From Opus

Photo by Leon
Tswaing (meteoric crater) 50 km N of Pretoria, South Africa

Estrilda erythronotos

[edit] Identification

Small (11-12 cm) with black face and red rump, flanks and upper belly. Tail is black and wings are barred black and grey-buff. East African race differs from very similar Red-rumped Waxbill by black chin, central belly and undertail.

[edit] Distribution

East and southern Africa.

[edit] Taxonomy

Subspecies:¹

• E. e. erythronotos

• Southern Angola, south-western Zambia, western Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, northern South Africa.

• E. e. delamerei

• Southern Kenya, western Uganda and Tanzania.

[edit] Habitat

Acacia thornveld.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

The diet includes seeds and insects.

[edit] Breeding

The enclosed nests are built from grass stalks and seed heads, and are placed in trees. 3-4 eggs are laid.

[edit] References

1. Fry H, Keith S, Woodcook M & Willis I. 2004. Birds of Africa Vol VII: Sparrows to Buntings. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0713665319

[edit] External Links