Red-billed Firefinch (Lagonosticta senegala)
| Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Red-billed Firefinch |
| Name Lat. | Lagonosticta senegala |
| Family | Estrildid Finches |
| Family lat. | Estrildidae |
| Order | Perching Birds |
| Order lat. | Passeriformes |
| Origin | Africa |
| Climate | Subtropical - tropical |
| Diet | Estrilded Finch seed, veggies, insects |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Finch nest |
| Life Span | 5-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 9.5 cm |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | 80 x 40 x 40 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3.7" |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | 30" x 15" x 15" |
Distribution and habitat
The Senegal amaranth is widespread in West Africa, from Senegal to South Africa. They live in the savannahs and steppes with thorny bushes in the immediate vicinity of water as well as in gallery forests and cultivated land.
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, dandelion, ribwort, etc.), tangle grass seeds, insect feed (meadow plankton) and, especially for the young, swollen or germinated seeds (millet, oats).), tangle grass seeds, insect food (meadow plankton) 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, 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. 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
Males are vivid red on the head, neck, throat, chest and anterior abdomen, females are generally yellowish gray on the body, the rein to over-eye stripe is red.
They like to breed in biotope-like facilities such as basket nests (bionesters) and semi-open nest boxes of medium size, or freely in the branches (e.g. broom, bamboo, reeds). Suitable nesting material is sisal, coconut fibers, long grasses as well as animal hair and feathers for padding. The clutch consists of 4-6 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 20 °C.
Important
They must not be kept in a round cage. An aviary is required for flock keeping
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 should 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: petdata
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