Pale-fronted Nigrita

Nigrita luteifrons

An easily overlooked gray finch of forest edges and farms, occurring in small groups or with mixed-species flocks, often with other species of nigrita. Males are largely gray above and black below, with dark gray wings and a very pale whitish forehead. Females are largely gray all over with darker wings, a black face mask, and a pale whitish forehead. Both males and females have pale pinkish legs. Occurs with all three other nigrita species, and males can be confused with Gray-headed Nigrita, but note Pale-fronted Nigrita’s lack of spots on the wings and pale forehead. Calls include soft “tew” notes and four descending whistles, “twe-tee-tee-tee.” The song is a longer series of descending whistles.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Nigrita luteifrons
Authority
Verreaux, J & Verreaux, É, 1851
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Estrildidae
Genus
Nigrita

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

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Moustached Babbler

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