Pictorella Mannikin

DISTRIBUTION:

A pair of Pictorella Mannikins. The male is on the left.

Distribution Map

IDENTIFICATION.

LENGTH = 110 mm

MALE: Upper part grey-brown; wings, rump and tail dusky brown. Face and throat glossy black edged around ear-coverts with pale cinnamon-buff. Breast white mottled with black; belly and undertail-coverts purple-buff. Eye dark brown; bill blue-grey; legs flesh coloured.

FEMALE: Throat and face brown-black; breast more heavily barred with black.

IMMATURES: Dark brown-grey above, paler below. Bill brown-black.

NESTING. 

Breeds April-May in east of range; January-April in remainder. Nest bottle-shaped with short entrance tunnel and thick walls; 250 mm long, 120 mm high and 120 mm wide, with tunnel 100 mm long; made of fine grass stems; placed in low bushed or tussocks of Spinifex, close to ground. Eggs: four to six; white; 16 X 11 mm.

FORMS. 

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.

These are recommendations only and individual breeders may have different dimensions and specifications.