The Cuban Melodious Finch
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| Cuban Finch8,11 | |
| Tiaris canora | |
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| Grassquit | |
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| Hardiness: | Hardy |
| Reproduction: | Fairly prolific |
| Singing ability: | Fair |
| Compatibility: | Not suitable for a mixed aviary
[Compatibility Chart] |
| Size: | 4" (10 cm) |
| Approx. cost: | $ (US) per bird |
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Other common names
Cuban Grassquit, Melodious Grassquit, Cuban Melodious Finch, Cuban Finch
Origin
Cuba and the Isle of Pines (southwest of Cuba)
Area of distribution
Endemic throughout Cuba.
Disposition
Pugnacious, especially hostile while breeding, and especially so towards birds of the same species or with black and/or yellow plumage.
Physical descriptions
Black beak, face, chin and throat surrounded by a yellow crescent-shaped band; olive back, wings and tail; black lower breast and dark grey belly; tawny legs and feet.
Sexing
Hens are significantly duller than the males. Their yellow is more brown in color, and any black areas on the cock appear more grey on the hen.
Song
No data.
Pictures
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Cock
Pair, hen on right.
Pair, hen on right.
Pair, hen on left.
Pair, hen on left.
Pair, hen on left.
Favorite foods
Greenfood, soaked seed,
egg food.
Natural habitat
No data.
Habits
No data.
Special considerations
Because cock birds are extremely aggressive towards each other, pairs should be housed separately (one pair per enclosure). Do not house these birds below 65 °F, especially while breeding.
Breeding season
Captive Cuban Finches will breed during warmer months.
Breeding tips
A well-planted aviary or medium-sized flight is preferable for breeding. Cock birds should not be permitted to see one another in order for breeding to take place. If you do have a compatible pair, provide them with wicker nests, half-open nest boxes, and/or a bush to be used as a nesting site, with coconut fibers, grasses, and feathers to build with. These grassquits build a domed nest. Avoid
nest checks as pairs readily abandon the nest if disturbed.
Live food is unnecessary but the diet should be supplemented with soaked seeds, greenfood, and additional protein (as from
egg food) during breeding. Only the hen will incubate the eggs while the cock protects the nest. Young should be removed as soon as they are independent so that the cock bird does not attack them, and all young cock birds should be housed separately from each other to prevent vicious fighting as they mature.
Life Cycle
| Clutch size: | 3-4 eggs |
| Hatch date: | After 12 days of incubation |
| Fledge date: | At 14 days of age |
| Wean date: | 4 weeks of age |
Related Article(s)
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submit your article for possible inclusion on this site. Credit will be given to you!
Cuban Finches
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- Article by David Holmes.