Owl Finch

The owl finch, also known as the double-barred or Bicheno finch, is characterized by a dark patch around their face. It gives them a barn owl like appearance, gaining them the name ‘owl’ finch. The males and females of the species looks almost the same, whereas the young ones have a more brownish appearance.

Scientific Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Estrildidae
Genus	Taeniopygia
Scientific name	Taeniopygia bichenovii

Quick Information
Distribution	Northern and Eastern Australia
Habitat	Dry savannah grasslands and shrub lands
Subspecies	Taeniopygia bichenovii bichenovii Taeniopygia bichenovii annulosa
Color	White, black, brown
Size	10cm to 11cm
Weight	7g to12g
Diet	Seeds
Lifespan	5 to 7 years
Egg hatching time	12 days
Clutch size	3 to 6 eggs
Fledging	19 to 26 days
Singing Ability	Seen only in males
Temperament	Active, Gregarious
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern

Mutations

The different color mutations of the Bicheno finch include:

• White-rumped
• Black-rumped
• Chocolate-Self
• Red-Brown
• Creamino
• Black-Brown
• Dominant and Recessive Pied
• Fawn Pied
• Crested Chocolate Pied
• Dilute Fawn Pied

Owl finch pet care

Being friendly and gregarious, they are a good pet choice, especially for first-time bird owners.

Housing

These active finches are to be kept in spacious cages or large planted aviaries. Soft wood or branches form a good perch option.  As they love building their own nests, a half-opened nest box or wicker nest basket should be placed in the cage, along with some coconut fiber and dry grass for nesting material.

Substrate

Paper substrates should be placed at the bottom of the cage and changed on a daily basis.

Temperature

As they cannot bear excessive heat or cold, a cool, shady place is well suited for them. When kept indoors, a temperature of more than 65°F is essential for them. During the cold winter months they are to be kept in a heated shelter.

Temperament

These sociable, friendly, energetic finches are swift climbers, flying around freely when kept in large cages, whereas small enclosures make them panic. Being curious in nature they go forward to check any new addition to their dwellings. They do well with other species, having a similar temperament and size as theirs; however, they dislike being crowded. The male finches become aggressive with one another in the female’s presence during breeding.

Feeding

They should be provided with a mixed diet of soaked or sprouted seeds, spray millet, carrot tops, broccoli tops, chickweed, spinach, lettuce, egg food, cuttlebone, and grit. The birds are also fond of small mealworms. Fresh, clean water is to be kept at the foot of the cage.

Health problems

Like all other finches, they too may suffer from air-sac mite, scaly face, and egg-binding. Overgrown beaks and nails is another common condition that needs to be addressed by a vet or professional groomer.

Price

The price for an owl finch is around $100.

Interesting facts

• The finches were named ‘Bicheno’ after James Ebenezer Bicheno, the colonial secretary of Van Diemen’s Land.
• The only way to determine the monomorphic species is through their song, which is only seen in the males.
• Both genders exhibit an amusing meowing call similar to a cat.
• Though the birds generally make good parents, they are sometimes known to throw baby birds out of the nest.

References:

http://www.finchinfo.com/genetics/owl_bicheno_finch/index.php

http://birdcare.com.au/double_bar_finch.htm

https://beautyofbirds.com/owl-finches/

https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/species/owl-finch/

http://www.efinch.com/species/owl.htm

http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/species/owl_finch.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-barred_finch