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Most of [[Africa]] south of Sahara; [[Senegal]] east to western [[Cameroon]], southern [[Sudan]] to [[Angola]] and south to [[South Africa]]. | 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 | + | This species has six to nine subspecies divided into two groups which are sometimes viewed as two species:<sup>[[#References|1]],[[#References|2]]</sup> <br /> |
'''Black-faced Quailfinch''' (''Ortygospiza atricollis'') with subspecies: | '''Black-faced Quailfinch''' (''Ortygospiza atricollis'') with subspecies: | ||
*''O. a. atricollis (ugandae)'': | *''O. a. atricollis (ugandae)'': | ||
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*''O. f. digressa'': | *''O. f. digressa'': | ||
:*Eastern [[Zimbabwe]], southern [[Mozambique]], [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], [[Swaziland]] | :*Eastern [[Zimbabwe]], southern [[Mozambique]], [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], [[Swaziland]] | ||
| + | |||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Open areas with patchy grass growth, near water, sandy grassland, marsh, farms and croplands, and recently mowed areas. | Open areas with patchy grass growth, near water, sandy grassland, marsh, farms and croplands, and recently mowed areas. | ||
Revision as of 15:48, 9 June 2009
- Ortygospiza atricollis
Includes Black-faced Quailfinch
Identification
Length 9.5-10 cm, mass 8-14 g. Very small, with short tail.
Males
- Greyish-brown upperparts
- White barring on chest and flanks
- Black facial mask
- Red bill when breeding
- Pinkish legs
- Long hind claw
Females lack the facial mask and are duller.
Juveniles similar to the female but have fainter barring and a darker bill.
Usually located and identified by repeated djink flight call. The absence of red or orange on the rump distinguishes it from Locustfinch and Orange-breasted Waxbill.
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 to nine subspecies divided into two groups which are sometimes viewed as two species:1,2
Black-faced Quailfinch (Ortygospiza atricollis) with subspecies:
- O. a. atricollis (ugandae):
- O. a. ugandae:
- O. a. ansorgei:
- Guinea-Bissau to Liberia, Ivory Coast and coastal Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau to Liberia, Ivory Coast and coastal Ghana
African Quailfinch (Ortygospiza fuscocrissa) with subspecies:
- O. f. fuscocrissa:
- O. f. muelleri (bradfieldi, miniscula):
- O. f. smithersi:
- North-eastern Zambia
- O. f. pallida:
- O. f. digressa:
- Eastern Zimbabwe, southern Mozambique, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland
Habitat
Open areas with patchy grass growth, near water, sandy grassland, marsh, farms and croplands, and recently mowed areas.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet includes small grass seeds and on occasional spiders or insects.
Breeding
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 djink, trillink or chwillink (often given in flight), and the song is a series of click, clack, cluck notes delivered rapidly and repeatedly.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Gill F & Wright M. 2008. Birds of the World: Recommended English Names. Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ, USA. 2006. ISBN 9780691128276 Update (2008) downloaded from http://worldbirdnames.org/names.html
- Answers.com
- Feathered Flyer
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) African Quailfinch. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 18 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/African_Quailfinch
