Black Throated Finch care guide
Distribution and Habitat of Black Throated Finches
Australian native generally found in north eastern places from the tip of cape york down as far south as new south wales. The first time I witnessed these guys in the wild was in a remote area just outside of Cooktown in far north Queensland. You will normally find them in grassy area’s not far from water especially during the dry season close to streams or ponds of fresh water.
Hand raised baby Black Throated Finches.
Licencing
A Licence is required to purchase these birds in NSW.
Feeding and care for parson finches
Seed– A good quality mix especially if yu plan on breeding them, be wary of some supermarket mixes as they contain filler seed and are of a low grade seed. If you are unsure of the seed you are using ask your local bird specialist.
Sprouted seed– Always clean with aviclens thoroughly to remove bacteria befor feeding to your birds.
Millet sprays– A fresh seed still on the stem, french white is most recommended for Black throated finches.
Greens– acceptable for finches are seeding grass, bok choy, spinach, chick weed, milk thistle, lebanese cucumber and endive. Never give your finches lettuce.
Live food– is important especially if you plan to breed your birds. Many people are not able to acquire termites but meal worms and fly pupae will do fine as a replacement. Feed with wombaroo insectivore mix
Egg and biscuit formula– Great for all finches as an added protein supplement this can be fed seperate or mixed with the live food mentioned above
Vitamin supplement– There are many great vitamin supplements for birds available in Australia this must be added to the water as vitamins added to seed will go to waste.
Grit– feed your Parson finches a proper fine finch grit with Baked egg shells, crushed cuttlebone, charcoal, shell and limestone.
Breeding Black Throated Finches
Good breeders in captivity these finches will breed in a variety of nests including wicker nests and nest boxes. Nesting season from september to febuary, the male and female will both help in construction of the nest. It is important to provide the breeding pairs with plenty of swamp grass and white feathers to line the nest with. The hen will lay up to 8 white eggs with an incubation period of about 13 to 14 days. The young will remain in the nest for another 3 weeks until they begin to venture out side they will still be fed by the parent birds for a further 4 weeks until they are fully weaned.
Comparability and effects when housed with other species
They mix well with other finches but like all finches can become aggressive during breeding. Mixing species
Sexing Black Throated Finches
They are very difficult to sex for the untrained eye but i have found the best way to sex them is place to birds together and you will see the male is broader head and has a light grey colouration and the female has a darker brownish grey colouration.
Found in store, for more details call Birdsville 9667 2555.
