Cuban Bullfinch

[nicamsgb]

Hi everyone,

I recently was given 2 birds from my aunt as due to sad circumstances, it has been difficult for her to care for the birds. They are amazing. One is a very mischievous Severe macaw that we are in love with and the other is a very interesting Cuban Bullfinch that enjoys being talked to.

I never had an idea of what type of finch it was when I visited my aunts home but I know it's around 12 years of age. It sings the most beautiful songs you may ever hear, more so than canaries. I was wondering if anyone here has owned them or where I can find any information on them as pets. I can't find any online, I'm only able to find Oodle ads of them selling for a good 500 dollars. It seems it's more of a Cuban hobby to raise these birds.

Any information would be great. Thanks!

[asulli]

When I was a child and lived in Cuba this little beauties nested in my grandmothers shrubs. Here is some information:

Cuban Grassquit or
Cuban Finch






Characteristics

Olive-green. Forehead, chin, face and throat black, bordered with yellow. Lower throat yellow. Underparts dark gray. The female has a brown face. Her crown is brownish-gray. Eyes brown, beak black, legs gray brown.

Social Behaviors

Prefer to be kept in pairs only.

Housing

Finch, canary, bird of paradise, lyrebird, starling, wren, warbler, or bunting, they will need the largest cage you can afford; since they are not usually finger-tamed and spend most of their time in their cage, they need plenty of room. Cage width and depth are more important than height. Make sure the cage is zinc-safe and lead-free, with appropriate bar size and spacing. Natural hardwood branches make the best perches; sandpaper perches should never be used. Choose a variety of non-toxic wood or acrylic toys to keep your bird busy, and rotate them to avoid boredom.

Diet

These birds should be fed a variety of foods, including vitamin-fortified seed mix, dark green, leafy vegetables, yams, carrots, hard boiled eggs, and some fruit. Grit, gravel, and oyster shells should never be given. Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Vitamin supplements are not needed with this diet.

Cleaning

Tray liners should be replaced every day and the cage bottom, fittings and dishes regularly washed with hot water and soap. Once a month, disinfect the cage with diluted bleach; be sure to rinse thoroughly. line the tray with black and white newspaper or paper towels. It is unsafe to use pine/cedar shavings, corn cob or walnut bedding.

Fertility

When kept as a pair, they are peaceful aviary birds, but if the cock is kept without a mate he may terrorize the other aviary inhabitants. Strangely, at times - particularly in the wild - either the cock or the female suddenly decides to pull the nest apart, desert the eggs, or throw certain young out of the nest. Sometimes all the males, sometimes all the females, sometimes indiscriminate. This does not mean that this couple is unsuitable for breeding. The female lays 4-5 eggs which hatch in about 12-17 days. The young leave the nest but the cock will continue to feed them on his own, sometimes for more than a month. The hen generally begins a new brood.

Health

Finch, canary, bird of paradise, lyrebird, starling, wren, warbler, or bunting, they should have a complete exam by a qualified AVIAN vet at least once a year or ASAP if any bleeding, injuries, or other signs are noted. It can be hard to tell when a bird is ill, and by the time you notice a problem, the sickness is usually well-advanced. Delaying a visit with an AVIAN vet or using over-the-counter or human medicines, which mask the signs of illness, is likely to cost your bird's life.

Warnings

Finch, canary, bird of paradise, lyrebird, starling, wren, warbler, or bunting, they have very sensitive respiratory systems and should not be exposed to cigarette smoke, aerosols, harsh cleaning products, or other toxic fumes.

[nicamsgb]

Thanks for the information! However, when I googled the name it showed me another finch. Mine is Melopyrrha nigra, he's great but can only find information about them on how they live in the wild but not in captivity.

Thanks again!

[nicamsgb]

Has anyone seen them before?

Here is my little guy: