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Gouldian Health Book
By Dr Rob Marshall

Part 7
Information for mixed Finch Collections

• Introduction
• Classification of Grass Finches
  • Breeding & the moult
  • Avoiding Breeding Problems
  • Compatibility
• Individual Finch Species Description
  • Australian Finches - temperate
  • Foreign Finches - temperate
  • Australian Finches - tropical
  • Foreign Finches - Tropical
• Lists of Difficulties or ease of breeding Different Finch species
  • Easy-to-Breed Foreign Finches
  • Easy-to-Breed Finches
  • Hardy Finches
  • Cold Sensitive Finches
  • Wet Sensitive Finches
  • Wet Resistant Finches
  • Potentially Aggressive Finches
  • Difficult-to-Breed Australian Finches
  • Compatible Finches
  • Species Best Housed on their Own
  • Species Best Housed as Single Pairs
• Opportunistic-type Finches
  • Introduction
  • Opportunistic Australian Finches
  • Opportunistic Foreign Finches
• Health Issues
  • Danger Months
  • Health, moult & breeding
  • Advantages of allocating time for the Moult.
  • DR Rob marshall's Health Programme

Introduction
Estrildine finches are the only granivorous group of passerines endemic to Australia. In Australian aviaries, these finches are often housed together with "Foreign" Estrildines - mostly those species found in Africa.

Many of the health problems experienced by mixed finch collections may be prevented by housing "like" species together so that breeding is permitted to begin and cease at the same time as it does in Nature.

Australian and Foreign Estrildines that fall into the same category and are compatible can be successfully housed together. This part of this on-line book discusses the behaviour and needs of Australian and common Foreign (Non-Australian) Finch species.

I have chosen to classify finches according to their breeding cycle, because this type of classification, which groups finch species with similar breeding cycles, ecological and nutritional requirements together permits a more precise method for keeping them vital and healthy in captivity.

Classification of Estrildines
Annual rainfall, climatic patterns and breeding seasons play an important part in the classification of Estrildine finches described here.

Three groups of Estrildines have been classified according to their natural habitat and breeding cycle.

In the wild, breeding behaviour is controlled by natural forces that have evolved over millions of years and varies according to the habitat to which each species has adapted so that breeding patterns vary from one finch species to another depending upon their evolutionary background.

The entire 124 species of the Estrildine group of finches are seedeaters surviving on seeding grasses and seeds that drop to the ground. They have adapted to many differing microenvironments. Originally their adaptation to habitats was determined by the supply of seeding grasses and local weather patterns. Today the same applies and for this reason they are classified accordingly into the following three groups.

Some species, for example Double Bar and Chestnut Breasted Finches cover a range that extends into both temperate and tropical regions.

In Nature, spring-summer breeders (Temperate-type finch species) depend upon day length intervals for breeding activity following the same spring breeding pattern of the original prehistoric birds. These finches take advantage of winter rainfall weather patterns and start breeding late winter and early spring. Most rear their young in spring and summer.

In Nature, Tropical-type finches rely upon seasonal rainfall to stimulate their breeding activity. The Gouldian finch is an example of an autumn breeder. There may be slight variations in the time they breed in captivity depending upon local weather patterns.

Opportunistic-type (Arid zone) finches have no predetermined breeding season but breed spontaneously after good falls of rain irrespective of the season. The breeding response of the specialized Arid-zone finches is also far more rapid than the other finch species to take advantage of the short life cycles of desert grasses. The Australian Zebra finch is renowned for its opportunistic and rapid breeding pattern after substantial rains.

Spring breeding patterns are dependent upon increasing day length intervals. With the increasing day length following the shortest day of the year (June 23rd in Southern Hemisphere and December 12th in Northern Hemisphere) the sex organs of cock birds are stimulated.

As long as the weather is not too cold, the cock moves into "breeding condition" within 4 weeks. Hens do not respond as quickly to this increasing day length and require at least 10 to 12 hours' day length to attain "breeding condition". This apparent asynchrony is beneficial to the breeding outcome as it protects the energy reserves of the hen for egg production.

