Fact Sheet: Waxbills

NameName
African FireAurora
Blue-cappedCordon Bleu
Green StrawberryMelba
Orange-breastedOrange-cheeked
Purple GrenadierRed-winged Pytilia
Red StrawberrySt Helena
SenegalViolet-eared
Yellow-winged Pytilia

No licence is required for these species.

FEEDING

DRY SEED MIXTURE: comprising millets and plain canary seed.

FRESH WATER: for drinking and bathing

REGULAR GREENS: such as milk thistle, endive, dandelion, seeding grasses, etc.

LIVE FOODS: mealworms, maggots, white ants, etc.

SOAKED/SPROUTED SEEDS, CUTTLEFISH, SHELLGRIT, CHARCOAL.

HOUSING

AVIARIES*: minimum height 60cm; 3700 sq.cm. first bird, add 1800sq.cm. per extra bird

CAGES*: minimum height 34cm; 1000 sq.cm. first bird, add 500 sq.cm. per extra bird

PLANTS: most individuals do not harm plants. Beware of toxic plants.

MIXING: Generally tolerant of other birds. Some specie may hybridise if kept together, e.g. Cordon bleus and blue-cappeds; orange-breasteds and strawberrys.

ROOSTING: some species build roosting nests to sleep in at night.

SPECIAL CARE: Drafts and dampness can affect these species.

*In Victoria, a Code of Practice for the housing of caged birds applies to the keeping of birds in captivity and requires you to provide adequate space, food, water, etc. for your birds. These codes are available from Agriculture Victoria. Measurements are based on the largest species of the group.

 

 

FACT SHEETS:
(NOTE: ALL LICENCING INFORMATION RELATES TO VICTORIA ONLY)