Bengalese Finch

Scientific Name: Lonchura domestica

Origin: China and Japan

A domesticated species developed originally by the Japanese as a fertile hybrid, by using members of the genus Lonchura (members of the mannikin family) which they imported from China. This specie of bird is very easy to manage. The bird is keen to reproduce and is very useful as a foster parent for Australian finches.

Description: Size: 13 cm (5 in)

COCK: Several different color forms exist including white, chocolate and white, chestnut and white, fawn and crested cocoa: Beak: Two-tone color. Body: white with chocolate, chestnut or fawn patterning. Markings vary greatly. Wings and tail usually have plenty of white feathers. Legs: dark or pale.

HEN:

Both birds are stocky with a heavy beak.

The sex of Bengalese cannot be determined by physical appearance. The only way to determine their sexes is to be keeping a keen watch on the behavior of the bird. The cock bird puffs himself up to resemble a small balloon while singing. It is recommended that several true pairs of Bengalese are kept for fostering orphans in a mixed collection of finches.

Bengalese love to bathe and should be provided with suitable facilities. This specie may need to have its nails clipped.

Diet: (Seedeater)

Plain canary seed and mixed millets form the basic diet. Millet sprays and sprouted seed may be given as a treat. Grit and cuttlefish bone must always be available.

Bengalese Finch Breeding:

Bengalese commences breeding as early as eight months of age. Nest boxes should be provided with a rather small entrance hole, much preferred by this species. A rather untidy nest is made inside the box and the birds like to be well hidden while incubating. Six to eight eggs are normally laid and both parents sit side by side in the nest during the incubation period of 14 days. The young are carefully fed by both parents for about 21 days. When rearing their young, Bengalese should be provided with egg food, soaked bread, meal worms and some green food. A few drops of cod liver oil may be added to the rearing food for young chicks. Youngsters should be given soaked seed for the early weeks of their life. Once independent, Bengalese may be kept on dry seed outside the breeding season.

During the time of breeding it would be ideal to keep them undisturbed. Though the bird allows frequent cage inspections but it should be left on its own while breeding. The bird should not be allowed to hatch a clutch more than 4 times in one season.

For their easy to mingle character Bengalese finches can be kept in aviary cages. The specie is commonly preferred by animal lovers as they require minimal bird care. You are required to maintain basic hygiene so as to avoid bacterial and viral growth. However, while buying the bird you must be careful about certain physical aspects of the bird. The bird should be healthy and active as all finches are. You must check the bands and nails of the birds.