Red-billed Firefinch

Afrikaans name: Rooibekvuurvinkie

Red-billed Firefinch

Photo © Steven Herbert

Lagonosticta senegala

The Red-billed Firefinch is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa it occurs over most of the northern parts of the country, excluding the more arid areas, as well as in parts of the Western and Eastern Cape.

These are small birds that only reach a length of 10 cm. The male has much more red on it than the female. The female is mainly brown with some red on the face and white spots on her breast.

Red-billed Firefinches prefer areas with thickets interspersed with grass and bare patches. Their main food is grass seeds which it eats off the ground. Smaller insects are also eaten.

The male builds the nest which is normally placed on the ground under a bush. It is sometimes built on a man-made structure. Up to 6 eggs are laid and are incubated by both parents. The chicks are fed by both parents.

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: 76

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 356

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 436

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 396

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 751

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 750

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 581

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 591

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 422

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 422

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 316

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 265

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: 218

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 283

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 226

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: 320

---

Top

List of South African Birds