Species Care Sheet
Hecks Grass Finch
Scientific Name: Poephila acuticauda

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ORIGIN
The Hecks grass finch is from northwestern Australia.  They inhabit the grass and scrub lands but have also been seen in city parks and residential neighborhoods.

SEXING
Although the male and female are similar in appearance, subtle differences do make it possible to accurately sex this species.  The male has a wider bib and wider strip on the lores.  While both will sing, the male puffs out his chest feathers while singing.  He can also be seen bobbing up and down in display to the female.
 

HOUSING
The Hecks grass finch does well in either a cage or aviary setting.  They thrive in either small colonies or mixed flights..  They are the clown of the aviary, spending much of their time flitting back and forth and bobbing up and down to impress any available female.  The Hecks grass finch is an active, comical bird that is a joy to watch.  They are a hardy bird that can tolerate cooler temperatures than many of the Australian grass finches.   My birds have breed during the winter months when nighttime temperatures get down to 40 degrees at night.

DIET
Hecks grass finches will thrive on a standard finch mix, cuttlebone, oyster shell, fresh water.  Also like sprouted seed, greens, Feast soft food and small meal worms.  They are fairly eager to try new foods.  I serve Daily essentials 3 on their softfood daily and calcivet 2x/week.  During breeding, increase the calcivet to 5 times per week and add Proboost supermax to the softfoods to provide the increased protein needed.

BREEDING
I have successfully breed this species in a small 2’x2’ cage but prefer to use a 3’ cage or aviary.  The Hecks grass finch is an active, inquisitive bird who does best when given adequate flight space.  Hecks grass finches build freestanding nest or will use small nest box or wicker basket.  They construct a dome shaped nest with little to no entrance tunnel.  They line their nest with soft materials like feathers and fine grasses.  They also use feathers to camouflage the entrance to the nest sight. They will use a variety of nesting materials including soft and coarse grasses, burlap, and feathers. The female lays between  5-7 eggs.  Both parents incubate the eggs and feed the young.  It is important to increase the protein when they are raising young.  Provide either meal worms, Feast insect food, Feast soft food or grated hard boiled egg. You can alternatively add Proboost supermax to increase the protein in the softfood.  The eggs hatch after 14 days and fledge at 20 days.  The chicks are independent 21 days after fledge.  Sexual maturity is reached at about 6 months but it is best to wait until they are 9-12 months old before breeding them.