Owl Finches Appear in Northern Sydney Botanic Garden

A visit today to Boongala, a beautiful native plant garden in Kenthurst surprised me with the appearance of a small flock of dainty little Owl Finches (Taeniopygia bichenovii). Surprising because they are seldom seen in the Sydney surrounds. In fact, the garden's owners say that people come from far and wide just to see these little birds flying about their 11 hectare property.

The Owl finch (Taeniopygia bichenovii) is found in dry savannah, tropical (lowland) dry grassland and shrubland habitats in northern and eastern Australia. They are sometimes referred to as Bicheno's finch, and also as Double Barred Finch.

Owl finches can be bred in cages or aviaries, in pairs or in colonies of 3 or more pairs. They have been bred in standard breeding cages and in longer flight cages. They will take a variety of nest boxes,  and baskets with a real preference for the baskets. They will use dried grasses, coconut fibers, feathers and strips of paper in their nest construction, often lining them with soft feathers, paper or fibers such as jute. 

Soon after, 4-6 small white eggs are laid with incubation starting after the 3rd egg is laid. Incubation is carried out by both the male and female and lasts about 13 days depending upon high tightly the pair sits. The chicks hatch out with dark skin and gray fuzz, looking nearly identical to Zebra finch chicks. Owl finches fledge in abou 18 days days and look similar to the adults with the exception of the dark beak and the white areas are much grayer. The fledglings are independent in about 2 weeks.