not to be kept in a mixed aviary with other types of birds because of their aggressive nature. This may be so but I have in the past kept a pair of Eastern Rosellas (golden-mantled rosellas) in the same mixed aviary with budgies, cockatiels, grass parakeets and kakarikis and have had no problems, the rosellas tended to keep themselves to themselves and do their own thing. It would be best to get advice from an avian professional if unsure.

To summarise there are several types of rosella available to the bird keeper, but their demand can often lead to having to pay a substantial fee in order to purchase any. Their physical appearance however is well worth the expense.

Parrot Toy Safety - How To Choose Safe Toys For Your Parrot Or Cockatoo   Finches Information and Tips for Bird Lovers   Choosing the Proper Finch Aviary Can Make All the Difference   Aviary For Finches: A Home For Your Birds