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Color Loss in the Strawberry Finch or Red Avadavat – Part 2

Posted by: Frank Indiviglio in Bird diet, Bird Health, Bird Species Profiles, General Bird Care December 30, 2010 Comments Off on Color Loss in the Strawberry Finch or Red Avadavat – Part 2 8970 Views

Please see Part 1 of this article for information on the natural history and captive breeding of the brilliantly-colored Strawberry Finch (Amandava amandava).  I relayed there that my first experiences with wild-caught Strawberry Finches left me with the impression that they are among the world’s most spectacularly-colored birds.  However, captive-born individuals, while beautiful, often fall far short of the color standards set by their parents…today we’ll take a closer look at this phenomenon.

Color Loss: Explanations and Theories

Strawberry FinchColor loss in some bird species is well-understood and easy to correct.  For example, captive Flamingoes fade to near-white if denied small red shrimps (or a substitute), as their plumage color is at least partially linked to the diet.  Red-phase Canaries, on the other hand, derive their color genetically through hybridization with the Red-Hooded Siskin (a South American relative). Strawberry Finches, however, are somewhat baffling.

A number of explanations for color loss in captive-born Strawberry Finches have been put forth, and many breeders and zookeepers have tricks designed to rectify the problem.  Genetics and natural variation among different populations may play a role.  Many believe that certain Chinese populations of the subspecies Amandava amandava flavidiventris are naturally of a darker red than others.  Captive pairings with the other 2 subspecies may have resulted in bright feathers that fade after several generations if birds of Chinese origin are not continually added to the breeding stock.

Light, Heat and Humidity

Some folks are convinced that temperature and humidity influence feather color.  Warm temperatures and humidity levels of 70-80% are believed to encourage bright red feathers.

Full spectrum light may also play a role.  For some reason, breeders considered this to important to the Strawberry Finch’s care years before its role in bird husbandry was fully appreciated.  Certainly, many have noticed that the plumage of birds housed outdoors usually outshines that of their house-bound relatives.

Diet

Casual observation and experience seems to indicate that Strawberry Finches need a greater variety of foods than do many other popular species if they are to remain healthy (of course, appropriate dietary variety is beneficial to all birds).  The effect of diet upon color has not been established, but many believe there is a link hidden somewhere.

Insects should be available year-round.  Small crickets, mealworms, waxworms and wild-caught moths, beetles and others are all eagerly accepted and may help in maintaining color. Egg Food and Softbill Select  serve well as high-protein treats, and sprouts will add important nutrients to the diet.

Avitron Vitamin Supplement will help ensure that your birds remain in the peak of good health and color.

Shrimp for Finches?

When I first began working alongside older, well-experienced bird keepers, I was surprised to learn that many fed dried shrimp to their birds (even species that did not eat aquatic animals in the wild) in order to improve color and health.  Strawberry Finches are good candidates for this novel food item – please see the article below for details.

Further Reading

Tips from the past feeding dried shrimp to finches and softbills.

Collecting Live Insects for Finches

Strawberry Finches and other birds at the Bloedel Conservatory.

 

Strawberry Finch image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by J.M. Garg

 

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I believe that I was born with an intense interest in animals, as neither I nor any of my family can recall a time when I was not fascinated by creatures large and small. One might imagine this to be an unfortunate set of circumstances for a person born and raised in the Bronx, but, in actuality, quite the opposite was true. Most importantly, my family encouraged both my interest and the extensive menagerie that sprung from it. My mother and grandmother somehow found ways to cope with the skunks, flying squirrels, octopus, caimans and countless other odd creatures that routinely arrived un-announced at our front door. Assisting in hand-feeding hatchling praying mantises and in eradicating hoards of mosquitoes (I once thought I had discovered “fresh-water brine shrimp” and stocked my tanks with thousands of mosquito larvae!) became second nature to them. My mother went on to become a serious naturalist, and has helped thousands learn about wildlife in her 16 years as a volunteer at the Bronx Zoo. My grandfather actively conspired in my zoo-buildings efforts, regularly appearing with chipmunks, boa constrictors, turtles rescued from the Fulton Fish Market and, especially, unusual marine creatures. It was his passion for seahorses that led me to write a book about them years later. Thank you very much, for a complete biography of my experience click here.
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