Goldbreasted Waxbill - African Waxbills

Scientific Name: Amandava subflava

Hens

Cock

Size: 3 ”- 4 “   Song: Male has short whistling melody

Cock:  Dark gray-brown back, wings, and cheeks, red eye stripe extends through beak which is dark on top. Under parts bright gold and orange. Goldbreasts get their name from the cock’s blotched golden underparts. Tail dark tapered medium short. Male sings a fairly  sweet little lyric.

Hen: Dark gray-brown back, red eye stripe, beak dark on top with red through middle, under parts soft golden yellow, rump orange, tail dark tapered medium short. Female does not have a song but emits some short cheep calls.

Goldbreasts are the smallest of the Waxbills so 1/2” wire spacing or smaller are essential for caging. Cocks brighten in coloring each year. They are usually good breeders and parents.

Diet: Finch seed mix, greens, vegetables, fruit, soak seed and sprouts, spray millet, hard boiled egg, softfood supplements.  Free choice grit and cuttlebone. Live insects (small mealworms, crickets, wax worms) are enjoyed as a treat. Feed a good quality rearing softfood and boiled egg during chick rearing.

Breeding: Enclosed wicker nest, open nest, or nest box.

Building materials: Dried grasses, coconut fiber, sisal,

nest lined with feathers, sharpi cotton.

Eggs: 4 - 6 tiny white.  Incubate: 14 days.

Fledge: 16 - 18 days. Fledglings are a dull olive gray .