Black-bellied Firefinch (male)

[L in Ontario]

After coming home and double-checking on Google I am now satisfied I have a very healthy male Black-bellied Firefinch! Not without a major hiccup at the pet store this morning.

Fardad - you won't believe what they did sometime between after you left and before I got there this morning... they put the male BBFF back in with all the other Firefinches!! But after numerous phone calls to Fleming (who wasn't there this morning), we finally caught what we thought was the right bird. I wasn't 100% sure until I checked just now on the computer. The young guy there was saying it should have spots on it's side, another guy was saying no it shouldn't. I forgot to check the computer for images before going to to the pet store so I was no help.

Anyway I'm very pleased with the outcome although there were no Red-cheeked nor Blue-capped female Cordon Bleu's to be had there. At least I know those are a little easier to come by. Hopefully someday soon I can get them and a real Black-faced female Firefinch for my single males.

"Blacky" is now resting quietly upstairs in my bathroom after having been photographed, Scatted and a few drops of Worm Away added to his drinking water. He'll be happy no doubt for a few hours peace and quiet.

Thank you ever so much for all you've done, Fardad - I appreciate having "real pairs" of birds of the proper species/sub-species. So, if you don't mind, do share with us how you come by all your valuable and in-depth finch knowledge!

[Domenic]

What a stunning bird! I never knew they were so intensely red. Congrats on the newest member of your flock.

[JohnBoy]

Liz, absolutely gorgeous. Be very careful when you have to catch them. They go into shock real easy. I've lost 2 males trying to transport them from one cage to the next. I adore my pair. The only thing I don't like is the way they hang around on the aviary floor hiding behind shrubs or whatever. Wish they perched high up once in a while. But mine never do.

[cindy]

Very, very pretty Liz. The red is so deep. Congratulations!

[MLaRue]

I love the Fire Finches They are so pretty! Congratulations!

[L in Ontario]

Thank you Domenic, John, Cindy and Misty!! I'm very relieved and excited to have him.

Thanks for the catching tip John though he has not shown any kind of a problem yet. I'll be careful and watch as I'm doing that.

[dfcauley]

VERY nice Liz. I wish my pair of Jamison's would breed for me. They are so beautiful. Misty has also added a pair of her's to the aviary in hopes that at least one pair of them will do something soon.
Here is mine and her's....

[cindy]

Donna...they are beautiful, as are all your finches. Liz and Donna you have me thinkinking of adding some color to my colletion...a little red perhaps.

[JohnBoy]

I have always read that the Jameson's and the blue bill are almost so identical that the birds need to be held side by side to tell the difference. The blue bill shows a darker shade of red on the head and breast than the Jameson. This supposedly can only be noticed if the two closely related species are held side by side. Ornithologist have separated the two species mainly because of a difference in the second primary flight feather.

[L in Ontario]

I don’t understand why they would put it back. I put “Blacky” (nice name btw) in an empty cage, gave it seed and water, and told him not to move it or sell it. I have been dealing with Fleming for almost a decade now, I am sure he didn’t move him but who knows what other people do there. I am just glad it worked out. Lastly, Fleming had a cage of Cordon Bleu species, probably 10-12 pairs of them! It is odd that there were none there today.

I imagine someone was not told the bird was being held and just figured it didn't get put back after being looked at. Anyway all's well that ends well and I so appreciate your assistance, Fardad!

Off topic:

I seem to be the teller of bad news. It makes me feel really bad and I am so sorry to do this again to another member of the forum (But it would not be fair to have a bird and not know what it really is). Before I say anything please keep in mind that I have only seen that one picture of the birds and it is not an awfully clear picture. To me the bird in picDSC06377 seems to be a male L. Rubricata (African Firefinch, or Blue-billed Firefinch). L. Rhodopareia (the Jameson’s Firefinch) is more pink than red, the best way to tell the difference is by the eye-ring L. Rhodopareia has a pinkish/red eye-ring while L Rubricata has more of a reddish-yellow eye-ring. Also the black on the L. Rhodopareia does not extend to the belly. Besides that, depending of the subspecies there are other few minor differences. The pair in picture DSC06384 is definitely not a Jameson’s Firefinch. The beak colour says it all in that picture. Again, I am sorry. Perhaps if you could post a clearer picture we could do a double check.

Cheers.

I don't think you need to apologize though I understand why you did. I and I think others understand that you are simply trying to ensure the proper species are paired up together. I personally am so glad you told me I did not have a true pair of Fires! I don't want hybrid birds especially none bred by me!

Donna - do you have any other pics you could possibly share just to double-check?

[Domenic]

My jaw dropped at the amount of firefinch subspecies there are and also at how you know them all by name.

[lovemyfinch]

Beautiful new fire you ended up with Liz Here's hoping that they reward you with lots and lots of baby fires.
All of those subspecies are making my head spin wonderful to have someone around who knows all about them

[dfcauley]

It absolutely does not offend or bother me in the least . Thanks you for all info. I bought this bird from Floyd at the bird mart along with a mate for it. He is the one who told me it was a Jameson fire. Personally it doesn't matter to me what species it is. I love the bird and it makes a beautiful addition of red color to my aviary. (which is why I bought it in the first place)
I am going to try to get another picture of it along with it's mate so maybe I can get some clarification on it.
It is very difficult to get their pictures as they like to hide.
Thanks again! I agree.... it is beautiful. The other two belong to a friend and I had no idea about them......
Sorry if I hijacked your thread Llz.

[L in Ontario]

No problem at all Donna - we all love to hear about and see beautiful birds!

[Sally]

The number of subspecies of Fire finches blows me away, too--I had no idea! Fardad, I'm sure everyone on here would love it if you would point out birds that are incorrectly ID'd in photos. Most of the time, we just take what the seller tells us as fact. I know I'm going to look closely at all my Fires today, though I'm pretty sure mine are all Senegal or Red-billed Fires.