Owl Finch: Bird Characteristics and Care

The lovable Owl Finch (Taeniopygia bichenovii) is a small, long-tailed grass finch native to Australia. Its black and white markings give it an owl-like look. Whereas not probably the most colourful, these markings are hanging, and it has a candy, social character. Simple to take care of, the owl finch is good for brand new chook homeowners.

Origin and Historical past

The owl finch is a member of the waxbill or estrildid finch household. The Estrildidae household consists of over 130 species, such because the owl finch, Gouldian finch, and zebra finch. Within the wild, owl finches inhabit Australia’s woodlands, grasslands, and scrublands, dwelling in teams.

Temperament

Playful and curious, the owl finch is an enthralling and entertaining chook. Extremely social with different finches, it prefers the corporate of birds over dealing with by people. Preserving a single owl finch shouldn’t be really helpful. Like most finches, they thrive in teams in giant enclosures or no less than as a pair in a smaller house. Owl finches may coexist with different finches and canaries.

Owl Finches will readily breed if you happen to maintain men and women collectively. For those who desire to not have child Owl Finches, you would possibly attempt to maintain all females. Nevertheless, telling female and male Owl Finches aside shouldn’t be all the time a straightforward activity (learn extra about sexing Owl Finches under below “Owl Finch Colours and Markings”).

Speech and Vocalizations

Owl finches are fairly vocal, chattering all through the day. Teams of owl finches could be noisy, although their sounds are extra nice than jarring. Solely male owl finches sing, they usually achieve this much less steadily than another finch species.

Owl Finch Colours and Markings

The owl finch’s physique is mild brown, with darkish brown wings dotted with tiny white spots. It has a white face, chest, and stomach, encircled by black bands across the face and under the chest. Its beak is silver-gray, and the eyes are black. These markings resemble an owl’s, giving the finch its identify.

Female and male owl finches seem almost similar, though females could have barely narrower bands and fewer good white chests. These delicate variations make intercourse willpower by coloration difficult. Nevertheless, solely male owl finches sing, offering a key distinction.

Caring for the Owl Finch

Owl finches are lively and ought to be housed in a bigger cage than their dimension would possibly counsel. They want loads of house for flight. A big enclosure (no less than 2 to three toes long�the longer, the higher) is important for conserving two owl finches. For those who plan to maintain a bigger group, think about an aviary or flight cage.

Provide a number of perches and a woven nest basket or field nest with supplies resembling dry grass or shredded paper for nesting. Embrace some toys or ladders, however keep away from extreme muddle, which limits flying house.

Place the enclosure in a heat room away from direct daylight and drafts, sustaining a minimal temperature of 60 levels Fahrenheit.

Widespread Well being Issues

Like most finches, the owl finch could develop air-sac mite infections, a parasitic situation that assaults the respiratory tract and requires pressing veterinary care. They will additionally undergo from scaly face, one other mite-related illness that necessitates remedy. Moreover, egg binding, the place a feminine chook can’t go an egg, poses a big well being threat and happens steadily in smaller birds, together with finches.

Weight-reduction plan and Vitamin

Present owl finches with a food regimen of high-quality finch seed and pellet meals. Complement this with recent greens like spinach, broccoli tops, and carrot tops, together with mealworms or grubs for protein. Guarantee calcium provide with a cuttlebone, and supply a dangling water bottle, altering the water every day.

Train

Owl finches usually stay of their enclosures resulting from their dislike of dealing with. As lively flyers, they require a spacious cage for train; keep away from tall, slim cages that restrict horizontal flight house.

The place to Undertake or Purchase an Owl Finch

Owl finches can be found in pet and chook specialty shops and from breeders. Analysis to make sure breeders are educated and lift wholesome birds humanely. Examine chook rescues and native shelters for adoption choices.

Extra Pet Chook Species and Additional Analysis 

For those who just like the Owl Finch, you may also be excited by comparable species, together with the next finches:

·       Java Finch Species Profile 

·       Gouldian Finch Specie Profile

·       Zebra Finch Species Profile 

In any other case, take a look at all of our different small chook breed profiles.