Rufous backed Mannikin pair

[Luís Lourenço]

Hi,

My new pair of finches: a Rufous backed Mannikin pair!!!!
This species are awesome, and very small too. Even a Double barred finch looks big when compared with this guys.

http://lourencoaves.blogspot.com/2011/1 ... anhas.html

[GregH]

An impressive bird. Louis. I think they are still in Australia but I've not even bred a Society finch so I must hasten slowly before I move into the rarer Lonchura species. Actullay I'd better finish moving back to Australia before I accquire any more birds too. I hope you have some breeding success with them.

[Alf63]

Rufous-backed Mannikans are still available in Australia. They were reported on the 2011 National Finch Census but in low numbers. They are have declined markedly over the last few years when previously they were relatively common.

Hopefully breeders with them are working hard to increase the numbers

[Luís Lourenço]

Thank you Greg!

This species like the others africans Lonchura (except the Lonchura griseicapilla) are easy to breed if the breeder have patience with them. Easier than this only Societies, African and Indian Silverbills and Chestnut-breasted Munias.

[finchbreeder]

Nice looking little birds. Good luck with them.
LML

[Luís Lourenço]

Nice looking little birds. Good luck with them.
LML

Thank you

[Fincho162]

Wouldn't take too much notice of our good buddies census if I were u.
No-one that I know with them even participated for many varied reasons.

Swapping a few for new blood so fingers crossed we wont lose them like so many others - most difficult thing is getting guaranteed young birds..........one does get sick of swapping 1/2 coloured birds for .......eeeeerrrrrrrr........ones old enough to be on the pension!!!!
Finally in contact with some genuine RBM breeders that are not just interested in the $$$$$$'s!!!!

Anyway, fingers crossed that they'll be around in Oz for a few more decades yet.

After a horror spring with them have 12 out over the past 3 weeks so all's good.....................so far..............gulp!!!

[Myzomela]

Well done Fincho.

They have been such an underrated bird IMO, typical of most Lonchura I guess.

Hopefully you and others working with these birds will have continued success.

[Fincho162]

Thanks as we'll possibly need it my friend!!!

At least now there are a few in NSW with a good few and the network is increasing with some of the best in the game................my problem down here is they are the world's worst parents and bring out young underdeveloped and don't clump them together like other finches of a night ...........hence one cold night and u lose half of them...........with the warmer weather I've not lost them like that so a few more months and I should be safe for another 12 months!!!!!

Good new blood remains the problem unfortunately................

[finchbreeder]

Good luck to you Fincho. I know that no one wants to encourage fostering. But could you have Bengos, Just for the finishing. EG when they fledge you pop them in with Bengos to finish and top. And they get the idea that babies stay in the nest longer and apply it to their own young when the time comes?
LML