African quailfinch

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.

African quailfinch
O. a. fuscocrissa, male, at Suikerbosrand, South Africa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Estrildidae
Genus: Ortygospiza
Species:
O. atricollis
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]

  • male
    male
  • female skin
    female skin
  • nest
    nest

References
  1. Sinclair, Ian; Ryan, Peter (2009). Complete Photographic Field Guide Birds of Southern Africa. Struik Nature.
  2. "African Quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis)". www.hbw.com. Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  • Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.7. Downloaded from


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