Many so-called finch cages are not adequate to house a Diamond Sparrow for more than a few days, as a travel or hospital cage. Life expectancy in captivity is 5 years on average, but can approach 10 years. DIAMOND FIRETAIL FINCH. The Diamond Firetail finch — known also as the Diamond Sparrow — is a medium-sized grass finch found in south-eastern Australia in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and southernmost Queensland. Niger seed and hulled oats can be offered. If the birds do become extinct, it is hoped that wild stocks may be replenished from captive populations. The bird's tail is also black. Diamond firetail finches can be bred in a colony of their own kind or in a mixed collection with other finches. Diamond Firetail Finches have a reputation of becoming somewhat lazy or even overweight if kept in a cage. Providing a large enclosure designed to maximize exercise and feeding an austerity diet when not breeding will help to prevent this. Diamond Firetails are part of the finch family and look like they have been coloured in by a 7-year-old. Diamond Firetails – Gems of the Australian Bush May 19, 2017 Published in Husbandry Written by Gary Fitt Permalink ; As a group, the brilliantly coloured firetail finches cover a spectrum from widespread and common (red-brow, painted) to more restricted and rare (beautiful firetail, red-eared firetail). They live in large flocks, often among other grassfinch species, but break into pairs or small groups during the breeding season. The Diamond Firetail is an Australian finch that dares you to ignore it – with its bright red beak, sparkling black and while flanks and forthright personality, this isn’t a quiet little finch that disappears into the bushes. ... During the breeding season the hens will develop a pinker beak but usually when the bird is around 3-4 years of age! Given the right diet and conditions are good breeders. Alternate Names: Diamond, Diamond finch, Diamond Sparrow. The diamond firetail is a finch that has a fiery red bill, eyes, and rump. The Diamond Firetail is an attractive finch, predominately black and white with a light grey back and a fiery red rump. In a rare departure from most female birds, female Firetails are not the usual dull brown – they have the same colouring as the males. By Doug Hill & Marcus Pollard . There is concern that the beautiful firetail finch may become extinct in the wild, so aviculturists are trying to ensure their survival by breeding them in captivity. Mealworms, small cockroaches and small crickets are commonly used. It’s native habitat is inland from the coast of southern Queensland through New South Wales on the western side of the Great Dividing Range through into Victoria and into South Australia. If housed in a cage, Diamond Firetail finches become inactive and are prone to obesity. Sprouted or soaked seed if available. So beware of this method! Grit, charcoal, cuttlebone and crushed fowl shells are available all year round. At this time they receive live food twice a week (mealworms, maggots and termites) green food three times a week. Their bright scarlet tail feathers and white spotty sides make them very distinctive and easy to recognise. Just below the throat, it has a thick black band that extends horizontally until it reaches the lower part of the wings which are also black with white spots. They may become depressed and inactive if crowded too much, and a colony kept in a confined space may even start feather-picking each other. apple) and green leafy vegetables. Stagonopleura guttata. The Diamond firetail finch requires a good quality finch mix, seeding grasses and some fruits (e.g. Live food is essential especially at breeding season. Unfortunately beautiful firetails are incredibly difficult to keep in captivity, let alone getting them to breed.
Nests suitable are nest boxes they will also breed in thickets of bush if your aviary is planted. Breeding Diamond Firetail Finches.
My Painteds receive a standard Finch mix during the non-breeding season. There is also a black eye band that starts at the beak and ends right at the eye.