African aviary sign

I think other zoos should have exhibits like this. Unfortunately I only saw the dove, cordon bleu and mannikin (photos in this gallery) plus the white-eye, melba finch and a francolin. The other species may have been there but the vegetation was too thick to be sure. I have never seen a purple grenadier or a violet-eared waxbill, but I live in hope. African aviary next to Meerkats, Newquay, 28th November 2014.

Realy a nice collection of African species !

The Francolin was a Madagascar Partridge. Strictly speaking, this is the Waxbill Aviary. The African Aviary is the one with Golden Bishops, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Spreo Starling, Robin Chat, Hottentot Teal & Blacksmith Plover.

The name African Aviary isn't used on the zoo's maps that I have seen, and this small aviary isn't labelled at all, which is why I mentioned the meerkats. I only glimpsed the partridge - I have seen one at Paignton, are there any in the Madagascar exhibit?

Alan

There was a Madagascar Partridge in the Madagascar Aviary back in August.

I'm sure you are aware they are pretty much at the rare/delicate end of the Waxbill spectrum- with 'Red-eared' at the opposite end. If Newquay successfully keep longterm,, or better still even breed these two species, plus a few of the others in here, that's quite an achievement.

So far they have successfully, bred, namaqua doves, red-backed mannikins,melba finches, white-eyes, cordon bleus and madagascan partridges in this aviary. Its a hidden gem tucked away in the corner of the zoo and it takes quite a bit of patience to see all the species.

Namaqua/Cape/Masked Doves are few and far between in the UK these days. So it is nice to see some in a UK zoo.
I kept some in the late 80`s when they were still being imported to the UK in some numbers.
They area delicate species prone to dampness and draughts.

I remember they used to be the rather less common 'alternative ' species to Diamond Dove for Aviaries. Presumably if more delicate they never established like Diamonds did, hence their rarity now.

I've also read that Rufous-backed Manikins are aggressive, but not sure if that is to their own or other species( I think its the former, and as a result are normally kept as just one pair)

Paradise Park and Newquay work together to maintain a stock of Namaqua Doves, which have reared young at both places this year. While they enjoy heat and sunshine, they will tolerate low temperatures if kept dry. Mine lived with Gouldian Finches and a heat lamp was left on all winter which both species used to go and sit under. Namaqua Doves can live into their teens, and will not always settle to breed in a new setting for the first year or two. They are a very pretty little dove, reminiscent of a large butterfly in flight.