Black rumped Waxbill
BirdCare.com.au
PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

Home ] Up ] Aberdeen Finch ] African Silverbill ] Aurora Finch ] Bamboo Parrotfinch ] Bengalese Mannikin ] Black headed Nun ] Black headed Siskin ] [ Black rumped Waxbill ] Canary ] Chaffinch ] Cordon Bleu Waxbill ] Cuban Finch ] Dybowski's Twinspot ] Eurasian Siskin ] European Greenfinch ] European Serin ] European Siskin ] Golden Song Sparrow ] Goldfinch ] Green backed Twinspot ] Green Singing Finch ] Green Strawberry Finch ] Grey headed Silverbill ] Grey Singing Finch ] Himalayan Greenfinch ] Hooded Red Siskin ] Hooded Yellow Siskin ] Jacarini Finch ] Java Finch ] Javan Munia ] Lavender Waxbill ] Linnet ] Melba Finch ] Mexican Rose Finch ] Orange breasted Waxbill ] Orange cheeked Waxbill ] Oriental Greenfinch ] Peale's Parrotfinch ] Peter's Twinspot ] Pin tailed Parrotfinch ] Plain backed Sparrow ] Purple Finch ] Purple Grenadier Waxbill ] Pytilia ] Red billed Firefinch ] Red Crested Cardinal ] Red crested Finch ] Red faced Parrotfinch ] Red headed Parrotfinch ] Redpoll Finch ] Red Strawberry Finch ] Rufous backed Mannikin ] St. Helena Seedeater ] St. Helena Waxbill ] Saffron Finch ] Silver headed Nun ] Spice Finch ] Tri coloured Nun ] Tri coloured Parrotfinch ] Violet eared Waxbill ] White bellied Canary ] White rumped Munia ] Yellowhammer ] Yellow rumped Serin ] Yellow rumped Siskin ]

. Black rumped waxbill
This page is Sponsored By:
Your Name, Your Address
Refer to "Advertise on web" web page
We specialise in xxxxxxxx birds / product
Contact us on:  (0X) XXXX XXXX
or e-mail us @  .............
  • Scientific Name: Estrilda troglodytes
  • Common Name/s: BLACK RUMPED WAXBILL,  SENEGAL FINCH,  SENEGAL WAXBILL,  RED EARED WAXBILL, PINK CHEEKED WAXBILL.
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin: None
  • Origin / Distribution: Band across African continent below the Sahara desert.
  • Habitat In Wild: Arid to semi arid areas.
  • Status In Wild: Not common.
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity: Rare
  • Age To Sexual Maturity:  ?
  • Best breeding years (estimate): 2nd - 5th 
  • Lifespan (estimate): About 8 years
  • Sexing: Monomorphic / Dimorphic
  • Mutations: None
  • Availability: Specialist breeders
  • Temperament: Shy, nervous birds. Best housed in a planted aviary. Usually make a nest close to the ground.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $3000
  • Description Of Adults:
  1. Length: Approx.  90 mm (or about 3.5 inches)
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
  3. Weight: Approx. 8 gms (or about 1/4 ozs)
Aviary Notes:

Read notes on "Finches - Non Australian" web page and use in conjunction with details outlined on this page.

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws: Refer to "Government Laws" web page.

Housing Requirements: Click on "Housing birds" web page for general details on the housing of Non Australian Finches or read on for specific details for this finch.

The Black rumped waxbill may be kept with other finches but with their rarity in Australian aviaries it would be best to give them an aviary of their own.

They will build a nest close to the ground so low growing shrubs and tall growing grasses should be provided.  Although they tend to nest at a low height, they use all parts/heights within the aviary.

Many pairs will perch next to their partner and when the young fledge the family unit may perch together with their bodies touching.

Diet / Feeding: Click on "Feeding birds" web page for general details on the nutrition of  Non Australian Finches or read on for specific details for this finch.

The Black rumped waxbill requires a good quality finch seed mix, seeding grasses and green vegetables.  Live food is essential especially at breeding season.  Small mealworms, small crickets and small locusts are ideal.  Sprouted or soaked seed if available.

Basic seed mix should include Canary seed, Japanese Millet, and Yellow and Red Panicum.

Nesting: A basic overview only.

