FINCHforum

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen!

I was at the pet store picking up some food last night, and noticed these two little ones in a cage (OK...so I ventured into the bird room!). The labels on the cage said, "Indian Silverbills" and "Java Finches." While I did see ONE Indian Silverbill and severl Javas, there were also several Societies, and these two little ones that I do NOT think are Indian Silverbills....I have an Indian Silverbill, and these two were more of a rosy color as opposed to the basic brown and off-white. I think they might be African Silverbills....

Your thoughts are appreciated!

This article might help:

http://www.efinch.com/species/silverbill.htm (if the rosey pink is in the rump area it could be a hybrid)
http://www.finchworld.com/Silvertalk.html (this tells the difference in all three types) (if the rosey color is in the upper body it could be a pearl-headed silverbill)

can you get a close, clear photo of them?

Thank you Cindy!

Right off the bat when I looked at them, I was surprised at how "rosy" their breasts look compared to my Indian Silverbill. There was also one Indian Silverbill in the cage with them - clearly an Indian Silverbill - and they looked definitely different to me. The color difference was in their chest/breast in my opinion. Not sure I can get back to the pet store today...I will try!

Thank you again Cindy!

In my opinion, based on the pictures, I would say African Silverbills. I have two Indian Silverbills, and yours look much darker in color than mine.

http://www.scapnl.com/index.php?option= ... 20&Itemid=

check this addy for some common african silverbills here , the pictures you showing are for sure african silverbills but .... the " rose " color could be a mixed breed with the indian species ... its easy to see when you have the birds in your hand , check the little white feathers under the tail , if they are not 100 percent white you have a mixed breed !! how i know , well i had this species for years and had every year more than 200 young ones , i actualy did very good with them in national and world championships ... another thing : there's no difference between male n female .. only the male will sing

good luck

ray

You are all so kind and helpful! Thank you very much!