Latin Name:
Lagonosticta senegala
Other Names:
Red Billed Firefinch, Senegal Firefinch
Mutations:
Pied
Description:
Adult – The cock bird is a bright red all over, with the wings and tail being a drab brown colour. It has a yellow eye ring. White spots are visible on the flanks of the bird. The beak is red. Hens are a dull brown all over but do have their own distinguishing features, such as a red eye patch (which cock birds do not have), the white spots go across the breast area of the hen and over the flanks. Hens do not have the yellow eye ring that the cocks have.
Juveniles – Appear the same as hens, except that they do not have the white spots across the breast or on the flanks. Juvenile cocks should start to show patchs of red at approximately 3 months old.
Sexing:
Cocks and hens are easy to tell apart due to the bright red of the male and the lack of red on the hen
Basic Breeding Info:
Average Clutch Size: 4 to 6 eggs
Incubation Period: 12 to 14 days
Leave nest: 18 to 22 days
Approximate cost per pair in Australia:
Queensland:
$50
New South Wales:
$40
Victoria:
$50
Tasmania:
South Australia:
Normal $30
Pink $50
Pied $100
Western Australia: