Neochmia phaeton evangelinae: (white-bellied) , which occurs on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, and in the Trans-Fly region of southern Papua New Guinea (Coates 1990; Higgins et al. 2006; Schodde & Mason 1999). It is conventionally accepted that there are two subspecies of the Crimson Finch (Boles 1988; Schodde & Mason 1999): the nominate subspecies, N. p. phaeton and the white-bellied subspecies, N. p. evangelinae Some authors have split the white-bellied forms of the Cape York Peninsula and Papua New Guinea into two separate subspecies, N. p. albiventer on the Cape York Peninsula, and N. p. evangelinae in Papua New Guinea, and the black bellied form
N.p.Phaeton in the west and N.p. iredalei in the east on the basis of differences in plumage (Boles 1988; Higgins et al. 2006; Keast 1958; Paynter 1968). However, other authors consider the differences to be irrelevant and due to local population plumage variance, the difference between the Cape York Peninsula and Papua New Guinea birds is also thought to be insufficient to warrant separation, and to probably result from individual variation associated with the age of the bird and the wearing of the plumage (Boles 1988; Ford 1986; Rand 1942; Schodde & Mason 1999). Further study is needed to clarify the differences between the Cape York Peninsula and Papua New Guinea populations (Higgins et al. 2006).(
08 BIRD SCENE
Australian Government the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities)
The Neochmia genus comprises the;- Crimson finch Neochmia phaeton, the Sydney waxbill (Red browed finch) Neochmia temporalis, The Star finch Neochmia ruficauda, and
the Cherry Finch (Plum headed finch) Neochmia modesta.
Introduction: The Crimson finch is commonly called the Blood Finch in Australia this is due to the predominantly blood red coloration of the cock birds plumage. This bird is often erroneously accused of being a “killer” in captivity. It is normally no more aggressive than any other Australian finch. I have had Star finches and Gouldians that showed the same amount of aggression; having seen flocks of crimsons in the Kimberley and nests within 6ft of each other I believe that this is an often maligned finch.
In My
experience only males kept as single birds for a long period of time may eventually become really aggressive when reintroduced to other birds. Having said that in my early days with this species, I had a White bellied hen that killed two mates until she found one to her liking, I now know that diet and space contribute to the aggression and the way I introduced the new males, Hence Always
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