When in breeding condition, her nesting and egg laying response will not be completed unless she receives appropriate courtship and nest making activities from a cock bird also in breeding condition. In the wild, breeding has evolved, however, as a seasonal activity dependent upon the availability of food and water found over the range of each finch species.

As part of their life cycle, finches must replace their feathers once every year and require a break from breeding activity during this process, called the moult.

In Nature, for spring breeding (Temperate-zone) finches, breeding activity stops and the moult begins when there is 14 hours or more of daylight. In captivity they should also stop breeding and moult during summer. Desert evolved finches such as the Zebra Finch however, may continue to breed in captivity during summer as long as it is not too hot. They should also be encouraged to moult at this time.

Classification: Breeding & the moult
Some specialized desert species, such as the Australian Zebra Finch, may breed and moult continuously throughout the entire year. Some Foreign Finches (Java Finch) also breed throughout the entire year. These are called opportunistic breeders.

Even though opportunistic finches are able to breed year round, the health and well being of these finches and indeed all types of finches will benefit when breeding is stopped during the natural time of the moult.

The Zebra Finch's continuous moult in the wild is an adaptation to a dry climate and harsh desert environment where the opportunity for seasonal breeding and moult is severely limited.

A continuous moult in Zebras allows them to take spontaneous breeding opportunities in the wild whenever seeding grasses become available after drought breaking rains. With nest boxes in place and a constant food supply, Zebras in captivity may breed year round but this is not healthy as there must be a time set-aside for a moult.

Mid to late summer is the best time to allow Opportunistic and Temperate-type finches to moult.

Several Temperate-type finches, for example, Jacarini Finch, Melba Finch, the Nuns, some Pytilia species and Pintailed Whydah take a rest from breeding in areas with hot summers. This is an ideal time for these and many other species to moult. The removal of nest boxes and food rationing at this time should elicit a moult.

Ideally, all captive finches, except Gouldians, housed outdoors should stop breeding by the second month of summer (January in Southern Hemisphere and June in Northern Hemisphere) for the moult. Breeding may then resume in autumn. Removal of nest boxes and a reduction in high-energy food intake should stop breeding activity.

Finches housed close to the Tropics should then be allowed to breed for the remainder of the year. Those housed in colder climates should not be allowed to breed when temperatures drop in autumn and winter to below 10o Celsius because finches do not come into breeding condition and will not breed in their natural environment during their natural moult or when it is too cold. Consequently disease and death are more likely to occur and should be expected in outdoor aviaries when captive breeding is allowed to continue throughout these times.

All Estrildine finch species can be classified by the above system keeping in mind that they also rely upon fairly high ambient temperatures for breeding success.

For the best breeding results the finches you intend to keep must be classified and housed in "like" groups. The geographic and climatic region in which you keep your birds then determines the most appropriate time to breed each group, for example, it may be too cold to breed Tropical-type finches during winter in some inland southern states of Australia but these same species may breed happily in northern states that enjoy mild winters.

Finches achieve their best breeding results when provided with conditions as close to Nature as possible. Finch enthusiasts should therefore anticipate problems when their finches are allowed to breed during the months that are unusually cold or hot or when they should be moulting.

Classification: Avoiding Health Problems
Recalling that most wild finches live and breed in hot climates then it is easier to understand the need of artificial heating for finches kept in cold climates and countries such as Europe and USA. Artificial heating is unnecessary for most outdoor aviaries common to Australian conditions unless Gouldians or mutations that are sensitive to the cold are being bred. These birds require protected roosts during cold and wet weather. It must be mentioned that indoor aviaries will never provide the same breeding opportunities found in sun-drenched open-air aviaries. Remember also that Estrildines must always be allocated an appropriate time for the moult, irrespective of whether they are housed indoors or out.

Most finches, except Gouldians (Chloebia gouldiae) and foreign summer breeders such as Grenadier Weavers, should be allowed to moult during the heat of summer in areas where temperatures rise above 35 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). Gouldians (Chloebia gouldiae) should be allowed to complete their moult during spring and be allowed to breed in the heat of summer.

