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Red Headed Finch |
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Bird Breeds:
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DESCRIPTION
5'/4 inches (13cm). Resembles Cut-Throat Finch - body light fawn, feathers
marked with black bars, chocolate underside, grey tail, whitish throat
with red band on front of neck - but male's entire head is dull red. Eyes
brown, beak and legs pale. Female has a grey-brown head and duller underside.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
South Africa, north through to Angola.
HABITAT
Open country with bushes, in colonies. Broods in tree holes, deserted
weaver or sparrow nests, or buildings.
DIET Seeds,
insects.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Seldom builds its own nests. Advisable to house single pair in separate,
roomy aviary or breeding cage so they can breed successfully in peace.
CAGE LIFE
Uses half-open nest boxes. Lays 3 to 6 eggs, incubation 12 to 13 days
by both sexes; during day male sits longer than female, both parents at
night. If disturbed, parents may start a nest somewhere else, leaving
the young to die. After two weeks the young males already have red on
their heads. Fledging 23 to 25 days. Young able to reproduce after six
months, but breeding should be restricted until at least 1 year old. This
species has hybridized with the Cut-Throat Finch, and the hybrids are
fertile.
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