Lesser Seedcracker
Pyrenestes minor
A colorful, chunky waxbill with a large conical bill. Both sexes have a red hood and tail, but females have slightly less extensive red. Found in moist habitats with dense understory, including forest edge, areas along streams, and occasionally reedbeds. Scarce, shy, and inconspicuous. Somewhat similar to Red-headed Bluebill, but separated by many details, including the red tail. The calls include rough “drek” notes that may be given in a long, fast series.
Identification
The lesser seedcracker grows to a length of about 14 cm (5.5 in). The male plumage is brown tinged with olive, apart from the forehead, crown, side of face, chin, throat and upper breast which are bright red, and the rump and central tail feathers which are deep blood red. The underparts are paler than the upper parts. The female is similar but has a smaller area of red on the face and crown. The short, broad beak is black, the brown eye is surrounded by a white eye ring, and the legs are greyish-brown or dark grey. The juvenile is similar to the adults but the colours are more muted. This species could be confused with the black-bellied seedcracker but the two species do not share a common range.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pyrenestes minor
- Authority
- Shelley, 1894
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Pyrenestes
Range and habitat
This is a resident but somewhat uncommon species and occurs in southern Tanzania, eastern Zimbabwe, southern Malawi and northern Mozambique. It is found in upland forests, at altitudes of between 725 and 1,800 m (2,400 and 5,900 ft), both in high rainfall areas and in forest margins in drier areas, in Brachystegia woodland, clearings, scrubby areas and areas of rank vegetation, often near watercourses.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The lesser seedcracker is a mostly resident species, but is a partial migrant in eastern Zimbabwe. It usually forages in pairs low in the undergrowth, or sometimes on the ground, feeding on grass and other seeds, including rice and the large hard seeds of the bamboo Olyra latifolia. Breeding takes place between December and March in Malawi and Zimbabwe, and between March and May in Mozambique.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
White-browed Hawk
Leucopternis kuhli
Compact, black-and-white forest hawk. Short tail and broad wings give it a chunkier appearance than other interior forest raptors like forest-falcons and hawks in the genus Accipiter. White below, black above, with a white eyebrow. Has a darker black-streaked head and more noticeable white eyebrows than the similar Black-faced Hawk, which has a white head with a small black mask. Found singly or in pairs in the midstory and canopy of mature rainforest.
Blue Bunting
Cyanocompsa parellina
Unobtrusive small bird of brushy woodland and forest understory in tropical lowlands, mainly in drier habitats. Usually seen as singles or pairs, low in weedy growth. Male blue-black overall; with good views, note the blue forehead, ‘jowls,’ and rump. Female in West Mexico gray-brown overall, in East Mexico rich brown overall. Similar female Varied Bunting has a smaller bill and different call note: a wet plik; Blue Bunting call is a high tsik in West Mexico, a metallic chink in East Mexico.
Lesser Violetear
Colibri cyanotus
Medium-sized hummingbird, all sparkly green with obvious blue or purple cheek patch. Bill is slightly decurved. Sexes similar. Extremely similar to Mexican Violetear, but no range overlap. Sparkling Violetear of South America is larger and has violet belly. Found singly in forests, where it can be quite common. Also visits feeders and gardens. Listen for the constant chipping song.
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