Golden Song Sparrow
BirdCare.com.au
PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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. Golden song sparrow
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  • Scientific Name: Auripasser luteus or Passer luteus
  • Common Name/s: GOLDEN SONG SPARROW,  SUDAN GOLDEN SONG SPARROW,  YELLOW SPARROW, GOLDEN SPARROW.
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin: None
  • Origin / Distribution: Thin band across top of Africa
  • Habitat In Wild: Dry and hot. Frequent farmlands and urban areas.
  • Status In Wild:  Locally common, but are nomadic.
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity: Secure
  • Age To Sexual Maturity: About 12 months.
  • Adult plumage: attained at about ? months
  • Best breeding years (estimate): 3rd - 9th.
  • Lifespan (estimate): approx 10 or more years.
  • Sexing: Monomorphic / Dimorphic
  • Mutations: None
  • Availability: Bird dealers (more cock birds available than hens)
  • Temperament: Aviary breeder, not suitable for cages.  Temperament and degree of aggression levels can vary between strains of birds.  Some breeders of Golden Song Sparrows have reported their Golden Song Sparrows have killed other finches when housed in a mixed species collection.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $150
  • Description Of Adults:
  1. Length: Approx 125 mm (or approx. 5 inches)
  2. Colour ("normal" colour): Refer photo/s above if available.
  3. Weight: Approx. 21 - 23 gms (or approx. 3/4 oz)
Aviary Notes:

Read notes on "Finches - Non Australian" web page and use in conjunction with details outlined on this page.

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws: Refer to "Government Laws" web page.

Housing Requirements: Click on "Housing birds" web page for general details on the housing of Non Australian Finches or read on for specific details for this finch.

Prefer a large well planted aviary.  They are active birds and should not be housed in a cage. 

Temperament of these birds seems to vary between individual birds.  Only place them in a mixed species collection if it appears safe to do so.  Housing them with larger finches is one way to minimize any aggression to other birds.  Although they can be kept with other finches, only one pair of Golden Song Sparrows should be housed per aviary.  Can be bred as a colony in a large aviary.

Diet / Feeding: Click on "Feeding birds" web page for general details on the nutrition of  Non Australian Finches or read on for specific details for this finch.

The Golden Song Sparrows require a good quality finch mix, seeding grasses, some fruits (e.g. apple) and some green leafy vegetables.  Live food is essential especially at breeding season.  Mealworms, small crickets and small locusts are ideal.  Sprouted or soaked seed if available.

Basic seed mix should include Canary seed, White French Millet, Japanese Millet, and Yellow and Red Panicum.

Nesting: A basic overview only.

  • Roosting nest: Yes / No
  • Nesting months: Spring to autumn.
  • Nesting receptacles: Will build a nest in a shrub or dry brush.  Equally it will build a nest in artificial nests such as half open nest boxes.
  • Nest: Nest is a large domed structure with a side entrance.  Nest is made from a variety of materials including sticks and twigs, coconut fibre, wool, even shredded tissue paper.  Nest is lined with fine grasses, feathers and soft materials.  If you do not supply them with adequate quantities of nest materials, they may take them from another bird's nest structure.
  • Who incubates the eggs: Hen / cock / both share.

Nest inspection is not tolerated.  Nest is usually built in the higher parts of the aviary.

The Golden Song Sparrows generally reuse the nest for subsequent clutches. Adequate new nest material must be available for the birds to refurbish the old nest or build a new nest for the next clutch.
More details on finch nests and a selection of finch nest photos can be located on the "nests", "finch nests" and "finch nest photos" web pages.  Click on "Up" then "nests" then "finch nests" and "finch nests photos" in the navigation bars.

Breeding: Egg Colour Grey-green.  Clutch/s per year 2 - 3.  Eggs per nest 2 - 4.  Incubation approx. 14 days.  Fledge approx. 21 days.  Independent approx. another ? weeks.

Fertility of the Golden Song Sparrow is generally lower than for most other finches.  Survival rates for the young are less than for most other species of finches.

In an aviary it is generally safe to leave the young in the same aviary after they become independent.

Artificial incubation, hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site.  It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.  Refer "Specific References" as listed below and "General References" listings.

Health Issues: Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

  • Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new birds or sick birds are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site.  Refer above option - "Avian Health Issues" web page.
  • Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace.  Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References: Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

  • Australian Aviculture
  • Australian Birdkeeper
  • ABK Vol 15 Issue 2. Apr-May 2002 Page 73-75.
  • ABK Vol 49 No. 12 Dec 1995 Page 279-282 (Inc photo)

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