Pictorellas are the most arid-adapted member of the Lonchura genus (Munias and Mannikins). Some taxonomists in the past have excluded them from the Lonchura genus due no doubt to certain unlonchura-like physical and behavioural characteristics. I feel that their distinct differences to the other munias are more a result of adaptation to semi-arid habitat rather than a genetic disparity. The main behavioural attributes of the Pictorella which are not typical of munias are their wholly ground-based courtship ritual and significantly less socially gregarious nature. In aviculture this translates to a vastly more placid species, inherently well suited to the typical mixed species finch aviary - far more so than any other munia or mannikin I have kept and bred. To me, this totally placid nature is one of their most desirable features as an aviary bird.

 

When deciding on which species to include in our aviaries, many finch breeders decide primarily on the species' colouration, then deal with or tolerate any behavioural vices as they arise later on. I contend that a desirable temperament is the most attractive feature a species can have if it is to be housed in a mixed collection. This is far more crucial to a harmonious mixed aviary and therefore far more crucial to achieving favourable breeding outcomes with any species housed in that aviary. When determining the species mix for an aviary I determine temperament first then other factors. I have aviaries for totally placid species and others for the more boisterous ones. Within these categories there are plenty of species to pick from, but for the placid collection Pictorellas are a perfect choice. They are especially well suited to mixing with some of the rarer and more difficult to breed species which require a lightly stocked and uncompetitive environment for successful breeding.

 

As with most other lonchura species, their physical attractiveness relies more on contrasting earthy tones than gaudy brilliance of colour, however I regard Pictorellas' subtle pink/purple hues combined with the stark black/white contrasts as a most attractive addition to any aviary.

 

 

 

 

Most lonchura species in Australia seem to follow a predictable cycle of popularity very much aligned to trends in short-term rarity of the species due to their inherent lack of long-term popularity. This is due largely to the lack of eye-catching plumage colour which seems to be an essential ingredient for a species to be immuned to these cycles. Pictorellas have partly followed the "lonchura cycle", however their slightly more attractive appearance and far superior temperament have partly shielded them from its extremities.

 

The captive status of the Pictorella in Australia is an interesting case study of native finch aviculture's history and development. Back when legally trapped native finches were sent from the Kimberleys in WA to the Eastern states via bird dealers, Pictorellas were inexpensive to obtain and very inconsistently bred in aviaries. The cessation of legal trapping in 1985 posed a significant challenge to aviculturists to maintain a viable aviary population of Pictorellas and the other previously trapped species. Given the patchy breeding results attained up until then with Pictorellas, it was no surprise to see their numbers in aviaries drop significantly in the years immediately following cessation of trapping. My own breeding experiences with Pictorellas during and for about 10 years following legal trapping could at best be described as intermittent. From what I saw with other breeders at the time this was a common outcome. Since about the mid 1990s I have noticed a gradual and steady, but very noticeable improvement in breeding results achieved by more and more Pictorella breeders. These improved breeding outcomes have been extremely significant in my opinion - so much so that I now regard Pictorellas as my most prolific breeding native finch species.

 

I attribute the lift in numbers of Pictorellas bred nowadays to a combination of greater domestication of the species to captive environments and a corresponding improvement in the general standard of finch aviculture in Australia over this 20 - 25 year period. Advances in finch diets, housing and aviary management have corresponded with the increased output of young Pictorellas. The most significant improvements to help in this regard have been those which mimic the best natural diet and habitat elements. Greater emphasis on providing regular supplies of green seeding grasses and livefood have provided the main dietary stimulus. The advent of commercial supply of frozen green seed, feeding of lebanese cucumber and greater commercial availability of livefoods have assisted many urban aviculturists to provide consistent supplies of the best breeding foods which have assisted in the production of Pictorellas. Similarly the construction of well-designed, large, planted, vermin-proof aviaries in recent decades has allowed many Pictorella breeders to better provide the seeding grass planted flights much preferred by Pictorellas. This simulates more preferred natural habitat elements and also facilitates growing grasses as nesting sites - a distinct preference for many Pictorella pairs. Indeed, Pictorellas are highly skilled at building a nest in growing grasses. Of all the estrildid species, they seem to best incorporate the growing grass itself as the framework of the construction. This first stage of such grass nests closely resembles the first stage of the true Euplectes weaver nests. The strength of this aspect of grass nests is most evident when the old nest is removed from the grass tussock, taking considerable force to do so.

 

 

 

 

Many breeders are also recognising the correlation between lightly stocking a breeding aviary and the significantly improved breeding results which this facilitates. An improved attention to preventative worming and coccidiosis treatment regimes and the associated increasing range of medications has also reflected the general improved standard of care given to many finch collections. In years gone by such matters have been dealt with in a very hit-and-miss approach and with chemicals not specifically intended for birds and at dosage rates which varied from breeder to breeder. Regular preventative worming and coccidia treatments have greatly assisted the plight of Pictorellas given that they are a very ground-oriented species and therefore highly susceptable to these infestations.

 

My earlier attempts at breeding Pictorellas were restricted by a strictly seasonal breeding drive. However in recent years I've found them to be willing to breed at any time of year. I normally associate willingness to nest at any time of year with the degree of domestication of a species, but this may also be brought about by our ability to provide year-round supplies of green seed and other natural breeding stimulants which previously were restricted to seasonal availability. Freezing of summer surplus of green grass seeds to later feed during cooler months when natural supply is unavailable in most regions is by-and-large a more recent common practice. Such an extension to the consistent supply of key breeding foods is an obvious contributor to the birds' willingness to breed at any time.

 

The improved status of the Pictorella in Australian aviaries has broadly followed the rising standard of care applied by many finch breeders over recent decades. Greater attention to detail by a growing number of breeders has certainly paid dividends in the breeding results achieved for the species. The apparent drastic turnaround is a true credit to modern finch aviculture's best practice - a genuine triumph of avicultural skill and dedication over the threat of declining stocks of a previously challenging and threatened species.