From Opus

Uraeginthus bengalus

Photo by Steve G
Photo taken: Makasutu, The Gambia

[edit] Identification

12cm in length. The adult male has uniformly brown upperparts, a yellow belly and a pale blue breast, flanks and tail. Each cheek has a red patch. Its call is a tsee-tsee. Its song is a wit-sit-diddley-diddley-ee-ee.

Females are similar but duller, and do not have the cheek spot. Immature birds are similar to the female, but with blue restricted to the face and throat.

[edit] Distribution

Sub Saharan Africa. The species has been introduced to Hawaii, the Lesser Antilles, the Windward Islands, and the Azores.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Dry grassland and savanna.

[edit] Behaviour

Its diet includes seeds and grain. It builds a dome shaped nest of grass, with a side entrance, in trees. It lays 4-5 white eggs.

[edit] External Links