Four species are covered, with help from well-known UK Parrotfinch (and Waxbill) breeder Graham Lee
Breeding Blue-faced Parrot Finches, Red-headed Parrot Finches and Tricolor or Forbes Parrot Finches is relatively straightforward
Pin-tailed Parrot Finches may be less easy but they are not difficult.   Availability of young birds in the UK is more the problem

Blue-faced Parrotfinch

Erythrura trichroa

Blue-faced hen - split for yellow
normal looking cock (split for yellow)
Blue-faced hen - split for yellow
yellow cock & normal hen
Yellow - black eyed cock
yellow black-eyed cock
s
Blue-faced hen - split for yellow
yellow cock & normal hen

Certainly not the most visually commanding of Parrot Finches, except in sunlight

To my eye, a very attractive mutation is the black-eyed yellow (not to be confused with the Lutino and its eyesight problems)

A free breeding Parrot Finch.   Perhaps the best for those just starting with Parrot Finches

A robust, easy-to-care-for bird (with a nice little song), which is freely available in the UK

Not suited to colony breeding, unlike the Pin-tailed Parrot Finch

However, unlike several other parrotfinches, it is a good parent-rearing bird


Link to home page of Blue-faced Parrotfinches
Click button for section on Blue-faced Parrot Finches
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Pin-tailed Parrotfinch | Pin-tailed Nonpareil Parrotfinch

Erythrura prasina

chicks at day of hatching
parents with their fledglings
chicks at day 6
parents with their fledglings

A stunning, albeit nervous and quite shy, Parrotfinch.   Not a species for the beginner and now difficult to obtain

A very rewarding Parrotfinch, particularly as it seems to be a very willing colony breeder when conditions are to its liking

There is a naturally occurring yellow-bellied colour variant

Although much skill must go into producing mutations, I have not seen any which compete with the natural form for colour and sheer beauty

Many foster-rear as parent-rearing can be challenging with some birds

A major frustration with these birds is their unwillingness to try new, or different, foods.   This leads to problems with some to parent rear


Red-headed Parrotfinch | Red-throated Parrotfinch

Erythrura Psittacea

Red-headed
thumbnail of red headed parrot finch
sea green mutation of Red-headed parrotfinch

Definitely a very characterful, active, engaging and attractive Parrotfinch.   You will fall for this bird.  Another which suits newcomers to Parrot Finches

It is willing to breed, robust and lively   Ideally bred as single pairs but with space and cover more than one pair will breed

Not as readily available in the UK as the Blue-faced, which is surprising given that it is easy to care for and to breed

Parent-rearing is fine with this species   It is quite easy to sex as the male alone emits his pitiful excuse for a song

The Sea-green is an attractive mutation but does it really vie with the normal Reds?   My personnal attitude to 'spotty' mutations generally is probably clear already

Obviously, there are some exceptions to the rule with a few beautiful variants.


Forbes Parrotfinch | Tricolor Parrotfinch

Erythrura tricolor

cock Forbes parrot finch
hen Tricolor parrot finch
picture from front showing blue breast
Forbes - Juvenile

A discreet bird which can be nervous and likes to keep itself to itself.   It is very attractive in an understated way and easy to sex by colour alone

The overall impression is that it is not for the newcomer but that it is easier than the Pin-tailed

Some keepers parent-rear with ease while others have to use fosters.   The tendency to obesity is one of the main negatives of the Forbes

This is a bird which seems to need to pair bond very young and breed early.   Some report that it isn't particularly long-lived


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Four species are now covered, with help from well-known UK Parrotfinch (and Waxbill) breeder Graham Lee

Breeding Blue-faced Parrot Finches, Red-headed Parrot Finches and Tricolor or Forbes Parrot Finches is relatively straightforward

Pin-tailed Parrot Finches may be less easy but are not difficult.   Availability of young birds in the UK is more the problem

Blue-faced Parrotfinch

Erythrura trichroa

Blue-faced hen - split for yellow
yellow cock & normal hen
Blue-faced hen - split for yellow
yellow cock & normal hen

Certainly not the most visually commanding of Parrot Finches, except in sunlight

To my eye, a very attractive mutation is the black-eyed yellow (not to be confused with the Lutino and its eyesight problems)

A free breeding Parrot Finch.   Perhaps the best for those just starting with Parrot Finches

A robust, easy-to-care-for bird (with a nice little song), which is freely available in the UK

Not suited to colony breeding, unlike the Pin-tailed Parrot Finch

However, unlike several other parrotfinches, it is a good parent-rearing bird


Pin-tailed Parrotfinch | Pin-tailed Nonpareil Parrotfinch

Erythrura prasina

parents with their fledglings
parents with their fledglings

A stunning, albeit nervous and quite shy, Parrot Finch.   Not a species for the beginner and now difficult to obtain

A very rewarding Parrot Finch, particularly as it seems to be a very willing colony breeder when conditions are to its liking

There is a naturally occurring yellow-bellied colour variant

Although much skill must go into producing mutations, I have not seen any which compete with the natural form for colour and sheer beauty

Many foster-rear as parent-rearing can be challenging with some birds

A major frustration with these birds is their unwillingness to try new, or different, foods.   This leads to problems with some to parent rear


Button linking to Pintailed Parrot finch section
Click button for section on Pin-tailed Parrot Finches
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Red-headed Parrotfinch | Red-throated Parrotfinch

Erythrura psittacea

Red-headed Parrotfinch - normal colouration
 
sea green mutation of red-headed parrot finch

Definitely a very characterful, active, engaging and attractive Parrot Finch.   You will fall for this bird.   Another suiting newcomers to Parrotfinches

Willing to breed, robust and lively.   Ideally bred as single pairs but with space and cover, more than one pair will breed

Not as readily available in the UK as the Blue-faced, which is surprising given that it is easy to care for and to breed

Parent-rearing is fine.   It is quite easy to sex as the male alone emits his pitiful excuse for a song

The Sea-green is an attractive mutation but does it really vie with the normal Reds?

My personnal attitude to 'spotty' mutations generally is probably clear already

The exception to the rule.   This link shows a beautiful sea-green mutation


Link to Red-headed Parrot finch homepage
Click button for section on Red headed Parrot Finches
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Tricolored | Blue-breasted | Tanimbar |
Forbes Parrotfinch

Erythrura tricolor

cock Forbes parrot finch
 
hen Tricolor parrot finch

A discreet bird which can be nervous and likes to keep itself to itself.   It is very attractive, in an understated way, and easy to sex by colour alone

Overall, it is not for the newcomer but is easier than the Pin-tailed

Some keepers parent-rear with ease.   Others foster.   Tendency to obesity one of the main negatives

Seems to need to pair bond very young and breed early. Some say it isn't particularly long-lived


Link - Tricolor - Home
Click button for section on Forbes | Tricolored Parrot Finches
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