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DESCRIPTION
Violet Eared Waxbill is 4 1/2 inches (11.5cm). Bright chestnut with violet
ear patches, blue forehead and tail coverts and purple beak with red tip.
Wings brownish-grey with red margins, tail has bluish edges. Chin, throat,
vent and tail black. Eyes reddish-brown, legs greyish. Female duller,
with greyish upperparts, yellowish underparts, whitish throat and no blue
on undertail coverts.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Violet Eared Waxbill is found in Africa, from Angola to Zambia.
HABITAT
Thorn scrub country and arid areas; in small flocks or pairs. Builds nest
in thorny bushes.
DIET
Small seeds (grass seeds, spray millet) plus live food throughout breeding
season.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Roomy aviary, and will not survive in temperatures below 70-77°F (21
25°C).
CAGE LIFE
Generally friendly, can be hostile and aggressive towards members of same
genus. Lays 3 to 6 white eggs, incubation 13 to 15 days by both parents,
fledging 17 to 18 days.
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