Amadins are birds belonging to the family of finch weavers from the order of passerines. They got their name due to the ability to build nests from thin and flexible blades of grass, cleverly separating the fibers along their entire length. Beautiful, bright and very active birds - Amadins. The types and description of them we will present in this article.
External features
Amadins are small birds. The length of their body does not exceed eleven centimeters, and they acquire their bright and beautiful color seventy days after birth. The male has a brighter plumage, and the female is much paler, with black stripes on her head. Young birds are distinguished by the presence of a black beak, which looks rather unusual, since its texture resembles a wax one. It is for this reason that birds are sometimes called beak beaks. Different types of amadins have a different color, but we will talk about this a little later.
Habitat
These small birds are common throughout South Asia. Some species of amadins live in southeastern China, Sumatra, the islands of Java, Lombok, Timor, Myanmar, Malaysia, India, Thailand, New Guinea and Sri Lanka.
Views
Scientists ornithologists claim that today there are more than three hundred species and subspecies of these cute birds. But today we will present you the most common and popular types of amadins, which are more suitable for home maintenance than others.
Zebra Amadins
These representatives of the species are most often found in Australia, and they are distributed there both in arid regions and in forests. If the area they like is densely populated, they settle in the yards, on the streets, in the gardens. The zebra amadina, the photo of which you see below, does not tolerate loneliness at all. Therefore, they usually create huge flocks. They even relax, trying not to move away from each other, and fly away only in search of an overnight stay.
This species can go without drinking water for weeks. If necessary, the zebra amadina under natural conditions can drink very salty water during a severe drought. For other birds, high salt levels are often fatal.
The zebra amadina builds nests in places protected from lizards and snakes, which are not averse to eating their eggs. Often they equip them in thorny shrubs or groves, in small burrows, hollows, etc.
The first information about the breeding of this species of birds at home dates back to the 19th century. Since then, these birds have become very popular among bird lovers. True, during this time, these amadins have significantly changed outwardly. Under natural conditions, birds of this species have plumage with a clear delineation of colors, while those living in captivity have no such boundaries. In addition, yellow and brown colors have become more saturated.
Breeders continue to work on the breeding of these birds with a unique color that cannot be found in nature. So, in the early twenties of the last century appeared white zebra amadines with dark eyes that distinguish them from other albinos.
Rice Amadina
These representatives of the species are considered the largest among their relatives. Rice amadins (photo you can see in our article) have a body length of 15 to 17 cm. The homeland of these birds is the island of Bali. But you can see them in almost any part of the world. Experts attribute this to the fact that domesticated birds, which were brought to another country, flew from their cages and successfully took root in the new territory. They prefer to settle in rice fields, and therefore got their name.
Japanese Amadina: species
This bird can be recommended for maintenance to novice bird lovers. This species, along with the canary, has a long history of domestication - more than 400 years. The Chinese, who are famous for their ancient traditions of breeding birds, were the first to breed it.
From China, this amadina was brought to Japan. It was here that some of its color subspecies appeared, and at the end of the 19th century it came to Western Europe. Here she immediately appeared two names: public reel (for her peaceful disposition) or Japanese. The ancestors of this species is a bronze amadina, which still lives in the forests of Southeast Asia.
In recent years, several unsuccessful attempts have been made to cross the wild bronze and home forms of the Japanese amadina, but in the end the work of the scientists was successful. Hybrid offspring was obtained, but it turned out that it was quite prolific: they received chicks from hybrid females and males. To date, third and fourth generation chicks have been bred.
Japanese Amadins (species from photos of birds of this family are presented in the article) today quite often appear on the pages of ornithological publications, as they cause great interest among lovers of birds. Especially when you consider that today there are many of its varieties:
- fawn;
- crested;
- variegated brown;
- red-motley;
- pure white, etc.
All of them actively breed, but the main thing is that these birds are wonderful mother hens, nannies and adoptive parents for chicks of various species of weavers.
Gould Amadina
We hope that the types of amadins presented in this article (photos with names) will help our readers to choose a cute and funny feathered pet. Many are sure that this bird has the most interesting coloring in the family. Representatives of the species may have several options for elegant plumage.
Under natural conditions, they are common in northern Australia and belong to an endangered species. The bird was named in memory of the spouse of the naturalist John Gould from Great Britain, who went with him on all expeditions and died after one of the trips. At first, the name sounded differently - Lady Goode's Amadina. By its habits, the bird of the guild amadina is somewhat different from its relatives. Consider what exactly.
These amadins are birds that often migrate in the wild after the end of the rainy season, when they begin to experience problems with food. From the food at this time only dry grass seeds that they find on the ground remain. But the thing is that the bird of the guild amadina does not want to eat from the ground, so it flies away in search of better conditions, often throwing nests with eggs, and sometimes hatched chicks.
Scaly Amadina
Many types of amadins became known to our lovers only in recent decades. And in other countries as early as the 18th century, these birds adorned winter gardens and palaces with their presence. It is not difficult to keep them, but they are not always propagated in captivity. For example, scaly amadins began to be bred recently.
The name of this species surprisingly accurately emphasizes the peculiarities of the bird's plumage - its body is painted in brown tones, and on its sides and lower body there is a dark brown pattern resembling fish scales. Her neck and head are brown, and the back is much darker. The coverts of the upper feathers of the tail and the mantle are yellow, and the mantle is white. Steering and fly feathers are dark brown. Females and males have the same color. Young birds are solid, brown-brown, with a darker upper body.
