Tropical birds

Food & drink

Quelle alimentation donner à ma perruche ?What should I give my tropical birds to eat?

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A good seed mixture as a basic diet for your tropical birds

A seed mix for these small birds is formulated from various types of fine seeds and forms a good basic diet for most species. They should also be provided with some concentrated food and grit. All of these components are already integrated in a good food mix. Most species also like some fruit or vegetables.

Important information

Five useful tips!

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Five useful tips when you are thinking about buying tropical birds

  1. Choose a species that suits you. Each species has specific behavioural and care needs.
  2. Some kinds of tropical birds can successfully be kept together in a large cage or indoor aviary.
  3. The zebra finch is a bird that is easy to care for and often kept as a pet.
  4. Most species of tropical birds get on well.
  5. As they are only small, it's better for these birds not to spend winter outside.

A good seed mixture as a basic diet for your tropical birds

A seed mix for these small birds is formulated from various types of fine seeds and forms a good basic diet for most species. They should also be provided with some concentrated food and grit. All of these components are already integrated in a good food mix. Most species also like some fruit or vegetables.

Five useful tips when you are thinking about buying tropical birds

  1. Choose a species that suits you. Each species has specific behavioural and care needs.
  2. Some kinds of tropical birds can successfully be kept together in a large cage or indoor aviary.
  3. The zebra finch is a bird that is easy to care for and often kept as a pet.
  4. Most species of tropical birds get on well.
  5. As they are only small, it's better for these birds not to spend winter outside.

Fun facts!

Did you know...

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Five fun and important facts about the cutest pets!

tropcial finch

  1. Many of the tropical bird species we keep come from Australia, including the zebra finch.
  2. Most species of tropical birds love weed seeds.
  3. The society finch is a species that is not found in the wild.
  4. The original name of the Java sparrow is the padda, which refers to the rice it likes to eat.
  5. The Gouldian finch is one of the most beautifully coloured tropical birds.

Housing

Things you really need to know!

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How do I provide the best possible home for my large tropical bird?

Tropical birds really need their space. A large aviary is a minimum requirement. Some tropical birds, such as the zebra finch, are best kept as a pair. Others, such as the Gouldian finch and Java sparrow, are best kept in small groups. Tropical birds can be kept in an outdoor aviary, as long as there is a (heated) night shelter available. Plants in the cage are always nice for the birds too. On the floor of the cage, use sand or wood chips as a ground covering. Wood chips are usually preferable as they last longer. 

 

Five fun and important facts about the cutest pets!

tropcial finch

  1. Many of the tropical bird species we keep come from Australia, including the zebra finch.
  2. Most species of tropical birds love weed seeds.
  3. The society finch is a species that is not found in the wild.
  4. The original name of the Java sparrow is the padda, which refers to the rice it likes to eat.
  5. The Gouldian finch is one of the most beautifully coloured tropical birds.

How do I provide the best possible home for my large tropical bird?

Tropical birds really need their space. A large aviary is a minimum requirement. Some tropical birds, such as the zebra finch, are best kept as a pair. Others, such as the Gouldian finch and Java sparrow, are best kept in small groups. Tropical birds can be kept in an outdoor aviary, as long as there is a (heated) night shelter available. Plants in the cage are always nice for the birds too. On the floor of the cage, use sand or wood chips as a ground covering. Wood chips are usually preferable as they last longer. 

 

Zebra finch

One of the best known tropical birds!

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zebra finchA closer look at the Zebra finch!

This small bird is ideal if you don't have much experience with birds yet. They are not difficult to care for and are also relatively easy to breed. Zebra finches can also be kept in combination with other tropical bird species. The males in most colour variations have an orange cheek patch and a redder beak than the females. Today, there are many different coloured zebra finches. 

Gouldian finch

One of the most colourful tropical birds!

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gouldian finchesA closer look at the Gouldian finch!

The Gouldian finch comes from Northern Australia and was discovered by John Gould. These birds are best known for their beautiful, brightly coloured plumage. A distinction is made between the red-headed, black-headed and yellow-headed Gouldian finch. As a rule they are friendly to other Gouldian finches as well as other species. If they are kept in an outdoor aviary it is advisable to provide them with a heated night shelter or to keep them indoors during the winter. 

