For more information
on other animals found at Cub Creek Science Camp visit our
animal page.
Spice Finch
Spice Finches, also known as
Nutmeg Mannikins, are widely distributed throughout India,
Southern Asia, Ceylon, and Malaysia.
Spice Finches reach a size of
4 3/4" (12 cm). They have a bluish-black bill. The head,
throat, and neck are a chestnut brown, going into a
chocolate brown on the top and sides of the neck, and
usually darker on the head. The under parts are a whitish
buff. The breast and sides are a brown with a dark brown
scalloped edging to the feathers.
The Spice Finch gather in
small groups in the wild. They are very peaceful and
sometimes their groups will be mixed with a variety of other
small birds. Spice Finches are very hardy and dealers in
India have been known to dye this little bird different
colors, especially green, and offer them for sale as
"painted finches". This must not be confused with the real
Painted Finch (Emblema picta)! This
information was taken from
http://animal-world.com
At Cub Creek Science Camp we
have Spice finches in the Habitat area of the Animal
Learning Center with our Sloth, Fred. They dart about
minding their own business but giving Fred some company.
