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[[Image:African_Quailfinch.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Male, Sub species ''digressa''<br />Photo by {{user|leon|leon}}<br />Potchefstroom, [[South Africa]], July 2004]] | [[Image:African_Quailfinch.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Male, Sub species ''digressa''<br />Photo by {{user|leon|leon}}<br />Potchefstroom, [[South Africa]], July 2004]] | ||
| − | ;[[: Category:Ortygospiza|Ortygospiza]] | + | ;[[: Category:Ortygospiza|Ortygospiza]] fuscocrissa |
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Length 9.5-10 cm, mass 8-14 g. Very small, with short tail.<br /> | Length 9.5-10 cm, mass 8-14 g. Very small, with short tail.<br /> | ||
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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]]. | 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]]. | ||
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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
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 | + | This species has five subspecies: |
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*''O. f. fuscocrissa'': | *''O. f. fuscocrissa'': | ||
:*Highlands of [[Ethiopia]] and [[Eritrea]] | :*Highlands of [[Ethiopia]] and [[Eritrea]] | ||
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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]] | ||
| − | + | It was formerly considered conspecific with [[Black-faced Quailfinch]]. | |
==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. | ||
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{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
| − | {{GSearch|Ortygospiza+ | + | {{GSearch|Ortygospiza+fuscocrissa}} |
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Ortygospiza]] | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Ortygospiza]] | ||
Revision as of 13:43, 25 February 2011
- Ortygospiza fuscocrissa
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 five 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
It was formerly considered conspecific with Black-faced Quailfinch.
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. The clutch consists of 4-6 white eggs which are 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
- Hockey, PAR, WRJ Dean, and PG Ryan, eds. 2005. Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa. 7th ed. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 978-0620340533
- Answers.com
- Feathered Flyer
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) African Quailfinch. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 5 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/African_Quailfinch
