Tricoloured Parrotfinch (Erythrura tricolor)

Tricoloured Parrotfinch Erythrura tricolor
Name	Tricoloured Parrotfinch
Name Lat.	Erythrura tricolor
Family	Estrildid Finches
Family lat.	Estrildidae
Order	Perching Birds
Order lat.	Passeriformes
Origin	Australia, Indonesia
Climate	Tropical
Diet	Estrilded Finch seed, sprouts, veggies
Keeping	Pair, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Finch nest
Life Span	5-10 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	10 cm
Temperature	Room temperature
Housing	80 x 40 x 40 cm
US Units
Size	3.9"
Temperature	Room temperature
Housing	30" x 15" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

The wild form of the Blue-green Parrot Magpies is distributed on Timor and smaller islands north of Australia. They live there in eucalyptus forests, palm groves and sparse scrublands up to 1,400 m altitude. Today they are only offered as a breeding form.

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, green feed (chickweed, green panicle millet, fresh grass panicles, organic lettuce, etc.), insect feed and especially for the rearing of young swollen or germinated seeds (millet, oats, egg feed, insects and insect larvae).), insect food and, especially for raising young, swollen or germinated seeds (millet, oats), egg food, egg millet, insects and insect larvae (small, skinned, cut-up mealybug larvae, ant pupae, pinkies, small buffalos). Charcoal, vitamine lime and shell grit are needed as digestive aids. Drinking water must always be available in birdbaths or in stable, open containers and, like food, must be offered fresh daily in clean containers. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males have the head to the crown, ear area, throat, chest and belly cobalt blue. Females are much paler, the blue is lighter and mixed with gray and green on the belly.

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). Nesting material consists of coconut fibers, sisal, longer grasses, and cotton fibers and feathers for padding.

The clutch consists of 4 to 6 eggs, the incubation period is about 14 days. The breeding season is, biologically speaking, year-round. When breeding, the room temperature should be at least 18 °C.

Important

They may only be kept in pairs or in a group or flock. A socialization with other finches is well possible.

For swarm keeping an aviary is required. They must not be kept in a round cage

For outdoor aviary keeping, they also need a heated shelter of at least 1 m² floor space and 1.70 m height, 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

Sufficient daylight or flicker-free artificial light (stroboscopic effect) corresponding to daylight must be provided in rooms, including the shelters. The lighting duration shall be 8-14 hours per day and the natural day-night rhythm shall be respected. 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: Othmar Sieberer

Source: BMELV (1995): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Kleinvögeln; BIELFELD (1996): Das Prachtfinken Buch, Verlag Eugen Ulmer

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF