'Tricolor or Forbes cock
Several names - Forbes/ Tricolor/ Tri-colored/ Blue-breasted/ Tanimbar - Parrot Finches - (cock bird)

Housing - look great in aviaries, particularly when in sun

Otherwise, the biggest cage possible is advisable as they tend towards obesity.   Arrange perches to deter straightforward hopping from perch to perch

So... nest box at highest point.  A single front to rear perch. 2 smaller perches nearer the ground food container on floor to encourage vertical flight

Tend to be a fairly nervous bird so space is very important, especially if trying to parent-rear

Feeding/ Softfood - can put weight on quickly so be careful on the amount of soft food given

Feeding is similar as for other parrot finches but tend to like smaller seeds as in the Jos van Himbergen Code No. 4 seed mixture

Exact mix is unknown but examples of smaller seeds are plate millet, red Panicum (not red millet)

Forbes like grass seeds ie Kanaus grass, fresh grass seed heads.   Aalso like niger but it is fattening


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Breeding - one of the more difficult parrot finches to parent rear, although some breeders can find it relatively easy

Sexing is easy - cock has darker blue breast than the hen..   Colour shows very early in first moult as coloured spots appear on breast after approximately 4 months

Pair early - very important to pair absolutely as soon as possible ie as soon as colours start to show.   But, pair off without a nest box

 
'Tricolor or Forbes hen
Tricolor or Forbes hen

Delaying pairing can make pair-bond formation very difficult with older birds

As soon as come into full colour put in next box. Birds could be as young as 4 or 5 months old.  Time to first moult varies according to the conditions - amount of light, food etc

Forbes seem to breed early and have a short breeding life ie are past their best at 18 months

Nest boxes - normal half-fronted nest boxes as high as possible, hanging on front or inner top rear corner


'Tricolor or Forbes cock
Several names - Forbes/ Tricolor/ Tri-colored/ Blue-breasted/ Tanimbar - Parrot Finches - (cock bird)

Housing - look great in aviaries, particularly when in sun, remain fit and slim

Otherwise, biggest cage possible best as they tend towards obesity

Arrange perches to deter straightforward hopping from perch to perch

So... nest box at highest point.  A single front to rear perch. 2 smaller perches nearer the ground food container on floor to encourage vertical flight

Tend to be a fairly nervous bird so space is very important, especially if trying to parent-rear

Feeding/ Softfood - can put weight on quickly so be careful on the amount of soft food given

Feeding is similar as for other parrot finches but tend to like smaller seeds as in the Jos van Himbergen Code No. 4 seed mixture

Exact mix is unknown but examples of smaller seeds are plate millet, red Panicum (not red millet)

Forbes like grass seeds ie Kanaus grass, fresh grass seed heads.   Aalso like niger but it is fattening


to top menu
 
Tricolor or Forbes hen
Tricolor or Forbes hen

Breeding - one of the more difficult parrot finches to parent rear, although some breeders can find it relatively easy.   Sexing is easy - cock has darker blue breast than the hen.   Colour shows very early in first moult, coloured spots appear on breast after approximately 4 months

Pair early - very important to pair absolutely as soon as possible ie as soon as colours start to show.   But, pair off without a nest box

Delaying pairing can make pair-bond formation very difficult with older birds

As soon as come into full colour put in next box. Birds could be as young as 4 or 5 months old

Time to first moult varies according to the conditions - amount of light, food etc

Forbes seem to breed early and have a short breeding life ie are past their best at 18 months

Nest boxes - normal half-fronted nest boxes as high as possible, hanging on front or inner top rear corner


to top menu
to top menu