Grass Finch

Grass Finch - Hecks or Long Tailed Finch

A busy bundle of contrasting earthy tones, with a rather sharp personality. Be careful to give plenty of space to all pairs in a mixed aviary or the Hecks could become a bully giving chase to smaller species of finch.

Description: Silver grayish head with pinky brown back and wings. Black bib, tail and band over the rump. Beak red to orange. Female similar in color with a narrower bib. Difficult to sex for most part. Mutations of color available.

Country of origin: Australia

Diet: Standard finch mix with mixed millets and canary grass. Greens and small pieces of fruit and sprouted seeds. Love live food but not essential to breeding success or health of the bird.

Housing: At least a 2 foot cage or preferably a 6 foot flight cage in a mixed aviary of passive finch. Prefer a sleeping nest for night time.

Breeding: Calcium supplements essential for the health of the hen in egg laying. They are good parents who require egg food, greens and soaked or sprouted seed in addition to their normal diet to feed their young. They prefer large wicker baskets but will accept a half open box nest. Provide nesting materials such as grasses, sisal and coco fibre. Like to be high and behind natural cover. Incubation shared by both parents and takes 14 days. Youngsters do best if allowed to remain with the parents for 10 - 12 weeks.

Recommendation: Intermediate difficulty in breeding. Give plenty of space to all birds in a mixed aviary setting and watch for bullying.