  • Roosting nest: Yes / No
  • Nesting months:  Spring and summer
  • Nesting receptacles:  They will build a nest close to the ground or in some instances on the ground in long grass.  Will build a nest in dry brush located higher in the aviary.
  • Nest:  Both birds build a pear shaped nest out of grasses.  The nest may include a "cock's nest" above the main breeding chamber.  The nest usually has a tunnel entrance that points outwards and downwards.  Nest is lined with feathers and soft fine grasses.
  • Who incubates the eggs: Hen / cock / both share.

The Black rumped waxbill generally build a new nest for each clutch.  Adequate nest material must be available throughout the breeding season.
They will build a nest close to the ground so low growing shrubs and tall growing grasses should be provided.  Although they tend to nest at a low height, they use all parts/heights within the aviary.

The nest may include a "cock's nest" above the main breeding chamber.  If an artificial nest is provided for the Black rumped Waxbill, make sure the volume of the nest box is large enough for the birds to build the "cock's nest" above the main breeding chamber.  If the main body of the artificial nest is not large enough to allow a normal size cock's nest to be built, then two nests can be tied or joined together, one on top of the other.  This may allow the construction of a full sized main nest and the construction of a cock's nest in the top structure.
The birds have to approach the true nest entrance from below as they are unable to fly straight into the entrance tunnel.  The birds show a deal of flying skills to enter the tunnel from below the nest entry tunnel.  Some birds may alight on the upper part of the nest and climb down the outside of the nest till they are able to do some "gymnastics" and enter the nest tunnel.

The adult birds keep the main nest clean of any faecal material.  No care is taken to keep the cock's nest free of faecal material or other unhygienic material.  In the wild, dead baby birds have been incorporated into the top of the nest.  The smell of the decaying material and other offensive material may deter predators from entering the nest.  If a predator does enter or try to enter the cock's nest, it may give the adult bird in the real nest extra time to escape before the predator realises it has been deceived.  The adult bird will have an increased chance to live and raise another clutch.

More details on finch nests and a selection of finch nest photos can be located on the "nests", "finch nests" and "finch nest photos" web pages.  Click on "Up" then "nests" then "finch nests" and "finch nests photos" in the navigation bars.

Breeding: Egg Colour White.  Clutch/s per year  2 - 3.  Eggs per nest  4 - 6.  Incubation approx. 12 days.  Fledge approx. 21 days.  Independent approx. another 4 weeks.

Nest inspection is often very difficult.  Nest inspection should be kept to an absolute minimum to avoid upsetting either parent bird.

Breeding birds can form a strong pair-bond.  Birds that have the opportunity to choose their own partner, such as in a colony situation, are usually more productive than those offered only one choice.  Allowing the birds to choose their own mate at a young age usually means the formation of a happy productive pair.  With numbers of these birds in Australia being low, the ability to give young birds the choice of partner is very limited.  Successfully changing a bird's partner may result in a long wait till breeding recommences. 

The young Black rumped waxbills usually leave the nest at the same time, or within a 24 hour period.  Both parent birds feed the young.  The young may return to the nest for about one week after fledging.

Bonded pairs may engage in mutual preening and roost together.

Bengalese may be used if a foster parent is required.

Artificial incubation, hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site.  It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.  Refer "Specific References" as listed below and "General References" listings.

Health Issues: Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

  • Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new birds or sick birds are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site.  Refer above option - "Avian Health Issues" web page.
  • Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace.  Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References: Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

  • Australian Aviculture
  • A/A Vol 58 No. 9 Sept 2004 Page 193-196.
  • A/A Vol 54 No. 5 May 2000 Page 100-104
  • Australian Birdkeeper
  • ABK Vol 13 Issue 4. Aug-Sept 2000 Page 221

Top of - Black rumped waxbill- Page

BirdCare.com.au is one of the world's largest and most informative avian or bird web sites.  Copyright  BirdCare.com.au 2002 - 2008 inc.  All rights reserved.  Disclaimer:  This web site has been compiled from material provided from a large number of sources.  Personal experience and personal contacts have been used.  Results vary according to factors such as environmental factors, aviary design and the physical and genetic backgrounds of all living birds/animals.  Every endeavour has been made to ensure the accuracy of the material but no responsibility is accepted by BirdCare.com.au  for the accuracy of the material on this web site. The intent of this web site is to provide a "care sheet"  format and provide general material only.  Readers should rely upon their own enquiries in making any decisions relating to their own interests.