In the wild, Temperate-type finches depend upon increasing day length intervals and winter rainfall patterns for the best breeding performance. In captivity, they experience the best breeding results in outdoor aviaries from late winter until mid summer. Many Temperate-type finches are vulnerable to wet and cold weather and health problems should be anticipated when they are allowed to breed in regions that experience cold or wet weather during the winter months.

Tropical summer rainfall patterns and warm temperatures create an ideal climate for captive finches to breed during autumn and winter. Many Tropical-type finches are especially vulnerable to the effects of cold weather and should not be allowed to breed in regions that experience cold, wet weather during the winter months

In the wild, Opportunistic (Arid-zone) finches have evolved to breed when food and water resources are available. In captivity, they will want to breed throughout the entire year. Arid zone finches may breed at any time of the year and take the opportunity to breed whenever rain provides enough food to breed. These are hardy finches, resistant to the effects of cold temperature but extremely vulnerable to wet weather conditions. In captivity, they should not be permitted to breed in regions that experience wet weather during the autumn and winter months. Finch aviaries located along the coastal rims of Australia expose finches to the risks of moisture related diseases.

Many breeding problems may be avoided when like species are housed together but they must also be compatible. For example, Zebra Finches, although classified as Arid-zoned species, and as such well suited to mix with Double Bars or Chestnut Breasted Finches are far too aggressive to be housed with them.

By housing finches of similar classification types together many health problems associated with asynchronous breeding and moult behavioural patterns are avoided. They should stop breeding at the same time that breeding activity ceases in Nature. This is achieved by removing the nest boxes and providing a rationed "millet seed" diet.

Within two weeks a moult will start after which time the richness of the Moult Programme should not stimulate breeding activity but instead help accelerate the moult to completion in the shortest time possible.

Some species with a wide range in Nature may fall into both Temperate and Tropical-type categories. In the wild, Double Bars (Poephila bichenovii) in their southern Australian range (Temperate Zone) may breed from July until December whilst in its northern tropical range breeds between February and May. Similarly, the seasonally nomadic Chestnut-Breasted Finches (Lonchura castaneothorax) whose natural range extends throughout temperate and tropical Australia may breed any month of the year. Both these species may be successfully housed with Arid-zone Painted Finches.

Captive finches from this combined group may be allowed to breed through winter when housed in climatic regions with mild winters. When these same species are housed in outdoors aviaries in cool climates they should follow Temperate-zone spring breeding patterns where breeding activity must cease during the cold winter months.

During cold weather breeding activity is readily stopped by removing all nest boxes and by placing the birds on an austere diet of millet seed.

For arid and tropical species kept in wet or cold climates, health problems are more likely to appear unless special precautions (health programmes, artificial heating etc.) are installed. Temperate species are more suited to these conditions.

Many Foreign finches kept in Australian aviaries follow the same breeding pattern as Temperate-type Australian finches. They become most susceptible to disease between January and March when wet weather interrupts their moult season. These are the danger months for most finch aviaries located along the eastern Australian seaboard and in states with temperate weather conditions. Special treatment programmes should be used to protect these finch species during these danger months.

Classification and Compatibility
Many breeding problems may be avoided when like species are housed together but they must also be compatible. For example, Zebra Finches, although classified as Arid-zoned species, and as such well suited to mix with Double Bars or Chestnut Breasted Finches are far too aggressive to be housed with them.

Generally foreign finches mix very well with Australian finches. Exceptions include those species (Madagascar and Comoro Weavers) that exhibit aggression to other birds. Other species, for example Cut-Throat and Cuban Finches may also interfere with nests.

Single pairs of Painted finches (Emblema picta), Aurora Finch, Cordon Bleu (red cheeked), Cut-throat and Green Singing Finches and collections of Ruddy, Bengalese and Java Finches may also be mixed into the above selection of Temperate and Tropical-type finch collections.

Individual Finch Species Descriptions

Australian Finches: Temperate type

Double bar finch (Poephila bichenovii)
Also called Bicheno finch, Owl finch, Ringed finch. Ideal bird for captivity. Very hardy and free breeder. Young are sensitive to cold.

