What type of finch is this?

[Domenic]

I'm thinking the original poster owns either St. Helena's or Black Rumped and only used this picture as an example. Do yours have black beaks Mimi? If not then they are either of the two I listed. The way to tell is that St. Helenas (also common waxbills) have stripes all over their body, and Black-rumped (also red-eared) have no stripes.

[Mimi]

Wow. Bird owner here.



Okay! I am so excited about the response!! I am the bird owner and I was unclear about the mirad of details!! I am a newbie!

The beak is red. So I am thinking Mt. St. Helen's. I can't get a photo of the actual bird but it is just like Cindy's picture. It would be the one on the right.

[cindy]

They are St Helena for sure then....if you are planning on breeding them give the a large bamboo canary nest, lots of long Coco fiber. They will fill the nest up and close off the front into a little circle. Then the male builds a nest on top of the bamboo nest that almost looks like the bamboo nest, that is what they call the cock's nest, he stays in that while she sits. It is really neat to watch them build ths out, they are very private birds so put you nest within some silks.

This is an older posting with the nest and male's quarters

http://www.finchforum.com/viewtopic.php ... =st+helena

[CandoAviary]

And here you had me excited about seeing/learning of a species I was not familiar with Oh well, enjoy your st. helenas

[Ursula]

Cindy, the birds in your picture actually look more like Black-rumped to me, which is what I have. They look just like mine. The St. Helenas have stripes all over the body. Maybe that's just not visible in this photo?

Again, like Sally said, compare the pictures: http://www.finchinfo.com/birds/finches/ ... axbill.php

[annague]

It is a black rump. I have had a pair for 3 years and they are amusing, lovely tiny little finches. Red beak for adults, black beaks for babies (if you are so lucky!) -- no stripes -- also called a red-eared waxbill.

Flighty little birds -- super fast and nimble fliers -- do not sit long at all on their eggs being from a very hot climate -- the male likes to court the female when there is some sort of stress going on (a BIG SCARY MONSTER near the cage) then he chases her making his mating calls and puffing up very comically. Mine is called Bandit and his little hen is WasherWoman. WasherWoman tolerates her proud and stern mate and lays eggs prolifically for him. He is by far the most elaborate and sturdy nest builder I have ever known.

Watch out for other birds bullying them or stealing their nest --

Have fun!!

[monotwine]

I find these finches that look similar confusing to identify.

If I am not ovely confused then these pics I took of birds I used to keep are St. Helena (Which I know as common Waxbills) They common waxbill is the only one that occurs naturally in my area and these that I took pics of looked exactly the same.
They have definite stripped patterning in their feathering.

Very busy little birds indeed.

[annague]

Yes you're right -- the stripes are visible in the picture now.

Still, very fun birds -- I love mine.