Mya BambrickAfrican finches are part of the diverse Estrildidae family, encompassing approximately 146 species across 34 genera in the Old World.
The term “finch” encompasses various bird species, such as waxbills, firefinches, twinspots, seedcrackers, and more.
In Africa, you’ll find 74 estrildid species spread across 25 genera, showcasing a rich array of plumage colors and patterns. While they may not excel in vocalization, they communicate through concise songs and a variety of chirps, warbles, chatters, and buzzes.
These finches are small, ranging from 3 inches (7.5 cm) to 6.7 inches (17 cm) in size and weighing between 0.21 ounces (6 g) and 0.9 ounces (25 g).
Feeding primarily on seeds and berries, their thick, short beaks are perfectly adapted for the task. They often forage in flocks on the ground, displaying gregarious behavior across various habitats, including grasslands, forests, deserts, scrubland, and agricultural land.
Nesting typically involves dome-shaped nests, with many serving as communal sites. They are prolific breeders, with clutches ranging from five to ten eggs.
Stay tuned for an in-depth exploration of the different species of African finches in the following article.
Abyssinian Crimsonwing
The Abyssinian Crimsonwing is a small bird found in eastern Africa. It has distinct features such as a red back and rump, black wings and tail, olive-grey head, and olive-grey underparts. Males can be identified by the red coloring on their flanks, which distinguishes them from females.
Anambra Waxbill
The Anambra Waxbill is also included in african finches. This bird found in southern Nigeria and Benin. It has features such as finely barred, dull buffy underparts, darker olive upper parts, a pale greyish head, reddish-brown rump and beak, and pale eyes.
Black-cheeked Waxbill
The Black-cheeked Waxbill, or Brunhilda charmosyna, is a diminutive yet striking bird inhabiting the eastern regions of Africa. Its plumage is a study in contrast, with a grey back, head, throat, and chest, complemented by black barring on the wings. The bird’s face and upper tail are cloaked in black, while its bill is a deep blue-black. The belly, flanks, and rump boast a vivid red, adding a splash of color to its appearance. Notably, the females exhibit a more subdued color palette compared to the males
Black-crowned Waxbill
The Black-crowned Waxbill is a bird found in central and eastern Africa. It has a whitish head and throat with a black crown, forehead, and rear of the eye. Its upperparts are lightly barred grey, with dark wings, whitish underparts, and a red wash from the flanks to the rump.
Black-faced Waxbill
The Black-faced Waxbill, scientifically known as Brunhilda erythronotos, is a small, vibrant bird native to southern Africa. It’s recognized by its striking black face that contrasts sharply with its red back and flanks. This bird is commonly found across various countries in the region, including Angola, Botswana, Kenya, and South Africa, among others. Despite its wide distribution, it’s categorized as ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN, indicating a stable population.
Black-rumped Waxbill
The Black-rumped Waxbill is a small bird native to central and western Africa. It has a plain brownish-grey back, with finely barred greyish-brown underparts and a black rump. Males have a pinkish-brown wash on their head, wings, and body, along with a red eye stripe and bill, features absent in females.
Brown Twinspot
The Brown Twinspot is a bird found in central Africa. It has dark brownish-green upper parts, a dark beak, and a dark grey head. Its underparts are rufous-cinnamon with white spots. Males have a red patch on the throat, while females have a white patch.
Common Waxbill
The Common Waxbill is a small bird found across much of Africa. It has a brownish-grey body with dark bars, a red belly patch, and a red face mask. Females are lighter in color than males. They are commonly seen in southern, central, and eastern Africa, as well as parts of western Africa.
Crimson-rumped Waxbill
The Crimson-rumped Waxbill features finely barred grey-brown upper parts and paler grey-buffy undersides, accentuated by vibrant red patches on the wings and upper tail. It sports a noticeable red eye stripe, with the rump displaying a striking red coloration, while the cheeks and throat exhibit a whitish hue. This species is primarily distributed across eastern Africa.
Cut-throat Finch
The Cut-throat Finch is named for the red band on the male’s throat, absent in females. They have grey-brown plumage with black barring, a blackish-brown tail, a chestnut-brown belly patch, and a pale beak. Found in southern, eastern, and Sahel regions of Africa.
Orange-breasted Waxbill
The Orange-breasted Waxbill has yellow to orange belly, a red rump, eyes, bill, and eyebrow stripe, with dark green upper parts, and green barring on the sides. Females are less bright than males. They live in southern, eastern, central, and western Africa.
Red-headed Finch
The Red-headed Finch, found in southern Africa, features a distinct red head in males and a grey head in females. Males exhibit a plain greyish-brown upper part, contrasted by white-spotted underparts with dark barring and scaling. A pale beak complements their appearance. This species, characterized by its chunky build, is commonly observed in the region.
Juveniles typically display paler colors and less bold markings compared to adults. While males boast a greyish-brown or rusty orange head and throat, females exhibit a paler greyish-brown head. The species is known for its striking appearance and is often sought after by bird enthusiasts.
Yellow-bellied Waxbill
The Yellow-bellied Waxbill is easily identified by its yellow belly, olive-green back, black tail, and grey head. Males have a distinctive black facial mask. Additionally, they sport red accents on their lower back, rump, and upper tail, along with a pale grey chest.
This species is commonly found in southern and eastern Africa. Juveniles resemble females but are generally greyer with reddish-brown rumps. Despite the challenge in distinguishing sexes, their unique features make them recognizable among other birds in their habitat.
The Yellow-bellied Waxbill, found in southern and eastern Africa, features a yellow belly, olive-green upper wings, and a black tail. It has a grey head, with the male sporting a distinctive black facial mask. The lower back, rump, and upper tail of this bird are red, while the chest is pale grey. Its beak is red and black. Juveniles are similar to females but may appear greyer with a reddish-brown rump and a black bill. This species is recognized for its colorful features and is commonly observed in grassy areas.
Check Our Previous Articles
Frequently Asked Questions About African Finches
Q1: What is the lifespan of an African finch?
African finches typically live for about 5 to 10 years in captivity.
Q2: What do finches eat?
Finches primarily eat seeds, but they also enjoy fresh greens, insects, and commercial finch seed mixes.
Q3: What age can finches breed?
Finches can start breeding as early as 6 to 9 months old, but it’s ideal to wait until they are closer to 1 year old for optimal health.
Q4: Do finches eat rice?
Yes, finches can eat rice, but it should be given in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Q5: Do finches eat egg?
Yes, finches may eat egg if it’s offered to them, especially during the breeding season as a source of extra protein.
Q6: Can finches eat fruit?
Yes, finches can eat fruit, such as apples, bananas, and berries, as an occasional treat. However, it should not be the primary component of their diet.
Q7: Can finches lay eggs without mating?
No, finches require mating to lay fertilized eggs. Unmated female finches may lay infertile eggs, but this is not the same as reproducing without mating.
Q8: What color are male finches?
Male finches often display brighter and more vibrant colors compared to females. The specific coloration varies depending on the species of finch.
John William
Add comment