Common Name |
Shaft Tail, Long-Tailed Finch |
Latin Name |
Poephila acuticauda |
Average Lifespan |
8 Years |
Average Length |
5 - 6 Inches |
Average Weight |
23 Grams |
Song Type |
Somewhat Pleasant |
Noise Level & Vocalization
A series of flute-like, soft notes ending in a mournful note
Physical Features
Black bib, grey head, brown wings and back, pinkish-brown belly and breast, white rump, black thighs, orange legs, and black tail
Aviary Compatibility
Although these birds mix well with other shaft-tail finches or other finch species, they may occasionally become aggressive to smaller finches like Waxbills during their breeding season.
Diet
These birds love feeding on sprouted seeds, eggfood, spray millets, chickweed, spinach, and lettuce. They should be provided with grit, cuttlebone, and fresh water regularly.
Care
These birds are not known to survive in cold temperatures (below 15 degree Celsius). Therefore, they should be kept indoors or they should be provided with heated shelters if kept outdoors during the winter. Shaft-tail finches dislike being kept in damp conditions.
These finches adapt to captivity quite readily, which make them a good prospects for mixed aviaries. To ensure that these finches remain healthy, the keepers should provide them with adequate space in their enclosures that give them the opportunity to fly.
Housing
Shaft-tails can be bred in large aviaries or single-pair flight cages. By housing the pairs separately in cages, better breeding results can be easily obtained. Each pair can be kept in 36X20X20 inch cages with bamboo covering. Although these birds love sunbathing, they should be provided with shaded areas within their enclosure.
Breeding Information
Age of Maturity |
9 Months |
Breeding Aviculture |
Common |
Average Clutch Size |
4 - 7 Eggs |
Nest Box |
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Breeding Life |
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A shaft-tail finch pair should be provided with several nesting options because they prefer to roost at night in their nests. They often accept finch nestboxes and birdhouse gourds placed high in their enclosure to lay deep in or hide. These birds use different kinds of nesting materials like dried grasses, shredded paper, coconut fiber, and feathers for constructing their nests. They usually dislike nest built by their keepers and may tear it out.
Wild Status
Stable - Least Concern