Madagascar Weaver
BirdCare.com.au
PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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. Madagascar weaver
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  • Scientific Name: Foudia madagascariensis
  • Common Name/s: MADAGASCAR WEAVER,  RED FODY,  MADAGASCAR FODY.
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin: None
  • Origin / Distribution: Island of Madagascar (Off  the east coast of southern Africa), Mauritius and Seychelles.
  • Habitat In Wild: Grasslands and savannah. High rainfall. Frequents farmlands and rice paddies.
  • Status In Wild: Secure
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity:  More of this species available than the other weavers.
  • Age To Sexual Maturity:  Less than 12 months.
  • Adult plumage: attained at about ? months  
  • Best breeding years (estimate): 24 months - 10th year.
  • Lifespan (estimate): approx 10 or more years.
  • Sexing: Monomorphic / Dimorphic (Dimorphic in breeding plumage but otherwise they are monomorphic - look like sparrows for most of the year)
  • Mutations: No.   Can come as a "yellow form".
  • Availability: Bird dealers & specialist breeders.  Pure birds are hard to obtain due to previous crossings with Comoro weavers.
  • Temperament: Hardy birds. Best kept as one pair or one cock bird with more than one hen in an aviary of their own.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $200, Least expensive of the Weavers.
  • Description Of Adults: Closely related to the Comoro Weaver. 
  1. Length: Approx. 125 - 135 mm (or approx 5 inches)
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
  3. Weight: Approx. 25 - 27 gms (or almost 1 oz)

Males have a nuptial plumage. Pairs are monomorphic during the non breeding season.

Aviary Notes:

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws: Refer to "Government Laws" web page.

Housing Requirements: Click on "Housing birds" web page for full details on the housing of Weavers & Whydahs or read on for specific details for this finch.

Not to be housed with the Comoro Weaver.  Easily hybridizes with the Comoro Weaver.

Prefer a large planted aviary with dense shrubs, tall growing grasses and potted bamboo.  They are not suitable for cages if the intention is to have them breed.  Fully independent young birds can be housed in cages till an aviary is available.

There are more breeding pairs of Madagascar Weavers than the other weavers so keeping them as the only pair of birds per aviary is less critical.  They prefer a large planted aviary and as they are generally non aggressive, they can be kept in a mixed collection of other finches.  Cock birds will aggressively guard and protect the nest and the surrounding area.

A cock bird can be housed with more than one hen and have clutches of eggs with both hens.

Diet / Feeding: Click on "Weavers & Whydahs" web page for full details on the nutrition of Weavers & Whydahs or read on for specific details for this finch.

Weavers and whydahs are seed eaters that require significant quantities of live food to raise their young.  A variety of insects gives best results e.g. mealworms, crickets, small grasshoppers, small cockroaches, termites, moths etc.

Good quality finch seed mix, seeding grasses and some fruits (e.g. apple) and some green leafy vegetables.  Live food is essential especially at breeding season.  Sprouted seed if available.

Basic seed mix should include Canary seed, White French Millet, Japanese Millet, and Yellow and Red Panicum.

Nesting: A basic overview only.

  • Roosting nest: Yes / No
  • Nesting months: Early Spring to late summer.
  • Nesting receptacles: Nest is usually suspended between 2 to 4 strong branches of low trees or shrubs.  The cock bird will weave a nest.  Hen may line the nest.
  • Nesting materials: Nest made from finely stripped green grasses or growing palm grass.  Dry grasses will be used if green growing grasses and/or growing palm grass are not available.  Immature cock birds will practise building nests.
  • Who incubates the eggs: Hen / cock / both share.

Nest inspection is difficult but moderate inspection is usually tolerated.  Parents usually build a new nest for each new clutch.  Adequate new nest material must be available for the birds to build a new nest for the next clutch.

Breeding:  Also refer to the "Weavers & Whydahs" web page for more breeding information.

Egg Colour Pale blue.  Clutch/s per year 2 - 3.  Eggs per nest 3 - 5.  Incubation approx. 14 days.  Fledge approx 3 weeks.  Independent approx  2 - 3 weeks.

It is preferable to allow the hen to fully mature before any attempt is made to breed.  Hens have a long breeding life ahead of them and the fitter and healthier they are the better the breeding results should be.

Easiest of the Weavers to breed.  Easily hybridizes with the Comoro Weaver.  Hens of the Comoro and Madagascar Weaver are almost identical.

There are more breeding pairs of Madagascar Weavers than the other weavers so keeping them as the only pair of birds per aviary is less critical.  They prefer a large planted aviary and as they are generally non aggressive, they can be kept in a mixed collection of other finches.  Cock birds will aggressively guard and protect the nest and the surrounding area.

The cock bird has a nuptial plumage during breeding season.  The cock birds usually acquire their breeding plumage about July.
Hens have a minimal plumage change through the year.

A cock bird will pair up with two or more hens and successes with breeding the Madagascar Weaver is probably the best of all the weavers.

The cock bird does not take part in the incubation or rearing of the young.  The cock bird is often removed from the aviary so the hen can do her duties uninterrupted by the male.  The cock bird can be placed with another hen and start another clutch.

The hen ceases brooding the young at about 8 - 10 days and care must be taken if cold weather occurs at this time.  Cold weather can cause the death of the young.

Artificial incubation, hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site.  It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.  Refer "Specific References" as listed below and "General References" listings.

Health Issues: Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

  • Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site.  Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page option.
  • Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace.  Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References:  Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

  • Australian Aviculture
  • A/A Vol 56 No. 4 Apr 2002 Page 65-66
  • A/A Vol 48 No. 12 Dec 1994 Page 277-278 (Inc photo)
  • A/A Vol 48 No. 4 Apr 1994 Page 77-79 (Inc photo)
  • A/A Vol 24 No. 9 Sept 1970 Page 151-152.
  • A/A Vol 23 No 9 Sept 1969 Page 125-126.
  • A/A Vol 23 No 7 Jul 1969 Page 107.
  • A/A Vol  7 No 2 Feb 1953 Page 17.
  • A/A Vol  6 No 11 Nov 1952 Page 126.
  • A/A Vol  6 No 9 Sept 1952 Page 101-102.
  • A/A Vol  5 No 10 Oct 1951 Page 116-118.
  • A/A Vol  4 No 10 Oct 1950 Page 118.
  • The Bulletin No 20, Jun 1944 Page 3 - 4.
  • Australian Birdkeeper
  • ABK Vol 11 Issue 4. Aug-Sept 1998 Page 176-179.
  • ABK Vol  4 Issue 10. Aug-Sept 1991 Page 474-475

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