Society Finch Origins

Includes Species Profile
User avatar
Tintola
...............................
...............................
Posts: 1700
Joined: 08 Mar 2011, 21:12
Location: Murwillumbah1l

It used to be believed that the Society finch was a fertile hybrid whose original parentage was lost in antiquity. DNA testing has shown that the Society finch (Bengalese) is a domesticated version of the White-Rumped munia.

Another interesting site on society finch origins.http://www.efinch.com/species/whiterump.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
OH LORD, SAVE ME FROM YOUR FOLLOWERS!Image
User avatar
djb78
...............................
...............................
Posts: 1097
Joined: 26 Apr 2011, 08:11
Location: melton vic

Are their origins based from asia/India area, that's what I've been lead to believe, just want to make sure that what I've read has been correct.
Danny
User avatar
Fuyutski
...............................
...............................
Posts: 15
Joined: 19 Jul 2010, 21:35
Location: Liverpool, NSW

Late reply, but rather from Bengal/India, Society Finches actually trace their domestication to China. Apparently, they were sought after due to their easily domestication and nice soothing song. :)
Image
User avatar
E Orix
...............................
...............................
Posts: 2740
Joined: 29 May 2009, 23:30
Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
Location: Howlong NSW

I was of the opinion that they were a fertile hybrid from two Munias one from memory was the Sharp Tailed Munia the other I am not sure
They first appeared in China year dot.They evolved to where they are now by the Japanese from nearly year dot.
But their growth and popularity extends only about 50 years because the Japanese developed them as the foster parents for their Gouldians
Possibly 20/30 years ago they had literally thousands of Bengalese in the Gouldian Breeding factories.
This humble little bird has done our hobby a great service.
User avatar
Roland Cristo
...............................
...............................
Posts: 21
Joined: 20 Apr 2011, 02:17
Location: Calif,USA

DITTO!!!!!!!!!!
Roland



E Orix wrote:I was of the opinion that they were a fertile hybrid from two Munias one from memory was the Sharp Tailed Munia the other I am not sure
They first appeared in China year dot.They evolved to where they are now by the Japanese from nearly year dot.
But their growth and popularity extends only about 50 years because the Japanese developed them as the foster parents for their Gouldiand
Possibly 20/30 years ago they had literally thousands of Bengalese in the Gouldian Breeding factories.
This humble little bird has done our hobby a great service.
User avatar
Aussie_Bengo
...............................
...............................
Posts: 237
Joined: 31 Oct 2011, 19:01
Location: Cherrybrook NSW
Contact:

I agree with the opening comments that the Bengalese or Society Finch is a domesticated form of the White Rumped Munia. The easy breeding character of the Society is due to the very long history of domestication and the various colour mutations can be explained by selective breeding of the species over time, we see many of our aviary birds such as the Ruddie, and Cordon Bleu displaying pied markings since being selectively bred and there are plentiful examples of colour mutations for practically every species of finch that has been kept and selectively bred in Aviculture. Some of the Bengalese in the UK and the U.S. are in fact a Hybrid that was developed to bring out some of the features of the Bengo and it is called the "Euro" Society. In Australia we have never received an import of this hybrid strain.

As mentioned by Tintola it is now commonly accepted in the Scientific community that the Bengalese Finch is in fact a domesticated strain of the White Rumped Munia (Below)
White Rumped Munia1.jpg

It has been an early misconception that the Bengalese is a "hybrid bitsa" and this was fueled by the marked differences in colour and appearance to other Lonchura species and we now know from our own experiences that this is quite a common phenomenon in keeping domesticated birds. When you compare the White Rumped Munia to a good example of a well marked "pure" Chocolate Self Bengalese (Below), it is hard to argue that they are far removed from each other at all.
Choc 6e.jpg
And if you think it's all a bit of BS then that's OK too! ;-)

Cheers!
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
finchbreeder
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Posts: 11489
Joined: 27 Jun 2009, 20:00
Location: Midwest of West. Aust. Coast
Location: Midwest of West.Aust.Coast

I don't care where Bengos came from. I keep and breed them because they are great little birds and I can work on breeding the colours/mutations I like. :thumbup: But as you say Aussie those 2 pics sure look like siblings.
LML
LML
User avatar
Aussie_Bengo
...............................
...............................
Posts: 237
Joined: 31 Oct 2011, 19:01
Location: Cherrybrook NSW
Contact:

Here is a link to an excellent article on this topic by Queensland Breeder and a founding member of the Queensland Bengalese Breeders Society, the late Mark Shipway that I am posting on my Blog in stages..

http://aussiebengos.blogspot.com/search ... %20Shipway


Cheers
User avatar
finchbreeder
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Posts: 11489
Joined: 27 Jun 2009, 20:00
Location: Midwest of West. Aust. Coast
Location: Midwest of West.Aust.Coast

Interesting and logical. Mr. Spock would approve. (Live long and prosper)
LML
LML
User avatar
Danny
...............................
...............................
Posts: 794
Joined: 02 May 2011, 08:04
Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD
Contact:

Aussie_Bengo wrote:And if you think it's all a bit of BS then that's OK too! ;-)

Cheers!
I can only assume BS=Bengalese story
Post Reply

Return to “Society Finch”