The Cherry finch

by Jerry Jennings

An engaging bird, the Cherry or Plum­ Cherry Finches feed on or near the head Finch (Aidemosne modesta) is not ground and are adept at climbing grass common in American aviculture. It is not stems to reach their seedheads. Their a colorful bird, though it is extremely drinking habits are the typical pigeon-like hardy and a prolific breeder under prop­ sucking method employed by the er conditions. Poephila. They have been observed hang­ Like the Owl Finch the color pattern ing from a grass stem over the water from of the Cherry Finch is limited to a varia­ which they drink. tion of browns, blacks, whites, and grays, Male Cherry Finches have a very well­ however, the Cherry has an additional defined courtship display. nus display splash of color on the crown. As in the begins with a song, proceeds into a series Owl Finch, it is the arrangement of colors of bowing movements while holding a in the Cherry Finch that make it attrac­ grass stem in the beak. Next, the stem is tive. dropped as the male extends the legs, The Cherry Finch is one of the few stretches up with a bowed head, fluffed dimorphic Estrildids native to Australia, Female Cherry Finch. feathers, and sings. This is quickly thus simplifying the task of setting up followed by copulation. Immelmann indi­ true pairs. The sexes are identical in all cates there is a strong individual variation aspects except for the male's distinguish­ in Queensland south to southern New of this behavior, wherein one or more of ing crown and throat patch, both of South Wales and west to the Nogoa River the above described actions may be which are a maroon purple in color. The and west central New South Wales. The eliminated. female lacks the throat patch and has present range of the Cherry Finch is Cherry Finches prefer to nest low to only a minute portion of the crown next smaller than it was during the first half the ground in the wild. They select bush­ to the base of the upper mandible of the Twentieth Century. Where it was es, tussocks of grass, thorny vines, and swatched in purple. once seen in northern Queensland it has other plants in which to construct their The back and wings of the Cherry now completely disappeared. It is be­ relatively small nest. Somewhat calm in Finch are brown speckled with white, the lieved that the introduced Spice Finch nature, Cherry Finches often nest close color that also tips the wings and upper (Lonchura punctulata) has partially dis­ to human habitations, whose gardens tail coverts. Tail feathers are nearly placed the Cherry, though it is difficult they visit in search of food. Nests are black, lores black and cheeks white. to accurately determine the status of the composed primarily of green grasses and White also covers the breast and abdomen Cherry Finch population, since the birds occasionally living grass next to the nest extending to the vent. The breast itself is are very nomadic moving with the chang­ may be woven directly into the nest itself. barred with brown in fine lines that come ing location of available surface water. This tends to provide additional camou­ together above but not below such that In the wUd, Cherry Finches frequent flage. the white forms an inverse V as it extends grasses and reeds bordering watercourses, At Walnut Acres, Cherry Finches are downward. Legs are brown/black, bill is as well as open areas spotted with housed one pair to a flight. While this slate gray and the eyes are brown. Eucalyptus trees and a variety of shrubs. procedure is applied to most of the Juveniles are similar to females except The birds congregate in large flocks out­ species at Walnut Acres to preserve family they are very dark all over, having a side of the breeding season, whereas dur­ identity, it is applied to the Cherry smudged appearance. As they mature ing the breeding season they associate in Finch in order to preserve life and limb. their coloration lightens, however, sexual pairs and small groups. Pairbond is strong Through some unfortunate experiences, characteristics only begin to appear at among Cherry Finches, though body con­ it has been demonstrated that males will about two months of age. tact is minimal compared to the Poephila occasionally fight causing injuries. This The Cherry Finch's distribution is one species, which routinely preen each other behavior usually occurs when one or of the most restricted of all the Austra­ and spend their nights outside breeding more males