Species:
Taxonomic status:
Species status: full species
Vinous-throated Parrotbill
Vinous-throated Parrotbill (Paradoxornis webbianus) (Gould) 1852
Other names: Brown-headed parrotbill, Webb's Parrotbill, Rufous-headed Crow Tit, Taiwan Spectacled Crow-Tit/
French: Paradoxornis de Webb
German: Braunkopf-Papageischnabel
Spanish: Picoloro de Garganta Violeta
Italian: Becco a cono di Webb
Dutch: Bruinkop-diksnavelmees
Finnish: Ruusutimali
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Paradoxornithidae
Genus Panurus (1 Species)
• Bearded Tit or Bearded Reedling, Panurus biarmicus
Genus Conostoma (1 Species)
• Great Parrotbill, Conostoma oemodium
Genus Paradoxornis (18 Species)
• Brown Parrotbill, Paradoxornis unicolor
• Gray-headed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis gularis
• Three-toed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis paradoxus
• Black-breasted Parrotbill, Paradoxornis flavirostris
• Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Paradoxornis guttaticollis
• Spectacled Parrotbill, Paradoxornis conspicillatus
• Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis webbianus
• Brown-winged Parrotbill, Paradoxornis brunneus
• Ashy-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis alphonsianus
• Gray-hooded Parrotbill, Paradoxornis zappeyi
• Rusty-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis przewalskii
• Fulvous Parrotbill, Paradoxornis fulvifrons
• Black-throated Parrotbill, Paradoxornis nipalensis
• Golden Parrotbill, Paradoxornis verreauxi
• Short-tailed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis davidianus
• Black-browed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis atrosuperciliaris
• Rufous-headed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis ruficeps
• Reed Parrotbill, Paradoxornis heudei
Taxonomy/Origins: They are related to babblers, but in general appearance and behaviour are more like the tits. The bills of these birds are short, heavy and laterally compressed, like a parrot's, hence the English name Parrotbills.
The Vinous throated Parrot bill can be found through out Asia, Soviet Union, Russian Federation, Russia (Asia), Mongolia, China, Korea (North & South), North Korea, South Korea, Japan [although rare/accid.], Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indochina, Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam, Holarctic and Palearctic.
These are birds that are sedentary, preferring to live open habitats in small flocks which constantly make noises, usually on mountain slopes in the bushes, high grass, reed beds and bamboo stands.
Subspecies: I have found very little on the common names or indeed the differences of the sub species. They appear to be localised and due to the sedentary nature many different sub species have been recorded. The availability of a certain sub species will be dependant on the trapping licences and importing countries supplying dealers.
Paradoxornis webbianus has 11 subspecies
Species status: nominal subspecies
Vinous-throated Parrotbill Paradoxornis webbianus webbianus
Species status: subspecies
? Paradoxornis webbianus bulomachus
Distribution: Taiwan
? Paradoxornis webbianus fulvicauda
Distribution: NE China, S Korea
? Paradoxornis webbianus suffuses
Distribution: NW to SE China
? Paradoxornis webbianus mantschuricus
Distribution: E Manchuria
Webb's Parrotbill - Paradoxornis webbianus elisabethae
Distribution: SE Yunnan
Species status: subspecies (recorded sub species that are being checked for accuracy)
? Paradoxornis webbianus alphonsiana
? Paradoxornis webbianus mantschurica
Rufous-headed Crow Tit, Szechuan Vinous-Throated Parrotbill Paradoxornis webbianus suffusa
? Paradoxornis webbianus ricketti
? Paradoxornis webbianus brunnea
Distribution: NE Burma, NW Yunnan
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Plumage Colouration: Description: Body length is 5cm with a long tail of 7cms. Very similar in appearance to our native Long-tailed Tit, the body is completely brown with reddish wings which are usually held in a dropped position showing their colour, leading to an olive under body, around the face they plumage tends to be lighter these birds have a characteristic parrot bill.
Features: - These birds have long legs in proportion to their body and climb in a characteristic tit like fashion but also bounce between perches, frequently seen hanging upside down.
During moulting both birds lose their tails once again similar to Pekin Robins and resemble a little mouse as they scurry through the undergrowth.
Sexing: Sexing Parrotbills is very difficult if not impossible without either DNA testing or a lot of observation but as these birds appear to be identical and move so fast it difficult to tell if you are even looking at the same bird. In breeding condition the male is bolder even pushy, an increase in aggression towards other species is normally indication of a cock bird. The hen’s behaviour is relatively constant throughout the year, usually watching or following the cock bird.
Often people identify differences between the sexes by being larger, brighter plumage; leg and beak colouration and shape however they are usually different sub species are incorrectly analysed as different sexes of the same nominate species although sexual they may be correct it’s a fundamentally flawed method unless you can guarantee the same species.
My cock is regularly seen chasing quail and Zosterops relentlessly even attaching himself to the back of a quail whilst it runs through the undergrowth. However in a trader’s environment these traits would be suppressed.
Modern DNA testing is relatively cheap and if you fit colour coded split rings you can match the true pairs and identify any isolated birds that have not pair bonded
Feeding: Parrotbills are primarily classed as omnivores and have a dual approach to feeding by adapting between different diets, this is due to its sedentary nature by not migrating to new areas in search of insect food sources remaining in the cold climate making these birds a good choice in temperate climates. This adaptation is shared by a number of species including the Pekin Robin I also observed the same to a lesser extent in Sivas, Tits and Yuhinas.