Chestnut Breasted Finch (Lonchura castaneothorax)
Chestnut breasted finches are a hardy bird, easy to keep and quite easy to breed. They need a large aviary and plenty of exercise to remain fit and in breeding condition. They are susceptible to obesity-related infertility. They need long grass or reeds in order to service their climbing instincts.

Plum headed finch (Aidemosyne modesta)
Hardy and peaceful bird. Ideal for mixed collections. Cold sensitive. May become aggressive when overcrowded. Sensitive when nesting and sensitive in partner selection and overcrowding.

Red-browed finch (Aegintha temporalis)
Also known as Sydney Waxbill. Sensitive bird until established then tends towards aggression with other species. Difficult to breed. Susceptible to cold. Slow to acclimatise to new aviary. Young are fragile and timid.

Diamond Firetail-finch (Emblema guttatus)
Also called Diamond Sparrow. Challenging finch. Aggressive to own species. Solitary pairs amongst other temperate finches. Require large wooded aviary. Special feed requirements.

Red-eared Firetail-finch (Emblema oculata)
Unsuitable as a captive bird.

Beautiful Firetail-finch (Zonaeginthus bellus)
Specialist bird and difficult to breed.

Foreign Finches: Temperate type
Spring and summer breeding season

Golden Song Sparrow or Gold Finch (Auripasser luteus)
Spring & summer breeding season. Average breeders. Hardy but susceptible to rain and humidity during January, February & March. Susceptible to Coccidiosis, Megabacteria, Airsac Mite,Cnemidocoptes Mite (Tassle foot) infections. Better breeding results with live food. Best results obtained when housed with own kind.

Grenadier Weaver (Euplectes orix orix)
Spring, summer breeding season. Good breeder. Very hardy. Requires large planted aviary & supply of live food.

Madagascar Weaver (Foudia madagascariensis)
Spring and summer breeding season. Easy to breed. Very hardy throughout entire year. Very active birds. Several (4-5) hens may be run with a single cock. Needs live food when breeding. Aggressive to other males. Spring, summer and autumn breeding season. problems should be expected when breeding in regions that experience cold weather during autumn and winter.

Saffron Finch (Sicalis flavola pelzelni)
Spring, summer and autumn breeding season. Resistant to disease. Requires large planted aviary & live food.

Rufous-backed Mannikin (Lonchura bicolor nigriceps)
Spring, summer and autumn breeding season. Very easy to breed. Hardy and resistant to disease, coccidiosis and worms. Do not enjoy cold. Live food required to rear young. May be aggressive and best bred with own kind.

St. Helena Waxbill (Estrilda astrild)
Spring, summer and autumn breeder. Very easy to breed. Very hardy. Susceptible to rain during January, February & March. Susceptible to coccidiosis & worms. Non-aggressive. Ideally suited for mixed collections.Need live food.

Black-hooded Red Siskin (Carduelis cucullata)
Spring, summer and autumn breeding season. Very easy to breed. Hardy and resistant to disease and worms. Airsac mite sensitive. Better breeding results when fed soft food and fresh greens. Canary-like birds requiring cup nests.

Black-hooded Yellow Siskin (Carduelis magellanica)
Spring, summer and autumn breeding season. Hardy and resistant to disease and worms. Highly sensitive to Airsac mite. Better breeding results when fed live food, soft food and fresh greens. Canary-like birds requiring cup nests. Aggressive when driving hen to nest. Best as single pairs in mixed collections or bred with own species in colonies.

Spice Finch (Lonchura punctulata)
Spring, summer and autumn breeder. Very easy to breed. Hardy finch ideal for mixed collections. Present as wild populations in Australia. Half-ripe seeding grasses recommended for rearing young. Live food is unnecessary. Spring and autumn breeding season. Problems should be expected when breeding in hot summers & cold winters

Jacarini Finch (Volatina jacarini)
Summer/Autumn breeding season. Easy to breed. Very hardy but shy bird that requires seclusion of a heavily planted aviary to breed well. Good in mixed collections. Needs live food when breeding. Airsac mite sensitive

Melba Finch (Pytilia melba)
Spring & autumn breeding season. Rest in summer heat. Average breeders. Hardy. Cold, wet, coccidiosis & worm sensitive. Suited to a mixed collection as long as no other Pytilia species present. Must receive live food.

