pictmanual5

David Pace's Pictorella manual (Page 5).

Health problems (cont')
Generally speaking, it seems female Pictorellas are more delicate and prone to ailments than are males. Consequently spare hens are difficult to come by (Cameron '90). A practice of some aviculturists is to keep young females and introduce young males from different blood lines (Vujovich '92).
Kingston records that egg binding is common in very young and very old female Pictorellas (Kingston '94).
Overgrown toenails can occur if Pictorellas are maintained in confined quarters (Kingston '94).
In summary, chills from damp conditions and the overstocking of aviaries are stress factors that would contribute to many losses (Queensland Finch Society '87 & Stossel '93).

Behavioural Notes
4.1 Social structure
Pictorellas form very loose social structures and tend to move around the aviary in pairs. The only preening done is on themselves. Even mated pairs do not preen each other. They are the only Australian grass-finch that does not indulge in mutual preening (Queensland Finch Society '87).

4.2 Aggression
Aggression between Pictorellas is quite common with territorial disputes occurring between individuals. This is most evident prior to breeding and during nest building (Stossel '93, Vujovich '92 & Pace '93). When housing this species in a colony of three or four pairs, I have found that one dominant breeding pair will monopolise the feed stations and nesting areas. Breeding results from all pairs can be enhanced by housing this species as single pairs in a mixed collection and placing pairs in aviaries that allow them to hear each other (Vujovich '92 & Pace '93).
It is important to note that aggression towards other species has not been recorded. Cubans Finches Tiaris canora, Green Singing Finches Serinus mozambicus and Diamond Firetails Emblema guttata have been recorded as exhibiting aggression towards Pictorellas but not to any great degree (Breeding & Research Sub-Committee '93).

4.3 Habitats
Pictorellas are generally a ground-dwelling species, utilising open sunny areas to sun themselves and forage for fallen seed. They will retreat into low scrub for privacy. Young spend a great deal of time huddled together after fledging and if disturbed will fly vertically into wire netting in much the same way as quail (Shephard '89).

4.4 Courtship
The courtship display, as described in the wild (1.5 ), has been observed in captivity, (Stossel '93 & Manwarring '77), however many other breeders have not witnessed it in their aviaries (Breeding & Research Sub-Committee, '93).

4.5 Bathing
Many breeders have reported that Pictorellas bathe frequently (Breeding & Research Sub-Committee, '93). Consequently a shallow, broad dish or pond should be provided.

4.6 Drinking
Fresh water should be available at all times and located in an area that has adequate drainage to ensure the surrounding area remains dry (Queensland Finch Society '87).

4.7 Common captive behavioural problems
n/a

4.8 Handling requirements
Pictorellas can be caught up with a standard butterfly net, preferably with a padded rim to prevent injuries, or better still an automatic finch trap could be utilised. These traps reduce the stress on other birds in the aviary but can take considerably longer to secure the bird required. I have found adult birds soon learn to avoid these traps, while young birds are usually caught quickly.

4.9 Transport requirements
As with all finch species, Pictorellas should be transported in standard carry boxes that should be well ventilated but dark to reduce stress. The availability of dry seed is important as a natural reaction to stress is to feed. Water should be available in a small container filled with cotton wool. This ensures that water does not splash out and wet the floor of the cage, creating damp conditions that could be lethal.
Amprolmix-Plus, at a dose of 5ml per litre of water, is beneficial when transporting birds as it helps them cope with the stress involved (Stossel '93).

4.10 Mixed species compatibilities, including mammals and reptiles
Pictorellas have not been recorded as being aggressive to other species and could be housed in mixed collections with species such as the Gouldian Erythrura gouldiae, Red Strawberry Amandava amandava, Plum-headed Aidemosyne modesta, Masked Poephila
personata, Cordon bleu Uraeginthus bengalus, Long-tailed Poephila acuticauda, Parsons Poephila cincta, Red browed Emblema temporalis and Red-headed and Blue-faced Parrot Finches Erythrura psittacea and Erythrura trichroa. (Breeding & Research Sub-Committee, Vujovich, Stossel & Pace). Neophemas such as Scarlet-chested Parrots Neophema splendida could also share an aviary, however considering the shy nature of Pictorellas, aggressive species or large flighty species such as doves or parrots should be avoided if possible.
Being a ground-dwelling bird, the Pictorella would be best in an aviary without other ground dwelling species such as the Painted Firetail Emblema picta or quail species such as the Painted Button Quail Turnix varia. These could interfere with the courtship activities of the Pictorella and also compete for food items that are on the ground (Shephard '89 & Pace '93).
Bird keepers at Taronga Zoo recorded problems associated with keeping Inland Bearded Dragons in a mixed bird exhibit as two Painted Finches Emblema picta went missing without a trace. Meikle and Atchison record, "The lizards were seen to stalk the birds as they ate seed on the ground and were noted to run at the birds when they took flight...it is cautioned that the mixture of Inland Bearded Dragons with small finches and larger bird species may result in predation of the birds. The Shinglebacks, though less active, had no apparent effect on bird behaviour." ( Meikle & Atchison '93).
Pictorellas, like Painted Finches, spend a great deal of time on the ground and so could also be at risk if kept with this dragon species.
No records with reference to Pictorellas being housed with mammals were located. Nocturnal and/or terrestrial mammal species would certainly not be compatible. The inclusion of a mammal species would need to be considered carefully.