Emblema hybrid

[Myzomela]

Love those tales from the past gentlemen.

Keep them coming, please.

Perhaps we could start a new topic?

[Nrg800]

I would love to hear more of these, but maybe a topic in the Finch Lounge would be best.
Back to the original question. According to "Handbook of Avian Hybrids of the World" http://www.spinus.info/Images/books/AH743697479746.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; only lists them as having hybridised with Red-browed Finch.

Emblema pictum [Painted Firetail]
× Neochmia temporalis () [Red-browed
Firetail] CHR. BRO: probably in cen.
Queensland (Australia). Immelmann 1982;
Immelmann et al. 1977 (p. 10, citing Paul in
Australian Aviculture, Nov. 1952).

The Husbandry Manual for Painted Finches http://nswfmpa.org/Husbandry%20Manuals/ ... 0Finch.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; says:

10.4 Occurrence of Hybrids Red – browed Finch (Neochmia temporali ) male X Painted Finch( Emblema picta) female ( cf. Australian Aviculture,November 1951) (Immelmann 1965)

[spanna]

look at the reference date for that one, November 1951. That's a while back. Not to say it hasn't happened more recently though, I'd just suggest that it would be a very rare occurrence.

[natamambo]

Spanna, two++ possibilities

1) We are more conscious of the risk now, I grew up on "no redbrows and painteds in same flight", old habits are hard to break.
2) It happens but no one admits it coz of the stigma
2a) It happens and the birds die young
2b) It happens and the birds are developed as "new mutations" .

[spanna]

tis true. I keep redbrows and painteds in both my aviaries, quite often with spare young cocks and hens, and haven't had a problem yet, but I've only had redbrows for 3 years.