Tri-colour nun (Lonchura malacca malacca), white headed nun (Lonchura maja), black headed nun
Spring and autumn breeder. Very easy to breed. Rest during heat of summer. These three "munia" species are all extremely hardy, non-aggressive and ideal for mixed collections. They must be housed separately to avoid hybridization. Half-ripe seeding grasses recommended for rearing young. Live food is unnecessary.

Red-faced Pytilia (Pytilia hypogrammica)
Spring & autumn breeding season. Rest during heat of summer. Difficult breeder. Susceptible to rain during January, February & March. Susceptible to coccidiosis and worms. Uncommon but compatible. Require live food when breeding.

Pintailed Whydah (Vidua macroura)
Summer and autumn (November to April) breeding season. Easy to breed. Hardy. New birds susceptible to small cages, coccidiosis, worms and Psittacosis. Parasitic breeder in Saint Helena Waxbill nests. Very aggressive to own kind. Do not require live food, but hosts do. House one pair of Whydahs with six to ten pairs of St Helenas.

Greenfinch European (Carduelis chloris) & Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Summer and autumn breeding season. Easy to breed. Hardy in cooler climates. Susceptible to rain and humidity

Australian Finches: Tropical type
Autumn Winter breeding season

Chestnut Breasted Finch (Lonchura castaneothorax)
Chestnut breasted finches are a hardy bird, easy to keep and quite easy to breed. They need a large aviary and plenty of exercise to remain fit and in breeding condition. They are susceptible to obesity-related infertility. They need long grass or reeds in order to service their climbing instincts. Must be protected from cold wind and rain.

Long-Tailed (Hex) Finch (Poephila acuticauda hecki)
Also called Heck's Grass finch. Easy to keep and breed in captivity. Ideal bird for the beginner.

Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda)
A favorite, hardy and easy to breed aviary bird. In the aviary susceptible to cold and wet weather is resistant to wet weather and high humidity. Good for a mixed aviary.

Masked Finch (Poephila personata)
Easy to keep and breed. It is a friendly and tidy bird. Mixes well with other species. Require a densely planted aviary.

Black Throated Finch (Poephila cincta) (Also called Parson finch)
Once acclimatised is hardy and easy to keep and bred. Aggressive sometimes.

Double bar finch (Poephila bichenovii)
Also called Bicheno finch, Owl finch, Ringed finch. Easy to breed hardy and peaceful. Sensitive to cold

Yellow-Rumped Finch (Lonchura flaviprymna)
Easy to keep and breed in large aviary. Similar species to Chestnut-Breasted Finch (Lonchura castaneothorax). Hardiest of all Australian finches, peaceful and ideal or mixed aviary.

Masked Finch (Poephila personata)
Easy to keep and breed in large aviary. Aggression occurs in small over crowded aviaries.

Pictorella finch (Lonchurra pectoralis)
Difficult to acclimatise. Shy but once established hardy and peaceful bird. Open plains-bird needing dense cover in a large aviary to become tame. Ground dwellers prone to wet and cold diseases.

Gouldian Finch (Chloebia gouldiae)
Shy birds not recommended in mixed aviary. Difficult to keep and breed in cold areas. Good breeders when bred in a colony with own kind. Mutations fragile.

Blue-Faced Parrot Finch (Erythrura trichroa)
Hardy, easy to keep and breed. Need help to acclimatise to new aviary. Inbred coloured varieties less fragile than Gouldians.

Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton)
A difficult species to keep in captivity. It is aggressive in nature and has complex dietary (seed and live food) and habitat requirements. Water habitat in Nature. In the aviary cocks are resistant to wet weather and high humidity.

