Redpoll Finch
BirdCare.com.au
PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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. Redpoll finch
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  • Scientific Name:  Carduelis flammea cabaret
  • Common Name/s:  REDPOLL FINCH,  REDPOLL,  LESSER REDPOLL.
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin: 5
  • Origin / Distribution:  Migratory species found in Asia, Europe, and North America.
  • Habitat In Wild:  Varies widely.  Has adapted to urban areas and farmlands.
  • Status In Wild:  Secure. Has established as a feral wild population in New Zealand.
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity:   Rare.
  • Age To Sexual Maturity:  About 12 months
  • Adult plumage: attained at about  9 months  
  • Best breeding years (estimate):  12 months - 4th year.
  • Lifespan (estimate):  About 7 years.
  • Sexing:  Monomorphic / Dimorphic
  • Mutations:  Yes, many.
  • Availability:   Specialist breeders
  • Temperament:  Can be a difficult bird to breed in Australia.  Redpoll finches have been easily bred overseas in captivity for hundreds of years.  Australia's small gene pool may make it less successful here.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour  (Approx.) $2000
  • Description Of Adults:
  1. Length: Approx. 115 mm (or approx 4.5 inches)
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
  3. Weight: Approx. 10 - 12 gms (or Less than 1/2 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.

May be kept with other finches but with their rarity in Australian aviaries it would be best to give each pair an aviary of their own.

Although they can be kept with other finches, only one pair of Redpoll finches should be housed per aviary.  This should minimize the chances of aggression or injury occurring.  It is best to keep them only with smaller species of finch.  Their open nest is easily disturbed by other birds.

They do well in an aviary that has shrubs with dense foliage.  However, they may pick off leaves and growing buds.

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.

As a migratory bird covering a wide geographical distribution, they have adapted to accept a wide variety of seeds, fruits and green leaf plants in their diet.

Good quality finch mix, seeding grasses and some fruits (e.g. apple) and green leafy vegetables.  Live food is essential especially at breeding season.  Medium size mealworms, small crickets, small cockroaches and small locusts can be offered.  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 early autumn.
  • Nesting receptacles:  Will build a open cup shaped nest in a shrub or dry brush such as tea-tree.  Cup shaped nest is made from grasses and other suitable materials.  Will use commercial canary nests.  Plastic or wire Canary nests must be provided for pairs housed in a cage.
  • Nest:  Both parents build a cup shaped nest.  Nest is lined with soft materials including soft fine grasses feathers.
  • Who incubates the eggs: Hen / cock / both share.

Nest inspection is easy and generally tolerated especially in birds housed in cages.  Parent birds generally reuse the nest for subsequent clutches.  Adequate new nest material must be available for the birds to rebuild the old nest or build a new nest for the next clutch.  Adequate spare nest receptacles must be available for pairs nesting in artificial nests before the current clutch leave the nest.

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 Whitish.  Clutch/s per year 2 - 3.  Eggs per nest 2 - 5.  Incubation approx. 14 days.  Fledge approx. 15 - 18 days.  Independent approx. another 2 - 3 weeks.

Pair bonding is strong.

Young should be removed from the parent birds as soon as they are fully independent so as to avoid possible aggression from a parent or the interference to subsequent clutches.

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
  • A/A Vol 23 No 9 Sept 1969 Page 128-135.
  • A/A Vol  2 No 3 Mar 1948 Page 28.
  • Australian Birdkeeper

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