Funky Bird Cages

Birds are a group of warm-blooded vertebrates constituting the class Aves, characterised by feathers, toothless beaked jaws, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a strong yet lightweight skeleton.

Orange Cheeked Waxbill

Orange Cheeked Waxbill

Orange Cheeked WaxbillThe Orange-cheeked Waxbill, also known as the Orange-cheeked Finch, is a small passerine bird that belongs to the family Estrildidae. Its scientific name is Euschistospiza aurantiaca, and it is native to the grasslands and savannas of central and southern Africa.

Here are some interesting facts about the Orange-cheeked Waxbill:

  • The male Orange-cheeked Waxbill has bright orange cheeks, a red bill, and a reddish-brown back. The female has a more subdued coloration, with grayish-brown cheeks and a brownish-gray back.
  • They typically measure around 4.5 inches (11 cm) in length and weigh around 10 grams.
  • Orange-cheeked Waxbills are social birds and are often seen in pairs or small flocks.
  • They are seed eaters and their diet consists of a variety of small seeds, including millet, canary grass seed, and nyjer seed.
  • Orange-cheeked Waxbills are known for their acrobatic displays, where they hang upside down while clinging to thin stems to extract seeds.
  • They are cavity nesters, meaning they build their nests in holes in trees or man-made structures such as nest boxes.
  • They have a pleasant, soft twittering song, and the male may sing while perched on a high vantage point.
  • Orange-cheeked Waxbills are popular in aviculture and are commonly kept as pets due to their colorful plumage and peaceful demeanor.

While Orange-cheeked Waxbills are not considered endangered, habitat loss and fragmentation due to human activities such as agriculture and deforestation are potential threats to their populations.

Origin: West Africa

This is an attractive member of the waxbill family, although this one can be rather timid on occasion. It is very hardy once acclimatized and has rather endearing habits, one of which is wagging its tail from side to side when excited or frightened.

Description:

Size: 10 cm (4 in)

Body: fawnish-brown. Head, crown, chin, and throat: pale grey. Rump: crimson. Tail: black. Cheek patches: bright orange. Beak: red. Legs: greyish-cream.

HEN:

Very similar, but the orange cheek patches are a little smaller.

Diet: (Seedeater)

Mixed millets and plain canary seeds, spray millet, seeding grasses, and some green food keep this species in excellent health.  

Breeding:

Pairs are not always very successful in breeding. They sit rather fitfully, often leaving the eggs if disturbed, and fail to incubate them properly. Favored nesting sites are boxes, baskets, or thick bushes in which a domed nest is constructed. Avoid disturbances.

Four eggs form the usual clutch and the incubation period is 11 days. Plenty of small live food is necessary. Aphids, if available, or fruit flies, small smooth caterpillars, and fresh ants’ eggs are valuable food supplies. Soaked and sprouted seed is also very beneficial.

Orange Cheeked Waxbill Breeding Tips

The following are some breeding tips for orange-cheeked waxbill owners.

  • The bird is not kept in cages. If you are willing to try your hands at breeding then you are recommended to keep the birds in a well-planted aviary.
  • The aviary must have enough bushy cover to reduce the anxiety of the bird about finding a suitable breeding place.
  • You may serve them with half-open boxes for helping them to build their nests. They generally build their nests in shallow bushes that are quite close to the ground.
  • Their nests are usually located not more than 4 feet above the ground. They prefer to build their nests in isolated or secluded spaces to avoid intrusion by other birds.
  • For building nests, you may offer them materials like coconut fibers, fine grasses, and white feathers.
  • If the bird manages to build a nest in a low-lying bush, it creates another nest above the actual one to decoy other predators. This nest is known as cock’s nest.
  • The cock’s egg has been reported to be decorated with pieces of earth, stones, brown paper, and similar materials. A feather is kept at the entrance of the bird to hide the objects kept inside the nest.
  • The birds are to be constantly supplied with live food while rearing their chicks. If they do not get enough live food they may abandon their nest or simply toss their chicks out of the nest.
  • You are recommended not to conduct regular nest checks as the birds get easily scared and as a result of which may abandon the nest.

In the wild, the bird is found in open grasslands or savanna of topical central and Western Africa.

See more: Outdoor Bird Aviary