Foreign Finches: Tropical type
Autumn-winter breeding season

Aurora Finch (Pytilia phoenicoptera)
Autumn & winter breeding season (March - July). Average breeders. Moderately hardy. Danger months (January, February & March) associated with rain, humidity and cold spells. Better when fed live food. Require live or soft food to rear young and avoid egg-binding problems during cold spells. Aggressive to own kind.

Cordon bleu (red-cheeked) (Ureaginthus bengalus)
Autumn and winter breeding season (March - July). Easy to breed. Moderately hardy. Susceptible to rain and humidity (January, February & March). Require live or soft food to rear young and avoid egg-binding problems during cold spells. Susceptible to Airsac Mite Infestation. Aggressive to own kind.

Blue Cap or Blue Headed Cordon Bleu (Ureaginthus cyanocephala)
Autumn and winter breeding season (February - August). Difficult to breed and sensitive species. New bird sensitive. Susceptible to rain and humidity during January, February & March. Require live food to rear young.Susceptible to cold, coccidiosis and worms.

Cut-throat Finch (Amadina fasciata)
Autumn and winter breeding season (March - July). Good breeders. Hardy and resistant to disease except Airsac mite and worms. Require live food to rear young. May interfere with others nests.

Green Singing Finch (Serinus mozambicus)
Autumn and winter breeding season (March - July). Easy to breed. Very hardy. Susceptible to worms and Airsac Mite Infestation. Better breeding results when fed live food and soft food. Aggressive to own kind. Best results are obtained when housed as single pairs in a mixed collection. Canary-like birds requiring cup nests.

Winter Breeding Season
Health problems should be expected when breeding in regions that experience cold winters.

Red Strawberry Finch (Amandava amandava)
Winter breeding season. Easy to breed. Hardy but susceptible to rain and humidity during January, February & March. Susceptible to coccidiosis and worms. Compatible species suited to mixed collections. Do not mix with Orange-breasted Waxbills as may hybridize. Needs live food when breeding.

Orange-breasted Waxbill (Amandava subflava)
Winter breeding season. Very hardy. Smallest and most popular of foreign finches kept in Australia. Egg-binding problems in cold areas must be managed by energy and protein rich diet. Compatible and suited to mixed collections.

Red-headed Finch or Aberdeen Finch (Amadina erythrocephala)
Winter breeding season. Easy to breed. Very hardy but susceptible to rain and humidity during January, February & March. Susceptible to coccidiosis and worms. Do not house with its close relative Cut-throat Finch. Require live food when breeding. More suited to dry climates.

Lists of Difficulties or ease of breeding Different Finch species

Easy-to-Breed Foreign Finches
Bengalese Mannikin (Lonchura domestica)
Java Finch (Padda oryzivora)
Cuban Finch (Tiaris canora)
Golden Song Sparrow (Auripasser luteus)
Madagascar Weaver (Foudia madagascariensis)
Orange-breasted Waxbill (Amanava subflava)
African Fire or Ruddy Finch (Lagonosticta senegala)
St. Helena Waxbill (Estrilda astrild)
Black-hooded Red Siskin (Carduelis cucullata)
Spice Finch (Lonchura punctulata)
Tri-colour Nun (Lonchura malacca malacca)
White-headed Nun (Lonchura maja)
Black-headed Nun (Lonchura malacca atricapilla)

Easy-to-breed Finches
Australian Finches: Double Bar (Poephila bichenovii) and Black Throated Finch (Poephila cincta).

Foreign Finches: Bengalese Mannikin (Lonchura domestica), Java Finch (Padda oryzivora) Cuban Finch (Tiaris canora) Golden Song Sparrow (Auripasser luteus) Madagascar Weaver (Foudia madagascariensis) Orange-breasted Waxbill (Amanava subflava), African Fire finch or Ruddy Finch (Lagonosticta senegala) St. Helena Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) Black-hooded Red Siskin (Carduelis cucullata), Spice Finch (Lonchura punctulata), Tri-colour Nun (Lonchura malacca malacca), White-headed Nun (Lonchura maja), Black-headed Nun (Lonchura malacca atricapilla)

