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Mandingoa nitidula

Mandingoa nitidula (Green-backed Twinspot)

Mandingoa nitidula

Cladus: Eukaryota
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Classis: Aves
Subclassis: Carinatae
Infraclassis: Neornithes
Parvclassis: Neognathae
Ordo: Passeriformes
Subordo: Passeri
Parvordo: Passerida
Superfamilia: Passeroidea
Familia: Estrildidae
Genus: Mandingoa
Species: Mandingoa nitidula
Subspecies: M. n. chubbi - M. n. nitidula - M. n. schlegeli - M. n. virginiae

Name

Mandingoa nitidula (Hartlaub, 1865)

Vernacular names

Reference

Ibis p.269

The Green-backed Twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula) is an estrildid finch found in sub-saharan Africa. This species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Subspecies

The Green-backed Twinspot has four sub-species:

* Mandingoa nitidula chubbi
* Mandingoa nitidula nitidula
* Mandingoa nitidula schlegeli
* Mandingoa nitidula virginiae


Habitat

Green-backed Twinspot inhabits lowland moist forests of the tropical region. It may also be found in grassland and shrubland habitats.

Sexes: Males distinguished from females by their bright red facial feathers. Females have an olive-green face and darker (almost black) beak.

Breeding: The green backed twinspot prefers its privacy in regards to breeding. Males in the breeding season will raise their heads, looking straight up while "dancing" on the perch next to the female, moving in a side-stepping fashion. The female, if receptive, will crouch down and point her tail to the male. Green backed twinspots tend to pair with one female and care for her and the young while breeding. Up to 4 eggs are laid approx 5 days after mating, usually 1 daily. The female will go in and out of the nest frequently until all eggs are laid and will sit in place to incubate thereafter, ensuring all hatch in relatively close proximity.

Housing: This species enjoys a large, planted aviary with plenty of privacy for breeding. Temperatures in captivity should not dip below 70F degrees or exceed 84F. Green back twinspots may be housed as single pairs, singles, or in groups up to 4 pairs in a large flight.

Diet: millet, dark leafy greens, fresh banana, cooked brown rice, mixed finch seed.

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Source: Wikipedia, Wikispecies: All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License