Plum-headed Finch

Aidemosyne modesta

Other Names: Cherry Finch, Diadem Finch, Modest Grass Finch, Plain-coloured Finch, Plum-capped Finch, Plumhead.

		DISTRIBUTION: Confined to savanna country in eastern Australia, south ot Canberra; favours grass, reeds and bushes along margins of creeks and rivers. Locally and seasonally common in southern parts. Nomadic in drier regions, sedentary near water.
A pair of Plum-headed finches. The male is on the left.	Distribution Map

IDENTIFICATION.

LENGTH = 110 mm

MALE: Upper parts olive-brown; rump and upper tail-coverts olive-brown with white bars; tail black; wing olive-brown with white spots. Top of head, forehead and chin claret-red; lores black; ear-coverts white streaked brown; cheeks white. Underparts white with thin olive-brown bars. Eye dark brown; bill black; legs pink-brown.

FEMALE: Duller than male and no claret coloured chin; white line above eye.

IMMATURES: No claret-red head markings; underparts white with almost no bars.

NESTING.

Breeds September-January in south; August-March in north. Nest round, laterally compressed chamber of green grass, sometimes lined wth feathers; measures 110 mm long, 130 mm high and 75 mm wide. Placed in tall grass stems where some blades built into nest walls. Also found in thick bushes. Eggs: five or six; pure white; 17 X 12 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.

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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Plum-headed Finch

Aidemosyne modesta

Other Names: Cherry Finch, Diadem Finch, Modest Grass Finch, Plain-coloured Finch, Plum-capped Finch, Plumhead.

A pair of Plum-headed finches. The male is on the left.

Distribution Map