Aussie Finch Forum

am getting some new birds next month have a couple of species worked out but am tossing up between Pictorella's & Plumheads. have never had either species.
can anyone help with some basic info such as feed requirements, nesting, do they get along with other finches.
am planning on putting them into a mixed aviary

Hi Mick

I would like to start by saying i have personally never kept neither of these birds however i am bias towards Pictorella's.

From what i understand of Pics as a few friends have kept them, is that it is best to house them with Quieter birds that are inobtrusive.

They also like to be left without to much intereference.
(Not best to house in Aviaries that see alot of human traffic)

They love Maggots and White ants when breeding.

Cheers
Luke

I looked on google for pics of plumheads as I didnt know what they looked like and a green pic caught my eye, clicked on it and this popped up.

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgu ... G%26um%3D1

good link, thanks

Not currently thinking of getting these guys, but if I was that link told me all the basics I would need to know.
Thanks Butterfly.
LML

hi mick. pictas require the same as any other finch just that for breeding they require a hell of a lot more live food than most others . i currently have plumheads (2 Pair) and they seem to breed rather well with out to much extra work. fincher is your best bet to talk to he keeps both...pete

Live food beneficial to both . . An indication that young Pickies have hatched is that they will meet you at the door when you bring in the livefood tray

But . . both Pickies and Plummies will breed without livefood if enough fresh greenfood and green seeding grasses are kept up to them . . bokchoi, pakchoi, okra, and even celery are taken but in hot weather greens will need to be supplied regularly during the day and old stuff removed

Very informative article on above web-site . . and pay heed . . Nest inspection is a definite NO-NO

P.S. . . As well as the Fawn(dilute) Plumhead which is an autosomal recessive mutation, there also exists a Melanistic mutation which is most likely a/s rec as well . . Saw a photo somewhere but forgotten where so dont know whether it was in Oz or O/S

Well I'm waiting for the kids to do piano lessons and thought I'd look up the color mutations
Fawn mutationfrom Singing Wings Aviary (USA) http://www.singing-wings-aviary.com/
Melanistic Mutation at http://www.geocities.com/craigsfinches/index.html
I also saw mention of a white one but no picture

I keep both Mick.
Plumheads I have always had.Pictorellas i have had on and of over the years. They are both placid birds that would do well in a mixed collection of non intrusive birds.My plumheads always nest in the brush lined walls and are free breeders that will breed without live food.While pictorellas will use the brush on the walls or grass tussocks near the ground,And are more difficult to breed requiring live food,and more treatment for worms is needed,as they spend more time on the floor.The plumhead i find a more attractive bird especially in full sun.But are more difficult to sell as most people dont apreciate this while the picta would be slightly more sort after maybe because they are less common ?

So my thoughts would be if you want a attractive free breeder go for the plumhead.
If you want more of a challenge go for the picta.You may be lucky and get a free breading pr.
Which ever one they are interesting additions to a collection.