Cut Throat Finch

Scientific Name: Amandine fascinate

This extremely hardy finch will live in an outside aviary for many years. It is some-times 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 seed and seeding grasses form the basic diet. Green food is appreciated. Grit and cut-tilefish hone must always he 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 to in cold weather.

Cut Throat Finch Breeding:

In display, the Cut-Throat cock sings quiet little song, ruffling his throat feathers as he sings. A nest is built from grasses, roots, hairs or any available material, preferably inside a nest box. It is normally lined with feathers. The hen lays four to six eggs which both parents take turns to incubate. The young are normally hatched after 12 days' incubation. Rearing food should consist of soaked and sprouted seeds, soaked stale bread, a few mealworms and fresh ants’ eggs. Nest inspection is resented while the parents are sitting.

During the breeding season it is a good idea to mix cod liver oil with the birds’ seed, since this helps prevent egg binding to 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 sponge cake soaked in honey and a little fine grade inspective mix.

As mentioned earlier the cut throat finch is very aggressive in nature and especially during the breeding season. If you are willing to keep the bird in your aviary, you may take a note of the following cut throat finch pet care tips.

Cut Throat Care

• While the bird is into 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 but 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 cut throats 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 quality diet as they are prone to a plumage disorder induced melanism.