Latin Name:
Amblynura (Erythrura) psittacea
Other Names:
Red Throated Parrot Finch, Red Headed Finch, Red Headed Parrotfinch
Mutations:
Pied, Sea Green and Pied Sea green
Description:
Adult - The body colour is almost all green. The face, cheeks and upper chest are a brilliant red.
The red colouring also appears around the rump and tail.
Juveniles - Body colour is a dull olive green. Underside of the beak is an orange colour.
There are two blue nodules on either side of the beak.
Sexing:
This species is mono-morphic, that is that cock and hen appear the same.
The most common methods used to sex these birds are: that the cock bird has a face mask that is both larger in area and deeper in colour.
The face mask of the cock bird usually extends back past the eye while the hens mask does not. Cock birds may also be slightly larger in size.
Another method that can be used is the same as that used when sexing a canary and that is to blow (gently) on the feathers around the vent area.
One of the birds has a lump in this area while the other is flat (hopefully some will be able to say which is which).
As for most species of finch though, only the cock bird will sing.
Basic Breeding Info:
Average Clutch Size: 4 - 6 eggs
Incubation Period: 14 days
Leave nest: 21 days
Approximate cost per pair in Australia:
Queensland:
Normal $75
New South Wales:
Normal $65
Pied $150
Victoria:
Normal $90
Tasmania:
South Australia:
Normal $60
Heavy Pied $250 each
Light Pied $150 each
Western Australia: