Need Help Identifying this Fire Finch

[annague]

I am going to attach pictures of a little Firefinch I rescued. The lady thought he was a Black-Bellied Firefinch -- she also thought he was a she! I don't think this is a Black-Bellied Firefinch; it doesn't look or sing like my other Black Bellies I've had.

It is molting right now so looks a little scruffy -- I think it may be a hybrid?

Can someone help me identify this poor little guy? He sings the most beautiful haunting song (not a one note slide like my other Firefinches). I don't have any Finch Books or anything -- need to buy a nice one so I'd appreciate some assistance.

Is this a little hybrid?

[lovemyfinch]

I know nothing about firefinches Anna, but those spots are really making me wonder

[annague]

Fardad, I was hoping you'd help me out. Thank you! I will also post after his molt. He is such a lovely singer if he is pure blood I would like to find him a little female!

I'll have to look up those varieties you gave me on the net and see what I can find out.

[annague]

Fardad, (or anyone who may be able to help) I did look at the Firefinch website that you had previously posted a link to and looked at the pictures -- of course they didn't have a picture of L.R. Ugandae but they did of L.R. Haematocephala.

My question is: are both these species fairly common firefinches -- should I be able to find him a hen fairly easily?

Thank you!

[Jan]

The Blue Billed along with the Red Billed, Black Bellied, & the Black Faced Fire Finches are fairly common imports at this time.. All are pretty inexpensive with the Black Faced being a little more expensive

[Jan]

I look at it a little different, a little longer term view on the flood of these African imports... I'm doing my best to acquire as many of each species as I can, while I can... It is my firm belief, & has been for several years that this import stuff will come to an end.. Any type of epidemic that can be tied to any species of bird will halt all imports for an extended period of time and it may never be as it is now.. What I am doing is learning as much as I can about each species during this period.. Some will mix the various sub species & that is a shame, however those of us that are really trying to develop sustainable finch species in captivity are having the best opportunity in years.. When I see those baby Strawberry finches Sally just fledged, it brings a tear to my eyes. More then 10 years ago when I began breeding these birds, I had many Strawberries, took them for granted, sold off way to many, then when they stopped importing my stock was depleted as my breeder birds got older to the point I could not sustain them.. I have maybe 6 or so left and they are way past their breeding range and I vowed to never let that happen again if I could help it. My Red Billed Fire's just fledged a couple of babies early this week..

[MLaRue]

The Blue Billed along with the Red Billed, Black Bellied, & the Black Faced Fire Finches are fairly common imports at this time.. All are pretty inexpensive with the Black Faced being a little more expensive

Black Face Fires? Who has them available?

[Jan]

CA, at least late last fall?

[MLaRue]

CA, at least late last fall?

As in Birds Express or brokers/breeders in CA?

I'm curious to see what is what at the fair we have coming up next weekend.

Last several fairs there was little in the way of "Africans" available...

[Jan]

Birds Express in CA, also soem outfit out of FL.. There should be quite a few out there.. i am supprised I don't see more variety your direction.. We go to Mobile every July & see very few African finches?

[BigBear0007]

This bird is the L.R.Ugandae
The female is a pale brown in colour.
I had a pair and they bred three time for me,
but always only hatched/raised one chick at time.

Jerry

[Domenic]

The Blue Billed along with the Red Billed, Black Bellied, & the Black Faced Fire Finches are fairly common imports at this time.. All are pretty inexpensive with the Black Faced being a little more expensive

Black Face Fires? Who has them available?

David Calvin from birdproduct.com had them available too.

[annague]

Thank you Fardad and all.

We have kind of gotten off subject with the issue about imports but I think it is such a critical issue that I would like to start a new post and ask some questions. I am very concerned about our domestic finch population and variety and would like to help but I don't know how or exactly what someone like me can do (if anything).

I will start a new post called 'Finch Imports -- When They Stop'

[annague]

I will wait to be sure. I want to do this right.

[annague]

Well, my Blue billed Firefinch of unknown origins has gotten past his molt (and has been for some time but it took me a while to catch him with the catching cage so I didn't disturb the other birds in the aviary).

So, here I am including pictures of him fully feathered in hopes that Fardad or one of you with more experience can confidently identify his species so I can look for a little hen for him.

I will tell you this: he is officially my very favorite kind of Firefinch now -- he sings like an angel!! And is also quite beautiful. I had no idea a Firefinch could sing so lovely.