Genus Lagonosticta

di Enzo Patanè

 "Allevamento Agata"
  

The genus lagonosticta is probably the more numerous group of Africans waxbills , in fact, currently are recognized more than 20 between species and subspecies. It's has a coloration that covers all the tonalities of the red, from the tawny, to the dark red until the scarlet red.

The dimensions are reduced, the tail is short and the movements are much quickly and releasing. All the representatives of the family, when imported don't have great difficulties but if need, at least for the first times, of one temperature at least 20°C. The males are much bellicose therefore it's better to avoid to lodge more pairs together to avoid continuous battles
that invariably they carry to the dead of one of the two.

Once acclimatized they turn out rather hardy and, above all the Red-bellied Firefinch , tilts to breeding . A pair in good health, if lodged in a cage very shielded with green burlap and, still better, if in presence of shrubs greens it will try nearly sure of breeding.

The nests are good constructed, and for its construction they come preferentially used the fiber of coconut and long steles of grass sand bank. The inside comes accurately with cotton and vegetable and animal matter. clutch usually 3 to 4 eggs.

These come incubated mainly from the female, while the male limits itself to heat they when the female exits in order to eat and during the night with to this last.
It broods 12 days, to the term of which born a dark rose chicks with clearly wool and small meat's increases to sides of the spout.

For the breeding they can be used pair of reliable sparrows of Japan and be supplied a patè that, in order at least 10 days, has at least 25% of protein. In contrary case the chicks grow very slowly and exit from the nest weak with often ominous consequences for their destiny.

In case the legitimate parents undertake the breeding of the chicks, must supply they great amounts of live food for the first week and therefore tender food.
The representatives of this genus are very present in the Italian breedings and therefore the purchase of subjects been born in captivities, characterized from closed ring, than they do not need of particular cures for the acclimatization and that sure, if good lodged, breeding with happening.

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