Plum-headed Finch (Neochmia modesta)
| Plum-headed Finch Neochmia modesta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Plum-headed Finch |
| Name Lat. | Neochmia modesta |
| Synonym | Aidemosyne modesta |
| Family | Estrildid Finches |
| Family lat. | Estrildidae |
| Order | Perching Birds |
| Order lat. | Passeriformes |
| Origin | Australia |
| Climate | Subtropical - tropical |
| Diet | Estrilded Finch seed, sprouts, veggies, fruits |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Finch nest |
| Life Span | 5-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 11 cm |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | 80 x 40 x 40 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4.3" |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | 30" x 15" x 15" |
Distribution and habitat
The ceresamadines are native to eastern Australia. There they live in bush interspersed grasslands, swamps and shore edges with reeds and rushes. Since the export ban in 1960 they are only available as offspring.
Cage size
The minimum cage size is 80 x 40 x 40 cm (L x W x H) for a pair. The cage size must not be undercut even in case of justified single keeping. For an additional 2-3 birds, assuming species compatibility, the floor space must be increased by 25%. The cage must be placed in a bright, draught-free and quiet place at a height of at least 80 cm (except aviaries), have a rectangular base and be opaque on three sides, aviaries on one side. Keeping in an aviary is preferable.
Maintenance
The floor must be covered with sand, wood granulate, bark mulch or similar material and must be cleaned regularly. At least 3 perches made of wood or branches of varying thickness and height must be installed in such a way that they can only be reached by flying and that the longest possible flight distance is created. They need a bathing opportunity as well as biotope-like hiding, sleeping and nesting possibilities. It is recommended to provide them with grasses, twigs and bushes. The room temperature must not fall below 15 °C.
Diet
The species-specific feed offer consists of mixed seeds, available in specialized trade as exotic feed in premium quality, supplemented with red foxtail millet, insect feed, green feed (chickweed, green panicle millet, fresh grass panicles, etc.), vegetables (cucumber slices, some sweet fruit (swollen or germinated), and especially for the rearing of young, egg feed.), vegetables (cucumber slices), some sweet fruit, swollen or germinated seeds (millet, oats, grass seeds) and, especially for raising young, egg food, insects and insect larvae, such as small, skinned, cut-up mealybug larvae, ant pupae and small buffalos. Charcoal, vitamin lime, shell grit, and crushed eggshells from boiled chicken eggs are needed as digestive aids. Drinking water must always be available in birdbaths or in stable, open containers. Feed and water must be offered fresh daily, and the containers must be cleaned beforehand.
A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Reproduction and breeding
The sex difference is easily recognizable. Males are generally brown in color with rows of white dots distributed along the body, black head plate and small black throat patch. The females are duller colored and have no black on the head and throat.
They like to breed in biotope-like facilities such as basket nests (bionesters) and semi-open nest boxes of medium size, or freely in branches (e.g. broom, bamboo, reeds). Suitable nesting material is sisal, coconut fibers, long grasses as well as animal hair and feathers for padding. The clutch consists of 4-5 eggs, the incubation period is about 13 days. The breeding season is, biologically speaking, year-round. When breeding, the room temperature should be at least 18 °C.
The average life expectancy is 5-10 years.
Important
They must not be kept in a round cage. An aviary is required for flock keeping.
In the case of outdoor aviary keeping, they also require a heated shelter with a floor area of at least 1 m² and a height of 1.70 m, which can be visited by the birds at any time. The temperature in the shelter must not fall below 15 °C and the furnishings must correspond to those of cage keeping.
They may only be kept in pairs or in a group or flock. Socialization with other finches is possible. In rooms, including shelters, sufficient daylight or flicker-free artificial light (stroboscopic effect) corresponding to daylight must be provided. The lighting duration shall be 8-14 hours per day and the natural day-night rhythm shall be observed. Adequate indoor climate shall be provided. The health condition of the birds shall be checked daily.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Othmar Sieberer; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1995): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Kleinvögeln; BIELFELD (1996): Das Prachtfinken-Buch, Verlag Eugen Ulmer; GRUMMT & STREHLOW (2009): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Vögel, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF