FINCHforum

Hey guys, the husband and I went to Our Feathered Friends today in San Diego. We saw a chocolate shaftail finch but aren't able to find any information on them anywhere. I've only seen the fawn and isabelle mutations. Anyone know how common they are? Thanks!

I've never heard of a Chocolate Shaftail but would love to see pics! Is it much darker than the normal?

I searched the internet and emailed breeders I know and they have never heard of such a thing. The only thing with chocolate in its name that I could find was the chocolate society.

I also did a search on the web, the parson finch comes in a chocolate mutation.

Heck's and Parson's are both commonly referred to as shaftails. Probably the case here is that it is a chocolate parson's.

It appears that it is a sub species. Or just another name for the Parsons finch. I found this:

Black Throat (Poephila cincta )

Common Name/s: Black throated finch, diggles finch, parson’s finch, chocolate diggles finch, chocolate parson's finch, black throated grass finch. Sub Species: Diggles (Black rumped) - Poephila cincta atropygialis. Chocolate Diggles (Black rumped) - Poephila cincta nigrotecta. Nominate form - Chocolate Parson's (White rumped) ­ Poephila cincta cincta. ? Origin / Distribution: East coast of New South Wales & Queensland to the Cape Status in Wild: Declining. (University project currently underway to “save the Black throat.) Status in (Australian) Captivity: Secure. Lifespan (estimate): About 7 - 8 years Sexing: Monomorphic Mutations: Yes