Montane White Eye Finch

An area to discuss topics relevant to softbills.
Post Reply
User avatar
Finnie
2 Eggs Laid
2 Eggs Laid
Posts: 740
Joined: Tue May 01, 2012 10:31 am
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Montane White Eye Finch

Post by Finnie » Tue Apr 01, 2014 11:18 am

Does anybody have any experience with these?

I saw some for sale at a bird fair this past weekend, and they are quite striking looking. I didn't buy them because I'm not ready to add another species right now, and I know nothing about them anyway. When I tried to look them up on line after I got home, I really couldn't find much information about their care and needs, or what other species they would be compatible with. Well, there was info, but I wanted to know if anybody has any personal experience.

I'll look for a photo link to add.
-Finnie

34 Budgies
13 Gouldian Finches
13 Society Finches
6 Owl Finches
4 Yellow Face Star finches
16 Bourke's Parakeets
4 Cockatiels

5 chickens!

OMG this signature is so outdated! Make that 50 chickens!


Image

User avatar
Finnie
2 Eggs Laid
2 Eggs Laid
Posts: 740
Joined: Tue May 01, 2012 10:31 am
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Re: Montane White Eye Finch

Post by Finnie » Tue Apr 01, 2014 11:23 am

-Finnie

34 Budgies
13 Gouldian Finches
13 Society Finches
6 Owl Finches
4 Yellow Face Star finches
16 Bourke's Parakeets
4 Cockatiels

5 chickens!

OMG this signature is so outdated! Make that 50 chickens!


Image

User avatar
cindy
Bird Brain
Bird Brain
Posts: 18754
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:33 pm
Location: west central Florida

Re: Montane White Eye Finch

Post by cindy » Tue Apr 01, 2014 11:31 am

I have seen these at shows a few yrs back....they are tempting and stunning!!!

Zebra, Gouldians, Java, CBM Shaft tail & Grasskeets


~ My Facebook groups ~

*Finchaholics ~ finches, hookbills, softbills & canaries are welcome here!
discussions regarding species, housing, breeding, preventatives, treatments

*Birdaholics ~ Avian Classified Ads Only

User avatar
Finnie
2 Eggs Laid
2 Eggs Laid
Posts: 740
Joined: Tue May 01, 2012 10:31 am
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Re: Montane White Eye Finch

Post by Finnie » Tue Apr 01, 2014 11:41 am

This photo came up from Su Yin's website, but it's three years old, and I couldn't find any of her blog posts about them. http://happybirdplacefinchandgrasskeetb ... iends.html

I guess I could write to her to ask. But I hate to bother her. She is always very helpful, but I know how busy she must be.
-Finnie

34 Budgies
13 Gouldian Finches
13 Society Finches
6 Owl Finches
4 Yellow Face Star finches
16 Bourke's Parakeets
4 Cockatiels

5 chickens!

OMG this signature is so outdated! Make that 50 chickens!


Image

User avatar
Sally
Mod Extraordinaire
Mod Extraordinaire
Posts: 17929
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:55 pm
Location: DFW, Texas

Re: Montane White Eye Finch

Post by Sally » Tue Apr 01, 2014 4:33 pm

Su does still have Montane White Eyes, so you could contact her and get some information on them. I have read that they are the best beginner species when you want to expand into softbills, as they are more hardy than some other species.
3 Purple Grenadiers, 1 Goldbreast + 1 cat.

National Finch & Softbill Society - http://www.nfss.org

User avatar
Colt
Weaning
Weaning
Posts: 1940
Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2013 1:43 pm
Location: East Texas

Re: Montane White Eye Finch

Post by Colt » Tue Apr 01, 2014 8:27 pm

I was just going to say that I believe Su has them. But Sally beat me to it. ;) They are beautiful birds. Let us know if you decide to get some.

