Latin Name:
Amandava amandava
Subspecies:
1. A.a. amandava
2. A.a. flavidiventris
3. A.a. punicea
Other Names:
Strawberry Finch, Tiger Finch, Red Munia, Coochin Finch
Origin:
India, Indo-China, and parts of Indonesia
Mutations:
There was an orange version in the past but it was not long lived.
Description:
The finch we call a Strawberry is most likely a hybrid of the 3 subspecies.
Adult
Length: Approx. 95 mm (a Zebra Finch is approximately 100 mm)
Colour: Refer photo/s
Weight: Approx. 10 gms
Juveniles: Similar to hen but the beak is black, and they are more brown and buff colour without white spots.
Sexing:
Dimorphic. During the breeding season the hen and cock look completely different. However the cock bird has a nuptial and an eclipse plumage. The cock will resemble the hen outside of the breeding season.
Housing:
Aviary to cabinet. They require warmth and draught free. Best results are obtained when housed in an aviary of about 3 metres long with low growing dense shrubs and tall growing grasses including potted bamboo plants. They prefer a dirt floor but it must be well drained to avoid disease. They also bath regularly so water must be kept clean at all times.
Mix:
Strawberries are one of the most peaceful finches available and are suitable for a mixed species collection in a planted aviary. They are regularly bred as a colony (3 or more pairs) or as a single pair in a large canary style cage but results may not be as good as in an aviary. Strawberries spend a lot of time snuggled up with each other and regularly engage in allopreening.
Never Mix with:
Green Strawberry, Orange Breast will hybridise
Feeding:
A good quality finch mix, seeding grasses, plane cake, insectivorous cake and some green leafy vegetables. Minimal live food require during non breeding time however when they have chicks they feed almost exclusively on live food. Use at least 2 different types (small meal worms & maggots), white ants are ideal. Sprouted seed when seeding grass is not available. Strawberries spend a lot of time on the ground so be sure to worm regularly.
Basic Breeding Info:
Cool/cold weather March to end of September triggers Strawberry Finches to go to nest and they hardly ever breed during the warmer months. However in cooler parts of Australia they may breed year round if conditions are suitable. Cock birds will still breed if in moult or eclipse plumage.
They will build a nest in a shrub or dry brush. Equally they will build a nest in a wide variety of artificial nests. In breeding cages they will use a half open wooden nest box or a cane nest. Both parent birds build a small spherical nest about 150mm in diameter with a side tunnel entrance. Nest is made of grasses and usually lined with fine soft grasses and feathers. November grass is ideal as a nest lining material. Nests may be built at any height in the aviary, except ground level. A white feather is placed at the entrance of the nest to offer privacy. They tend to breed more males than females. The females are also very delicate thus hens can be hard to come by.
Cock birds sing all the time but when courting they will carry a piece of grass in their beak and hop up and down around the hen and sing. The hen will crouch and quiver her tail toward him to indicate she is ready to mate. Copulation usually follows and takes place on the perch.
Average Clutch Size: 4 to 6 white eggs. 7 eggs are not uncommon however only about 75% are fertile.
Clutches per year: 2-3. Some Strawberry pairs are prolific breeders and eventually the hen will burn out. Therefore I remove the cock birds after 3 clutches to give the hens a rest for 2-3 months.
Incubation Period: 11 - 14 days. Incubation starts on the 5th day. Both share but only the hen incubates during the night.
Leave nest: 20 - 21 days later. Chicks don’t generally return to the nest after they fledge.
Independent: another 3 - 4 weeks. The young can be left in the aviary to become part of the colony. Otherwise leave with parents till about 4 weeks of age. Young can be rung as soon as they leave the nest.
Parenting: They are generally good parents. Pair bonding is strong. They usually try and refurbish an existing nest but the cock bird will occasionally build a new one.
Nest inspection: Moderate nest inspection is generally tolerated. Never stick your fingers in a nest!
Adult plumage: 4-6 months
Sexually mature: 9 months. Hens should be allowed time to fully mature before breeding. Best results are achieved if the hen is older than 12 months. Best breeding results are between 2nd - 5th years.
Health Issues:
Lifespan 6-8 years. Egg-binding is common during cold spells in young and very old hens. Over grown toenails and feather plucking is common when kept in small cages. Hens are very delicate and must be kept warm at all times. I would recommend indoor or heated aviaries for Southern States (cooler regions). They should not be exposed to temperatures below 15 C for prolonged periods. My female Strawberry is the first one I look for each morning during the daily head count!
Breeder Rating:
Experienced breeders
Approximate cost per pair in Australia:
Queensland: $100
New South Wales: $140
Victoria: $120
Tasmania: $120
South Australia: $140
Western Australia: $150
Red Avadavat
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