Plum-Headed Finch

Scientific name: Aidemosyne modesta
Family: Fringillidae
Order: Passeriformes
Class: Aves

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The male Plum-Headed Finch is about 11cm long. It is deep olive brown above and has a plum colored forehead and crown. The throat, however, has a darker plum patch. It also has white wing and tail coverts. The underside is white with a zebra like olive brown pattern. It has black tail feathers and a short black beak (Everelm, 1989). The female has a more drab color variation. Also, the female lacks the plum patch on throat (Harman, 1978). The one distinct characteristic of the female is a white line above and behind the eye (Edwards, 2000).

DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:

The Plum-Head is found naturally in the plains and swamps of inland Eastern Australia (Koepff, 1984). This includes the areas of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. However, it has been distributed in England as a pet. It is possible that there are some expatriated populations outside of Australia due to escaped pet birds.

BEHAVIOR:

The Plum-headed finch is very bouncy and quick moving. It also seems to like the protection of small bushes. It is said to be good in temper, and may make a good companion with other species of finches (Koepff, 1984).

DIET:

This species tends to be an undemanding feeder. (The Waltham Centre for Pet Care and Nutrition). Finches usually consume seeds, fruits, vegetables, insects, and some eggs. They are also known to consume grit to aid digestion, as many other birds do(Viner, 1998). 

BREEDING AND NESTING:

Mating season in the wild is from September to February (Xoom.Com). This finch may lay four to six eggs per clutch (Harmon, 1978). Mating is usually for life, however, some may take a new mate in the event the old mate meets an untimely demise (Xoom.Com). In captivity, the Plum-head or Cherry Finch has hybridized with the Zebra Finch, the Long-tailed Grass Finch, the Bicheno Finch, the Bengalese Finch, and the Indian Silverbill. There is not much information on the fertility of these hybrids (Berg, 2000). 

Wild Population:

Although not on the endangered species list, the Plum-Headed finch is an approved captive bred species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2000).

Suggested Reading:

Berg, Gary (20 July 1997). Cross Breeding Best of Finch Lovers. Online. Internet. 25 February 2000. Available http://plaza.powersurfr.com/bw/bestffinchlovers/fl-br-crossbrd.htm

Edwards, Dave. Sexing Australian Finches. Finch Articles. Online. Internet. 25 February 2000. Available http://www.ozemail.com.au/~qfs/qfsartsexfinch.htm

Everelm, Curt. Finches. Neptune City: T.H.F. Publications. 1989.

Harman, I. & Vriends, M.M. All about Finches and Related seed eating birds. Neptune City: T.F.H. Publications. 1978.

Koepff, ChristaThe New Finch Handbook. Woodbury: Barrons. 1984.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wild Bird Conservation Act. Approved Captive Bred Species List. Online. Internet. 25 February 2000. Available http://international.fws.gov/global/wbcaacbs.html

Viner, Bradley. All About Your Finch. Hong Kong: Barrons. 1998.

The Waltham Centre for Pet Care and Nutrition. Cherry Finch. The Waltham Centre For Pet Care and Nutrition. 25 February 2000. Online. Internet. Available http://waltham.com/waltham/gallery/wg308.htm

Xoom. Com. Plum Headed Finch. Xoom.com. Online. Internet. 25 February 2000. Available http://members.xoom.com/XMCM/myaviary/Finches/plumhead.htm

(Mahalo to Leeward Community College's Zoology 101 Class for their contribution)