Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava)

Red Avadavat Amandava amandava
Name	Red Avadavat
Name Lat.	Amandava amandava
Family	Estrildid Finches
Family lat.	Estrildidae
Order	Perching Birds
Order lat.	Passeriformes
Origin	Southeast Asia
Climate	Subtropical - tropical
Diet	Estrilded Finch seed, veggies, insects
Keeping	Pair, group
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Finch nest
Life Span	5-10 years
Protection	EC Annex D
Metric Units
Size	9 cm
Temperature	Room temperature
Housing	80 x 40 x 40 cm
US Units
Size	3.5"
Temperature	Room temperature
Housing	30" x 15" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

Tiger finches are widespread in South and Southeast Asia from lowland India through eastern Thailand, Cambodia, southern Vietnam to Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands. They often live in flocks in open grasslands, field margins and wet reed beds.

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 feed offer consists of mixed seeds, available in specialized trade as "exotic feed" in premium quality, supplemented with red foxtail millet, green feed (dandelion leaves, chickweed, green panicle millet, fresh grass panicles, etc.).), insect food 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 red 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. Food and water must be offered fresh daily, and the containers must be cleaned beforehand.

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The breeding plumage of the males is predominantly bright red with white spots on the flanks, while the females are grayish brown. The male is the only finch to change from breeding plumage to resting plumage in the first few years, in which he resembles the female.

They like to breed in biotope-like facilities such as wicker nests (bionesters) and semi-open nest boxes of medium size, or freely in the branches (e.g. broom, bamboo, reeds). Suitable nesting materials include coconut fibers, long grasses, sisal, and animal hair and feathers for padding. The clutch consists of 5-6 eggs, the incubation period is about 12 days. The breeding season is usually from October to May. When breeding, the room temperature should be at least 18 °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 be the same as those used for caging. 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 should 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