Rush reeds

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Rush reeds
Common rush (Neochmia ruficauda)

Common rush ( Neochmia ruficauda )

Systematics
Order : Passerines (Passeriformes)
Subordination : Songbirds (passeri)
Family : Fine finches (Estrildidae)
Subfamily : Lonchurinae
Genre : Sonnenastrilde ( Neochmia )
Type : Rush reeds
Scientific name
Neochmia ruficauda
( Gould , 1837)

The Star Finch ( Neochmia ruficauda ), also Binsenamadine called, is a kind from the family of finches . The species is classified as near threatened by the IUCN .

Appearance

The rushes reach a height of 11 centimeters. The face as well as the forehead and the chin are colored red in the male. The upper tail cover is dark red. The throat and chest as well as the back and wing covers are greenish gray. What is striking about this species are small, teardrop-shaped spots of white color. They run from the front of the head over the throat and chest to the sides of the body.

Overall, the female is less colorful than the male. The basic body color is more of a gray-green. The red color of the face is much less pronounced and can be limited to the area around the eyes.

There is also a mutation form with a mango-yellow face coloring. This species is colloquially called yellow rush or Buddha finch because the color is similar to the Buddhist monk's robes and rushes are extremely peaceful. The red-headed rushes are colloquially called red rushes, star finches (derived from the English name star finch) or red-tailed rushes (derived from the Italian diamante codarossa).

Distribution area and habitat

Binsenastrilde occur from Western Australia to Northern Australia. Their stock today consists of several small, isolated populations. A comparison of the distribution areas since the beginning of the 20th century shows that the distribution focus has shifted from east to west.

A distinction is made between two subspecies of the rushes:

  • Neochima ruficauda ruficauda represents the nominate form and is (or was) native to eastern Australia . It originally came from central Queensland to central New South Wales . This subspecies was last observed in 2000 and is believed to be extinct today. The cause is habitat destruction through grazing, which has led to a decline in food crops.
  • Neochima ruficauda clarescens , which is similar in size to the nominate form. In this subspecies, however, the colors are more intense. It is native to the north and northwest of Queensland and the north and northwest of Western Australia. Their game population has decreased extremely in the 20th century.

The Binsenastrild inhabits similar habitats as the Braunbrustnonne and the Gilbnonne . Near the coast, these are extensive swamps with stocks of wild rice, rushes, reeds and various grasses. Further inland it occurs on damp grassland, which is covered with small bushes and trees. The main requirement for the habitat is the presence of relatively dense grass undergrowth.

Way of life

Neochmia ruficauda 2.jpg

The rushes mainly live on grass seeds , preferably on seeds in a semi-ripe state, which are available in swamp areas well into the dry season. Insects also play a significant role. At the beginning of the rainy season, when flying insects are particularly common, it is almost a pure insect eater. The rushes seldom come to the ground in search of food, but rather climb very skilfully, especially on vertical stalks. During the hottest time of the day, he visits the treetops to rest. It is occasionally socialized in flocks of up to thirty birds. These swarms show a very straight and even flight. Similar to swarms of starlings, they are capable of completely synchronous turns. Only a few species of Australian fine finches show this form of flight, including the ceres madine and three types of nuns.

The rush amadine breeds in the second half of the rainy season. Their breeding season can extend from December to August with an extended rainy season. This means that it has a longer breeding season than the majority of Australian finches. This is presumably related to their humid habitat, which provides them with sufficient food suitable for raising their young for a longer period of time. Like many other magnificent finches, it shows a halmbalz. The male, with a long stalk in its beak, hops up and down on the spot with stretched heel joints and makes a deep bow after each landing. With the jumps, it slowly approaches the female. In the immediate vicinity of the female, she stretches and flexes her heel joints. Females suggest a similar courtship dance when alone.

The nest, which is put together from long blades of grass, is preferably built near the ground. The clutch usually consists of five to six eggs, which are incubated by both adult birds. The young birds hatch after about 14 days and are able to fly after 21 days. They reach sexual maturity after four to six months after their juvenile moulting.

attitude

The brightly colored rushes were introduced as ornamental birds in Europe as early as the second half of the 19th century . The first birds were shown in the London Zoo in 1860. In 1875 they were first traded in Germany. Since then - apart from the war years and the post-war period - they have been imported regularly. Since 1960 Australia has banned the export of wild-caught birds. Since then, only bred birds that are very resilient have been on the market. In Germany between 1984 and 1987 there were between 85 and 120 breeders who reared between 700 and 1,000 young birds in those years. The rush amadine is one of the most frequently kept finches today; they are persistent and resilient birds. In Frankfurt Zoo , a male was maintained for 14 years. A well-structured aviary is necessary for species-appropriate keeping . Yellow-headed mutations also arose through breeding. The rushes chirp very softly and melodically.

Binsenastrilde are very lively, peaceful, curious, cautious and happy to fly. They thrive best at a constant minimum room temperature of 22 ° C and high humidity. Keeping them in free-range aviaries only makes sense if the birds always have access to a heated indoor enclosure. Large room aviaries are ideal conditions for keeping them. Then these sociable birds, which also breed in loose colonies in their native Australia, can even be kept in a small flock. Free flight should be allowed regularly when caged. In well-heated winter gardens, rushes can also fly freely, as they do not nibble on plants and know how to take care of themselves very well. In terms of nutrition, they are - like most Australian finches - vegetarians. Apart from the incubation and breeding phases, grain feed with lots of small-grain millet, millet and cucumber is sufficient. Access to water is essential for them. There is splashing and swimming several times a day. They skillfully climb stalks and branches; sometimes also upside down. Indoor rushes need a lot of brightness (e.g. LED, 6500K) and either weak UV light (such as lizards or turtles) or an adequate supply of vitamin D. If you do not want to breed, you should not choose pairs, but rather form single-sex mini swarms, since rushes are very likely to reproduce if they are kept well.

  • Binsenastrild pair yellow-headed.jpg

supporting documents

literature

Web links

Commons : Binsenastrild  - album with pictures, videos and audio files

Single receipts

  1. ↑ BirdLife Factsheet , accessed June 22, 2010
  2. ↑ Nicolai et al., P. 66
  3. ↑ Nicolai et al., P. 66
  4. ↑ Nicolai et al., P. 69
  5. ↑ Nicolai et al., P. 67 and p. 68
  6. ↑ Nicolai et al., P. 69
  7. ↑ Vogelnetzwerk.de - display report. Retrieved November 3, 2019 .
  8. ↑ Binsenastrilde flutter and twittering - Yellow Star Finches - Neochmia ruficauda. Retrieved on November 3, 2019 (German).
  9. ↑ Star Finch or Neochmia ruficauda. Retrieved November 3, 2019 .
  10. ↑ Star Finch - Neochmia ruficauda. Retrieved November 3, 2019 .
  11. ^ Estrilda - Interest group for species protection and conservation breeding of exotic birds: Neochmia ruficauda. In: www.estrilda.de. Estrilda, November 2, 2019, accessed on November 2, 2019 (German).