New birds! Diamond Firetail( Stagonopleura guttata ) and Pied Parrotfinch ( Erythrura psittacae )

Diamond Firetail - Stagonopleura guttata

Description

The Diamond Firetail is a small bird sometimes described as one of the most stunningly coloured birds of the finch family. The top of its body is ash brown with crown, forehead and neck grey. The under feathers are white with a crimson rump. There is a black band across its neck which continues down the flank to be dotted with white. The bill and eye ring are coral, and the legs and feet are dark grey. The female is similar to the male although sometimes smaller. The juvenile Diamond Firetail has a black bill and is duller in colour. They fly low and flocks travel in long lines. This species may also be called the Diamond Finch or Java Sparrow.

Similar Species

The Diamond Firetail is very distinctive, being larger and more heavily built than the Red-browed Finch, Neochmia temporalis, and slightly smaller and shorter-tailed than the much duller House Sparrow,Passer domesticus

Distribution

The Diamond Firetail is endemic to south-eastern Australia, ranging from Carnarvon Ranges in Queensland to the Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

Habitat

Diamond Firetails are found in open grassy woodland, heath and farmland or grassland with scattered trees.

Feeding

Diamond Firetails feed on the ground and generally eat ripe or partially ripe seeds and can be seen hopping around on the ground. They occasionally eat insects and their larvae.

Breeding

The Diamond Firetail builds a nest with green grass blades and stems and lines it with fine grasses and feathers. The nest can be found in trees and shrubs with dense foliage and has sometimes been known to build in the base of a hawk's nest. The nest is built by both partners but only the female does the weaving. Both partners incubate the eggs and care for the young. Usually only one clutch is laid per season.

Pied Parrotfinch (Erythrura psittacae)

Description: 

The Pied Parrotfinch (Erythrura psittacae) is a mutation of the red-faced or seagreen parrotfinches. Parrotfinches are a unique, beautiful and vivacious aviary bird from the remote island of New Caledonia. These Parrotfinches for sale enjoy exploring their environment and because of their high activity level, they are happiest when housed in aviaries. If kept in cages, Pied Parrotfinches should have at least 3 feet of horizontal flying space.

Geography: New Caledonia 

Size / Weight: 4.5"

Sexing: Monomorphic (visually difficult to sex). However, DNA testing is available to ensure desired gender.

Temperament: 

Pied Parrot finches have a natural inquisitive nature, and seem to have the happy knack of recognizing the breeder immediately and greeting them at the aviary door. Pied Parrot finches are totally vivacious, energetic, and always on the move, be it on the ground or on the wing. They have a gentle nature, a characteristic that makes them an ideal choice, for a mixed aviary and an ideal choice for a new breeder. Water plays an enormous part in the life of the Pied Parrot finch, quite apart from sustaining its life; they love jumping in and out of it. Bathing will take place a couple of times a day throughout the entire year. 

Breeding: 

It seems appropriate to give this very active and curious pet finch as much space as possible. This isn't exactly a colony bird but nor are they overly aggressive towards each other in a large, well planted aviary, even when breeding. In captivity, Pied Parrotfinches seem happy to accept any form of nesting accommodation, from a standard Lady Gouldian or Budgie Nesting Box, to a wicker or Elongated Tube Box.  

Lifespan: 7 years

Diet: Goldfinch Seed Mix, Australian Blend Goldenfeast, Dried Egg Food, Mineral Grit, greens and some fruits 

Muzica: Views
Muzician: @iksonmusic