How to Keep a Hwamei: Master the Key Points of Bird Selection, Feeding and Daily Care

The hwamei is a traditional ornamental songbird in China, named for the white feather stripe around its eyes that resembles an eyebrow. It has a melodious song and is lively and active, and it has long been favored by bird-keeping enthusiasts. Before keeping a hwamei, you should first learn the local wild animal protection regulations and obtain the bird through legal channels.

The hwamei is excitable and timid, so it is best to choose a slightly larger and sturdy birdcage, with perches, a food dish and a water dish inside. A new bird tends to thrash against the cage after being introduced, so you can first cover the cage with a cage cloth and place it in a quiet spot, letting it slowly adapt to the environment. Normally, hang the cage in a ventilated place with scattered light, avoiding direct sun and drafts.

As for feeding, the hwamei mainly eats insects and grains. In daily care you can feed it egg rice and millet, supplemented with live insects such as breadworms, along with a small amount of fruit and green feed. Drinking water should be kept clean and is best changed every day. During the molting period and the peak singing period, the proportion of animal protein can be appropriately increased.

In terms of daily management, the hwamei loves cleanliness, so water baths should be provided regularly; in summer it can be bathed frequently, while in winter the frequency should be reduced and attention paid to keeping warm. Persisting in walking the bird and letting it bask in the sun helps strengthen its constitution and promote singing. The cage and surrounding environment should also be cleaned regularly to prevent the breeding of bacteria.

If a hwamei does not sing for a long time, it is mostly related to an unfamiliar environment, being startled, or poor condition; you can increase the number of bird-walking sessions, reduce disturbances, and patiently nurse it back. Overall, the key to keeping a hwamei well lies in a stable environment, a varied diet and diligent daily management. Only with careful care can it sing healthily.