Peters' Twinspot (Hypargos niveoguttatus)

Peters' Twinspot Hypargos niveoguttatus
Name	Peters' Twinspot
Name Lat.	Hypargos niveoguttatus
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	Easy
Reproduction	Finch nest
Life Span	5-10 years
Protection	EC Annex D
Metric Units
Size	13 cm
Temperature	Room temperature
Housing	80 x 40 x 40 cm
US Units
Size	5"
Temperature	Room temperature
Housing	30" x 15" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of the red droplet astrilden is East Africa, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. They live at forest and water edges as well as in areas with dense bushes, mostly in family groups.

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 must not fall below 15 °C.

Diet

The species-specific feed offer consists of mixed seeds, available in specialized trade as "exotic feed" in premium quality, supplemented with red foxtail millet, green feed (chickweed, green panicle millet, fresh grass panicles, semi-mature wheat, etc.), tangle grass seeds, insect feed and, especially for the young, swollen or germinated seeds (millet, oats) and insect larvae.), tangle grass seeds, insect food and, especially for raising young, swollen or germinated seeds (millet, oats), egg food and insect larvae, such as small, skinned, cut-up mealybug larvae, ant pupae and small buffalos. Charcoal, vitamin 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; the containers must be cleaned beforehand.

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The sex difference is easily recognizable. The male is red on the head, sides of the neck, chin, throat and chest, the females do not have a red but an olive-brown face.

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) near the ground. Suitable nesting material is sisal, coconut fibers, long grasses, and animal hair and feathers for padding. The clutch consists of 3 to 5 eggs, the incubation period is about 13 days. The breeding season is usually from October to May. When breeding, the room temperature should be at least 20 °C.

Species protection

Species protection: EU Appendix D, monitoring of trade relevance (monitoring). Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Important

They must not be kept in a round cage. For flock keeping, an aviary is required. In the case of outdoor aviary keeping, they also require a heated shelter with a floor area of at least 1 m² and a height of 1.70 m, 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

They may only be kept in pairs or in a group or flock. Socialization with other finches is possible. In rooms, including shelters, sufficient daylight or flicker-free artificial light (stroboscopic effect) corresponding to daylight must be provided. The lighting duration shall be 8-14 hours per day and the natural day-night rhythm shall be observed. Adequate indoor climate shall be provided. The health condition of the birds shall 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