South American Finches

by Val Clear Anderson, Indiana

One of the best kept secrets of eat fruit and insects. half-hour at a time. The Spanish name exotic aviculture is the finches of Probably the best known in orth describes him nicely: saltapalito South America. They are numerous, America is the Red Siskin (Spinus (stick-jumper or pole vaulter). varied, fascinating and challenging. cucullatus). It has been bred by the My Jacarinis breed in an indoor The definitive book on birds of thousands, mostly by canary fanciers planted aviary every December. They South America by Dunning lists 87 who want its red genes, but there is have retained their tie to the South species of finches, divided into three now a consortium of AFA members American calendar, which has sum­ size groups. The smallest group raising Red Siskins for the purpose of mer in January to March. A nest is includes the Jacarini (3" long) and re-stocking it in the wild. The Watch­ built in an open, flat box the size of a the largest includes the Saltators and bird has run several articles about cigar box, packed with dried grass. I Grosbeaks (up to 7" long). Colors this dazzling, tiny (4") bird, and, no put it on the floor where it is shielded range from jet black to cardinal red doubt, will publish more. with nearby plants about a foot high. and canary yellow. Seed is the modal Probably the next-best known Two eggs are laid and usually both portion of their diet, but many also South American finch is the Saffron babies are raised, unless one of the Finch (Sicalis flaveola). The right larger birds chooses to have a live­ ------, pair will consistently turn out up to food brunch. Young look like their 15 young a year. Races from different mother until they are about four months old. OUR 41ST BIRDMART parts ofthe continent differ consider­ ably in shades of color, but they all When I was asked to write this EVERYBODY'S have a crown and forehead orangish article I listed the species that I (saffron-colored) and the body thought should be covered. There yellow. In my experience, the Peru­ were 16, too many to be included in a BIRD MART vian race is especially colorful, a pure single article. All 16 have been March 29, 1992 canary yellow body, a black bill, a imported successfully and have been L.A. County Fairplex Bldg. #4 bright orange forehead and yellow rewarding birds to keep in a mixed Pomona, California wing feathers edged with olive. collection. I have to pare that list My Saffrons breed freely in a cage down to just a few more species to 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 18" x 36" x 36", using a 4" x 4" plas­ discuss. Admission: $3, Youths 5-15: $1 tic freezer box (for vegetables) with My favorite on that list is the Parrot­ The Bird Mart has become the the front half open. Diet is basically billed Seedeater (Sporophila peruvi­ marketplace for buyers and sellers. seed, but especially when they are ana). It is a small brown bird but BIRDS -CAGES -FEEDERS -NESTBOXES feeding babies they like eggfood, really quite colorful. Females are VITAMINS -SEED -PERCHES -GIFT ITEMS a diVision of fruit and mealworms. I keep only one plain brown but the male has grayish J. Williams Financial Services Inc. pair to a cage because the male can brown upper parts, a noticeable liqht P.O. Box 1112, La Canada, CA 91 011 become assertive. bar on the wing, a light spot at the (818) 790-7876 The third best known South Ameri­ wing elbow, a black throat and a can finch probably is the Blue-black black cumberbund. All of this is on a The Original, The #1 Bird Mart Grassquit or Jacarini (Volatinia bird four inches long. jacarini). This is a diminutive bird But the most striking feature is the (about 3" long) that has several hooked bill. The Spanish name is AFA attractions. It is dimorphic in season; Pico Grueso (huge beak), and both males take on a glistening blue-black names describe the bird well. It is not CONVENTION plumage in breeding condition and a psittacine (parrot-family) bird, of females retain their drab brownish course. It really is close to one of August 2 - 6, 1992 color with striped breast. Darwin's finches. But it can be Plan for a hot time in Miami The male has a delightful nuptial described as a bird the size of a house Beach, Florida at the fine and dance. He picks the top twig of a 48" wren with a parrot beak. famous Fountainbleu Hotel, bush, then flies up about 36", does a Evolution produced the Parrot­ somersault and returns to the perch, billed Seedeater by adapting it to feed Resort and Spa! 20 acres of meanwhile singing madly. I have on plants that require specialized har­ lush gardens on the beach! watched this courtship in the wild go vesting utensils. This has continuing on non-stop for an uninterrupted value for the bird; I find myself put- 20 February / March 1992 ting off catching one as long as I can. That beak is worse than a female Parrot Bands • Cockatiel Bands • Lovebird Bands budgie's when it finds your cuticle! Lindsay Clack, Pittsburgh Aviary ParakeetBands • Canary Bands • Handfeeding Syringes Director, has had good success rais­ All sizes ofplastic bands • Band Cutters. Nets ing the Chaco Finch (Saltatricula