. Napoleon weaver
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- Scientific Name: Euplectes afer
afer
- Common Name/s:
NAPOLEON WEAVER, GOLDEN BISHOP, YELLOW CROWNED BISHOP.
- Sub Species in country / area of origin:
4
- Origin / Distribution:
Central and West Africa, south of the Sahara.
- Habitat In Wild: Grasslands,
farmlands and urban areas.
- Status In Wild: ?
- Status In (Australian) Captivity:
Rare
- Age To Sexual Maturity: Males 2
years. Hens 1 year.
- Adult plumage: attained at about ?
months
- Best breeding years (estimate):
24 months - 10th year.
- Lifespan (estimate): approx. 12 or
more years
- Sexing: Monomorphic
/ Dimorphic (Dimorphic in breeding plumage
but otherwise monomorphic)
- Mutations: None
- Availability: Specialist breeders
- Temperament: Require a planted
aviary, one pair per aviary. Cock birds can be territorial and
aggressive around breeding season.
- Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: -
Normal colour (Approx.) $3500
- Description Of Adults:
Closely resembles the Orange Bishop Weaver.
- Length: Approx. 115 - 120 mm (or approx 4.5
- 5 inches)
- Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer
photo/s above if available.
- Weight: Approx. 20 - 22 gms (or approx. 1/3 oz)
Males have a nuptial plumage. Pairs are similar during the
non breeding season. The change to the nuptial plumage takes about
2 weeks.
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.
Require a large planted aviary for best
results. With numbers of good breeding pairs fairly low, the owner
should be prepared to allowing only one pair per aviary and have no
other species of birds in that aviary. This will also eliminate the
possibility of hybridizing between some of the other weavers. Cock
birds will aggressively guard and protect the nest and the surrounding
area.
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.
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.
Live food is essential at breeding season. A variety of insects gives best results e.g. mealworms, crickets, small
grass hoppers, small cockroaches, termites, moths etc. Live food
is not essential during the non breeding season. Some fruits (e.g.
apple, sweet corn) and some green leafy vegetables can be offered.
A good quality finch seed mix, seeding
grasses and a variety of insects are necessary. Some people supply
soaked or sprouted seed.
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:
November onwards
- Nesting receptacles: Nest is usually suspended between 2 to 4 strong branches of trees or
shrubs.
Cock bird will weave a nest. Hen may line the nest.
- Nesting materials:
Nest made from finely stripped green grasses, bamboos and reed like plants.
- Who incubates the eggs:
Hen / cock / both share.
In the wild the nests are constructed on
reeds or grasses on the edge or over a waterway. The cock bird
will partially build nests waiting for the hen to make her choice.
The hen lines the nest with soft grasses.
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.
The nest is usually built at the mid to
high parts of the aviary.
Breeding:
Also refer to the "Weavers & Whydahs"
web page for more breeding information.
Egg Colour White with fine
black spots. Clutch/s
per year 2. Eggs per nest 2 - 3. Incubation
approx. 13 days. Fledge approx. 14 days.
Independent approx. another 4 - 5 weeks. If more than 2 eggs are laid, usually
only 2 young will survive.
Some breeders separate the hen and cock
bird during the non breeding season and reintroduce the birds just prior
to the preferred breeding season.
A cock bird will pair up with one, two or
more hens. With numbers of good breeding pairs fairly low, the owner
should be prepared to allowing only one cock bird plus one or more hens per aviary and have no
other species of birds in that aviary. This will also eliminate the
possibility of hybridizing between some of the other weavers. Cock
birds will aggressively guard and protect the nest and the surrounding
area.
The pair bond is strong during the
breeding season, however the birds do not have to be paired to the same
partner each year. The cock bird will assist in the raising
of the young.
In an aviary, it is generally safe to leave the young in the same
aviary as the parent birds after the young have become independent.
The cock bird has a nuptial plumage
during breeding season. The cock birds usually acquire their
breeding plumage about October.
Hens have a minimal plumage change through the year.
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 34 No. 4 Apr 1980 Page 57-58
- A/A Vol 28 No. 9 Sept 1974 Page
141-147 (Inc photo)
- A/A Vol 15 No. 1 Jan 1961 Page 1-3, 14-15 (Inc colour plate).
- A/A Vol 14 No. 12 Dec 1960 Page 161-162.
- Australian Birdkeeper
- ABK Vol 15 Issue 2. Apr-May 2002 Page 94-96.
- ABK Vol 11 Issue 4. Aug-Sept 1998 Page 176-179
- ABK Vol 4 Issue 7. Feb-Mar 1991 Page 305-308
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