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DESCRIPTION
4 1/2 inches (llcm). Spicy brown colour, darker brown on head, lighter
brown and white on underparts and abdomen. Breast and flank feathers have
dark brown edges. Young birds don't have characteristic scaly appearance.
Male's beak thicker and heavier, head larger and broader.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Spice Finch found in India, Sri Lanka, southeastern Asia, south China,
Taiwan and Hainan, through Greater and Lesser Sundas (except Bor-ney)
to Sulawesi (formerly Celebes) and the Philippines; introduced into Australia,
1942-3.
HABITAT
Spice Finch likes grassland, parks and gardens.
DIET Seeds, insects.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Spice Finch hens have tendency to suffer from egg binding.
CAGE LIFE
Appealing nature, easy to please. Aviary or glass enclosure. Male sings
soft, almost inaudible song, detectable only by proud thrusts of head
and puffing of throat feathers that accompany it. Almost always in motion.
Can be brought into frost-free area in winter, but cannot tolerate temperate
zones. Can spend winter outdoors if given aviary with sturdy night enclosure
(containing felt-lined nest boxes, which also serve as sleeping places).
Lays 4 to 7 (up to 10) white eggs, incubation 13 to 14 days by both parents,
fledging 21 days.
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