Society Finch

The society Finch (Lonchura Striata domestica), also called the Bengalese finch or Japanese Movchen, belonging to the estrildid finch family, is a cage bird not found in the wild. This monomorphic species is characterized by a chocolate body along with a black-silver beak.

Society Finch

Scientific Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Estrildidae
Genus	Lonchura
Species	L. striata
Scientific Name	Lonchura striata domestica

Quick Information
Color	Chocolate brown pied, fawn
Size	10cm to 12cm
Weight	15gm to 20gm
Diet	Cereal seeds, millets, grass seeds
Egg hatching time	About 16 days
Clutch size	3 to 8 eggs
Fledging	20-25 days
Singing Ability	Seen in males
Conservation Status	Domestic

Society Finch Images

Mutations

The several color mutations this active species comes in are mentioned below:

Red-brown
Chocolate self
Black-brown
Creamino
Fawn self and fawn pied
Chestnut pied
Bay crested
Dilute fawn pied
Red-eyed fawn pied
White and fawn
Dominant and Recessive pied
Pearl with crest
Chocolate gray self

Society finch pet care

These active, energetic, easy-to-manage and affordable birds are a delight to watch and listen to, forming great pets for first-timers.

Housing

A large, spacious well-ventilated cage will be well suited for the society finches. However, it is to be kept away from doors and windows to prevent direct sunlight and also protected from cold drafts. Wooden or natural perches along with cage accessories helps in keeping the bird entertained, however overcrowding of their cage is to be avoided.

Society Finch Housing

Society Finch Nest

Substrate

Newspaper, grit paper, and paper towels are to be used as cage substrates and changed on a regular basis, to ensure proper hygiene. Hay or grass forms good nest box substrates.

Temperature

Being unable to withstand a very cold environment, a temperature of 75°F is suitable for them.

Lighting

Proper lighting is essential to keep your finch healthy. In fact, if the cage or aviary is indoors then full- spectrum lighting is needed. Placing the lighting on a timer helps the bird to produce Vitamin D also facilitating molting and reproduction process.

Society Finch Photos

Society Finch Pictures

Temperament

These sociable birds love being together, with most of them cuddling into one nest at night when kept in a big group. Differing in temperament, some of them fly about in their dwelling place, whereas others tend to shy away when someone comes near the cage. Being non-aggressive in nature, they are the first to back out when attacked by any other species. Their high tolerance level makes them suitable to be foster parents to other finch species.

Feeding

A healthy finch diet includes cereal seeds, canary grass seeds, millets, spinach, lettuce, spray millet, chickweed, carrot tops, egg food and broccoli tops. Apple slices, melons, and grapes are enjoyed by them. Crushed egg shell, oyster shell, and cuttlebones form a good calcium source. Provide your society finch with grits if it can digest it well. Fresh water supply is necessary as they may die on not getting water for over 24 hours.

Society Finch Eggs

Society Finch Breeding

Society Finch Babies

Care

Provide them with lukewarm chlorine-free water to bathe in on a regular basis. Some of them also prefer to be sprayed upon by a plant spray. Trim their nails when required, making sure to keep some styptic powder handy in case your finch bleeds in this process.

Health problems

Improper hygiene and unhealthy living conditions result in certain health problems. A common disorder in them is albinism where the finch has white feathers and pink eyes. Other ailments that are common to most finches are mites, concussion, heat stroke, cramps, cold, egg binding and so on. Some symptoms of illness include abnormal-colored droppings, ruffled feathers, and lessened appetite.

Price

A society finch will cost you between $15-$40.

Society Finch Birds

Interesting facts

Though there is no concrete evidence about their origin, it is said to have been developed by the Chinese in the 1700s and later popularized in Japan.
Females have a raspy voice, their call resembling that of a cricket.
The first specimens of the Society finch to be introduced in Europe were a pair of white birds that had been brought to the London Zoo in 1860.
Through a DNA study, it has been observed that their origination may have been from the white-rumped munia.