Ureaginthus Ianthinogaster

ORIGIN:

Found throughout east Africa in thorn scrub, dry grassland, and open forest, usually where surface water available much of the year.

DIET:

Small seeds of grasses and small herbaceous plants. Termites are eagerly taken, especially when rearing young. Has been seen nibbling at new vegetative growth and flower buds.

SPECIFIC FEATURES:

Grenadiers are dichromatic, the hens having only light traces of shades of lavender on the head to the male's deep violet blue. The rest of the coloring of the hen is light rusty brown with tiny white flecks whereas the male's is deep russet brown and vibrant deep violet. This coloring is attained when sexually mature, about 4-5 months of age, but young males show markedly brighter colors than young females upon leaving the nest.

In the wild they may be observed in small family parties or loose flocks. During breeding, they separate off into pairs and can be aggressive toward other Ureaginthus species, but are peaceful towards all others.

REPRODUCTION:

The nest, built mostly by the male, is in a low bush or tree and made of grass stems and panicles. 3-5 white eggs are incubated by both parents for 13 days and the young, initially fed on termites and green seed graduating to ripe seeds, fledge after 20 days.

PURPLE GRENADIERS IN CAPTIVITY

HABITAT DESIGN:

A habitat on the dry side is best for Grenadiers. Thom scrub, the dominant plant form in their native homeland, may be used or substituted with Acacia baileyana, cropped regularly to increase its density, or other tall plant material of similar growth habit. These might be placed around the edges (sides and back) of the enclosure with the front and center planted with shorter shrubs and tall grasses. Some open dry substrate will give them a place to pick around for minerals and other nutrients, take sun baths, and display to mates during courtship.

Sun lovers, as are most African waxbills, they must also have some retreat from intense heat. It is important to remember to accommodate every species in the enclosure for shade, wind, and rain protection so no one gets forced to be exposed to the elements for lack of enough protected territory.

DIET:

Millet, small and large in all varieties, canary grass seed, and other small seeds may be offered harvested in a dish or on the stem, green or ripe. A small amount of greenfood will be taken and small insects such as termites, mealworms, and bee moth larvae will be eaten throughout the year. Once accustomed to it, they relish soaked Zu- Preem, especially when raising young. It may be fattening to give too liberally the rest of the year.

BREEDING:

The typical waxbill nest, globular and constructed of grass stems and panicles, is located in a dense shrub 4-8 feet from the ground in large wicker finch basket, or tangle of dry vines well secluded. It is usually thickly lined with feathers and soft plant fibers. There is no "cock's roost" on the top as many other waxbills create. Both birds may be seen in the nest from time to time and the cock does share in some of the incubation. 4-6 white eggs will be laid and incubated for 13 days. The young are fed mostly soft-bodied insects for the first several days eventually graduating to soft, milky seeds and then to hard seed just before fledging at around 23 days.

At first appearance, youngsters look much like hens with less white spotting. Adult coloring comes in slowly and in patches at first. The process is usually complete by 6 months of age, but they may actually begin to breed before this time. One pair (of the genus) per enclosure is best for successful breeding to be realized.