Rufous backed Mannikin
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 ]

. Rufous backed mannikin
This page is Sponsored By:
Your Name, Your Address and Post code
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:  Lonchura bicolor nigriceps
  • Common Name/s:  RUFOUS BACKED MANNIKIN,  RUFOUS BACKED MUNIA, CHESTNUT BACKED MANNIKIN.
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin: 2
  • Origin / Distribution:  East coast of Southern Africa
  • Habitat In Wild:  Occupy a diverse region and equally diverse habitat including grasslands and semi arid areas.  Have adapted to farmlands and urban areas.
  • Status In Wild:  ?
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity:  Secure
  • Age To Sexual Maturity:  ?
  • Adult plumage: attained at about 2 - 3 months.
  • Best breeding years (estimate):  2nd - 6th.
  • Lifespan (estimate):  Long lived for a finch.  Often more than 8 years. 
  • Sexing:  Monomorphic / Dimorphic
  • Mutations:  No
  • Availability:  Bird dealers
  • Temperament:  Docile, hardy, long lived bird.  Generally breed well.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $100
  • Description Of Adults:
  1. Length: Approx. 90 mm (or approx. 3.5 inches)
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
  3. Weight: Approx. 10 gms (or approx. 1/3 oz)
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.

Although they can be kept with other finches, only one pair of Aberdeen's should be housed per aviary.  They breed well as a colony in a suitably sized aviary.  Success when housed in a cage is rare.

Must not be housed with other Mannikins or Munias so there is no chance of hybridizing.

Other than for feeding and drinking, they do not spend much time at ground level.  They like tall grasses and shrubs in their aviary however they may defoliate plants if too many are housed in the aviary.

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.

Good quality finch mix, seeding grasses, some fruits (e.g. apple) and some green leafy vegetables.  Live food is essential at breeding season.  Small mealworms, small crickets and small locusts can be offered.  Sprouted or soaked seed if available.

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

Nesting:  A basic overview only.

  • Roosting nest: Yes / No
  • Nesting months:  Spring to early Autumn.
  • Nesting receptacles:  Will build a nest in a shrub or dry brush.  Equally it will build a nest in a wide variety of artificial nests including half open nest boxes.
  • Nest:  Both parents build a dome shaped nest made from green or dry grasses.  The nest is lined with soft fine grasses and other soft materials.
  • Who incubates the eggs: Hen / cock / both share.

Moderate nest inspection is fairly easy and generally tolerated.

Parent birds generally reuse the nest for subsequent clutches.  Adequate new nest material must be available for the birds to refurbish the old nest or build a new nest for the next 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  3.  Eggs per nest  3 - 7.  Incubation approx. 13  - 14 days.  Fledge approx 21 days.  Independent approx. another 3 - 4 weeks.  May return to the nest after they fledge.

It is generally best to remove the young from the parent birds as soon as the young are fully independent so as to avoid possible aggression from a parent.

They are generally good parents.  Pair bonding is strong.

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 44 No. 12 Dec 1990 Page 319-323 (Inc photo)
  • Australian Birdkeeper
  • ABK Vol  8 Issue 12. Dec-Jan 1996 Page 594-596

Top of - rufous backed mannikin- 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.