Amethyst Starling
BF and RT Parrot Finch
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
Lady Gouldian
Owl Finch
Shaft-tail Finch
Society Finch
Star Finch
Strawberry
Tri-colored Nun
Zebra Finch
Diamond Dove
Bourke & Scarlet-chested Parakeet


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brushy-C ... 0659711916

flywhoaman
Pip
Pip
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:10 pm
Location: Texas Hill Country

Re: Montane White Eye Finch

Post by flywhoaman » Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:47 am

From the Finch Farm owned by Shirley Wilson in Washington who sells them:
The white-eyes, also known as Broad-Ringed White-Eyes, are small passerine birds native to Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Australasia and are of the Zosteropidae family. All the species of white-eyes are sociable, forming large flocks which only separate during their breeding season. They build tree nests and lay 2-4 unspotted pale blue eggs. Due to similarity in gender, The Finch Farm is unable to guarantee sex without DNA testing.

Diet:

Though mainly insectivorous, they eat nectar and fruits of various kinds
http://www.thefinchshop.com/montane-white-eye/

User avatar
Finnie
2 Eggs Laid
2 Eggs Laid
Posts: 740
Joined: Tue May 01, 2012 10:31 am
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Re: Montane White Eye Finch

Post by Finnie » Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:31 am

Diet:

Though mainly insectivorous, they eat nectar and fruits of various kinds
Well this is an extremely helpful bit of information I had not seen yet. I am reluctant to get into a nectar eating species. Until I am ready to get out of breeding altogether and downsize to a smaller flock, I prefer to try to keep species that have the same or similar diet requirements.

They will have to go on the "maybe someday" project list.
-Finnie

34 Budgies
13 Gouldian Finches
13 Society Finches
6 Owl Finches
4 Yellow Face Star finches
16 Bourke's Parakeets
4 Cockatiels

5 chickens!

OMG this signature is so outdated! Make that 50 chickens!


Image

User avatar
lovezebs
Mod Extraordinaire
Mod Extraordinaire
Posts: 18214
Joined: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:51 am
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada

Re: Montane White Eye Finch

Post by lovezebs » Sat Apr 05, 2014 3:47 am

Sally
Hi. Just have to ask, are these guys 'liquid poopers ' as well? Like the Tanagers?
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

User avatar
monotwine
Proven
Proven
Posts: 2872
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2009 7:50 am
Location: South Africa

Re: Montane White Eye Finch

Post by monotwine » Mon Apr 07, 2014 8:14 am

Not quite liquid but not a neat solid package either. :)

I saw some Montane White eye for sale here too and was sorely tempted. I rear and release our SA Cape White eye and they are delightful characters. Hardy, but they need a high protein diet with plenty insects, spiders and lots of fresh fruit.
They are much more maintenance than finches, but less than some soft bills.

User avatar
Colt
Weaning
Weaning
Posts: 1940
Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2013 1:43 pm
Location: East Texas

Re: Montane White Eye Finch

Post by Colt » Mon Apr 07, 2014 8:43 pm

My understanding is the poop just isn't a solid as most of the finches we keep. It's looser because there is more moisture in their diet with the insects, fruit, and nectar.

Lories and Toucans have really watery poop, especially if they aren't being fed pellets in addition to all the fruit and nectar. They are beautiful birds, but best in a very large area with washable floors in my opinion. Or maybe dirt.

Amethyst Starling
BF and RT Parrot Finch
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
Lady Gouldian
Owl Finch
Shaft-tail Finch
Society Finch
Star Finch
Strawberry
Tri-colored Nun
Zebra Finch
Diamond Dove
Bourke & Scarlet-chested Parakeet


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Brushy-C ... 0659711916

User avatar
Finnie
2 Eggs Laid
2 Eggs Laid
Posts: 740
Joined: Tue May 01, 2012 10:31 am
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Re: Montane White Eye Finch

Post by Finnie » Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:04 pm

Ew, you remind me of our experience at the Indianapolis Zoo a couple of summers ago.

They have walk in aviary exhibits where you can feed budgies in one, and lories in another.

We had a girl with us on this visit, and as we were feeding the lories the nectar from a cup, one of them shot liquid poop all over her leg! It was so gross!! The poor girl just wanted to get out of there and over to the washing up area they thankfully provided.

We were all creeped out as we made our way to the exit, wondering if we would be squirted by any of the other birds. :-SS
-Finnie

34 Budgies
13 Gouldian Finches
13 Society Finches
6 Owl Finches
4 Yellow Face Star finches
16 Bourke's Parakeets
4 Cockatiels

5 chickens!

OMG this signature is so outdated! Make that 50 chickens!


Image

Post Reply