| Java rice birds (also called Java Rice finches or Java sparrows) are striking birds wearing gray plumage on their bodies and black on their heads and tails. Although some do come in white.Their black head feathers are accented by bold white cheek patches, pink eye rings and large, pink bills. Both sexes look alike (although males may have larger, brighter bills than females). When creating pairs, it is easiest to rely on the song of the males, since females do not sing. To feed Java rice birds, begin with a finch or budgie mix that contains large millet (white proso) and canary seed. Rice birds also enjoy other comparatively large seeds for finches, such as rye, wheat, hemp, rice and oats. In addition to dry seed mixtures, rice birds also enjoy soaked or sprouted seeds, dry or soaked millet sprays and ripening seedling heads, including crabgrass and plantain. For additional protein, add some soft foods, such as mashed, hard-boiled egg's , nestling foods or pelleted foods for small birds. In addition rice birds relish live food, especially small mealworms. Rice birds also enjoy fresh greens, particularly green leafy spinach, which is highly recommended. Some rice birds also eat veggies, such as fresh snap green beans (I cut them open to reveal the tasty insides). Then my rice birds eagerly peck the insides of the bean. In addition, offer rice birds cuttlebone, finely ground oyster shell or mineral mixture and a little grit. To accommodate rice birds, also offer fresh drinking and bathing water daily. Rice birds are avid bathers and deserve the opportunity for a daily bath. Bathing helps keep your birds plumage in top condition, and it is a community activity that rice birds enjoy. Since rice birds are relatively large finches (measuring about 6 inches long), provide a cage at least 30 inches in length. Or, if possible, offer a cage closer to 40 inches in length, which provides more room for exercise and encourages rice birds to stay active. Give your rice birds a little security and privacy by adding some plants as camouflage, or place a partial cage cover over a portion of the top of the cage (covering the roosting or nesting site, for example). I provide mine with a buggie nest box. If a roosting nest encourages the birds to breed continuously, however, remove the nest, since rice birds do adjust to sleeping on a perch, especially if the roosting spot has a little plant cover to screen the sleepers from view. Rice birds, which may breed best when in sight or sound of other rice birds, can be bred on tbe colony system or as pairs housed in large, mixed flights with other finches that are approximately the same size as the rice birds; however, they should not be housed with smaller finches including most waxbills. Rice birds are highly social birds witb very interesting behaviors. Mates sit side by side and preen their partners. During courtship, males can be observed displaying to their mates by bobbing on the perch and singing. Perhaps the most interesting display is the greeting display, which is performed after mates have been separated or when mates preen each other in the moming: Both partners hop toward one another, bowing and lifting their heads, so each takes a turn at raising its head above its mate's. Despite their wonderful qualities as pets, possession of rice birds is restricted in some states. Before acquiring rice birds, check with your state fish and game officials to be sure rice birds can be kept legally in your state. |
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| Java Rice |