. Saffron finch
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- Scientific Name: Sicalis flaveola
- Common Name/s:
SAFFRON FINCH, PELZELN'S SAFFRON FINCH.
- Sub Species in country / area of origin:
4. Including - Sicalis flaveola
pelzelni - which is the most distinctive of the 4 sub-species.
- Origin / Distribution: Top of
South America
- Habitat In Wild: Lightly wooded
areas and open grassland.
- Status In Wild: ?
- Status In (Australian) Captivity:
Numbers are low.
- Age To Sexual Maturity:
about 2 years.
- Adult plumage: attained between 12
- 24
months. Cock birds may take up to 3 years to develop full plumage
colouring.
- Best breeding years (estimate):
2nd - 8th
- Lifespan (estimate):
Up to 10 years.
- Sexing:
Monomorphic / Dimorphic
- Mutations: None known.
- Availability:
Bird dealers.
- Temperament:
Generally compatible in a mixed collection but with best results are
with one pair per aviary. Cock bird can be aggressive.
- Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: -
Normal colour (Approx.) $500
- Description Of Adults:
- Length: Approx. 145 mm (or about 5.5 inches)
- Colour ("normal" colour): Refer
photo/s above if available.
- Weight: Approx. 20 gms (or about 4/5 ozs)
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.
Best kept as one pair per aviary.
Prefers a well planted aviary with thick shrubs and tall growing grasses. Generally make good parents but the
young should be removed as soon as they become independent to avoid the
possibility of aggression from the parent birds. Pairs can be kept
together year round.
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.
Good quality finch mix, seeding grasses
and some fruits (e.g. apple), vegetables and green leafy vegetables. Live food is essential especially at breeding season. Mealworms
and small crickets 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 cup shaped nest in a shrub or dry brush. Equally
it will build a nest in a nest box.
- Nest: Cup shaped nest
made from grasses and other suitable materials. Nest is lined
with feathers and soft materials. They often make an untidy
nest and will incorporate a wide range of available materials into
the nest.
- Who incubates the eggs:
Hen / cock / both share.
Nest height - generally built high in
the aviary.
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 Brown. Clutch/s
per year 2 - 3. Eggs per nest 4 - 7. Incubation
approx. 13 days. Fledge approx. 14 days.
Independent approx. another 14 days.
Live foods are
essential for breeding success. Although it is easy to look into
the nest, nest inspections are generally not
tolerated.
Generally make good parents but the
young should be removed as soon as they become independent to avoid the
possibility of aggression from the parent birds. Both parents feed
the young. Hens are quick to recommence nesting.
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 57 No. 8 Aug 2003 Page 182-183.
- A/A Vol 32 No. 12 Dec 1978 Page 195-198
(Inc photo)
- A/A Vol 20 No 10 Oct 1966 Page 138-143 (Inc colour plate).
- A/A Vol 12 No 4 Apr 1958 Page 59.
-
Australian Birdkeeper
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