Poppy (right) and Apollo(left) have hatched four chicks. Their grown son Pumpkin (middle), hatched in July, is also taking an active role in caring for the young (society finches have been bred to be highly social and this degree of cooperative care is the norm for them.)
The chicks are in a nest box but were removed for the photograph. I handle them daily to socialize them, which gives me tamer finches. All of the adults will fly to my hand for treats.
The babies are a week old. I can tell two are dark like mom and two are a medium shade like Dad. None are as light as their older brother, but I think a few have the crested mutation their mother carries, as their head quills are growing forwards instead of backwards.
Finches grow so quickly, they will be flying in two weeks. I will post new photos as they grow.
The chicks are in a nest box but were removed for the photograph. I handle them daily to socialize them, which gives me tamer finches. All of the adults will fly to my hand for treats.
The babies are a week old. I can tell two are dark like mom and two are a medium shade like Dad. None are as light as their older brother, but I think a few have the crested mutation their mother carries, as their head quills are growing forwards instead of backwards.
Finches grow so quickly, they will be flying in two weeks. I will post new photos as they grow.
Congrats!!! more pics as they grow right?
