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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| + | 9.5-10cm. '''Males''' - black face and brown breast. '''Females''' are lighter in these areas. '''Juveniles''' similar to the female but have fainter barring and a darker bill. | ||
| + | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Most of [[Africa]] south of Sahara. | + | Most of [[Africa]] south of Sahara; [[Senegal]] east to western [[Cameroon]], southern [[Sudan]] to [[Angola]] and south to [[South Africa]]. |
| + | |||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
This species has six-nine subspecies divided into two groups which are sometimes viewed as two species: | This species has six-nine subspecies divided into two groups which are sometimes viewed as two species: | ||
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African Quailfinch (''Ortygospiza fuscocrissa'') with subspecies ''fuscocrissa'', ''muelleri'', ''smithersi'', ''pallida'', and ''digressa''; photo by Leon is most likely to show this form. | African Quailfinch (''Ortygospiza fuscocrissa'') with subspecies ''fuscocrissa'', ''muelleri'', ''smithersi'', ''pallida'', and ''digressa''; photo by Leon is most likely to show this form. | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | + | Open areas with patchy grass growth, near water, sandy grassland, marsh, farms and croplands, and recently mowed areas. | |
| + | |||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | The diet includes small grass seeds and on occasional spiders or insects. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A dome-shaped nest of grass stems and blades is built on the ground. 4-6 white eggs are laid and incubated by both parents. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
| + | The call is a metallic "trillink" or "chwillink" while the song is a series of "click, clack, cluck" notes delivered rapidly and repeatedly. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Ortygospiza+atricollis}} | {{GSearch|Ortygospiza+atricollis}} | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Ortygospiza | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Ortygospiza]] |
Revision as of 13:50, 6 October 2008
- Ortygospiza atricollis
Identification
9.5-10cm. Males - black face and brown breast. Females are lighter in these areas. Juveniles similar to the female but have fainter barring and a darker bill.
Distribution
Most of Africa south of Sahara; Senegal east to western Cameroon, southern Sudan to Angola and south to South Africa.
Taxonomy
This species has six-nine subspecies divided into two groups which are sometimes viewed as two species: Black-faced Quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis) with subspecies atricollis, ansorgei, and ugandae; African Quailfinch (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa) with subspecies fuscocrissa, muelleri, smithersi, pallida, and digressa; photo by Leon is most likely to show this form.
Habitat
Open areas with patchy grass growth, near water, sandy grassland, marsh, farms and croplands, and recently mowed areas.
Behaviour
The diet includes small grass seeds and on occasional spiders or insects.
A dome-shaped nest of grass stems and blades is built on the ground. 4-6 white eggs are laid and incubated by both parents.
Vocalisation
The call is a metallic "trillink" or "chwillink" while the song is a series of "click, clack, cluck" notes delivered rapidly and repeatedly.
