The mandarin diamond is also known as the zebra finch and is native to Australia. In the last 5 years, the possession of this bird has become popular due to the easy maintenance and the joy that they transmit within the home. Breeding of these birds is also common as their reproduction is very simple.
Depending on the area where it lives, the size of this bird can be larger or smaller and it is found practically all over the world due to the large number of followers of this wonderful species of bird. Read on to find out all about the most adorable finches.
Physical appearance
This is a very small bird that usually measures between 10 and 12 centimeters in length and weighs up to 12 grams approximate. The beak of the mandarin finch is short and compact, adapted to eating various seeds.
Sexual dimorphism is evident in this species of bird as males show colored cheeks while females have simpler plumage. Virtually all color variations exhibit this dimorphism except full white mandarin diamonds.
Due to the large number of amateur breeders there are many varieties of mutations that give rise to very beautiful and unique specimens. It is impossible to classify them all but we can make a summary of the best known:
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Common Grey: Most of the body is gray although the neck and tail show characteristic black stripes, hence Zebra Fich's name. At the end of the wings it shows a brown and mottled plumage. The entire belly is white. The female common gray is completely gray with a white belly. She only shows the zebra spot on her tail and a black tear under her eye.
- Black Cheeks: As its name suggests, this specimen stands out for its black cheeks. Only males show this phenomenon, although in rare cases some females also show it.
- Masqué: It is a variety that shows white and brown plumage. Spot areas may vary on wings, upper body, or head. The stripes on the tail are also usually brown, although we also find them black. The masqué specimens can be very varied and singular, presenting the usual mottling or not on the feathers of the wings.
- White: There are completely white mandarin diamonds. In this case it is very difficult to determine the sex and to determine it we will be guided by the color of the beak, more reddish in males and more orange in the case of females.
Behaviour
Mandarin finches are very social birds that live in large colonies that favor their survival. They love to interact and communicate, for this reason, having a mandarin diamond is only sad for them, who cannot enjoy their own kind.
If you want to have several Mandarins in a large or aviatory cage, we recommend mixing several females as they will have a positive and friendly behavior towards each other. If you want to enjoy the presence of one or two males, we advise you to have several females for each male, otherwise it can lead to rivalry. It is important to note that simply having a mate can exhaust the female, who will be constantly forced by the male to reproduce.
They are very talkative birds, especially the males, who will spend the whole day humming and interacting with their companions and even with you. Although they are somewhat skittish birds if we adopt them as adults, mandarin finches eventually get used to those who feed and care for them. They will replenish your whistles without hesitation.
As we have already mentioned, the mandarin diamond breeds very easily and regularly. There are many people who raise them for pleasure since it is quite a ritual to observe how they make the nest and carry it out together. In general, we are talking about a species that is very faithful to its partner.
Care
The Mandarin Diamond is a bird that, although small in size, loves to fly and needs space. Get a large cage, preferably horizontal: 1 meter x 70 centimeters is totally acceptable.
In the cage you should have some various utensils such as sticks or branches, which you will find in regular stores, there are very beautiful fruit tree branches that also decorating your cage will make it a unique place for your mandarins. The cuttlefish bone cannot be missing as it provides them with calcium, which is extremely necessary.
You will also have feeders and drinkers, always fresh and clean.
In addition to their basic needs, it is important that they have their times of fun, so you can leave mirrors and toys within their reach. Water is another source of fun as the Mandarin finch loves to clean itself. Get a pool or a small container, they will get wet and enjoy, and you will also prevent the appearance of mites and lice.
The feeding of the mandarin diamond is very simple, all you have to do is have special seeds at your disposal, which you will find in any shop. They must contain 60% canary seed, 30% millet and 10% between flax, rapeseed, hemp and Nigerian. Including egg yolk from time to time will provide extra energy and vitality in the plumage, remember to remove it after a while. You can give them alfalfa, which they love, they will devour it in nothing and less.
Giving him fruit is very important, to do this, try leaving small pieces of different types such as orange, apple or pear, discover what your Mandarin diamond likes the most! Finally, as a reward you can also leave insectivorous brood paste or various insects directly within their reach, only from time to time.
Interact with your mandarin diamond so he can get to know you and enjoy you. Talk to it, play music or whistle to it and enjoy watching it every day, as they have a high energy level that is adorable for bird lovers.
He alth
It is important that you look at the mandarin diamond often so that it has a he alth problem, here are the most common ones:
- Stuck Egg: If you are breeding mandarin diamonds this can happen to you, and it is a serious problem, as the female can die. You will see that it is a stuck egg because it has a bulging abdomen and makes weak and pitiful sounds. Take her carefully and give her a small massage in the area of the egg so that she can expel it. If it doesn't, take her to the vet right away.
- Fractured leg: If you notice that your diamond has a fractured leg (not broken), you should reach for it and immobilize it with two rods and a gauze, in two weeks it should heal without problem. Check why it has happened and if it is a problem with the cage, change it.
- Anemia: Nutritional deficiencies result in this disease. You can identify it by a discoloration of the beak or legs. Vary his diet and offer different foods.
- Chloacitis: It consists of an inflammation of the cloaca, more common in laying females. Clean the area and apply an ointment based on oxide and zinc, also offer more variety in its diet.
- Acariosis: It is the appearance of mites and lice. Avoid this problem by putting a pool in the cage of your diamond so that it bathes often, in addition, in pet stores you will find antiparasitic spray to solve the problem.
- Abnormal beak growth: In this case we are talking about a consequence of the lack of cuttlefish bone. It can cause deficiencies in your diet. Crumble the cuttlefish and leave it within reach so that little by little the problem is solved on its own.
Prevent diseases such as bronchitis and acarosis on the legs by keeping your mandarin diamond in a clean and dry environment, free from humidity or draughts, direct contact with the sun is not advisable either.
