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It has long been known that certain Whydah species (genus: vidua) are parasitic birds, and in order to have any hope of successfully breeding them, it is important to house them with the correct host species. As the host species is the Waxbill, the Waxbill Finch Society has always had the intention of including the Whydah along with Weavers (a close family member of the Whydah) under the ‘umbrella’ of the Waxbill Finch Society.
It has long been known that certain Whydah species (genus: vidua) are parasitic birds, and in order to have any hope of successfully breeding them, it is important to house them with the correct host species. As the host species is the Waxbill, the Waxbill Finch Society has always had the intention of including the Whydah along with Weavers (a close family member of the Whydah) under the ‘umbrella’ of the Waxbill Finch Society.
Over the past few weeks, a handfull of us with an interest in Weaver and Whydah species and who are members of the WFS have been contemplating the idea of kick-starting the co-ordination various Weavers and Whydah through the WFS, and to start a breeding program for the species we can to ensure their survival in the hobby. There is still much to be discussed within the co-ordination of these species. However due to recent news on the proposed Import ban we think it is important to put this idea forward to any birdkeeper while there is still time to buy breeding stock of the various Whydah and Weaver species, as a ban would almost certainly see them disappear overnight.
Those of you who keep weavers and whydahs, or have the odd cock or hen in your aviary, now is possibly our last chance to pair up such birds and launch a breeding program that will see these birds around in the hobby for generations to come. If we miss this opportunity very few, if any weavers and whydahs will be present for future generations. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity, so anyone who keeps Weavers and/or Whydahs, and wishes to take part in the breeding program, please contact any of the following people so that your interest can be noted.
Matthew Guest ( WFS )
Laura Bryant ( Orange Bishop Euplectes Orix ) Paul Hearn ( Scaly Crowned Weaver Sporopipes squamifrons ) Chris Dunn ( Vitelline Masked Weaver Ploceus velatus, African Golden Weaver Ploceus subaureus , Napoleon Weaver Euplectes Afer Afer ) The species listed above are merely a handfull of the hundreds of weaver and whydah species out there, however it is impossible for us to keep and successfuly breed all these species without help. For this reason we need more bird keepers to come forward help start co-ordination for the many other weaver and whydah species available, for example: the red billed weaver, pin tailed whydah, paradise whydah, yellow-shouldered whydah, yellow crowned bishop and red bishop to name but a few. Species such as the Pin-Tailed Whydah are parasitic on the nests of waxbills suxh as ST Helenas and Red Eared Waxbills and would require any potential breeder to not only wish to put the time into breeding these birds, but also breeding the host species of waxbill in parallel. Which is a challenge to put it lightly! But definately worth the effort to establish these birds in aviculture and very rewarding if you are sucessfull. While breeding the Pin Tailed Whydah and other Whydahs may seem near impossible, this is far from the truth as Austrailians have been breeding these birds in captivity for nearly 50 years! Other Species such as the Half / Vitelline Masked Weaver are more simple to breed requiring a planted flight, livefood, and various branches and twigs to provide potential nest sites. these birds will use coconut fibre to construct nest, however like most weavers they prefer large grasses such as Elephant grass which they strip the leaves off and weave around branches into a ball shaped nest. If you value your plants you should perhaps give Weavers a miss and opt for the Whydah instead. However having said that, in my experience weavers are only interested in striping the leaves off grasses and similar and ignore other plant types. It must be said that whilst none of these species are difficult to maintain, pairs maybe reluctant to nest; but we believe with the correct housing, host species and ample live food success can be achieved. Most species will live happily off a diet of foreign finch mix, various millets and livefoods such as mealworms & waxworms, requiring more livefood while breeding. All these species have interesting behaviour and courtships and make very interesting aviary occupants all year round, however are not suited to cages due to there active and lively nature. Many species can be mixed with other aviary birds such as canary, java sparrows, and some of the larger waxbills. Where certain Whydahs are concerned they need to be housed with various waxbills in order to breed sucessfully. A handfull of Weaver breedings occur in the UK each year without the recognition they deserve, which also means that the information on how these breedings occured isn't passed on to others. Hopefully with the proper co-ordination of these fantastic birds we can ensure any breedings get the recognition they deserve and infomation on how they were achieved is passed onto other breeders and keepers alike.
Whatever you decide, please do more research into these species, as there is far more to be learnt about these wonderful birds. What might seem to be a pretty bird can soon become a nightmare if housed with the wrong birds.
By Chris Dunn & Laura Bryant
Anyone wanting to breed waxbills, weavers and whydah’s should join a specialist society that focuses only on these very birds, doing this will put you in contact with real breeders of the species you may want to keep. The waxbill finch society has the following aims To share information about proven breeding and feeding methods.
* To encourage the breeding of Waxbill Finches
* To help members locate and exchange or loan birds to each other
* To build up stocks of captive -bred Waxbills to minimise dependence on imports
* To assist members to contact one another at branch meetings or by telephone
The Society is affiliated to -- NCA The waxbill finch society has a much improved quarterly magazine that includes articles from breeders, advertisements from reputable companies as well as sales and wants from members. For further information please visit our website that can be found at www.waxbillfinchsociety.org.uk or write to: W.F.S.U.K.
28. Westway.
Nailsea
Bristol
BS48 2NB The waxbill finch society also offers 3 videos on waxbills to give further help and information booklets on the different waxbills are also available at cost. Membership is £10 a year. |
