Name
Red-Headed finch - Amadina erythrocephala
Red-Headed Finch Appearance
The red-headed finch is a small sparrow sized bird at around 14 cm in length. The sexes are dimorphic in appearance. The male red-headed finch has a bright red head, with the upper parts a greyish to brown colouring. With a white lower belly and black, white and brown barring on the tail. The white spotting on the chest and belly distinguishes this bird from other red-headed birds of the same size.
The female has a plain brown head.
Diet
The red-headed finch feeds on seeds and insects on the ground.
Red-Headed Finch Breeding
The red-headed finch is monogamous and uses a wide range of old birds nests, with communal nesting weavers being the most popular. The nesting can be either singular or in small colonies. The female will lay between four and six eggs that hatch after around two weeks.
Red-Headed Finch Behaviour
The red-headed finch is found either in pairs or small colonies during the breeding season. Outside of the breeding season, they are very gregarious and are found in large flocks up to a couple of hundred birds. The red-headed finch is seen at waterholes, in large flocks, where they drink frequently.
Threats
None.
Red-Headed Finch Distribution and Habitat
The red-headed finch is a near endemic. It is found throughout central South Africa in arid and semi-arid areas, mostly found in open grassland, with clumps of trees. They are also found around farmlands.