Chocolate Shaftail?

[Familyheirloom]

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!

[L in Ontario]

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

[JohnBoy]

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.

[lovemyfinch]

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

[CandoAviary]

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

[JohnBoy]

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