Green-backed Twinspot
Mandingoa nitidula
Small, chunky, dark green waxbill with bright white “twin spots” across the black belly. The male has a red face, and the female a yellowish one. Found in and around forest, where it prefers dense tangles and openings with seeding grass. Distinctive call is a short, high trill, often given in flight. The rarely heard song is a complex mix of many different call types. Superficially similar to Green-winged Pytilia, but smaller, prefers forest rather than savanna habitat, and does not have a red tail.
Identification
The green-backed twinspot or green twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula) is an estrildid finch found in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. The IUCN has classified the species as being of least concern.
Taxonomy
Genus: Mandingoa; Family: Estrildidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Mandingoa nitidula
- Authority
- (Hartlaub, 1865)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Mandingoa
Range and habitat
The green-backed twinspot inhabits lowland moist forests of the tropical region. It may also be found in grassland and shrubland habitats.<p>Males are distinguished from females by their bright red facial feathers. Females have an olive-green face and darker (almost black) beak.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Egretta rufescens
An entertaining heron to watch—known for sprinting, jumping, and spinning around in shallow water with its wings held up. Dark morph is more common than white morph. Adults are dark gray with a rusty head and neck. Immatures are paler grayish and rusty overall. In breeding plumage, the pink bill and blue lores can become shockingly bright. White morphs are similar to other egrets, but note behavior, grayish legs, and pink bill base (adults). Found exclusively near the coast, especially on mudflats. Typically uncommon, usually seen singly or in scattered small numbers. Dark morph most easily confused with Little Blue Heron, but Reddish Egret is larger and forages much more actively.
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Porphyrio alleni
When seen in good light, shows spectacular purple-and-green coloration. In dull light, looks dark, but still shows red bill and feet, pale blue forehead shield, and white undertail. Juveniles are pale brown. Found in freshwater wetlands with thick vegetation, especially water lilies. Inconspicuous and shy, and will rarely emerge for long from thick cover. Call is a mournful wailing. Similar in coloration to African Swamphen, but slimmer and smaller, with a much smaller bill. Also similar to Eurasian Moorhen, but slimmer and smaller, with brighter coloration, red legs, and no yellow tip to the bill.
Seven-colored Tanager
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Spectacular multicolored tanager, unmistakable within its restricted range. Occurs in humid forest, at forest borders, and in old second growth. Forages in the canopy, usually in pairs, often with mixed-species flocks.
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