Provide seasonal diets based a universal insect feed with fruit and live food during the warmer months cycling through berries I supply various hard pip berries like Cotoneaster and Pyracanthas and a basic millet mixture in the winter.
The birds’ feed by foraging, stripping bamboo in search of grubs seldom attempting to catch flying insects, they will take a moth that has been trapped and absolutely love-picking fruitfly from the flight wires, foliage and my fruitfly feeder.
These birds have a good way of eating large grubs like mealworms and waxworms, they stand on the tail of the insect and pull the head with its beak until it removes the internal soft tissue. I believe that during breeding these birds should be offered the larger mealworms as this method will mean chicks have a large proportion of soft food without the hard exoskeleton of the usually advised mini mealworms.
Housing: Primarily they are a hardy aviary bird, preferring to roost outdoors all year around, rising a hour before sun rise to start feeding, and spend much of their time on the move performing acrobatics typical of the tit family and constantly foraging for food between bushes and bamboo this makes its suitability for keeping in cages doubtful.
Although they appear tame with their boldness, this is typical of the babbler family they are not suitable as pets and can inflict a nasty bite if handled without due care from their sharp beak.
Short-term housing in a large cage would be acceptable, provide suitable natural branches of hawthorn which is very hard and they will strip the bark keeping them amused, if you provide cover plant they will be reduced to nothing in very little time, drinkers can be of the funnel type as they nibble to drink, food dishes can be elevated or on the floor, these birds like to foliage bath after a shower which is difficult in a caged environment.
A word of warning I would not keep them cages as a group during the breeding season.
Breeding: TSeason:- Spring and summer.
Nest:- A compact mass of material, the egg cavity forming a deep cup, occasionally domed over, constructed of bamboo leaves, grass blades, and other plant material.
Location:- Low bush, bamboo stand or in tall grasses, frequently beside a stream.
Clutch size:- 4-5
Egg size:- Tiny 15-18mm x 12-15mm cylindrical eggs.
Colour and markings:- Pale blue, greenish blue, or possibly white and have almost no markings or slightly speckled eggs. These are unlike any others in the genus.
Incubation:- about 12 days.
Fledging:- about 12 days.
I have read a few articles on breeding of these Parrotbills, usually in an outside aviary as the sole occupants. The successful rearing has been mainly continental Europe. I believe these birds could be easily breed with the correct environment and left alone however due to the relatively low cost they may be over looked as a breeding species.
Maintaining the dietary cycle is very important and in providing the correct balance of food types you will achieve better results in breeding. The stimulus to breeding being triggered by providing seed in winter and reducing the level of soft foods, raising the insect content in the spring to stimulate their digestive changes and ultimately breeding.
These birds have always built a freestanding cup shaped nest, between 1m and 2m above floor level usually in a concealed position, usually tight to a wall from coconut fibre and dried grasses. I have provided both bamboo leaves, however the birds have ignored these in their nest building.
It is very important to supply a wide variety of livefood for the birds to select from during rearing as the birds change from one type to another at different ages typically 7 days and 10 days at these change over times losses are incurred.
I originally acquired three birds in early 1999 one of which died shortly after purchase, there was no apparent breeding activity until 2002 when treading was observed, no further breeding activities took place until October where the birds built a nest in a Winter-flowering Jasmine hard against the aviary mesh, laying four eggs these were incubated by both birds shortly before they were due to hatch the birds deserted. In 2003 several nests were built and no eggs were laid although I suspect another bird was removing the eggs. I have hopes of these birds being successful next year however it is difficult to observe them because they tend to nest in dense foliage and I prefer not to disturb the birds through nest searching.
Present: In 2004 the first evidence was a nest built on a previous site from 2003 high in the aviary (2.3m) tucked under a hanging ivy growing from a wall mounted basket this has been built from coconut fibre and grasses. The nest can be clearly seen from the shelter window and may offer a better chance to observe their activities.
Hints/tips: I recommend buying at least four birds at the same time, as these birds flock in small numbers out with the breeding season, it helps establish your colony, natural partner selection will occur in the spring where they split into bonded pairs. I would recommend splitting the pairs into separate accommodation at this stage and if you are lucky you can keep two different gene pools, if there is an excessive imbalance of birds sell the excess cocks to prevent fights in the breeding season.
Another reason for buying excess birds from the same time and source is it usually guarantees the same sub-species and finding additional birds at a later date of the same sub-species will often prove futile, unless the birds originate from the same trapping areas.
The key to success with these birds is adhering to their dietary requirements, providing a suitable aviary environment and as they are extremely hardy require little in their care. If you have a true pair they will readily nest but not necessarily rear to full independence this is the difficult part.
There have been reports that the males often attack and kill the offspring soon after fledging, therefore a separate enclosure either in the shelter or next to the original aviary allowing feeding through the adjoining wire may be a safe guard during weaning.
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Unique Characteristics: Although readily available and relatively cheap I describe as little terrors, often taking over the feeding station, they will attack and standoff birds many times their size if the notion takes them. Therefore great care should be taken in a mixed collection by providing adequate space for all the occupants and adequate cover for birds to escape their often-unrelenting chases, over all they make an interesting addition to a collection and basically keep themselves I still have mine.
In the wild these little birds strip bark, and split bamboo with their sharp beaks in the search for grubs, I have watched them completely shred a bush into thin slivers the type of bark would never contain grubs so I assume it is to keep their beak sharp.
Feel free to get in touch with any further questions. You can contact me via the FF Forum my username is 'William Wilson'. My website address is www.merop.co.uk
