The Black Throated Finch

The Black Throated Finch is known by many other names including Banded Grass Finch, Black-rumped Finch, Black-rumped Grass Finch, Black Throat, Parson Finch, Diggle's Finch.

The Black Throated Finch is a medium to large grassfinch slightly similar to the Long-tailed or Shaft-tailed Finch, it is also often accidentally identified as a Masked Finch though this is completely wrong. Males have blue-grey heads with a blue-white ear patch. Throat and upper breast is black. Flanks, belly and lower breast light brown, back fawn- brown. Black bar on rump, black patch between eye and bill. Bill is black , legs orange-red. Both sexes are monomorphic, but it is accepted that males may be identified by having a comparatively larger throat patch. Immature birds resemble adults but have duller plumage still. There is a single subspecies natively found in northern Cape York Peninsula (P.c. nigrotecta) and is often referred to as the Chocolate Parson Finch or Chocolate Diggle's Finch. The essential difference between this and the nominate form is that it is darker brown in colour overall. There are several known mutations for this species: The chocolate form is a naturally occurring mutation. In captivity, the following colour mutations occur: Pied, White, Cream and Fawn. Black-throated Finches are known to have hybridised with the Zebra Finch, Double-barred Finch, Masked Finch, Long-tailed Finch,Spice Finch, Cut- throat Finch, Red-headed Parrot-finch, Bengalese Finch and White-headed Munia, so keep an eye on them if they are showing signs of misbehaviour in your mixed collection.

In the wild their diet consists of ripe and half-ripe grass seeds, fortified with small insects, ants and spiders. In captivity, a good quality finch seed mix should be the mainstay of the diet. They are also quite fond of a little variation every now and then, especially in the breeding season when their diet should be fortified with egg food or cake, sprouted seeds, greens such as plantain, dandelion (flowers and new leaves), water cress some digestive assistance with grit, crushed cuttlefish, ground baked eggshell and a little charcoal. Many aviculturalists provide live food (often mealworms or mini whiteskins) during the breeding season although others have had good results without it.

If keeping them in cages a single pair will bet along fine in a boxcage 3' x 2' x 18" but for breeding purposes one should allow them a larger cage of around 4' x 2' x 18". They are indeed happiest and at their most prolific if they are kept on a colony basis in well planted aviaries, especially those with tall grasses. Black-throated finches will readily share an aviary with most other finches (eg. zebra, painted, parrot, etc etc), quail, doves and even neophema parrots.

The Black Throated Finch will attempt to breed virtually all year round given a warm climate, but if they are being kept in an outside cage it is best to discourage breeding during the colder months by separation or removal of nests.In captivity Black-throated Finches will accept a variety of nesting receptacles, these can be half open or boxnests around 5 inches square or similarly sized wicker baskets may also be used. Good pairs may produce as many as four broods a year. Both sexes participate in construction of the nest and in the incubation of the eggs. The will usually lay 4-5 white eggs (18-7mm x 12mm). Incubation lasts about 14 days starting from the fourth egg. The young usually fledge at around 21 days.
When courting, males approach females with a series of bobbing movements. The feathers on the head and chest are often ruffed. Females may also bob to some extent. Most birds do not breed until second year so do not be too disappointed if your new arrivals do not seem compatible as young birds may not show show an inclination until the following year.

This species tends to be prone to infestation with endoparasites such as intestinal worms, and to Coccidia especially where aviaries consist of dirt floors, but annual worming treatments will normally be sufficient to keep problems at bay.

Thanks to all the Feathered Flyer Message Board Breeders who contributed their experience.

Laurance Trigwell

Feel free to get in touch with any further questions. You can contact me via the FF Forum my username is 'Laus'.