African quailfinch
Species of bird
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The African quailfinch, spectacled quailfinch, or white-chinned quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis fuscocrissa), is a common species of estrildid finch found in eastern and southern Africa. Some taxonomists consider it to be conspecific with the black-faced quailfinch and the black-chinned quailfinch, others consider all three species to be conspecific.
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| African quailfinch | |
|---|---|
| |
| O. a. fuscocrissa, male, at Suikerbosrand, South Africa | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Estrildidae |
| Genus: | Ortygospiza |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | O. a. fuscocrissa |
| Trinomial name | |
| Ortygospiza atricollis fuscocrissa (Heuglin, 1863) | |
Description
The African quailfinch is 10 centimeters (4 inches) in length and weighs 9-14 grams (0.3-0.5 ounces). It is small and compact with dark grey underparts, barred breasts and flanks, and an orange-buff central belly. The feathers around its eye and on its chin are white. Breeding males have a red bill, while the bills of females and non-breeding males have a brown upper mandible and a red lower mandible. The female is paler than the male and has less distinctive barring.[1]
Voice
It calls a tinny "chink-chink" when in flight.[1]
Distribution and ecology
The African quailfinch is found in East and southern Africa.[2] It inhabits grassland and weedy areas, especially near water. It eats seeds, filamentous algae, insects, and spiders.[1][2]
Geographical variation
When considered a full species, the following geographical variation has been accepted:[2]
Gallery
male
female skin
nest
