Green-winged Pytilia

Afrikaans name: Gewone Melba

Photo © Gerrit de Vries - Fotolia.com

Pytilia melba

The Green-winged Pytilia, also known as the Melba Finch, is a common bird in sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa it is found in suitable habitat in the northern half of the country.

Males show more colour than females. They have a red face and and have more green on them.

Green-winged Pytilias mainly feed on the seeds of various grasses. They may also feed on termites.

They are popular cage birds.

The pair make an untidy looking nest in a tree or shrub. The female normally lays between 2 and 5 eggs. Both parents feed the chicks.

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 184

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 121

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 355

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 434

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 402

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 742

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 744

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 420

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 578

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 587

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 420

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 322

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 81

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 216

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 282

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 222

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 262

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 30

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 30

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 313

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List of South African Birds