This bird lives in Indochina, India, in the southern regions of China, Taiwan and Indonesia. It lives on the forest outskirts, in thickets of bushes, steppes of the savannah type, but certainly near human habitation.
Red-necked Amadina
Interestingly, in different years, various types of amadins were popular among bird lovers. For example, in the 70-80s of the last century, Russian amateurs, both novices and experienced ones, preferred this bird. It got its name because of the scarlet shiny band located across her throat. Its color is quite peculiar - the upper part of the body has a light brown plumage, the sides of the head and throat are white, and, of course, a characteristic red stripe.
The abdomen and chest are painted in light brown tones with a slight yellow tint. In the center of the abdomen is a dark brown spot. All plumage, with the exception of the undertail, sides of the head and neck, cover the transverse dark mottles. The tail is brown, with bright spots at the end of the tail feathers. Beak is light gray.
The female is not very different in color from the male, but her back and head have a gray tint, and the dark spot on the abdomen is much smaller. But the main distinguishing feature of the female is the absence of a red stripe on the throat, while young males have this characteristic feature from birth, so it is not difficult for breeders to determine the gender of the birds.
Diamond Amadina
All types of amadins have a completely unique color. And each of them finds his admirer. Thus, bird lovers appreciate the diamond amadina for the unusual beauty of its contrasting and at the same time very delicate plumage. Female and male are colored the same. Their wings and backs are light brown in color; the neck and upper part of their heads are gray. The middle part of the abdomen, undertail, throat and sides of the head are white, chest, sides, tail and “bridle” are black. But the special pride of these birds is the cherry red tart.
The sides of the abdomen are strewn with many white spots on a black background. They gave the birds a name. Young amadins are light brown in color, and their nails are bright red. These beautiful birds came to us from East Australia, where they live in grassy steppes with rare shrubs and trees. They build nests large, oval in shape, as a rule, in thick branches of trees. This variety settles in small colonies. You can find up to twelve nests in one tree.
This species was introduced to Europe at the beginning of the 19th century, and the first offspring from them appeared in 1859. In captivity, these birds are kept in spacious cages or aviaries, as they are prone to obesity and need movement.
How do the Amadins sing?
The male uses his vocal data to attract the female. His "arias" are aimed at creating a couple in order to further build a nest with his chosen one and raise offspring. The opinion of the owners about their singing is different: some argue that their birds sing beautifully and loudly in the morning, which even eliminates the need to set an alarm clock. Others find the Amadins singing quiet, more like twittering. A representative of the zebra species draws in a monotonous quiet and some kind of dull song.
Amadine Content
To keep these birds at home, it is necessary to acquire a cage measuring 350 x 200 x 250 mm, which has a retractable lower tray, which makes it possible to clean it without problems. The bottom of the cell should be covered with a layer (about two centimeters) of dried sand, which from time to time needs to be replaced with a new one. The cage is placed in a bright place, away from drafts, while not forgetting that these birds need to be in direct sunlight for at least three hours a day.
In the room where the cell is installed, there should not be sudden changes in temperature. It should be constant - + 18-20 ° C. Owners need to know that these birds cannot tolerate cigarette smoke, loud noises. Moreover, sudden movements can greatly scare them and even cause instant death.
Amadins do not have a great need for water, so a small drinker is suitable for them. The water in it should always be settled or filtered. In addition to the drinker, the cage should have a bathtub for bathing and a shallow feeder.
Amadins: breeding
Today, many lovers contain these birds. They are attractive in appearance and do not require too complicated care. Like parrots, Amadins will breed under certain conditions. To reproduce, they will need a tree house of 12 x 12 x 12 cm in size with a letok, 5 cm in diameter, and in order for the birds to build a spherical nest, they need bast, soft grass and light chicken feathers.
Within a week, the birds equip the nest, after which they lay eggs in it, usually 4-6 pieces. Their parents hatch together for two weeks, during which they should be given complete peace, not to be frightened by harsh sounds. Do not try to look into the nest unnecessarily, as a frightened couple may stop hatching.
The female and the male take an active part in feeding the chicks, belching food from their goiter. The chicks grow very quickly, staying in the nest twenty-one days, and only then leave it. Another week after the departure of the chicks, the parents feed their offspring, but when the youngsters finally leave the parental home, the couple proceeds to the next laying. These birds reach maturity in forty-five days, and a year, when appropriate conditions are created, they can produce up to four broods, but they should be reared after they reach the age of five months.
How to choose a bird?
If you decide to have these cheerful and funny birds in your house, or even start breeding them, you need to be very serious about choosing a pet. Its content and well-being largely depend on the state in which you acquire it.
First of all, pay attention to the activity of the bird, as well as its fatness. If she is sluggish, does not move well - this is a sign of illness. Not the fact that she will survive adaptation in a new place. A healthy bird should be active, with a clear voice and springy movements.
Ask the seller to catch the amadina and hand it in your hands. Only in this way you will determine the degree of her fatness. Too thin or too fat individuals are a deviation from the norm. Feathers should not have visible signs of ticks or parasites. Spreading feathers, you can see the color of the skin of the bird, which should be light, slightly pinkish.