Red-billed quelea A sociable bird, the red-billed quelea tolerates mixed-species aviaries. Keeping many individuals mimics its natural occurrence in large flocks. This species withstands frosts, but requires shelter from rain and wind. Affixing hanging branches, such as hawthorn, in the cage facilitates nesting. Adults are typically given a diet of tropical seeds enriched with grass seeds, augmented by living insects such as mealworms, spiders, or boiled shredded egg during the breeding season. Fine stone grit and calcium sources, such as shell grit and cuttlebone, provide nutrients as well. If provided with material like fresh grass or coconut fibre they can be bred.
Red-billed quelea Three subspecies are recognised. In the field, these are distinguished by differences in male breeding plumage. Formerly, two other subspecies have been described. "Q. quelea spoliator" was described by Phillip Clancey in 1960 on the basis of more greyish nonbreeding plumage of populations of wetter habitats of northeastern South Africa, Swaziland and southern Mozambique. However, further analysis indicated no clear distinction in plumage between it and "Q. quelea lathamii", with no evidence of genetic isolation. Hence it is not recognised as distinct. "Q. quelea intermedia", described by Anton Reichenow in 1886 from east Africa, is regarded a synonym of subspecies