Dwarf Mannikin

(Lonchura Nana)













                                                                
Contents of this Page: (Push at the subject)
About Dwarf Mannikin
How to take care
Breeding

                                                               

















                        Original Country:


                                     
In Nature Dwarf Mannikin lives on Madagascar and it is the only Estrildid endemic to the Island Madagascar. The Birds live in small groups outside breedingtime on Bush Steppes and in Culturlandscapes.
During the Breedingtime Dwarf Mannikins live  in pairs or in small groups together with the young Birds.
It built its roundshaped  Nest by Grass and lines it with Plantwool. Dwarf Mannikin has been imported to Europe for the first time in 1880.


Dwarf Mannikin belongs to the Lonchura Family, which includes numbers of small and distinct Seed eating
Glory Mannikins with Africa as their original country.


Madagascar




There are 30 types, which is divided in 5 main-groups:
                        
1) Mannikins
2) Bronze Mannikin
3) Munia
4) Finch
5) The rest of the types:
 - African Silverbill
 - Indian Silverbill
 - Grey-headed Silverbill  
-  Nutmeg Mannikin 

(Earlier Munia)
(Lonchura)
(Earlier Munia)
(Earlier Spermestes)		                         

                                                

Watch The whole Lonchura-family under
Chestnut-Brested Mannikin
                                             


Male


Forehead, the area at the Eyes and Throatspot Black. Head otherweise Grey - darker at the top of the Head and Silvergrey on the sides. Back and Wings Brown, The Vent  and Over coverts Blackbrown. The Eyes Brown. Overbill Black. Underbill Horn-coloured. Legs Meatcoloured.


Female


Males and Females are similar in appearance. The sexdifference can be established by the Male´s song, since the Female never sings.

                                                 
Size:   Lenght circa 9 cm                                             


























How to take care:


It is a hardy Bird, who doing fine together with other Glory Mannikins in a Avairy. This Bird should be held in pairs, because more pairs often will break the attempts of breed to each other.
The Food must cionsists of Finch Seed Mix . They are very pleased with Millet, Grass Seed, sprouted Seed,
Greeneries, small Meal Worms and Mosquito Cocoons too.
Dwarf Mannikin needs temperature at about 15º.




Millet






  Finch Mix




Meal Worms
Mosquito Cocoons

Lettuce






























Breeding:


Since there are importprohibition from Madagascar, is it a condition in order to maintain Dwarf Mannikin that there being bred at this Bird.
It is a requirement that the Couples sympathizing to get a successfully Breed. If this is the case the Birds will built their Nest in a halfopen Nest Boxe or in a Nest Basket. They use Cocos Fibres and dry Grass as Nesting Material.
The Female lays 4 to 6 Eggs. Incubation takes about 14 days.The Chicks stay in the Nest for about  28 days, and are then  flysafe  and will be able to climb in Twigs and Branches. 9 to 10 weeks after they can manage themselves.
Upfeeding can be done with sprouted Seed, Greeneries, halfriped Grass Seed and Mosquito Cocoons.


Basket Nest


Mouth markings

Young Birds, who just have left their nest

 Young Birds, who almost have their adult colours