The African Fire Finch
(Lagonosticta senegala)

Suitability: These little guys are another member of the Waxbill family which means that livefood as well as seeds are recommended in order for them to be breed to their potential. They love seed mixes with small seeds such as those in our Taste of Africa line which were developed for the Waxbill family.
Can be kept as pairs and colonies but there may be some aggression between males at first. Usually they settle down and all pairs in the colony will produce young. Tend to breed more males than females and appears not to we suggest spare males be removed.

Breeding: Will breed without livefood but best results achieved with it – maggots, mealworms and termites all equally eaten.

Will construct their own nest with swamp grass, white and Emu feathers. These guys will utilise a range of nest boxes and wicker baskets in which to breed in. Have a curious habit of placing a feather across the nest entrance when they leave it!

Recommended: Equally for the novice wanting to move up into the waxbill family or just wishing to introduce a bit of colour into the aviary. Their size and colour and endearing nature also makes them popular with the experienced breeder. Pairs of these finches are very sensitive to nest inspection so, if getting them to foster other waxbills under, make sure you know which category your pairs come under!

Mutations: The Fire finch comes in a number of different colour schemes! There are Pied, Pink, Fawn, Cinnamon and possibly Dilute mutations available. Some of these mutations are sex linked (only males are ‘splits’) while other may be dominant/recessive autosomal (both sexes split).
Permits: None required in NSW.