Stainless Steel Feeding Needles multicolor). This is an attractive, Pipettes • ClawScissors FAST larger finch (about 6") from Argen­ SERVICEI tina. It is basically brown, with black Send self-addressed, stamped envelope face, forehead and sides of the neck. for complete brochure. Throat and belly are white and under­ parts are a rich cinnamon color. I L & M BIRD LEG BANDS think these are not now being P.o. Box 2943 • San Bernardino, CA 92406 imported but there may be aviary­ (714) 882-4649 Monday thru Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (PS11 produced specimens around. Closed month ofJuly for vacation. Rather similar to the Chaco Finch is another that I find interesting, the Diuca Finch (Diuca diuca). It is more gray than the Chaco and has an eye ring. Undertail converts are chestnut and the black tail has white tips on the outer feathers. The Boliv­ ian and Peruvian species I have had have white wing patches. I never did succeed in breeding them and do not know anyone who has. The Collared Warbling Finch (Poo­ spiza hispaniolensis) is more beauti­ ful than its word-description sounds. The male is in shades of gray, black and white. The female has a similar pattern but is more brownish. There is no problem sexing adults. The male has a black face with a white lower-lid. Sides are gray and under­ parts are white. There is a wide, black, breast band. The tail is black with white edges. I have a self-sustaining colony of Collared Warbling Finches that has been in my atrium for about 15 years. I have no idea what generation they have reached, but it is several. I know They'll Practically Feed Themselves! when they have babies because the adults are waiting for me in the morn­ ing when I arrive with egg food and • Health food. Cook ahead monthly, freeze, mealworms. At other times of the microwaveable. Serve in seconds! year they eat only seed. The male has a sweet song. • Broadens diet. Birds love warm foods. I mentioned the Red Siskin above. • Economical. 3 bulk bags make 12 gallons. There are two other interesting Siskins, the Hooded and the Black. The Hooded Siskin, sometimes Ecstatic response - dozens of letters. referred to as the Green Siskin or the Black-headed Siskin (Spinus magel­ lanicus), is common throughout 1 eoo BIRD VUM most of South America. In flight, it always reminds me of a butterfly or We wholesale to breeders. of the U.S. Southern Mockingbird. It has a large yellow patch on the wing that gives the impression offluttering 13330 Bessemer SI. when it flies. There is a bright yellow ALL TAME BIRDS collar and rump, a less brilliant yel­ Van Nuys, CA 91401 low on the back, black tail and wings, go WilD for (818) 997-0598 FAX (818) 997-0566 and some white on the underside of the wings. All siskins are accom- afa WATCHBIRD 21 plished acrobats, and the Hooded is no exception. My favorite ofthe wild siskins is the Black Siskin (Spinus atratus). All the WE TAKE THE WORRY siskins are about three or four inches long, and the Hooded and Black are OUT OF DIETS on the larger end of the scale. But when you say"Black Siskin," you do mean black! It is jet black all over PLANT -PROTM except for a dramatic bright yellow Dr wing patch that is quite obvious in CERTIFIED flight, small yellow patches on the belly and base of the tail. Sexes are DIETS alike. Both of these siskins have been by Avian Nutritional Experts imported for years but they do not do D's well in captivity and not many avi­ culturists have had consistent suc­ ALL DIETS ARE ANALYZED FOR HEAVY cess in breeding them. I have always METALS, PESTICIDES, MYCOTOXINS, thought they could be maintained with proper husbandry if we knew E.COLl, SALMONELLA ** what they needed to thrive, but I have never solved the mysteries. PROPER NUTRITION WITH ALL VITAMINS, When I was liVing in Peru, I studied MICRO-AND MACRO-ELEMENTS, 10 BALANCED the habits of these two species and ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS, AND PROPER found that they preferred a certain ENERGY TO PROTEIN RATIOS. ALL FAT FROM weed I found growing in sandy soil. I PLANT PRODUCTS (PRIMARILY MONO- AND sent a sample ofthe seed to Kellogg's and Mr. Scannel (after whom the POLY-UNSATURATED FATS) ACCOUNTING FOR most prestigious award later was UNDER 30% OF CALORIES. named) identified it as a kind of lambsworth, which is a weed in OUR POLICY: TO PROVIDE FAST, FRIENDLY North America that farmers spend SERVICE WITH 95% OF ORDERS SHIPPED millions ofdollars to eradicate. WITHIN 24 HOURS. YOU MUST BE SATISFIED. After I returned to Indiana, I tried to grow lambsworth for my own use but had no success. As a weed it is Life cycle nutrition: baby bird hand feeding irrepressible, but as a cultivated plant diet, starter grower diet, maintenance diet, it fails. I also bought weed seed in and layer diet-- NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS Canada but the birds would not eat it. Somewhere, sometime, somebody will unravel this conundrum. ONLY PLANT PROTEIN SOURCES USED There is one other neglected bird OVER THE LAST 6 YEARS that needs to have serious attention DIETS FOR SMALL AND LARGE PARROTS, BUDGIES, from exotic aviculturists, the Rufous­ CANARIES AND