. silver eared mesia
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- Scientific Name:
Leiothrix argentauris
- Common Name/s:
SILVER EARED MESIA.
- Sub Species in country / area of origin:
?
- Origin / Distribution:
Himalayas to Indochina and Indonesia.
- Habitat In Wild: Forests and
surrounding secondary vegetation
- Status In Wild: Has a CITES
Appendix 11 listing.
- Status In (Australian) Captivity:
Rare
- Age To Sexual Maturity: ?
- Best breeding years (estimate): ?
- Sexing: Monomorphic
/ Dimorphic
- Colour mutations: No
- Availability: Specialist
breeders
- Temperament: Similar behaviour to
the Pekin Robin.
- Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: -
Normal colour (Approx.) $3000
- Description Of Adults:
- Length: Approx. 160 - 180 mm (or approx 6.5 - 7 inches)
- Colour ("normal" colour): Refer
photo/s above if available.
- Weight: Approx. 15 gms (or approx 1/2 ozs)
The Silver eared Mesia is related to the Pekin Robin - Leiothrix
lutea. Their requirements are the same as the Pekin Robin.
Aviary Notes:
Level Of Knowledge Required:
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced /
Specialist Breeders Only.
Government Regulations &
By-Laws: Refer to "Government Laws"
web page.
Housing Requirements:
Click on "Softbills"
web page for full details on the housing
of Softbills or read on for specific details for this finch.
Prefer a well planted aviary. They will build a nest in a clump
of bamboo if it is available. To obtain best breeding results,
house only one pair per aviary. If
more than one cock bird is in the same aviary, the cock birds can become
aggressive to each other during the breeding season.
In the wild they are very social birds found in groups of 6 to 20 or
more. If more than one pair is kept in an aviary, generally only
one pair will produce young. A dominant pair will not allow the
other birds to breed.
Silver eared Mesias like to bathe. This helps these birds keep
their plumage in top condition.
Diet / Feeding:
Click on "Softbills"
web page for details on the
nutrition of Softbills or read on for specific details for this
finch.
Insects form the majority of its food
intake.
Good quality finch mix, seeding grasses
and some fruits (e.g. apple, figs), some berries and some leafy green vegetables can be
offered. Live food is essential especially at breeding season.
Mealworms, small crickets, small commercially bred cockroaches and small locusts are ideal. Sprouted 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:
- Nesting receptacles:
Will build a nest in a shrub or dry brush. They will use a wooden nest
box with the top half of the front removed.
- Nest: They build a
cup shaped nest out of grasses, twigs, mosses, coconut fibre, short pieces of teased hessian and other
materials. Nest is lined
with feathers, soft materials and soft fine grasses. May use a
half open nest box. If a nest box is to be used, the box
should be placed in a concealed place preferably behind some
shrubbery to provide some privacy for the birds.
- Who incubates the eggs:
Hen / cock / both share.
Adequate spare nest receptacles must be
available for pairs nesting in artificial nests before the current
clutch leave the nest. Adequate new nest material must be
available for the birds to rebuild the old nest or build a new nest for the next clutch.
Breeding:
Egg Colour Pale blue with brown speckles on the larger end. Clutch/s
per year 2 - 3. Eggs per nest 2 - 4. Incubation
approx. 14 days. Fledge approx. 14 days.
Independent approx. another 3 - 4 weeks.
Silver eared Mesia breeding pairs can be
offered softbill rearing foods. They form strong pair bonds and
can mate for life.
Young should be removed from the parent
birds as soon as they are fully independent so as to avoid possible
aggression from a parent.
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. 2 Feb 2004 Page 45-46.
- A/A Vol 20 No 3 Mar 1966 Page 45, 47-48 (Inc colour plate).
- A/A Vol 14 No. 8 Aug 1960 Page 105,118 (Inc colour plate).
- Australian Birdkeeper
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