Name: Lavender Waxbill (Estrilda caerulescens) Origin: Tropical and southern Africa Habitat: Open and semi-arid grassland with scattered shrubs for cover and nesting Sexing: No visual difference. Males sing, females lay eggs. Also sexes have a different contact call Breeding: Difficult Social: Yes, with other species of timid Waxbills such as the Orange Cheek Housing: Not cage birds, they require flight space and places to hide. Provide them with a large flight or aviary. Use fake or live non-toxic plants in their environment. They require temperatures to stay at or above 70 degrees Fahrenheit all year long. They require 12 hours of daylight, either natural lighting or with full spectrum artificial lights. Diet: Grass seeds. Find a good finch seed mix, add in millet, live foods, egg food, and some fruits & veggies. If you don't think your Waxbills are eating well enough you can use vitamin, mineral, & calcium additives. Live food is a must for breeding.

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