Lavender Waxbill (Estrilda caerulescens)
| Lavender Waxbill Estrilda caerulescens | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Lavender Waxbill |
| Name Lat. | Estrilda caerulescens |
| Family | Estrildid Finches |
| Family lat. | Estrildidae |
| Order | Perching Birds |
| Order lat. | Passeriformes |
| Origin | Africa |
| Climate | Subtropical - tropical |
| Diet | Estrilded Finch seed, sprouts, veggies |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Finch nest |
| Life Span | 5-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 10.5 cm |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | 80 x 40 x 40 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4.1" |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | 30" x 15" x 15" |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the Schönbürzel reaches from Sengal over Nigeria and Cameroon to Central Africa. The gregarious birds inhabit short grass savannahs, open grasslands interspersed with bushes and clumps of trees, but also cultivated land and gardens.
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 different thickness and height must be installed in such a way that they can only be reached by flying and the longest possible flight distance is created. It is recommended to equip them with grasses and bushes. They need a bathing opportunity as well as biotope-like hiding, sleeping and nesting possibilities. The room temperature should not fall below 15 °C.
Diet
The species-specific food offer consists of mixed seeds, available in specialized trade as "exotic food mixture" in premium quality, supplemented with red foxtail millet, germinated seeds, green food, (chickweed, green panicle millet, fresh grass panicles, semi-mature wheat, etc.).), also nectar drink and especially for raising young egg feed, insects and insect larvae (skinned, chopped meal beetle larvae, ant pupae, pinkies, small buffalos). Animal charcoal, vitamine lime and shell grit are needed as digestive aids. If there are several birds, several feeding stations should also be set up. Drinking water must always be available in birdbaths or in stable, open containers and, like food, must be offered fresh daily; the containers must be cleaned beforehand.
A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Reproduction and breeding
The sexes are difficult to distinguish, the white spots on the flanks are slightly less extended in females. Males and females have different vocal sounds.
They like to breed in biotope-like facilities such as basket nests (bionesters) and semi-open nest boxes of medium size, or freely in 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 3-5 eggs, the incubation period is about 14 days. The breeding season, biologically, is often in the winter months from October to May. When breeding, the room temperature should be at least 20 ° C.
Important
The birds may only be kept in pairs or groups
They must not be kept in a round cage. An aviary is required for flock keeping
For outdoor aviary keeping, they also require a heated shelter of at least 1 m² floor area 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 the light spectrum of natural sunlight must be provided in rooms, including shelters. The lighting duration must be between 8 and 14 hours per day. The day-night rhythm must be observed. An adequate indoor climate must be provided. The health condition of the birds must be checked daily
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Othmar Sieberer; 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