Hardy Finches
Hardy Finches include Yellow-Rumped Finch (Lonchura flaviprymna), Double bar finch (Poephila bichenovii),Chestnut Breasted Finch (Lonchura castaneothorax), Long- Tailed (Hex) Finch (Poephila acuticauda hecki), Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda) and Masked Finch (Poephila personata) are easy to bred but require a large aviary with their own or similar species. Hardy foreign finches include Bengalese Mannikin (Lonchura domestica), Java Finch (Padda oryzivora) Cuban Finch (Tiaris canora) Golden Song Sparrow (Auripasser luteus) Madagascar Weaver (Foudia madagascariensis), Orange-breasted Waxbill (Amanava subflava), African Fire finch or Ruddy Finch (Lagonosticta senegala) St. Helena Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) Black-hooded Red Siskin (Carduelis cucullata) Spice Finch (Lonchura punctulata), Tri-colour Nun (Lonchura malacca malacca), White-headed Nun (Lonchura maja), Black-headed Nun (Lonchura malacca atricapilla).

Cold Sensitive Finches
The following finches are not suited to cold climates.
Australian Finches: Double bar finch (Poephila bichenovii), plum-headed finch (Aidemosyne modesta) and Red-browed finch (Aegintha temporalis). Adults and especially the young of these species are susceptible to the cold. Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda), Chestnut Breasted Finch (Lonchura castaneothorax), Double Bar Finch (Poephila bichenovii) and Pictorella (Lonchurra pectoralis).

Foreign Finches: Blue-headed Cordon Bleu, Melba Finch, Orange Breasted Waxbill (Amanava subflava), Red-faced Pytila and Rufous-backed Mannikin. These birds are susceptible to cold temperatures and need protection by supplying planted aviaries that act as cover and windbreaks.

Wet Sensitive Finches
Adults and their young are equally susceptible to cold temperatures. Egg-binding cold sensitive species include Aurora Finch (Pytilia phoenicoptera), Greenfinch European (Carduelis chloris), Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), Cordon bleu (red cheeked) (Ureaginthus bengalus) and Red Strawberry Finch (Amandava amandava). These species benefit from a protein and energy rich soft food during egg laying.

The following finches are not suited to wet or coastal climates.
Australian Finches: Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata), Painted Firetail (Emblema picta) Finch and Double-bar Finch (Poephila bichenovii) are susceptible to wet conditions and coastal humidity.

Foreign Finches: Blue Headed Cordon Bleu (Ureaginthus cyanocephala), Melba Finch (Pytilia melba), Pintailed Whydah (Vidua macroura), Red Strawberry Finch (Amandava amandava), Red faced Pytilia (Pytilia hypogrammica), Red-headed Finch or Aberdeen Finch (Amadina eryhtrocephala). Additional energy and a regular coccidiosis and worming programme helps protect these species from the effects of wet weather.

Wet Resistant Finches
Species suited to wet, humid climates include: Rufous-backed Mannikin (Lonchura bicolor nigriceps), Red-faced Parrot Finch (Erythrura psittacea) and Spice Finch (Lonchura punctulata).

Potentially Aggressive Finches
Australian Finches: Beautiful (Zonaeginthus bellus) and Diamond Firetail cocks (Emblema quttata) become aggressive when breeding. These species in Nature breed in solitude rather than as a colony and may become over aggressive to their own kind when the space in the aviary is limited. No more than a single pair of each of these species should be held in an aviary. These species are also very selective of their choice of mate and unproductive single pairs in an aviary should be considered incompatible. Red-browed finch (Aegintha temporalis) is a sensitive bird until established then tends towards aggression with other species. Black throat finch (Poephila cincta). Certain but not all families of Poephila cincta are prone to aggressive behaviour. Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton). Neochmia phaeton is the most aggressive finch in this group and not suitable for an aviary with other species. Best to keep in a large aviary by themselves where they grow stronger and become hardy good breeders.

