Yellow-rumped Munia (Lonchura flaviprymna)
| Yellow-rumped Munia Lonchura flaviprymna | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Yellow-rumped Munia |
| Name Lat. | Lonchura flaviprymna |
| Synonym | Munia flaviprymna |
| Family | Estrildid Finches |
| Family lat. | Estrildidae |
| Order | Perching Birds |
| Order lat. | Passeriformes |
| Origin | NW-Australia |
| Climate | Tropical |
| Diet | Finch seed, sprouts, herbage |
| Keeping | Swarm |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Finch nest |
| Life Span | 5-7 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 11 cm |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | 80 x 40 x 40 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4.3" |
| Temperature | Room temperature |
| Housing | 30" x 15" x 15" |
Distribution and habitat
The home of the yellow-breasted nun wild form is in north-west and northern Australia, where they occur in tall grass and reed stands, swamps with wild rice, partly also as crop followers. They are only available as a breeding form since the export ban in 1960.
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 another 2-3 birds, species compatibility provided, 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 and bushes. The room temperature should not fall below 15 °C.
Diet
The species-specific feed offer consists of mixed seeds, in the specialized trade as "Exotenfutter" available in premium quality, plus foxtail millet, hulled oats, germinated seeds (green panicle millet, half-ripe grass panicles, half-ripe wheat, cucumber slices or chickweed) and, especially for rearing young, egg feed mixed with germ feed, insects and insect larvae (small, skinned, cut-up mealybug larvae, ant pupae, small buffalos). Charcoal, vitamine lime and shell grit are needed as digestive aids. Drinking water must always be available in birdbaths or stable, open containers and, like food, must be offered fresh daily in clean containers.
A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Sex dimorphism
Both sexes are equally colored, the females often have a more delicate head and bill, the males are almost only recognizable by their song.
Reproduction and breeding
They like to nest in biotope-like facilities such as wicker 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, broad longer (dry also green) grasses, and grass fibers for padding. The clutch consists of 4 to 6 eggs, the incubation period is 13 days. The breeding season is, biologically speaking, all year round. When breeding, the room temperature should be at least 20 °C.
Important
They may only be kept in pairs or in a group or flock. A socialization with other finches is well possible
They must not be kept in a round cage. For flock keeping an aviary is required. 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 should be 8-14 hours per day and the natural day-night rhythm must be observed. Adequate indoor climate should 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: 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 § 25 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF