Breeding Owl Finches (Bicheno Finches) Info, Care, Diet, Mutations
Breeding Owl Finches: Breeding and caring for Owl Finches (Bicheno Finches), (Double-barred finch) requires attention to their specific needs and behaviors. These small, attractive finches are relatively easy to breed and care for, making them popular among bird enthusiasts.
General Care for Owl Finches
1. Housing:
- Cage Size: Provide a spacious cage or aviary. A minimum size for a pair is 24 inches long by 18 inches wide by 18 inches high. A larger space is ideal for flight and exercise.
- Perches: Include several perches of varying thickness to keep their feet healthy. Natural branches are ideal.
- Substrate: Use a bird-safe substrate at the bottom of the cage, such as paper, aspen shavings, or corn cob bedding. Avoid cedar or pine shavings due to their potential toxicity.
- Cleanliness: Keep the cage clean by regularly changing the substrate, cleaning perches, and washing food and water dishes.
2. Diet:
- Seed Mix: A high-quality finch seed mix should be the base of their diet. Look for mixes that contain millet, canary seed, and other small seeds.
- Fresh Foods: Supplement with fresh fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, spinach, and broccoli. Offer these in small, manageable pieces.
- Egg Food: During breeding and chick-rearing, provide egg food (a mixture of boiled egg, bread crumbs, and seeds) to increase protein intake.
- Minerals: Supply cuttlebone or a mineral block to ensure they get enough calcium for strong bones and eggshells.
- Fresh Water: Always provide fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing.
Breeding Owl Finches
1. Pairing:
- Choosing a Pair: Select a healthy, mature pair of Owl Finches. They should be at least 9 months old before breeding.
- Bonding: Owl Finches often need to bond before they will breed successfully. Introduce potential pairs in a neutral space and observe their interactions.
2. Breeding Environment:
- Nest Box: Provide a small, enclosed nest box (about 4 inches square) lined with soft nesting material like coconut fiber, soft hay, or shredded paper.
- Temperature and Humidity: Maintain a comfortable temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C) with moderate humidity. Avoid drafts and extreme temperature fluctuations.
- Lighting: Provide 12-14 hours of light during the breeding season. Natural daylight is best, but artificial lighting can be used if necessary.
3. Breeding Behavior:
- Courtship: The male will court the female with song and dance, often carrying nesting material in his beak.
- Egg Laying: The female will lay 4-6 eggs, usually one each day. Incubation begins after the second or third egg is laid and lasts about 12-14 days.
- Incubation: Both parents will share incubation duties. Ensure they have enough food and water during this period.
4. Raising Chicks:
- Hatching: Chicks hatch naked and blind, relying on their parents for warmth and food.
- Feeding Chicks: The parents will feed the chicks a mixture of regurgitated seeds and egg food. Continue offering soft foods like egg food and soaked seeds.
- Weaning: Chicks begin to leave the nest at around 3 weeks old and are fully weaned by 6-7 weeks. Provide them with easily accessible food and water as they learn to eat on their own.
- Fledging: Once fledged, chicks will start exploring their environment. Keep an eye on them to ensure they are safe and not being bullied by other birds.
Health and Monitoring:
- Common Health Issues: Keep an eye out for signs of illness such as lethargy, fluffed-up feathers, or changes in eating habits. Common issues include respiratory infections, mites, and egg binding.
- Regular Checks: Regularly check the health of both parents and chicks. If you notice any signs of illness, consult an avian veterinarian promptly.
- Preventative Care: Provide a dust bath or mite spray as a preventative measure against parasites. Regularly clean the cage and nesting area to prevent bacterial infections.
Challenges:
- Aggression: While Owl Finches are generally peaceful, they can sometimes become aggressive, especially in overcrowded environments. Ensure they have enough space and watch for any signs of bullying.
- Feather Plucking: This can occur if the birds are stressed, bored, or lacking proper nutrition. Provide plenty of mental stimulation with toys and varied perches, and ensure their diet is balanced.
Owl (Bicheno) Finch mutations and genetics:
Common Owl Finch Mutations:
- Pied Mutation:
- In the pied mutation, white patches appear on areas of the bird’s body, disrupting the usual brown, white, and black pattern. The extent of the white feathers varies from bird to bird, making some more heavily pied than others.
- Fawn Mutation:
- The fawn mutation dilutes the black pigmentation, turning the darker areas of the bird to a lighter, brownish or fawn color. This gives the finch a softer, paler appearance, but retains the characteristic pattern.
- Dilute Mutation:
- Similar to the fawn mutation but affecting the entire plumage, the dilute mutation lightens all of the bird’s colors. The overall appearance becomes more muted, but the signature markings and patterns are still recognizable.
Genetics Behind the Mutations:
- Recessive and Dominant Traits:
- Most color mutations, including pied and fawn, are inherited through recessive genes. This means that both parents must carry the mutation gene for it to be expressed in the offspring.
- In some cases, mutations like the dilute may act through incomplete dominance, where heterozygous birds (one mutated gene, one normal gene) display intermediate characteristics.
- Selective Breeding:
- Breeders work by pairing finches carrying these mutations to produce offspring with the desired traits. This can involve crossing mutation birds (e.g., two pied Owl Finches) or pairing mutation carriers with normal birds to retain genetic diversity.
Mutations in the Owl Finch can produce beautiful variations, but understanding their genetics is essential for maintaining healthy, diverse breeding populations.
Conclusion:
Breeding Owl Finches can be a rewarding experience, especially with their charming appearance and gentle nature. By providing a proper environment, a balanced diet, and attentive care, you can enjoy the process of raising healthy, happy Owl Finches.
Breeding Owl Finches Info-table
| Double-barred finch |
| Scientific name: |
| Taeniopygia bichenovii |
| Also known as: |
| Bicheno’s finch Owl finch |
| Distribution: |
| North-western Australia, North Australia, Queensland and inland parts of New South Wales |
| Life cycle: |
| Compatibility: |
| Peacefull in a small flock of 2-3 pairs. |
| Life food: |
| Not needed but breeding can be improved with small amounts. |
| Discussion: |
| Enjoy chickweed and winter grass. They prefer to build their own nest but use nest boxes as well. |
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