MELBA FINCH

Although most pet owners are content to observe their birds, with patience and perseverance it is possible to finger tame them. They can be messy eaters and it is wise to place their cage in an area that can be easily cleaned up. These are perching and songbirds.

Housing

They will need the largest cage you can afford; since they are not usually finger-tamed and spend most of their time in their cage, they need plenty of room. Cage width and depth are more important than height. Make sure the cage is zinc-safe and lead-free, with appropriate bar size and spacing. Natural hardwood branches make the best perches; sandpaper perches should never be used. Choose a variety of non-toxic wood or acrylic toys to keep your bird busy, and rotate them to avoid boredom.

Diet

These birds should be fed a variety of foods, including vitamin-fortified seed mix, dark green, leafy vegetables, yams, carrots, hard boiled eggs, and some fruit. Grit, gravel, and oyster shells should never be given. Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Vitamin supplements are not needed with this diet.

Cleaning

Tray liners should be replaced every day and the cage bottom, fittings and dishes regularly washed with hot water and soap. Once a month, disinfect the cage with diluted bleach; be sure to rinse thoroughly. Line the tray with black and white newspaper or paper towels. It is unsafe to use pine/cedar shavings, corn cob or walnut bedding.

Fertility

After acclimatization (at a temperature of about 25C, and no green foods for at least 3 weeks), the birds can be housed in an indoor, well planted and sunny aviary. An outside aviary is suitable only during the hot summer months. This species is usually quite aggressive towards other birds, so it is advisable to keep only one pair in a community aviary. The male has a soft, sweet song. These finches spend a lot of time on the ground looking for small insects, spiders, seeds and such. They build a little domed nest in a small bush. Seldom do they use a commercial wooden nest box. The hen lays 3-4 eggs which both parents incubate for about 12 days. However, quite often after 2-3 days the parents throw their young out of the nest, even when the food is right. The only way to prevent this is to give a rich variety of insects and small seeds and hope for the best.

Warnings

They have very sensitive respiratory systems and should not be exposed to cigarette smoke, aerosols, harsh cleaning products, or other toxic fumes