Masked Finches - breeding tips

[Luís Lourenço]

Hi,

Tuesday I brought my first pair of Masked Finches, they are very nice birds and is a species that was on my "wanted list" a long time ago.
My number one goal is give everything that is essential to my birds in order to have good results on breeding season. I breed in cages, which is tricky when our priority is parent raise breeding.
I research a "little" and I'm aware that this species need good calcium supplies when breeding, disturbe as little as possibly when have eggs/chicks, like Longtails live food isn't essential but helps and green and sprouting seeds are an important part in theirs diet, specially in breeding.
There's anything else that you guys recommend?
Appreciate your help.

Cheers,

[wagga]

Hi Luis,
In my aviaries, Masks like to nest in clumps of growing grass, dried nesting grass or branches positioned below 1.2m from the ground. Small pieces of charcoal, non toxic plant species, sourced from fire place and white feather when placed in the aviary always attract attention from the Masks.

[arthur]

Often on the ground itself, up against or half under clump of grass or large stone

Masonry blocks placed about 100mm apart will be used as a nest site . . between or in the cavity . . bit heavy for a cage floor, but house bricks may be OK

Above comments apply more to White-Ears but to 'regular' Masks also on occasions

And big for the white feathers as Wagga says

[finches247]

Congrats with New Masked Finches Hope they breed for you in future.

[Luís Lourenço]

Thanks guys
I will use half open nest boxes, but I will put the charcoal and the white feathers on the cage.
My birds start breeding only in February, so I still have a bit of time to learn some stuff about them
I find that young pairs will fail at breeding at the first years, even in aviaries, do you guys agree with this?
Here's some photos of the pair:







http://lourencoaves.blogspot.pt/2012/09 ... antes.html

[Tiaris]

No. First season young pairs should normally breed fine. If they are too young they may only build a camping nest, but once they are fully coloured they are usually old enough to breed.

[finches247]

Beautiful Masks

[SamDavis]

Nice looking pair!
The first photo is excellent in terms of showing the difference between the sexes - maybe it could be added to the Masked Finch profile section. I'm usually hopeless at sexing them so have used DNA sexing for a few but that photo definitely looks like a hen on left and cock on right.
I've only recently (last 2 years) got Maskeds again and found it has taken a few nests for younger pairs to get it right. Probably a combination of young birds and new environment/diet I guess. They do seem to stress easily when moved to smaller cages (or taken to sales) - much like diamonds.

[Luís Lourenço]

Thanks guys, appreciate your help

This birds are both from 2011, hoping that will show some maturity at the breeding season. Their former owner use bengalese to foster the chicks, hopefully I will not use very often with them.
In Europe the birds are more accustomed to cages, but in breeding time is still complicated in some cases ...

The first photo is excellent in terms of showing the difference between the sexes - maybe it could be added to the Masked Finch profile section. I'm usually hopeless at sexing them so have used DNA sexing for a few but that photo definitely looks like a hen on left and cock on right.

I will not raise any objections with using the photo on the profile section
Yes Sam, you're right, the hen is on left and cock on right.

[Tiaris]

Agree very much with the stress out easily bit, them & Pictorellas seem to flap about hopelessly in a bare holding aviary.