Violet - Eared Waxbills

[Ivann 97]

Hey folks!
I've heard that they have come to US and are available for approx. 500 bucks. So, I wonder if anyone has purchased this wonderful species?

[Colt]

They are available. I know Birds Express has them. They are lovely but very pricey. I don't know of anyone having purchased a pair yet. I know sunbay was admiring them, but after her surgery last week she was holding off on any more purchases.

[lovezebs]

Ivann 97 & Colt

Doesn't our Sally have some? Or was she just wanting some? Can't remember.

[Colt]

Just wanting. They haven't been imported in years. A few people have purple grenadiers, a close cousin to the violet-eared but I don't know of anyone who has them yet.

[Rox]

I have a pair. Since they are indigenous to SA, we have to keep them on permit and they are cheap. About R400 a pair = $40.

They needs lots of live food and space to breed and getting a compatible pair is tricky. It took six months for my hen to accept her mate and while they are now building a nest and I have seen them mating, they still act indifferent to each other most of the time. I find them quite strange as the pair doesn't preen each other like most waxbill species.

Absolutely beautiful birds and they have a lovely song. They can be bullies though so if being kept with smaller waxbills, make sure that your flight/aviary is big enough for the smaller birds to get away. I've noticed that both here and in the UK there is a shortage of males. The hens of this species are definitely the stronger of the sexes.

[Colt]

That's so awesome. They are $550 a pair here from the only place that currently advertising them.