The Java Rice Finch is a very pretty bird and one of the larger finches you will find. This bird originates from southern Asia, where they are pests in the rice paddies. Some states in the United States have apparently banned these finches as pets due to the nuisance they become if they escape to live in the wild.

This bird is also know as Java Sparrow: Rice Bird: Rice Munia: Paddy Bird, Java Temple.

The normal wild coloured Java Rice Finch has a red beak, black top of head and tail, large white cheek patches, grey back and top of breast with pink tinged into the grey on the lower breast. The feathers are always very sleek looking.


Thanks to Rob Salem at Salem's Java Finches for the use of this picture.

Selective breeding has resulted in several different colour mutations including pied, fawn, white, and black headed.

Only the male Java Rice Finch sings, so the best way to sex them is to separate the birds & watch to see which one is singing. Breeders can also sex them by closely examining the beaks for colour and size as well as the eye ring, but this is very difficult for the average person to notice.

Because these birds are very active and due to their size, a large cage or a flight is needed to keep them happy and healthy.

I have a picture of a Java Rice Finch at Bella Online Postcards if you wish to send someone a postcard featuring one of these birds. Just click on the Gouldian Finch to take you to the selection of finch postcards.

Take the Canary & Finch Quiz to see how much you know about these birds.

If you are interested in reading more about finches, Amazon.ca has a book that may want to look at The Complete Book of Finches and Softbills.