St. Helena Waxbill
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SCIENTIFIC NAME: Estrilda astrild
Also Known as: Common Waxbill
ORIGIN:
Originally tropical and southern Africa but has now been introduced to St. Helena, Mauritius, Reunion, Rodriquez, Seychelles, Amirantes, Tahiti, Brazil, Portugal, and Hawai'i where it has become more or less established. It inhabits open grassland, farmland, cultivated fields, marshes, grassy clearings in forests, and near human habitation, especially abandoned farms.DIET:
Almost exclusively small grass seeds, although some small insects may be taken.
SPECIFIC FEATURES:
Usually seen in large flocks sometimes numbering in the thousands. . It is thought by some to be the most numerous bird on planet Earth at this time, although others credit this to the red-headed quelea, a species of weaverbird. Males sometimes show a brighter shade of red in the face mask and usually display a rosy-pink shade on the abdomen which females lack. They are often seen hanging from the stems of grasses harvesting the tiny seeds in typical Estrildid fashion.
BREEDING:
A small globe of woven grasses is built in a stand of grass or short, dense shrub. A typical "cock's nest" is constructed on top. 4-5 white eggs form the usual clutch which hatches in about 13 days. Young fledge in another 20 days looking much like the adults, only duller.
ST. HELENAS IN CAPTIVITY
HABITAT DESIGN:
Plenty of long-stemmed grasses should cover most of the floor, leaving a small area of dry ground for dust bathing and sunning. Dense shrubs and a few taller open trees or tall shrubs may be placed randomly about the enclosure for roosting. Though shade is necessary, they will do best in a well-lit space with plenty of direct sunshine. If housed alone as a species, one feeding station will suffice as they are quite gregarious. They may, however, be bullied by other more aggressive species in mixed collections.
DIET:
Small millets, loose and on the stem, amaranth, canary grass, and other small seeds may be offered. Standard finch mixture is often given though many of the seeds usually found in these mixes will be discarded. Green food in small quantities and small mealworms, fruit flies, and tiny wax worms will also be taken.
BREEDING:
Has been successfully reared in @nests constructed in tumble weeds placed against a wall or laid directly on the ground. Hammocks made of large mesh poultry netting stuffed with coarse grass has also been utilized. Large wicker or woven grass baskets have been used on occasion, along with empty gourds and coconut hulls.
The nest is built mostly of grass stems and if enough are not available growing, in the enclosure, this should be supplied cut and loose in hampers made for the purpose. Soft white down feathers, if offered, will usually be used to line the structure.
Young will mature into adulthood in just a few short months from fledging. Banding is the only way after that to tell the young from the adults. This practice should be encouraged to help prevent inbreeding and thus weakening future captive stocks of this popular bird.
They will nest as single pairs or in colonies if space and available nesting site options are good. They will sometimes build two or more nests in the same bush or tumbleweed if there is room. In a mixed collection, they will hybridize quite freely with many other Estrildids and care should be taken to prevent this to keep the races pure.
Once established, they are free breeders that may raise four clutches in a year. This is considered a good limit and reducing them to dry seed alone and removing nesting material should be enough to prompt them to a well deserved rest.
