Breeding Finches in Captivity Eastern Side of the Gulf of Carpentaria on the Cape York Peninsula

placed in another ilight for sexing. There appears to be only one sub species of the Masked Finch known as the White-eared Grassfmch (poephila person ala leucotis). This variety is found on the Breeding Finches In Captivity eastern side of the Gulf of Carpentaria on the Cape York Peninsula. Leucotis differs by Jerry Jennings from the dominate race in having the sides of the head white. Leucotis is not known in American aviculture to the best of my knowledge. The Masked-Finch is a dry climate bird inhabiting lightly forested country with a heavy ground cover of small bushes and grasses ·as well as open grassy plains. lmmelmann indicates they spend much of their time on the ground where they also frequently nest. This preference for the ground, however, does not seem to carry over into captivity. In the wild the Masked Finch's diet is composed primarily of ripe and half-ripe THE MASKED GRASSFINCH grass seeds. During the breeding season Jerry Jennings they consume large quantities of flying The Masked Finch or Masked Grass ed manner while hopping to and fro insects which they catch in mid-air. The finch (Poephila personata) is the third along the perch towards the· hen. Just main staple is flying termites, although and the rarest in aviculture of the three before copulation the male will rapidly they pick up a few bugs from the ground. species of the genus Poephila. It is a vibrate its tail vertically. If the female Immelmann indicates these birds become striking bird with an interesting person excepts, she will respond with the tail almost entirely insectivorous at the begin ality and displays a remarkably well vibration. Copulation follows. ning of the breeding season. However, in developed "social behavior". Since mature males demonstrate court captivity they will continue to consume a Like the Shaftail and Parson Finches, ship behavior fairly regularly in captivity, high percentage of seeds while the young the Masked Grassfmch is a tropical bird they are generally easy to spot. However, are in the nest, possibly because not inhabiting northern Australia from just in a group of aviary birds young males or enough insects are offered and there are north of Derby in the state of Western non-dominate males will display much relatively few naturally occuring ones Australia to the Cape York Peninsula in less frequently, thus allowing them to because of the size limitations of the northern Queensland. Immelmann has possibly be confused with hens. Removal aviary. observed them as far south as Victoria of extra birds from the flight will solve The Masked Grassfmch probably best River Downs (16° 25'S). the problem. These birds may then be demonstrates the pigeon-like drinking be The Masked Grassfmch is a light red havior characteristic of most grassfinches. dish brown on the crown, nape, back, and Rather than taking a mouthful of water, breast. The lower stomach area and vent Family of Masked Grassfinches (adult pair then tilting the head up to swallow, the with five young) are creamy white while the rump and Masked Finch dips its bill into the water upper tail coverts are bright white. The and sucks continuously without pause tail feathers are black. The thighs have a until its thirst is satisfied. Immelmann black stripe down the outer side typical states that sucking bouts of more than of the genus. The legs and feet are light twenty seconds duration have been ob reddish orange. served in some species. In fact, the Poe The most noticeable feature of the phila species are so versatile as to be able Masked Finch is the large bright lemon to hang upside down and drink thus yellow beak set off by the black feathers allowing them access to water inacces of the forehead, !ores, and upper throat sible to other birds. It is this great ver creating the "mask" that gives the species satility that Immelmann attributes to the its name. The eyes are brown. relative increase in the numbers of the The Masked Finch is monomorphic as Masked, Shaftail, and Parson Finches are the Shafttail and Parson. during the years following the settle Although Shaftails and Parson Finches ment of northern Australia. can be sexed with great difficulty, f have In the wild Masked Finches seem to never been able to distinguish the sexes of often prefer nesting on the ground. Con the Masked despite intense scrutiny. It sequently, they generally do not attempt has been said that the face mask of the to breed until the rains have ceased. Their male is slightly larger than in the female. late start, compared to other Australian The only method of sexing these birds is Finches, usually results in only one brood through prolonged