Shelley's Oliveback
Meisenastrild
The Meisenastrild ( Nesocharis shelleyi ), also called Shelley Olivastrild, is an African species of the family of finches. In addition to the nominate Nesocharis shelleyi shelleyi Alexander, 1903, a subspecies described: Nesocharis shelleyi bansoensis Bannerman, 1923.
Description
The Meisenastrild reaches a body length of eight inches, making it one of the smallest finch species. The body mass is only between six and nine grams.
The males of the Meisenastrilde have a black head and a black throat. The neck is a broad blue-gray band. The back and wing-coverts are sienafarben which to rump and the upper tail-coverts is yellowish. The wings are blackish green with gold fringes. The inner secondaries are olive green, the feathers black. The chest is deep orange yellow and the lower body is dark blue-gray. The females differ from the males mainly by the other breast coloring: For them, the chest is blue-gray instead of dark orange-yellow.
Distribution and habitat
Meisenastrilde are compared with other finch species only in a small area before. Their range extends from just off the coast of Cameroon Bioko Island along the Cross River up into the high mountain ranges of Cameroon and the Gashaka - Gumti National Park in eastern Nigeria. In the mountains of Nigeria they are common birds and come up to altitudes of 2,100 meters before. The nominate form is restricted to the island of Bioko and Mount Cameroon. There, they are often the Meisenastrild but is often overlooked because of its inconspicuous appearance. The subspecies Nesocharus shelleyi bansoensis occurs in Manenguba Mountains and in the Bamenda - Banso Highlands.
Way of life
Meisenastrilde come in pairs and in small flocks mainly found in the mountain forest. The altitudinal distribution ranges on the south side of Mount Cameroon up to 2,100 meters in altitude. On Bioko he comes at lower altitudes than before on the African mainland and also occurs in plantations.
The Meisenastrild builds itself, but uses old nests of other bird species such as the black belly Weber and Gold Swing nectar bird. The nest is usually made up of three white -shelled eggs. The breeding season begins after the end of the rainy season, so that Meisenastrilde nest on Mount Cameroon, for example, in the period from November to February. The diet consists of insects and small seeds.
Attitude
The first copies of Meisenastrilden were probably introduced in 1929 in Europe. The next secured import is occupied until the year 2001. According to reports, took care Meisenastrilde over a very long period of time only mealworms and only sporadically ant pupae as food, but proved to be trustful and lively.