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Green Avadavat Information
Description: 105mm (4 in) Bright olive green above;
chin and throat yellow with breast and rump a bright yellow;
flanks white heavily barred with dark green/black; tail black.
Bill red; legs flesh coloured. The female markings are similar
but less defined and the colors more dull.
General Management: Not recommended for beginners.
They settle in well with other waxbills and are not aggressive.
The aviary should be well planted with a dry dirt or sand
floor as they spend most of their time picking amongst the
shrubs and earth. Avoid damp conditions. The aviary should
not be overcrowded – a calculation of 3 cubic meters of aviary
space per pair of birds should be used.
Breeding: The Green Avadavat constructs their own
nest and although they like to build in an open flight it
is better the nest is located in the housed section of the
aviary. This ensures the nest is not subject to the elements.
They are a winter breeder in Australia - from March through
to October. A supply of live food is required if the young
are to be successfully reared. For more details see “Breeding
Information”.
Feeding: A staple diet consists of a finch mixture – yellow
and red pannicum, canary seed, white French millet, and Jap
millet. “Wild” grass seeds thrown on the floor of the aviary
are a favorite. During breeding live food is essential. Suitable
live food is termites, maggots and mealworms. A supply of grit,
eggshell and cuttlefish bone should always be available.
Common Problems: Feather plucking is a major problem
with this species. Cause theories range from boredom, hereditary
and diet deficiencies. Perhaps the “Breeders Group” could,
one day, fund research into the problem.
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