Parrot Finches - General

PARROT FINCHES
-GENERAL-

SPECIES - CLASSIFICATION
The following synopsis is currently accepted in large ornithological circles and shows the relationship among the different parrot finches.

In a recently published study* from 1995, all parrot finches were subject to research and their behaviour was studied. On the basis of marked determinations they have been classified in two different groups, namely the "Malaysian" and the "Melanesian" parrot finches.

Group 1 - the "Malaysian" parrot finches.
This group includes:

Erythrura hyperythra (bamboo parrot finch)
Erythrura prasina (pintailed non-pareil parrot finch)
Erythrura viridifacies (manila parrot finch)

Group 2 - the "Melanesian" parrot finches.
This group is sub-divided as shown:

Blue-headed species

Erythrura tricolor (forbes parrot finch)
Erythrura papuana (papuan parrot finch)
Erythrura coloria (coloria parrot finch)
Erythrura trichroa (blue-faced parrot finch)

Red-headed species

Erythrura cyaneovirens regia (royal parrot finch)
Erythrura cyaneovirens cyaneovirens (samoa parrot finch)
Erythrura cyaneovirens peali (peale parrot finch)

The red colour of the head must have appeared systematically among the original blue-coloured heads. This can sometimes be seen on the young royal, peale and samoa parrot finches, they have blue-coloured heads that change later to red as they mature.

Some female peale parrot finches in nature, and also in our aviaries, have blue heads which is a throw-back and at the same time proves their blue-headedness.

Erythrura psittacea, (red-headed parrot finch), is not mentioned in these groups as it is generally accepted that this species evolved as a separate branch.

Erythrura kleinschmidti (pink-billed parrot finch) also falls out of this resumé.

(*)Thanks to ©R.Neff & ©Dr.W.Rasim
Resumé of "Uber die Papageiamadinen der südwestpazifischen Inseln"

ACCOMMODATION

Cage or aviary
The best place to breed parrot finches is in a cage or aviary where their natural habitat may be duplicated.

If there is not sufficient space for green plants to be placed inside the breeding enclosure they may be placed outside. The importance of plants cannot be over-emphasised as the stimulate the birds to come into breeding condition and start propagating.
If placed inside the enclosures the plants give the birds a place to hide and provide a pleasant pastime for the juveniles.
Additional comments may be found in the separate descriptions of each species.

It is not advisable to house different kinds of parrot finches together as there is a great danger of the different species hybrizing. The resultant off-spring will just cause problems. For more on this subject see "Hybrids".
On the other hand, some parrot finches can attack other birds that share their aviary, even birds of the same species.

These characteristics will be mentioned under individual descriptions.

It is true that through years of domestication a certain number of families can brought into breeding condition in a large cage, specifically, the red-headed and the blue-faced parrot finch.

Temperature
Temperature is very important to keep parrot finches healty.
20°Celsius is sufficient in most cases, although, once again, exceptions will be indicated under individual descriptions.

Humidity
Humidity should be at least 50% but may as high as 70%. A lower humidity gives problems with the hatching of the chicks. By using a hygrometer, humidity can be controlled. Provide birds with daily bath water and any problems with humidity will already be partially resolved.

Bathing is essential for these birds, it keeps their feathers nice and also their condition good. Many parrot finches originate from islands where they live on the edges of, or open places in, the rain forests, so they are constantly in the proximity of water.

Light hours
A light duration of 15 hours can be considered sufficient.

FEEDING
A good maintenance diet should consist of a good seed mixture for exotic birds, supplemented with grass seeds.
Depending on their natural habitat some species of parrot finches eat mainly grass seeds while others prefer weed seeds and fruits.

Wild figs, as shown in the picture below, are enjoyed by the Royal and the Pink-billed parrot finches.

Spray millet should always be included, along with greens-such as chikweed, chicory, salad, scraped carrot, germinated seeds, gherkin, cucumber.

Extra animal protein is essential during the breeding period. This can be obtained by giving them maggots (fly larva), buffalo worms or ant eggs.

Obesity
Some species of parrot finches, such as the Forbes and the Blue-faced, also the Samoa, can have trouble with obesity. From this point of view an indoor aviary is the minimum recommended.

If you are breeding them in cages, you can solve the problem by putting them into an outside aviary to lose some weight after the breeding period.

Don't forget obesity also can cause fertilization problems, so keep an eye your birds to see that they are not becoming too fat during rest period.