Black-headed Waxbill
Kappenastrild ( Estrilda atricapilla )
The Kappenastrild ( Estrilda atricapilla ), also called Schwarzkappenastrild or black heads, is an African species of the family of finches. There are four subspecies of this type.
Description
Schwarzkappenastrilde reach a body length of 10.5 centimeters. The male has a black Schwarzkappenastrilds the top of the head, with the black extending up over his eyes. The back, wing-coverts and inner secondaries are ashen. You are fine, but clearly black quergewellt. The inner secondaries are slightly coarser banded transversely. The rump and upper tail-coverts are bright red. The tail is black. Depending on the subspecies are the sides of the head and throat white to light gray. The body sides are dark lively. The belly center, and the under tail-coverts are blackish. The rest of the body is bottom ash. The beak is black. On the base of the lower mandible is a triangular red spot. The legs and feet are blackish.
The females are similar to males. For them, the red spots are darker and less extended on the side of the body. The young birds are gray-brown on the body top instead of gray.
Dissemination and lifestyle
The distribution area of Kappenastrilds ranges from southern Cameroon through Gabon and Angola to the north-east in the central region of the Democratic Republic of Congo and south to Lake Tanganyika. The species also occurs in the west of Rwanda, southwest Uganda and in the high mountains of Kenya. He is generally southerly widespread than the closely related Nonnenastrild. The altitudinal distribution ranges occasionally up to 3300 meters in altitude. In some regions of the two species occur in common swarms.
The habitat of the Kappenastrilds are clearings of the forest, forest edges and clearings. Unlike the Nonnenastrild, which often occurs in swarms with hundreds of individuals, Kappenastrilde only come in small flocks before with up to 15 birds. Occasionally the Kappenastrild is associated with the Nonnenastrild, to the east of its range it is also associated with the Grünastrild and Elsterchen. The breeding season varies by location. They nest in bushes and small trees. About the roundish nest a so-called Hahn nest is built occasionally. The nest consists of four to five white eggs.
Attitude
Kappenastrilde were probably first imported to Europe in 1874. They stayed after decades very rare in the trade. Only since 1953 Kappenastrilde come sporadically in the trade. You are now being bred by a small group of holders.