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This is a pair of Pearl Headed Amadines (lonchura caniceps.) They have several names such as Grey Headed Mannikin or Munia, Pearl Headed Silverbill, and Grey Crowned Mannikin or Munia. They come from the African plains, specifially Ethiopia and Tanzania. They stand about 5 inches tall. The sexes are monomorphic meaning the sexes look alike. But the male will sometimes have a richer coloring than the hen, and he may have larger white spots. But as in every specie of finch, there will be in between colors. The only real indicator between the sexes is the courtship behavior of the male. He will sit with his head pointed straight up, and sing his unusual song. Sometimes he will also carry in his beak white feathers or long grass stems, and hop up and down on the perch. Also, he will jump on the hen then hop of to the opposite side from which he started, while singing and hold a blade of grass.
In this pic, this pair is still in quarantine, which lasts a month or longer. These were in quarantine for a month and a half. They have a wicker nest in the cage, because they are nest sleepers. This is my second pair of amadines. My first pair have laid two clutches. The first clutch, of 5 eggs, were infertile. The second clutch, of 5 eggs, had three dead in shell (DIS) and two infertile eggs. The problem with the DIS is that there was not enough humidity in the birdroom. I have since added a humidifier. I have found they like the wicker nest over building their own or using nest boxes.
If you are ever looking for a finch to put in a community aviary, like my set up, I would recommend these to you. They get along with the other inhabitants nicely, and they just have an overall good personality. |
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