The under-rated cut-throat

UPON reading the name “cut-throat” or “band finch”, most birdkeepers will almost immediately get an image of a simple brown-grey coloured bird with a striking red throat band.

A few decades ago, these finches were imported by the thousands and cost a few pounds at the bird sales and pet shops. They were regularly bred by enthusiasts, often in mixed aviaries. Yet the cut-throat finch never developed a really great popularity. It was an “also ran” in aviculture.

In recent years, and certainly after the heightened restrictions on imports, this bird has enjoyed growing popularity. This greater interest is certainly in part due to the mutations that have occurred, which have added a dimension to the keeping and breeding of these birds.