The cheerful song of the birds, their sweet movements and the incredible colors are some of the reasons why some people decide to adopt a bird into their home.
These are very sensitive and cheerful animals that stimulate the happiness of children and adults. For this reason, on our site we pay tribute to them by making an article about the smallest tropical birds All of them, although exotic, are common in thousands of homes, go ahead and meet them!
1. Blue from Senegal
The first on our list is the Bluebird from Senegal, a small bird that reaches 11 centimeters in adulthood and comes from from Africa. It is blue and brown in color and features funny dark cheeks and a pink beak.
We can easily tell the sex of a Senegal Bluebird based on its cheeks as only males have them. They tend to be more colorful and also practice singing more extensively and stridently than females.
What care does a Senegal Bluebird need?
To properly care for this type of bird it is essential that we learn about its habits in the wild. The type of flight, food and their social behavior will give us clues about how they should be inside the home to feel happy.
The Senegal Bluebird is a strong bird, although at first glance it appears fragile and small. We can keep a specimen in a medium-large cage that will withstand moderate changes in temperature. Of course, do not leave him outside if it is very cold.
They enjoy the sun, water and sprigs of millet like any small exotic. If we provide it with seeds, a cuttlefish bone, fruit and vegetables, we will have a happy and singing specimen in our home that will brighten our mornings. Their life expectancy is around 7 years.
two. Gould's diamond
The second tropical bird that we show you on this list is the Gould's Diamond They are small, very colorful and striking Australian finches They measure approximately 12 centimeters in length. Its colors are incredibly varied, and each specimen is totally unique and special.
The Gould diamond will not leave you indifferent as it combines up to 6 bright and vibrant colors, more brilliant in the case of males. The head is usually of very different colors (yellow, red, black…), the chest is usually purple and the belly is yellow. It is a rewarding bird to watch and its presence alone beautifies the entire home.
What care does a Gould Diamond need?
These small birds require a control of their temperature and they cannot stand cold climates below 15ºC. In winter we must use the heating because a bad change can have serious consequences on their plumage and he alth.
This is a bird that feeds mainly on seeds, although during breeding it also supplements its diet with small insects. It is important that he can take frequent baths and that you include some fresh fruit in his diet as well as cuttlefish.
3. Diamond four-color
The four-color diamond comes from the Philippines, Indochina and Borneo areas. It measures 15 centimeters in length and stands out for the four colors that its body shows: green, blue, orange and yellow. Females however, instead of blue they show a characteristic dark green.
It is a diurnal bird and very sociable with its congeners, with whom it enjoys flying over all kinds of landscapes. Active and curious, the four-colored diamondback is a special and beautiful bird. As a curiosity we will add that it is a monogamous bird.
What care does a four-color Diamond need?
These are shy and elusive birds by nature. It is a tropical bird excessively sensitive to changes in temperature, they need a stable average of 25ºC to feel comfortable. Four-color diamonds need a large cage to be able to fly and have all kinds of plants to exercise.
In nature, it feeds on bamboo seeds and rice, although you will find special and varied preparations on the market that will enrich its diet.
4. Mandarin Diamond
The mandarin diamond or zebra finch is a curious and friendly bird, very common as a pet for a few years. Originally from Australia, this bird measures about 10 centimeters and is a docile, sociable and fantastic specimen to watch them breed.
Currently there are diamonds of all colors thanks to selective breeding, although they all stand out for their black tear duct and black and white speckled tail. The males show dark cheeks unlike the females that usually have a more discreet plumage.
What care does a Mandarin Diamond need?
Mandarin diamonds are the easiest to care for and maintain, but we must try to choose a large cage and combine at least a couple or three females for each male. They love to enjoy the company of their congeners, you will see how they groom themselves and sleep together, they even soak in a group on hot days!
They adapt without problem to a minimally stable and temperate temperature, and their diet is based on seeds, vegetables once a week and insects occasionally.
They love millet branches, swinging and using toys as well as listening to music, to which they will respond happily.
5. Speckled Diamond
The speckled diamond also comes from Australia. This specimen measures about 12 centimeters and, unlike the previous ones, it is difficult to distinguish males from females. Although we can be guided by the color of the beak (darker in the case of males) the true way to identify the sex is through the song, only used by males.
Its colors are elegant and refined as it combines shades of brown, white and black, a gamma that gives it a sober and subtle air. In addition, his eye is surrounded by an orange ring, something that makes him totally peculiar.
What care does a Speckled Diamond need?
Like other birds, the Spotted Diamondback likes to live in the company of its own. Mix a couple or three of females for each male and leave plenty of water within reach. And they love to drink and cool off in summer!
They feed on seeds and in the breeding season they add insects, just like the mandarin finch. We will also offer you a cuttlefish bone to absorb calcium as well as sprigs of millet from time to time. Play them music to see how they enjoy the sound.
6. Ruficauda Diamond
The ruficauda diamond stands out for its sweet and calm character. It is very sociable with members of its own species, with humans and even with birds of other species.
They measure approximately 12 centimeters and are usually gray or yellow with a striking red color on the beak that extends to the entire face in the case of males (although sometimes the face is also yellow vibrant). When they reach the adult stage, white dots appear on their plumage.
What care does a Ruficauda Diamond need?
It doesn't matter exactly where we place the diamondback cage as long as it's away from the air conditioning. They like warm and welcoming environments and they enjoy sunlight like no other bird.
He needs a slightly large cage to be able to move and develop his wings. You will also enjoy accessories in the cage such as swings, swimming pool or listening to music.
Its diet is based on seeds such as millet, black or perilla, combined with vegetables and insects from time to time.
7. Coral Peak
The Coral Peak stands out for its tiny 8 centimeters. This little bird loves to fly, hide in the branches and exercise non-stop. It is earth brown in color and its eyes show a special shade of red, unique and characteristic. We will differentiate the female by the lack of a red spot on the belly, a spot that the male does show.
Although it is native to Africa, the coral beak has adapted to very diverse climates and is found in the Canary Islands, Azores, Cape Verde, Seychelles, Bermuda, Hawaii… It is very important not to let the pico del coral because it is an exotic and invasive species that can put the native birds of the area at risk.
It usually lives in groups of dozens of individuals, a technique that allows them to better survive.
What care does a coral beak need?
It needs a large cage full of elements where it can move and hide together with other specimens of its species. We must be careful not to use bars that are always smaller than 1 centimeter.
They do not feed on insects, they are mainly granivores, although they also enjoy some vegetable elements from time to time.
Add a cuttlefish bone to their home so they don't have calcium deficiencies as well as a bathtub so they can bathe daily, something essential to keep mites at bay.
8. Elizabeth from Japan
Finally we will finish with the Elizabeth of Japan, a small docile and exotic little bird. It stands out for its sweet character, which allows it to coexist with other birds such as the mandarin diamond. As its name indicates, it comes from Asia, countries like Japan, China or Thailand.
It does not exceed 8 centimeters in length and its plumage varies from black to white, thus offering all shades in between including cinnamon, cream or ochre.
It is difficult to distinguish them since they do not present sexual dimorphism, that is, males and females are very similar and can only be differentiated by song once they reach sexual maturity.
¿ What care does an Elizabeth from Japan need?
It is very easy to take care of a Japanese Isabelita, as they adapt to somewhat reduced spaces (a 60 x 60 cage is enough for them). The temperature can vary according to the season although we recommend avoiding drafts near his cage.
Like other birds, their diet is based on a variety of seeds and fruit and vegetables from time to time. We will have a swimming pool and some elements for you to entertain yourself.
