Aussie Finch Forum

I had three Plummies leave the nest mid November last year and I was wondering how long the cock birds take to develop the patch under the beak. I thought they were three hen birds until about five weeks ago when I noted that one of them was getting darker feathers under the beak. I now have another one which is yet to develop darker feathers but I watched it crowing today.....surely they would colour up before now? Any thoughts?

Plumheads around six months to usually be fully coloured up

It does sound like yours have taken longer to colour than normal. I find you can usually see a dark feather or two appearing under the chin after a month or two, but you need to have the bird in your hand - hard to pick from a distance. Or just sell them quick while they're still hens!

I know its a long wait. But when I had plumheads I would wait till the next clutch started to colour to be 100% sure. ...pete

Sam, yep me thinks it is longer than normal. The joke will be on me as I have been actively trying to find an unrelated cock to go with the "hen" (as opposed to selling her/him).

Pete, the parents are hunting for a nest site at the moment so the time lines you suggest are nigh....maybe have to be a little more patient.