observation of their of young per year, as opposed to three or behavior during courtship. During their more broods per year in other species. display, the male will sing in a very excit- The Lady Gouldian Finch, for example, 28 may have up to five broods with as many as eight young per brood (in captivity Mr. Breeder of Cockatiels Lovebirds, and Zebra Finches Sol Spritzer of Los Angeles had one brood of ten Goulds in 1973). lmmel mann has noted that the Masked Finch is perhaps the commonest of the northern Australian finches, indicating a very low mortality rate. Nest building in the Masked Grass finch is a time consuming process in the wild, often requiring several weeks to complete a nest. Both sexes share in col lecting materials and working them into the structure. An interesting curiosity of the Masked Finch's nest is the large amount of charcoal they contain. lmmel mann says both species carry charcoal to the nest. There is so much of it used that BIRDS the eggs usually turn black during the incubation period. The charcoal may OF All I<INDS serve to remove moisture from the eggs caused by the damp ground or the . and d. bird's feces. everv.t hmg you nee 1n Other ingredients of the Masked Finch Hours : nest include plant wood, animal fur and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. bird supplies Closed Mon. feathers. • WE SHIP BIRDS • Masked Finches lay four to six eggs Send stamped, self-addressed envelope for prices. with incubation lasting approximately twenty-two days. Young, which hatch covered with natal down, are very like (714) 443-8315 adults upon fledging except for a duller 12995 Old Barona Road • Lakeside, California 92040 appearance and a black beak character (near San Diego) istic of all grassfinches at that age. At about six weeks of age the beak begins to turn yellow. The color change is com plete at about three months of age. In the aviary, Masked Finches can be very prolific. The only drawback is the Quarantined birds identification of males and females. Once that has been accomplished good breed ing pairs can be established. It is neces at their best. sary, however, to have a number of birds with which to work, since not every male and female will be compatible. If the breeder cannot afford several birds, and Finches, Parrots, Mynah Birds, they are expensive, then it would be pru Cockatoo, Soft Bills, Lories dent to locate other breeders with whom and other rare birds are car ri ed he can trade. Masked Grassfmches should be housed one breeding pair to a flight. Colony One of the most modern quarantine breeding should be avoided, if for no facilities on the West Costs other reason than to make it easy for the breeder to know which pairs are not Flamingos, Cock of the Rocks, breeding. These non-breeding pairs can Tanangers, Hummingbirds then be separated an-d re-mated with other birds, until the proper combination BUY & SELL is found. Pri ce List on Request Masked Grassfinches at Walnut Acres receive a diet of a specially prepared Finch Mix that contains 20% Canary, 20% large White Proso, 15% large Red Millet, 10% Water Grass, 10% small Finch Birds Millet, 10% small red millet, 10% Millet C.D.P. 610, and 5% Steel Cut Oats. There is no P.O. Box 1663 • Studio City, CA 91604 niger, rape, or flax found in standard commercial mixes - all of which are ex- continued on next page 29 pensive and not appreciated by most should include fresh apple, orange, and diameter and so inaccessible generally as finches. greens - spinach, romain lettuce, com to preclude examination even from a dis In addition to the above mix, the birds frey, etc. tance with a flashlight. Mr. Don Ri ce, a are fed spray. millet, mealworms, cuttle Several pairs of Masked Grassfmches member of the Avicultural Society of bone, and oyster shell grit. Headstart have nested at Walnut Acres over the past America and the only other successful Poultry Vitamins are given in the water couple of years. In every case, the birds Masked Finch breeder known to me, fresh dail y at the ratio of one teaspoon have chosen a tumbleweed for a nest recently advised me that some of his per gallon. Other dietary supplements site. The nest is ball shaped 6-8 inches in birds nested in wooden boxes. Indeed, there are so very few Masked breeders around that it is difficult to compare notes. Nesting material provided the Masked Finc;hes, as well as to the other finches includes green devil or bermuda grass, string, white dog hair from a Cockapoo, occasional feathers, and charcoal. Masked Finches seem to be sensitive to interference. The checking of nests should, therefore, be strictly avoided. The average number of young fledged is four, though five is not uncommon.

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