Cut Throat Finch
Scientific Name: Amandine fascinate
This extremely hardy finch will live in an outside aviary for many years. It is sometimes inclined to become aggressive and should only be kept with large-sized birds. It is easy to manage in all other respects and makes a good addition to a mixed collection.
Description:
Size: 13 cm (5 in) COCK:
Body: Beige-brown dappled with dark greyish-black, looking like scales. Beak: grey. Legs: dull pink. Throat: scarlet.
HEN:
Similar, but she lacks the scarlet throatlatch.
Diet: (Seedeater)
Mixed millets, plaits canary seeds, and seeding grasses form the basic diet. Green food is appreciated. Grit and cut tilefish hone must always be available for this species. This bird may be kept out of doors and need only a dry, frost-proof shelter to which it can retire in cold weather.
Cut Throat Finch Breeding:
In display, the Cut-Throat cock sings a quiet little song, ruffling his throat feathers as he sings. A nest is built from grasses, hairs, or any available material, preferably inside a nest box. It is normally lined with feathers. The young are normally hatched after 12 days of incubation. Rearing food should consist of soaked and sprouted seeds, soaked stale bread, and fresh ants’ eggs.
During the breeding season, it is a good idea to mix cod liver oil with the birds’ seed since this helps prevent egg binding which Cut-Throat hens are often prone to. In cold weather, the same measure may be taken to ensure health and vitality. Another aid during the breeding season is a sponge cake soaked in honey and a little fine-grade inspective mix.
As mentioned earlier the cutthroat finch is very aggressive and especially during the breeding season. If you are willing to keep the bird in your aviary, you may take note of the following cutthroat finch pet care tips.
Cut Throat Care
- While the bird is in the breeding session the bird is not to be kept with small-sized birds like waxbills.
- Though the bird is found to be living peacefully with those of its same kind the bird has the habit of establishing their command over the nests of less bold birds by throwing their eggs and chicks from the nests. Several cutthroats staying together must be given ample space to reside so that they do not fight against one another while building up their nests during the breeding season.
- Provide your finch with proper lighting facilities as well as a quality diet as they are prone to plumage disorder-induced melanism.
The specie is listed in CITES or Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora in appendix three. The bird has become quite rare in the US and even its import from Europe has also become restricted. After several mutations, the bird can also be seen in yellow bands instead of red.
See more: Diamond Dove