Society finch

A special bird!

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 Bengalese finchA closer look at the Society finch!

The society finch was created through cross breeding of two species and is therefore not found in the wild. It is now a well known species among both beginners and experienced bird lovers. They are friendly to other bird species and have few specific demands in terms of housing and care. This species is known among breeders for easily incubating other bird species' eggs and raising the young. So they are sometimes used in this way to raise the young of struggling parent birds.

zebra finchA closer look at the Zebra finch!

This small bird is ideal if you don't have much experience with birds yet. They are not difficult to care for and are also relatively easy to breed. Zebra finches can also be kept in combination with other tropical bird species. The males in most colour variations have an orange cheek patch and a redder beak than the females. Today, there are many different coloured zebra finches. 

gouldian finchesA closer look at the Gouldian finch!

The Gouldian finch comes from Northern Australia and was discovered by John Gould. These birds are best known for their beautiful, brightly coloured plumage. A distinction is made between the red-headed, black-headed and yellow-headed Gouldian finch. As a rule they are friendly to other Gouldian finches as well as other species. If they are kept in an outdoor aviary it is advisable to provide them with a heated night shelter or to keep them indoors during the winter. 

 Bengalese finchA closer look at the Society finch!

The society finch was created through cross breeding of two species and is therefore not found in the wild. It is now a well known species among both beginners and experienced bird lovers. They are friendly to other bird species and have few specific demands in terms of housing and care. This species is known among breeders for easily incubating other bird species' eggs and raising the young. So they are sometimes used in this way to raise the young of struggling parent birds.

For the professionals!

Ambition to breed?

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Are you already familiar with breeding tropical birds?

nest tropical finch

Breeding tropical birds requires more specific knowledge about the type of bird. The zebra finch's eggs, for example, are light green and are incubated for 13 to 14 days. The male and female incubate in turn, taking over from each other every one to two hours. After hatching, the young are kept warm by the parents for about six days and, depending on the weather, the adult birds leave the nest for longer periods. At the age of three weeks, the young fledge. They are then fed by the parents on a gradually decreasing basis for a few more weeks. After five weeks, the young are independent. A breeding pair should not raise more than two or a maximum of three broods per year. Young birds should not be bred earlier than the age of ten months. 

Rewards

I like a snack sometimes too!

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A snack won't do any harm, but always use moderation. 

Everyone likes to treat their pet sometimes. But for pets that live in a restricted space, it's important not to just constantly give them snacks. Witte Molen's snacks for lovebirds are formulated with care. So it's no problem to treat your lovebird to something tasty now and then when they've been good, could do with a little something extra or to reward them when you're training them.

Tailored products

Food, snacks and bedding

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Are you already familiar with breeding tropical birds?

nest tropical finch

Breeding tropical birds requires more specific knowledge about the type of bird. The zebra finch's eggs, for example, are light green and are incubated for 13 to 14 days. The male and female incubate in turn, taking over from each other every one to two hours. After hatching, the young are kept warm by the parents for about six days and, depending on the weather, the adult birds leave the nest for longer periods. At the age of three weeks, the young fledge. They are then fed by the parents on a gradually decreasing basis for a few more weeks. After five weeks, the young are independent. A breeding pair should not raise more than two or a maximum of three broods per year. Young birds should not be bred earlier than the age of ten months. 

A snack won't do any harm, but always use moderation. 

Everyone likes to treat their pet sometimes. But for pets that live in a restricted space, it's important not to just constantly give them snacks. Witte Molen's snacks for lovebirds are formulated with care. So it's no problem to treat your lovebird to something tasty now and then when they've been good, could do with a little something extra or to reward them when you're training them.

Frequently asked questions

My zebra finches eat a complete feed. Can I feed it extra egg food?

Of course! Most zebra finches and other tropical birds love egg food, and it is also good for them as it is packed full of vitamins and minerals.

What can I give my tropical birds as a snack?

There are many delicious and safe snacks available for these little birds! Choose an egg food, millet, a seed stick for birds or a tasty wild seed mix. Make sure you don’t give them too much at once; otherwise they won’t eat their normal food.

Will my tropical birds get fat if they eat millet?

No, millet contains very little fat. In any case, most of the seeds in tropical bird feed are from the same family as millet.