DESCRIPTION 4 inches (10cm). Mouse-brown with some grey on head, highlighted by crimson eye line and beak. Underside and throat whitish with pink sheen. Tail black. Eyes and legs brown. During breeding season, male's red becomes more intense, and eyebrows become darker. He then displays, holding grass blade or other small object in his bill, dancing around the female.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION Northern Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia.
HABITAT Semi-arid areas and swamps.
DIET Millet, with various seeds and live food.
SPECIAL NEEDS A lot of insect food and fresh bathing water daily. Must be kept indoors during winter.
CAGE LIFE Busy bird, with shrill song. At home in indoor and even in large outdoor aviaries. Towards end of summer, best housed in indoor aviary or large cage. Prefers to breed in garden aviaries with variety of nest boxes or builds bullet-shaped nests in hidden area. Lays 3 to 5 eggs, incubation 11 to 12 days, alternately by the male and female for 3 hours each, fledging 14 days, young take food from the parents for a while longer.
