Seedcracker
Purpurastrilde ( Pyrenestes ) are a genus within the family of finches. They are found exclusively in Africa in three ways.
Description
Purpurastrilde reach a body length between twelve and fourteen inches. The male of the Karmesinastrildes with its scarlet head, neck, chest and upper tail-coverts is one of the spektakulärst colored finch species. Also the Purpurastrild and the little Purpurastrild have a bright red head, neck, chest and upper tail feathers. When Purpurastrild the remaining plumage is black with red over washed- coverts; the little Purpurastrild the rest of the body plumage is earth brown.
Both the little ones as well as the Purpurastrild Purpurastrild large and kleinschnäbelige morphs occur, a range which adds a mosaic. Experimental attempts at crossing Purpurastrild have shown that the polymorphism in the beak shape is on a single gene locus and the allele for Großschnäbeligkeit is inherited dominantly. Großschnäbelige and Kleinschnäbelige morphs of Purpurastrilds use different hard seeds as food resources.
System
The taxonomic classification of the Purpurastrilde is still in transition. Small Purpurastrild and Karmesinastrild are sometimes treated as a subspecies of Purpurastrilds.
Attitude
Karmesinastrilde are repeatedly offered because of their spectacular plumage in the trade. However, they are extremely difficult to sustain without that so far is not clear why Karmesinastrilde survive only a short time in attitude. Breeding is a big exception, which in 1976 succeeded. The Purpurastrild needed as well as the Karmesinastrild an aviary with vertical structures of bamboo, papyrus or reeds, as they tend to excessive growth of claws and promote climbing the natural wear of the claws.
Species
The following species are included among the Purpurastrilden:
- Karmesinastrild ( P. sanguineus)
- Small Purpurastrild ( P. minor )
- Purpurastrild ( P. ostrinus )