Uraeginthus
Veilchenastrild ( Uraeginthus ianthinogaster )
The Blauastrilde ( Uraeginthus ) are a genus within the family of finches. The species assigned to this genus, are found only on the African continent.
The systematic allocation of species to this genus is not yet fully understood. The IUCN assigns both the Granatastrild and the Veilchenastrild the Blauastrilden ( Uraeginthus ) to; Jürgen Nicolai and Joachim Steinbacher, however, these two species in the genus Grana Tina. Here, the classification of the IUCN is followed.
Description
The Blauastrilde reach a body length of between thirteen and fourteen inches. Angola Butterfly Fink, Fink and butterfly Blaukopfastrild have very close resemblance to each other. All males have blue spring games at the top, where the Blaukopfastrild the entire head to the nape is blue. The males of the butterfly finches have also each side of the head a striking red spot in the ear area on. When Granatastrild the male has a bright cobalt blue forehead, the Veilchenastrild among others, the region around the eyes and cheeks, the front area is blue.
The females have paler plumage than the males and the proportion of blue in their plumage is less.
Dissemination and lifestyle
All kinds of Granatastrilde have a distribution area, which is located in sub-Saharan Africa. The largest area of distribution has the butterfly Fink, who settled in five subspecies the steppe and savannah region of tropical Africa from Senegal and Guinea on the inner West Africa to Eritrea and south to Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.
The incubation period varies between species, and varies depending on the particular area of distribution. The Veilchenastrild broods example, in Somalia in June, in Tanzania, however, in the period from December to February. All have in common is a relatively elaborate courtship. It is a blade of grass or Federbalz, in which the male is impressed with a straw or a feather in its beak before the females. When Butterfly Fink and the blue head - butterfly Fink also shows the female occasionally mating dances. Typically, however, is not present then the male.
The food consists of all kinds of small seeds, which are supplemented by insects.
Attitude
All kinds of Blauastrilde belong to the ornamental birds, which are held in part for a long time. The first Granatastrild, which was introduced to Europe in 1754 was given to Madame de Pompadour and maintained by it for three years. Because of the contrasting plumage they are often very sought-after birds, but they are sometimes not easy to hold. All species are sensitive to cold and especially when Granatastrild and Veilchenastrild the offspring succeed only a handful of specialists.
Species
The following types are counted as Blauastrilden:
- Angola Butterfly Fink (U. angolensis )
- Blue Head Butterfly Fink (U. cyanocephala )
- Granatastrild (U. grana tina )
- Butterfly Fink (U. bengalus )
- Veilchenastrild (U. ianthinogaster )