become interested in breed­ ian Finches. It ranges from Port Denison seasons in specially built "roosting nests". ing and the aviary does not allow for 6 establishment of appropriately sizes terri­ to cause a breeding failure. When parents tories. It appears that Cherry Finches are nesting, they usually become very require larger territories in captivity than excited when the aviculturist enters the HERBST and CROWN do many other species. On the other aviary. This behavior is more pronounced hand, I have not observed fighting among after the eggs have hatched. cages sibling males. Once young have fledged, they tend to Although Cherry Finches have been at return to the nest at night to roost. After Breeding - Flight - Decorative Walnut Acres for several years, it was not a few days they will roost out in the until January 1976 that significant breed­ open. During the first few weeks after ing began. This long awaited turn of fledging young Cherry Finches are very LUSTAR and PLANIT events is attributable in part to the limit­ flighty, tending to panic at any dis­ ed number of individuals available for turbance. Caution upon entering the products breeding, the undetermined age and an­ aviary will help avoid unnecessary dashing (picture brochures nf above available) cestry of the birds, and relative excessive about and subsequent injury. disturbance. The diet of the Cherry Finch at Wal­ Despite the ease in sexing Cherry nut Acres is nearly the same as for the ** Something New ** Finches, the establishment of compat­ other finches. It consists of a wide variety P. SLUtS PRODUCTS ible working pairs is no mean feat. of millets including Spray Millet, Canary Accomplishment of such a task requires seed, mealworms, fruit flies, greens Canary Fortifier the keeping of a number of birds, unless growing in the flights, cuttlebone, grit, Budgerigar Fortlfier the breeder is abnormally blessed. Several ground eggshell, and occasionally fruit. Universal Food pairs at Walnut Acres for several years dis­ Water containing Headstart Poultry Vita­ Insectivorous Food played no interest in the boudoir. Finally, mins at the ratio of one teaspoon per gal­ Cardboard Bird Carriers these pairs were spli t and rematched. If Ion is, of course, provided fresh daily. variety is the spice of life, it worked The Cherry Finch is neither colorful, magic as heretofore unproductive birds nor common, but it does have a distin­ KELLOGG'S took up housekeeping. guished appearance and a pleasing person­ PETAMINE - BUDGIMlNE In every instance where Cherry Finch­ ality. This species is compatible with all es have built nests at Walnut Acres, they the other Estrildine finches with which [ KELLOGG'S CANARY, FINCH have exclusively selected tumbleweeds am familiar and is easily housed in any AND PARAKEET MIXES as nesting sites. They are one of just a few collection. It would be most gratifying to LYRIC HEALTH GRIT species of Australian Finches which has see this bird well entrenched in American not demonstrated some individual varia­ aviculture. for all birds tion in site preference. In the next issue, I will discuss the COCKATIEL and PARROT MIXES Cherry Finches lay small white, elipti­ Diamond Sparrow. cally shaped eggs - numbering from four to six per clutch. However, fertility is not Anise, Charcoal, Flax, Hemp, Let­ as high as the Poephila species. Four tuce, Poppy, Peppers, Safflower, young in a nest is great, the average is CANARY (Domestic and Moroc­ can), Teazle, Niger, Milo, Sesame, about 2.5 per nest. Incubation lasts 12-14 Kelp, Gelatin, Peanuts, Ground days and young fledge approximately Cuttlebone, Peas, Peanut Hearts three weeks after hatching. Juvenile and Runners, Unhulled Rice, Pump­ moult varies from two to three months kin, Japanese Millet. Water Grass after hatching, but is complete after the seed. third month of life. A fundamental element in the breed­ ing program is to LEAVE THEM ALONE! TRILL BRAND Mineral Blocks If they even think you have fooled (by C&W) with their nest - the nest is most likely NUTRO'S CAGE & AVIARY to be abandoned. Occasionally, just a SPRAY close approach to the nest is sufficient PLASTIC CANARY EGGS (made in USA by LUSTAR) Many other items.

Send STAMPED 24c business size envelope for AUGUST 1977 price list. NORSHORE PETS P.O. Box 271, Marengo, IL 60152 Phone: 815 - 568 - 6732 Hours: Monday thru Friday 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Cherry Finch family, male-left, female- center, two young on right. 7