Bicheno (Owl) Finch

(Poephila Taeniopygia Bichenovii)

Common Names: Owl Finch, Bicheno Finch, Double Barred Finch

Description: The Owl Finch is a very striking Australian bird. In the normal form the face and cheeks are silver-white outlined with a black band that extends from the forehead and divides the breast of the bird from the throat. The head cap and back are a mousy brown thinly barred with dull white while the chest and under belly are cream-white. Another black bar separates the chest from the belly of the bird. Black covers the majority of the wings and they are speckled with small white dots in uniform fashion. The lower rump and upper tail converts are white and the tail is dark brown-black. The beak and legs are gray-blue while the eyes are dark brown. Both sexes look identical with only slight differences such as thickness of the chest bars or brighter white on the face and breast of the males.

Size: These are perhaps one of the smallest species of Australian birds averaging about 4 inches (10cm).

Origin: The White-rump (Dominant) species originates from Eastern Australia while the Black-rump species is home to the Kimberly regions. The two species do interbred in an area south of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Both species are slowly expanding.

Mutations/Sub-species: The Black-rumped Owl Finch (Taeniopyia Annulosa) is a sub-species which resembles the White-rumps in all appearance except for the rump being black instead of white. This species also tends to have larger white dots on the wing converts and can be slightly smaller in size.

Diet: Owl finches will thrive on a finch mix which includes a mixture of millets and seeding grasses. Fresh water, cuttlebone and grit should also be supplied at all times. Lettuce, Spinach, Chickweed, Spray Millet, Eggfood, Broccoli tops and Carrot tops can also be offered on a regular basis. I have found that this species will eat live food and seems to enjoy a variety of foods.

General Care: Do not forget to trim your Owl finch's nails on occasion and provide bath water daily.

Compatibility: This bird is a good specimen for a mixed aviary provided there is plenty of room and other birds out number the Owl finches. During the breeding season or when you have Owl finch males housed together they will become aggressive towards the same species in the presence of females. Be careful about placing Owl finches

Housing: These birds do best in a large planted aviary with mixed species. If you are wanting them to breed you can try separating them by pairs into large flights. Some heat will be required during winter months so these birds are best suited for large indoor aviaries.

Song: The male Owl Finch has a soft repetitive song which they raise their neck and start attempting around 3 months of age. Hens are not mute they do make a "meep" sound. They do not sing as often as say Zebras or Societies but can be noticed if you observe them on a regular basis.

Breeding: Owl finches can be used for breeding at around 9 months. They have been know to breed at younger ages but egg binding in hens can occur if this happens. Open style canary type nest or half-open nest boxes seem to be their preference and they will breed in breeder cages or in an aviary. You can offer them a variety of nesting material such as sisal, jute, coconut fibers, shredded paper, dried grasses and tiny twigs. Assuming you have a true pair in breeding condition the hen will lay 4-6 eggs which she will begin to incubate after the 4th egg is laid. The parent birds will take turns incubating the eggs for 12 days with both remaining in the nest together during the night. Normally after 12 days the Owl finch eggs will hatch. I have noticed that Owl finches do not seem to brood their young as long as other species of finches. It seems that after 9-12 days the parent Owls stop brooding the young with the exception of night roosting in the nest. Baby Owl finches normally leave the nest at 26-30 days old. At 5-6 weeks of age they are fully weaned and can be removed from the parent birds. Owl finches fledge with close to adult plumage unlike Gouldian finches. At 2 months old young Owl finches will display full adult plumage. If left in with parent birds that want to nest again sometimes aggression can start between parents and young. Owl finches can be fostered by Zebra or Society Finches.

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