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Two subspecies are recognized, ''erythrocephala'' and ''dissita''. This species has been known to hybridise with the [[Cut-throat]] ''Amadina fasciata'' ([http://www.birdinfo.co.za/landbirds/34_hybrid_red-headed_cut-throat_finch.htm Tarboton, 2007]). | Two subspecies are recognized, ''erythrocephala'' and ''dissita''. This species has been known to hybridise with the [[Cut-throat]] ''Amadina fasciata'' ([http://www.birdinfo.co.za/landbirds/34_hybrid_red-headed_cut-throat_finch.htm Tarboton, 2007]). | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
| − | Open | + | |
| + | Open grassland with clumps of trees or small plantations, dry savanna, farmyards, cultivated fields. | ||
| + | |||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
====Breeding==== | ====Breeding==== | ||
Revision as of 13:56, 9 March 2008
- Amadina erythrocephala
Identification
L. 13cm Males are easily distinguished from the females by the rust red head and more colourful breast pattern. Light fawn body, feathers marked with black bars, chocolate underside, grey tail, white throat with red band on front of neck , brown eyes, pale beak and legs. Female has a grey-brown head and duller underside.
Large (about size of Cape Sparrow); bill very heavy; tail rounded. Male: Whole head bright red; rest of upperparts greyish brown, faintly barred on rump (whole upperparts barred in Cutthroat Finch); breast and flanks fawn, spotted with white, each spot outlined in black; lower belly white; under tail barred black, white and brown. Female: Similar to male, but head brown above, barred black and white on throat; female Cutthroat Finch barred black above. Immature: Similar to adults, but duller; male has only trace of red on head. Chick: Palate pale with 5 black spots; throat and lower half of mouth black.
Distribution
Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies are recognized, erythrocephala and dissita. This species has been known to hybridise with the Cut-throat Amadina fasciata (Tarboton, 2007).
Habitat
Open grassland with clumps of trees or small plantations, dry savanna, farmyards, cultivated fields.
Behaviour
Breeding
Breeding: Season: Mainly winter months throughout s Africa, February to September; almost any month in Kalahari, according to rainfall. Nest: Pad or ball of grass and feathers; in old nest of sparrow, Ploceus weaver (especially of Chestnut Weaver in n Namibia), Red billed Buffalo Weaver, Sociable Weaver, or in hole in tree or building; solitary or in small colony of 2-3 pairs in adjacent nest chambers. Clutch: 2-4, 2-11 eggs (usually 4-6). Eggs: White rounded Incubation: 12-14 days by both sexes. Nestling: 15-21 days; fed by both parents.
Diet
Its diet includes seeds and insects.
References
Tarboton W. 2007. Hybrid Red-headed x Cut-throat Finch. http://www.birdinfo.co.za/landbirds/34_hybrid_red-headed_cut-throat_finch.htm. Downloaded 22 October 2007.
