Jakarini Finch care guide

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Volatinia jacarina
Natural Distribution and Habitat

Native to south america in chill, argentina and south panama.  They will be found in cultivated area’s and grasslands never far from water.

Diet for Jakarini Finches

Seed– A good quality finch mix is important especially if you want to breed Jacarini finches be wary of some supermarket mixes as the quality may not be the best.  If you are unsure of the seed you are using ask your local bird specialist.  They also like to eat maw seed.

Sprouted–  Loved by all finches be sure to clean thoroughly with aviclens to remove bacteria before feeding your Jacarini finches.

Millet sprays– relished by finches french white millet or pannicum is fine.

Greens– seeding grasses, endive and chickweed, these birds are not the biggest green eaters but greens become important especially during the breeding season

Vitamin supplements– Added via the water supply which is essential to keep your finches in tip top condition there is many good brands liquid or powder available in Australia.

Live food– such as meal worms, fly pupae, gentles with some added insectivore mix is very important especially during breeding season.

Egg and Biscuit formula– a great protein source for jacarini finches especially when breeding this can be fed in with the above life food.

Grit– Feed a good quality grit mix containing charcoal, crushed cuttlebone, shell, baked egg shell and limestone.

 

Jacarini pair
Jacarini pair

Breeding Jakarini Finches

Jakarini finches will breed in dense shrubs or dried shrubs they are difficult to get to breed in man made nests.  Be sure to supple a variety of different sized grasses, twigs, swamp grass pine needles if possibly found and white feathers.  The cock bird will build most of the nest.  The hen will lay around 2 light blue with eggs with light redish dots which will take 12 days to incubate. The young will not leave the nest for a further 3 weeks and will start to feed on their own around 2 to 3 weeks later.  It is important to remove the young from the aviary soon after they feed on their own as they may be killed by the father when he wants to breed again.  A month before and during breeding it is important to increase the live food, egg and biscuit and greens.

Sexing Jakarini Finches

As seen in the photo the male is a glossy black and the hen is much more brown although immature cock birds look like a hen.