::: ALCON :::

SOCIETY FINCH

(PICTURE: http://www.zebrafinch.com)

As a result of human interference in the nature, the Society Finch (Lonchura domestica) is native from Japan. It’s also distributed in the China, India, Thailand and Sumatra, where exist common birds classified by Lonchura striata, almost extinguished. With the crossing making by man of several species of Lonchura, was originated the Lonchura domestica, the Society finch most common.

It’s also called in French as Moineau du Japon, in England by Bengalese finch and in Brazil by Manon. They are peaceful birds and can live very well with other species. Docile, smart and easy to care for, the Society finch is the bird indicated for whom wants to begin take care of others “Finches” as Gouldian, Zebra and Sparow, between others.

They can reach 11 cm of length. Theirs colors variable of the black to white passing trough colors as brown-chocolate and cinnamon. They can exhibit just one color (monocolor), two (bicolor) or three (tricolors). For contests, evaluated aspects are the quality of the feathers colors that should be intense and well defined, the size and the colors proportions in the body, that should not confer to this bird fat or thin impression. Because they have social lives, is much better to keep this birds in groups or at least in pairs. They’re life span is around 5 or more years.

Reproduction:
Male and female don’t have external differences. To differentiate is necessary to observe these birds in the moment that they take sun bath or water bath. Generally the males sing more, raising the head and bristling the feathers. The incubation time is 13 to 18 days and the females can lay 1 to 8 eggs. After 45 days the chicks are already independent. The Society Finches take the maternity paper seriously. Because of that, they are used as foster parents by some bird breeders who kept others finches like Gouldian and Zebras. The male alternates with the female the incubation job. External interference, as to open the nest to check the eggs, does not disturb them.

This male natural instinct of to hatch eggs, causes confusion between the persons that possess two males and are surprised when see them in another bird nest hatching the eggs, making mention to a possible homosexuality. This does not proceed, therefore, as well as it happens with the human beings, in the absence of the mother, the father assumes the responsibility.

Maintenance:
For Society maintenance a longer than necessarily high birdcage is recommended, with at least 45 cm of length for 30 cm of width and 30 cm of height. The wooden nest can have 15 cm of height and 11 cm for the sides. Dry straw, vegetal fiber or twine is good material for nest confection. A food and water bowl always clean is very important. Avoid putting the birdcage in humidity or without ventilation places. Sun is important too and let the birds be in perfect forms and colors. The Society loves to take bath, so because of that a bowl with water is a good thing to put in birdcage.

Feed:
alcon Club Pássaros Exóticos (alcon Club Exotic Birds), alcon Club Farinhada – Pássaros Frugívoros e Insetívoros (alcon Club Fruit and Insect Food), alcon Club Farinhada com Ovo para Canários (alcon Club Egg Food for Canaries), alcon Club Papa para Filhotes - Pássaros.