Society finches as they are known in the United States, otherwise known as Bengalese finches in most of the rest of the world, are medium sized birds measuring nearly five inches beak to tail. Society finches are the domesticated form of the White-backed Munia. Most experts agree that Society finches were first bred in China and then were imported to Japan where selective breeding developed many color variations of this finch. The version of Society finch most available today was selectively bred in the 1930's.
Three basic colorations dominate; the brown, yellow and white mottled varieties where mottled refers to blotches of white coloration. Within basic coloration, the shades and intensity of color varies widely. Mostly they have dark eyes but some are true albinos with pink eyes. The albinos are subject to developing eye problems which is preventable by feeding supplements that are high in carotene like green leafy vegetables.
Society finches are domesticated birds with no natural habitat. They are happy in cages or aviaries and, unlike most breeds of finches, will breed in a cage. This may be because during the breeding season they are even more sociable than usual and like crowded spaces. All females will lay their eggs in the same nest which tends to interfere with incubation. It is, therefore, advised that breeding pairs be kept in separate cages.
Because, true to their name, Society finches are most social, they should never be kept alone. But, except for mating, they should be segregated into gender groups to prevent unplanned breeding.
They are not picky eaters. They will be most happy with seed blends supplemented with vitamin and mineral pellets. In addition, you may supplement their diet with millet, greens, and crumbled hard-boiled eggs. A cuttlebone and egg shells help provided calcium.
When breeding Society Finches, they should be transferred to a brooding cage as a mating pair. They will build their nests using coconut fiber and dried grasses if available in enclosed or semi-open besting boxes. Society finches will return to their eggs immediately after a nest check. You will see hatchlings after sixteen days of incubation. The young require a diet supplemented with chickweed, green seeds and eggs.
Young birds must be separated from their parents as soon as they begin feeding on their own. If you don't separate them they will continue to sleep in their old nests which, in turn, disrupts the next brood.
Society finches are not easily identified by gender. Males and females look identical. The one main distinguishing factor is behavior. Males engage in a hopping ritual which appears to be a mating ritual dance while females do not do this. Careful observation is needed to decide which is which if the birds are not housed separately by gender.
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