Long-tailed Finch

Poephila acuticauda

Other Names: Black-heart Finch, Heck's Finch, Long-tailed Grass Finch, Orange-billed Finch, Orange-billed Grass Finch.

		DISTRIBUTION: Fairly common in dry savanna of northern Australia, especially along creeks.
Long-tailed Finch	Distribution Map

IDENTIFICATION.

LENGTH = 150 mm

MALE: Crown blue-grey; back and wings fawn-brown; rump black; upper tail-coverts white; tail black. Ear patch blue-white; throat and upper breast black; lower breast and belly fawn; lower belly and undertail-coverts white; black band from rump down to lower flanks. Eye brown; bill yellow in western race, red-orange in east; intermediate colour in those in between; legs red-orange.

FEMALE: Similar to male but throat patch smaller.

IMMATURES: As adults, but duller, with bill and legs black.

NESTING.

Breeds January-May. Nest flask-shaped, 200 mm long, 130 mm high and 110 mm wide, with entrance tunnel 75 mm long. Made of dried grass stems, largest on outside and smallest on inside; lined with white plant fibre and feathers; built in twigs at top of eucalypts and sometimes pandanus. Eggs: four or five; pure white; 16 X 12 mm.

FORMS.

There are two forms recognised in aviculture these are the Diggles and the Heck's Longtail.

AVIARY BREEDING.

NESTING TYPES: I have found that these birds will nest almost anywhere although they will usually prefer a nest box including parrot nest boxes rather than build a nest of their own. I have seen these birds build nests in tea tree branches and planted trees but very rarely. Best results have been from boxes 150 mm square X 125 mm high with a 40 mm access hole in the front and a small landing platform just below the entrance. (See the Plans page for more information)

FEEDING: A general finch mix is ideal for this bird. Birds will also readily take seeding grasses and live food. However I have had seen these birds breed successfully with just a mixed seed diet. Egg and biscuit will also be taken readily.

OTHER FEEDS: Cuttlebone and shell grit should be supplied at all times.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: There are no special requirements for this species. However care should be taken not to house this species with the Masked Finch or the Long-tailed Finch or any of the subspecies.

AVIARY SPECIFICATIONS.	WIRE MESH: 1/4 x 1/4 or 6 mm x 6 mm	Also known as mouse wire
LENGTH: 11ft 6in or 3575 mm	WIDTH:6ft or 1800 mm	HEIGHT: 8ft or 2400 mm
SHED: Half the aviary should be enclosed. These are recommendations only and individual breeders may have different dimensions and specifications.	FLOOR: I have found a dirt floor preferable.	OTHER:

BREEDER SUBMISSIONS.
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Long-tailed Finch

Poephila acuticauda

Other Names: Black-heart Finch, Heck's Finch, Long-tailed Grass Finch, Orange-billed Finch, Orange-billed Grass Finch.

Long-tailed Finch

Distribution Map