Western Bluebill
Called The Rotbrust- Samenknacker ( Sphermophaga haematina ), Red-breasted also Samenknacker or Scaled Samenknacker, is a species in the family of finches. There are two subspecies. The species is occasionally kept as ornamental birds for their colorful and contrasting plumage.
Description
The male has a black head and a bright red breast. The females lack the glossy black head plumage. For her it is dark reddish brown and gray. She also has white drops stains on the black belly feathers.
During mating, the male holds a long blade of grass in its beak and hops before the female up and down slowly while rhythmically he opens his wings. The nest consists of wide grass leaves and ferns, which are covered with fine grasses and fibers. Both parents participate in the birds nest. The nest has between three and six on eggs. The clutch is incubated 15 days. The nestling period lasts about three weeks. The incubation period varies depending on the area of distribution.
The distribution area of Rotbrust seed cracker is the West Africa. He arrives there in three different subspecies of Senegal before to the mouth of the River Congo. Its habitat are high swards and thick bushes near shores and swamps.
Rotbrust- Samenknacker in 1878 were introduced by the animal dealer Fockelmann in large numbers to Germany and brought about Carl Hagenbeck in the trade. After that seem Rotbrust- Samenknacker a long time not to have been more or imported only in extremely small quantities. Meanwhile, the red-breast - Samenknacker the only representative of its genus, which is held in significant numbers.
The attitude of the Rotbrust seed cracker is demanding. You need an aviary, which is well equipped with plants. The breed has only succeeded a few times.