Green-winged Pytilia (Pytilia melba)
| Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Green-winged Pytilia |
| Name Lat. | Pytilia melba |
| Family | Estrildid Finches |
| Family lat. | Estrildidae |
| Order | Perching Birds |
| Order lat. | Passeriformes |
| Origin | Africa |
| Climate | Tropical |
| Diet | Estrilded Finch seed, veggies, insects |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Finch nest |
| Life Span | 5-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 13 cm |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | 80 x 40 x 40 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 5.1" |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | 30" x 15" x 15" |
Distribution and habitat
The range of the Buntastrilden reaches from Senegal in West Africa to Ethiopia in East Africa and south to Namibia. There they live in dry grasslands and savannahs with large bush populations as well as in farmland
Cage size
The minimum cage size is 80 x 40 x 40 cm (L x W x H) for a pair. The cage size must not be undercut even in case of justified single keeping. For an additional 2-3 birds, assuming species compatibility, the floor space must be increased by 25%. The cage must be placed in a bright, draught-free and quiet place at a height of at least 80 cm (except aviaries), have a rectangular base and be opaque on three sides, aviaries on one side. Keeping in an aviary is preferable.
Maintenance
The floor must be covered with sand, wood granulate, bark mulch or similar material and must be cleaned regularly. At least 3 perches made of wood or branches of varying thickness and height must be installed in such a way that they can only be reached by flying and that the longest possible flight distance is created. They need a bathing opportunity as well as biotope-like hiding, sleeping and nesting possibilities. It is recommended to provide them with grasses, twigs and bushes. The room temperature must not fall below 15 °C.
Diet
The species-specific food offer consists of mixed seeds, available in specialized trade as "exotic food" in premium quality, supplemented with red foxtail millet, green food (chickweed, green panicle millet, fresh grass panicles, cucumber slices etc.), tangle grass seeds, abundant insect food (meadow plankton, drosphila) and especially swollen or germinated seeds (millet).), tangle grass seeds, plenty of insect food (meadow plankton, Drosphila) and, especially for rearing young, swollen or germinated seeds (millet, oats), egg food and insect larvae, such as small, skinned, cut-up mealybug larvae, ant pupae, pinkies, small buffalos and black mosquito larvae. Charcoal, vitamine lime and shell grit are needed as digestive aids. Drinking water must always be available in birdbaths or in stable, open containers and, like food, must be offered fresh daily in clean containers.
A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Reproduction and breeding
The sex difference is easily recognizable. In the male, the forehead and throat are colored red.
They like to breed in biotope-like facilities such as basket nests (bionesters) and half-open nest boxes of medium size or also freely in the branches (e.g. broom, bamboo, reeds). Nesting material consists of coconut fibers, sisal, longer grasses, and animal hair and feathers for padding. The clutch consists of 3-7 eggs, and the incubation period is about 13 days. The breeding season, biologically, is often in the winter months from October to May. When breeding, the room temperature should be at least 18 ° C.
Important
They may only be kept in pairs or in a group or flock. For swarm keeping an aviary is required. A socialization with other finches is well possible
For outdoor aviary keeping, they also need a heated shelter of at least 1 m² floor space and 1.70 m height, which can be visited by the birds at any time. The temperature in the shelter must not fall below 15 °C and the furnishings must correspond to those of cage keeping.
Sufficient daylight or flicker-free artificial light (stroboscopic effect) corresponding to daylight must be provided in rooms, including the shelters. The lighting duration must be 8-14 hours per day and the natural day-night rhythm must be observed. Adequate indoor climate shall be provided. The health condition of the birds must be checked daily
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1995): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Kleinvögeln; BIELFELD (1996): Das Prachtfinken-Buch, Verlag Eugen Ulmer; GRUMMT & STREHLOW (2009): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Vögel, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF