Aussie Finch Forum

Just wondering how available Spice finches are in Aus? How difficult are they to keep? And can they be placed in mixed aviaries (obviously not with other Munias/Nuns/Mannikins)?
Thanks, Painted4

Easy to keep do well in a small flock which is the best way to get pairs. Can be kept on normal finch seed and greens

roma9009 wrote:Easy to keep do well in a small flock which is the best way to get pairs. Can be kept on normal finch seed and greens

Thanks.
Are they available in SA at all, do you know? I've never seen any for sale.

Yes they are, but only pop up now and again

Alright, thankyou

Are spice finches allowed to be kept in SA?

Uraeginthus wrote:Are spice finches allowed to be kept in SA?

I don't know...Any reason why they wouldn't be? I just assumed they fell under the 'foreign' finch category and had no restrictions.

Local wisdom will be more accurate and reliable.
Being somewhat advanced in years, I remember SA falling to the Vertebrates Pest Act in the mid eighties. Banned were red-whiskered bulbuls and, I thought, spice finches.
That's what got me breeding both those species. I didn't want them banned simply because there were none here in Victoria.
Please, someone out there tell me I'm wrong. I would love to know the truth.
Tom

Uraeginthus wrote:Local wisdom will be more accurate and reliable.
Being somewhat advanced in years, I remember SA falling to the Vertebrates Pest Act in the mid eighties. Banned were red-whiskered bulbuls and, I thought, spice finches.
That's what got me breeding both those species. I didn't want them banned simply because there were none here in Victoria.
Please, someone out there tell me I'm wrong. I would love to know the truth.
Tom

Now that you mention it, I couldn't find any reference to them (or Bulbuls) in any SA price guide or other literature.
If that is the case, its a real shame, quite the beautiful looking finch, IMO

Uraeginthus wrote:Local wisdom will be more accurate and reliable.
Being somewhat advanced in years, I remember SA falling to the Vertebrates Pest Act in the mid eighties. Banned were red-whiskered bulbuls and, I thought, spice finches.
That's what got me breeding both those species. I didn't want them banned simply because there were none here in Victoria.
Please, someone out there tell me I'm wrong. I would love to know the truth.
Tom

Just did some research, and you are correct, I believe...Spice finch and Red-whiskered Bulbuls are prohibited in SA
That being said, the Indian Ringneck is also in the same category, but is allowed to be kept as a aviary bird....Not quite sure how they figured that, but i'm sure they have their reasons.