diamond firetails and "winter grass"

[debbie276]

Ahhhh, good to know

[wildbill]

Mick M.

the 3 to 5 red rump parrots arrive early morning and late evening to feed on the seed that i'd thrown in the centre of the yard. sometime along with about 15 or so these wild top knot pigeons. these wild birds are most likely feeding young so its an easy meal.


all diamond sparrow are from my aviary

[wildbill]

debbie276

cut the stalks into 3 to 4 inch lengths and push it through the wire. it spits them open and they will be straight into it

[Sally]

Thanks for the photos, wildbill, this should be a great help to those who have wondered what is meant by green seeding grasses. And I need to get off my chair and start collecting. I have a big pasture, though now the season is at an end, but winter grasses will soon start up.

[lou]

Those are canary grass seed stalks, am I correct?
lou

[beachbird]

I have seen this type of grass in my yard and had no idea that finches loved it so much. Thanks Wildbill for all the time and effort you took to show us just what it looked like and to show us your birds. They are just beautiful. Amazing really. I am going out tomorrow to search for winter grass. May be a little early here yet though. Still gets in the high 70's.

[wildbill]

lou

that's a wild strain of 'rye' grass. we do have a wild version of sub species canary but not out yet.

now here's some photos i took today of the fawn diamonds. at the moment the colony has 30 odd members with approx 12 plus young. these young are very very flighty!

cock bird in the fawn mutation



one way to pick the male - display mode



head feathers up and standing tall



note bird eating the corn. in my aviary this sign is a guarantee that they have young in the nest. if i place corn in and it's not touched - no young! young bird in photo -out about two days



looking into photo -wire section. this was once filled with grass. these diamonds pull it apart. reason up high -stops the grass getting soiled by bird droppings.

[debbie276]

More wonderful pictures!
thanks for sharing

[Sally]

wildbill

Is it only the Diamonds that will eat corn only when feeding youg? Or do other species do the same?

[wildbill]

Sally

apart from the diamonds the only other birds which i have that eat corn are the dilute tri colour parrot finches or over your way the forbes. in fact all parrot finches love corn.

now for the corn i buy the frozen 1kg or 2lb packet from the supermarket - never used cobs etc - small handful in a cup and microwave for 30 seconds.

photo of the dilutes



the nest



split dilute male



@debbie276

thanks for your nice comments

[wildbird]

Great pictures Wildbill. I've always been afraid to feed grass seeds from the yard to my birds. Are there some weed & grass seeds that aren't good for birds? Where can I get some green millet spray? Your birds are so pretty!

[wildbill]

wildbird

here in OZ some of the pet shops carry it in their freezer units. better still if you have a spare patch of ground just throw in some white millet -keep it well watered and in no time your on the way to a good crop and a nice source of food/treat for the birds.
pick it in the green to yellowing stage then bag and place in the freezer. will keep for months. when ready to use thaw it out and toss in the aviary. birds will flock to it.
regards

[Mands]

I don't care about the grasses Bill - I want all of the birds, so so pretty. Remember, I am just a state away and will pay top $$$$$$$$$ come on my fellow Aussie

[Mands]

wildbill

Can you tell me why they can't have millet spray every day? They love it and strip it bare but I've been told not to give it too often

[wildbill]

Mands

mands - you can buy what ever you want and i hold nothing against you being for victoria. on a brighter note - your millet advise - was it for the green or dry spray. i;d say green but let me know