FINCHES IN 5, 25, & 50 LB BAGS. 5 LBS collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia REGULAR DIETS @ $9.40 POSTAGE PAID. SPECIAL capensis). This is about 5" long, a DISCOUNTS ON FEED ORDERS OVER $100, AND SAVE ON gray and white bird with a noticeable SHIPPING. BREEDERS CHECK WITH US FIRST. CALL FOR ruffled cape, almost as if he were INFO ON PRICES: ACCEPT VISA, MC, DISCOVER: WE SHIP wearing a burnt-orange scarf, looking C.O.D., UPS, TRUCK, APO. SPECIAL PRICES TO HI AND AK. a bit like a male Orange Weaver in color. He has a black crest that he CANADIAN CUSTOMERS ARE VERY WELCOME. erects when excited. The wing cover­ CHECK WITH US FOR POOLED CLUB ORDERS. lets have white tips and there is a WE SHIP TO EUROPE white stripe above the eye. ** Assay results for a Television antennas were invented particular batch code number for the Rufous-collared Sparrow. The are available for $3.00. male prefers this stage from which he sings his frequently repeated aria, from AVI-SCI, INC., P.O. BOX 598, OKEMOS, MI 48805. which consists of a high-pitched opening note followed by notes float­ Ph 1-800-942-DIET (3438) ing down-scale like a tumbling leaf in the gentle October breeze. The near­ SCIENCE IS IN OUR NAME AND OUR PRODUCTS est song to it that I am aware of is the midwestern Meadowlark. But of all the South American 22 February / March 1992 finches, the most frequently pictured is probably the Red-crested Cardinal (Paroaria coronata). It is usually referred to as a Brazilian Red-crested AIgae-Feastll,SpiruIina Cardinal, but in actuality it ranges also into Bolivia and Argentina. There .".~~ The Exotic Bi~d Food Supplement ~. are several other South American ~~:. for Breeding and Beauty -, Cardinals, including the Pope Car­ ~iI~ , dinal (P. dominicana), which is simi­ Algae-Feast Spirulina is nature's best source of betacarotene and lar to the Red-crested but lacks a muco-proteins. It improves fertility in breeders, color and shine in crest. show birds. Algae-Feast Spirulina is grown without pesticides or However, the Red-crested Cardinal herbicides at our high-tech Spirulina farm in California. Our quality has the floor. Its permanently erect, assurance program garantees purity. It is low in sodium, free from brilliant red crest, face and chest harmful bacteria, molds and toxins. Rich in essential fatty acids, naturally chelated minerals and amino acids. demand attention, and the bird's -- _.- - _.. - _._ -_ - _ _ --- -_ .. demeanor displays abundant self­ o Yes, send me Algae-Feast Spirulina powder now! confidence. He knows he is beauti­ __ 1 lb. (single jar) $36.00 BULK AVAILABLE! ful! His back and tail are black, under­ __ 4 lb. (single jar) $108.00 parts white. Females tend to have __ 12 lb. (case of 12 1 lb.) $24.00 ea. for $286.00 less red, but visual sexing is un­ __ 16 lb. (case of 4 4 lb.) $86.00 ea. for $344.00 reliable. Red-crested Cardinals are being Payment amount $ by: 0 check 0 Visa 0 MC bred successfully in North America. credit card 11 exp date _ Young have brown faces rather than name on card==------:----:---:-;--__-;--;-~~_;_-_;___:___==~:"7.'"- red but soon color up. I recently We dup "1 UPS••treet "ddress required. Allow" weeks for FREE deliverl ill bought four babies about five 1M CollliMIII,,1 USA. months old and they are already half­ Name Ph _ Address _ red. Breeding South American finches _9~~:.. ~~!! ~P...... _...._....._...... =_=_=....._=_=__ ...._...... _...... _....._=_=_=_=_=_..._=__=..=_...._...._..._..._...... _....._=_=_===_=_= _ has been neglected by North Ameri­ MAIL TO: Algae-Feast PO Box 719·A, Calipatria, CA 92233 can aviculturists. I do not understand FAX 619 348-2895 TEL 619 348-2685 this. They have all the beauty and glamour of African and Asiatic finches and could become as well domesticated as Australian finches before too long, but that is not happening. About three years ago, I imported a shipment of Peruvian finches for Finchsave people and offered them at cost. The National Finch and Soft­ bill Society graciously ran a full-page ad free and I advertised in other mag­ azines. I sold only a few of them. The Experience lack of interest explains the infre­ quency of South American finch HEKTOH! imports. And perhaps that is not only effect but also cause: the infrequency The most Benefits. ofimport leads to a lack ofinterest. By contrast, when I import hum­ per Dollar. mingbirds, tanagers or honeycreep­ ers from Peru, they are mostly sold before they are out of quarantine. FOR INFORMATION ON There is a ready demand for softbills NEKTON·S AND OUR OTHER and nectarines. FINE PRODUCTS CALL. .. Despite the lack of interest in NEKTON U.S.A. South American finches, I continue 14405· 60th 51. North· Clearwater, FL 34620 to get profound joy out ofmine. Most (813) 530·3500 of the species available have never IN CANADA Canaviax Products·41 Links Rd. been bred, but once they start they Willowdale (Toronto) Ontario continue year after year. There is M2P 1T7 Canada. (416) 223·1165 more satisfaction in seeing a rare .- .. species court, nest, hatch, fledge and mature into a new generation than there is in any of the more-traveled roads in exotic aviculture.• afa WATCHBIRD 23