There are several species of Firefinches widely spread throughout of Africa but the most likely to see in the US aviculture is Lagonosticta senegala. Some people call them the “Red-billed Firefinch” while others - the “Senegal Firefinch”. The scientific name Lagonosticta senegala describes a single species of finch which goes by two different common names. The scientific name is the same no matter where you live. 

Natural Range:
In the wild Firefinches lives in large groups and usually found in savannah woodland. They are the most widespread and common of the African birds and abundant around human habitation. Firefinches predominantly feed on the ground consumes seeds of various weeds and some insects.
 

Description:
The Red-billed Firefinch is 90 - 100 mm (or approx 3.5 - 4 inches) in length and lifespan (estimate) – about 5-7 years.  Genders are clearly distinguishable. The adult male has a lot of red in its plumage and the female is predominantly brown. The bill is pink and there is a yellow eye-ring. A yellow eye ring is very prominent, especially in older birds. The wings and tail are brown. The white spots on the sides and flanks are slightly more numerous in the female than in the male. Firefinch on its vast geographical area creates of a number of subspecies. The difference between the subspecies is in the intensity of red color and markings such as flank spotting may vary (absent in some subspecies). So we know subspecies and its areal occurrence:


 

Housing:
Firefinches are small birds but they are active and require quite a lot of space. These birds are best enjoyed in aviaries or flight cages. A cage that is longer in length will allow the bird to fly more.  My each firefinch pair currently resides in a cage that is 36'' (90 cm) length,   18'' (45 cm) height, and about 18'' (45 cm) depth.

Feeding:
Firefinches in their natural environment eat small seeds of grasses and herbs, and small insects. We offer a seed mix that contains Japanese millet, canary, Siberian millet, finch millet, white millet, anise, sesame, red millet, thistle, flax, rape, and steel cut oats. Excellent addition to the diet is fresh greens, such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, spinach and other dark green leaves. Hard boiled eggs - a great source of protein and easy to prepare. The feeding of live food is beneficial to firefinches’ health. Wingless fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) are not very complicated to culture at home and are ideal for feeding my firefinches.
The birds daily have access to fresh drinking water and source of calcium: crushed egg shells or oyster shell grit or cuttlefish bone.
 

Breeding:
Firefinches are successfully bred in aviaries and in flight cages. My each firefinch pair resides separately in flight cages with fake green leaves for privacy.  I offer for birds half open nest box and natural-stick finch nest  during the breeding season. The entrance hole of nests faces the back of the flight cage. This gives the birds privacy too. Firefinches prefer natural-stick nest and use coco fiber and feathers as nesting material. Both parents bring nesting materials, and typically a nest is completed within five to seven days.
 

The hen normally lays 4 eggs which both parents take turns incubating for 12-14 days. Nest inspection should be kept to a minimum.  After hatching it will be about three weeks before the chicks leave the nest. When the chicks leave the nest during the following two weeks they stay with their parents. After that I separate them from the parents.
Firefinches fledglings are like the female, but lack the red on the face, no white spots and black bill. Feathers on the males start to turn red at 6 - 9 weeks of age. 
Live food, fruit flies or mealworms, and sprouted seeds are beneficial throughout the year and essential at breeding season.