Green-faced Parrotfinches
Parrotfinch Information ... Parrotfinch Photo Gallery ... Parrotfinch Species
Finch Diseases ... Finch / Canary Food
Green-faced Parrotfinches are also known as Manila Parrot Finches (Erythrura viridifacies).
Distribution
They occur naturally in northern Philippines, around Luzon, Negros and Panay.
Their existence is threatened by deforestation which removes its food supply (bamboo seeds). Secondly, their popularity in the cage-bird trade has lead to extensive trapping of this species. Many of them are exported to the United States.
Conservation efforts are underway. Two protected areas have been established, namely the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park and Bataan Natural Park/ Subic Bay. However, due to its nomadic nature, occurrence in protected areas does not necessarily confer continual protection.
Description
Size: The Green-faced Parrotfinch averages 12 to 13 cm in length.
Plumage: Green except for bright red uppertail-coverts and tail and darker fringes to the primaries (= longest wing feathers). It has long, pointed tail, while female is slightly shorter which also shows buff on lower belly and vent.
Bill: Both sexes have a large, dark bill.
Call / Vocalization
Short, high-pitched tsit tsit, chattering call consisting of grating notes.
Personality / Behavior
They have a very friendly and inquisitive personality, and grow quite confiding with their caretakers, greeting them enthusiastically at the aviary door as they come in to tend to the flock.
These finches love water. One can frequently see them jump in and out of their bathing dishes. Bathing will take place a couple of times a day, summer or winter - and are an important part of their daily grooming.
Another characteristic of the parrotfinches is their almost semi-nocturnal nature. They are always last to roost at night, and can be seen still on the food station or darting around the aviary after dark. They are also the first to stir in the morning.
Aviculture:
Aviary Requirements:
This breed is totally vivacious, very energetic, and always on the move. They are very gentle, which makes them an ideal choice for a mixed, large and well-planted aviary. They need plenty of flight space. A good aviary dimension would be 8ft. long x 7ft. wide. However, an aviary can never be too big for these active finches.
This tropical species needs to be protected from the elements. During the winter months, they need to have access to a heated shelter. The outside flight needs to have some draft protection. One way would be to install slotted tracking on the sides of the aviary that will allow you to slide in either Perspex or Polycarb sheets during the winter months to keep out chilly winds and help keep some heat in. Alternatively, such panels can be hung up along the sides - as long as they are firmly installed.
It is recommended to provide some cover within the aviary, which can be achieved by planting bushes suitable to your area, or alternatively putting up appropriate brush, which even when dry seems to provide cover adequate for their needs.
Over time the breed has adapted well to cooler climates. However, when purchasing birds from a breeder find out whether the breeder uses artificial heating sources. It takes time for birds to acclimatize to your local temperature and conditions.
The pair bonding of the adult birds is very strong, and in the aviary they are seldom seen apart. However, should either one die, a new partner should be introduced as soon as possible.
It is always advisable to have more hens in your colony than male birds, as it minimizes the potential conflict between males.
Having said all that, give them food, water, and nesting material, and they are likely to thrive and breed. If within your aviary, you have the facility to grow a seeding grass, then you are guaranteeing yourself a happy flock of parrot finches.
Breeding:
Captive parrotfinches readily accept a wide range of nesting accommodations, from a standard "gouldian" or "budgerigar" nesting box, to a wicker or cane elongated tube. The nest box should be situated as high in the aviary as possible, although they are willing to settle for a nest box at lower levels.
The hen seems to be the primary nest builder. Her preferred nesting material includes well-dried pampas grass, soft well-dried grass or teased strands of hessian, cut to manageable lengths.
The hen usually lays between two and six eggs. Fertility rates may be influenced by diet climatic conditions or the individual pair. Both parents share the incubation duties with great dedication. Incubation takes about thirteen to fourteen days.
Parrot Finches are usually tolerant to nest inspection. Should you find a chick or chicks with a skin color that is darker than you would normally expect, this may be indicative of dehydration. One cause could be lack of green food or live food, such as mealworms or maggots. Lack of bathing opportunities may also create such problems.
The young usually fledge at 21 days. It is within this first week that the fledgling commences to take on the distinctive color of the breed.
These finches tend to be excellent parents - however, it is characteristic of this breed that parents may set up a new nest, and be sitting on a new brood prior to the fledging of the last.
Marker rings should be put on the fledglings when they are about 4 weeks old. Marker rings are an important tool for keeping track of them and for record keeping purposes.
Diet:
A good-quality seed mix should be provided, as well as seeding grasses, various greens and live food - especially during the breeding season. They readily accept fresh fruits / veggies a lot, and greens such as parsley and dandelions. You can get a lot of free "green stuff" (safe, untreated plants please!) from your own garden to feed to them with.
While raising young, breeders often offer additional food items to the parents, such as hard-boiled eggs (potentially enriched with vitamins and minerals - if the diet is less than balanced), as well as sprouted seeds, and mealworms.
Sprouted or germinated seeds are usually more easily accepted by "seed addicts" than fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Sprouted seeds are healthier as the sprouting changes and enhances the nutritional quality and value of seeds and grains. Sprouted seeds are lower in fat, as the process of sprouting utilizes the fat in the seed to start the growing process - thus reducing the fat stored in the seeds.
- Sprouted seeds will help balance your bird’s diet by adding a nutritious supply of high in vegetable proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and chlorophyll.
- Soaked and germinated "oil" seeds, like niger and rape seeds, are rich in protein and carbohydrates; while "starch" seeds, such as canary and millets, are rich in carbohydrates, but lower in protein.
- It is in invaluable food at all times; however, it is especially important for breeding or molting birds. Sprouted seeds also serve as a great rearing and weaning food as the softened shell is easier to break by chicks and gets them used to the texture of seeds.
The fledglings readily accept live food, such as mealworms. They will take literally any size worm, and if too big to take at once, they will suck the pulp out of the worm. Green food, on the other hand, takes them about two weeks before they accept it. But once they have gotten used to live food, their appetite is fairly insatiable. Sprouted seed are readily accepted by birds and are highly nutritious. They make an excellent weaning food..
As with all other breeds, fresh water should be available at all times.
Please click here for more information on dietary requirements.
Specific Health Concerns
As these finches spend a lot of time foraging on the ground, breeders can expect to have to deal with a worm burden. Some breeders suggest that these finches do not respond well to worming, while others suggest the following protocol: "Mix 80 mils of water, 1.5 mils of Avitrol Plus, 2.0 mils of strawberry topping. The strawberry topping seems to make it more palatable without affecting the efficacy of product. Use your own judgment on how often you dose, but 3 or 4 times a year would seem appropriate, particularly if you are feeding live food. "
Whether or not such a routine is advisable for your own birds should be discussed with your vet.
Additional Resources:
Sources for Purchasing or Adopting your Companion or Aviary Birds
Optimal nutrition to keep your bird healthy
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Please click here for info
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