Foreign Finches: Potentially aggressive species include: Cuban Finch (Tiaris canora), Cut-throat Finch (Amadina fasciata), Rufous-backed Mannikin (Lonchura bicolor nigriceps), Black-hooded Yellow Siskin (Carduelis magellanica). Madagascar Weavers, Pintail Whydhars, Crimson finches, Golden Song Sparrow (Auripasser luteus), Rufous-backed Mannikin (Lonchura bicolor nigriceps), Black-hooded Yellow Siskin (Carduelis magellanica) are best house with their own species.

Difficult-to-Breed Australian Finches
Red-eared Firetail (Emblema oculata)
The exacting aviary, nutritional and breeding requirements of the solitary and shy natured Red-eared Firetail makes this species an unsuitable bird to keep in captivity. Instead efforts should be continued to preserve its natural habitat to secure its future in the wild.

Compatible Finches
The following finches are easy going and may be mixed together. It is wise to keep finches together in groups according to their classifiaction type. Australian finches may be successfully mixed with non-aggressive and compatible foreign finches. The following foreign finches may be included in a mixed collection: Melba Finch (Pytilia melba), Orange-breasted Waxbill (Amanava subflava), African Fire finch or Ruddy Finch (Lagonosticta senegala), Red faced Pytilia (Pytilia hypogrammica), St. Helena Waxbill (Estrilda astrild), Black-hooded Red Siskin (Carduelis cucullata), Spice Finch (Lonchura punctulata), Tri-colour Nun (Lonchura malacca malacca), White-headed Nun (Lonchura maja) and Black-headed Nun (Lonchura malacca atricapilla).

The following Australian finches may be mixed together as long as the aviary is large enough: Star Finch (Neochmia ruficauda), Long tailed finch (Poephila acuticauda hecki), Yellow-Rumped finch (Lonchura flaviprymna), Blue Faced parrot finch (Erythrura trichroa) and Masked Finch (Poephila personata). Double-bar (Poephila bichenovii) and Chestnut-breasted (Lonchura castaneothorax). One or two pairs of Painted finches (Emblema picta), a hardy arid species, may also be added to this collection.

Species Best Housed on their Own
Zebras, Gouldians, Crimson Finches, Madagascar Weavers, Pintailed Whydahas with host birds (St Helenas).

The following species may be added to a mixed collection as single pairs:

Species Best Housed as Single Pairs
Aurora Finch (Pytilia phoenicoptera), Green Singing Finch (Serinus mozambicus), Black-hooded Yellow Siskin (Carduelis magellanica). One or two pairs of Painted finches (Emblema picta), a hardy arid species, may also be added to a mixed collection.

Opportunistic-type Finches

Introduction
Autumn, spring and winter breeding are the best seasons for opportunistic (Arid-zone) finches to breed. Australian Arid zone finches are opportunistic breeders capable of breeding throughout the entire year. They may experience breeding problems in wet and coastal climates. Some foreign finches may also breed year round. These include the African Fire finch or Ruddy Finch (Lagonosticta senegala), Bengalese Mannikin (Lonchura domestica), Java Finch (Padda oryzivora) and Cuban Finch (Tiaris canora).

Summer is the best time to allow Opportunistic-type finches to moult, although they may moult and breed at the same time. Arid zone finches may moult continuously in the wild.

Winter is the ideal time for Doxycycline treatment for aviaries where Ornithosis has been present. These finches are equally susceptible to Ornithosis as other finches.

Ruddy Finch (Lagonosticta senegala), Bengalese Mannikin (Lonchura domestica), Java Finch (Padda oryzivora), Cuban Finch (Tiaris canora), Zebra (Taeniopygia guttata) and Painted Firetail (Emblema picta) Finches are all easy to breed.

Opportunistic Australian Finches
Zebra (Taeniopygia guttata) and Painted Firetail (Emblema picta) Finches are hardy to keep and easy to breed. Taeniopygia may be aggressive to other species. One or two pairs of each species may mix well into Tropical or Temperate-type aviaries. These are arid species and desert dwellers that are extremely hardy and prolific breeders when fed and housed correctly. They are especially resistant to cold temperatures and capable of breeding throughout the entire year. They usually moult whilst they breed.

Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata).
Zebras are ideal finches for the beginner. Hardy and easy to bred. Best kept with own kind as aggressive to other species.