Red-faced Pytilia
Pytilia hypogrammica
An unusual and pretty member of the waxbill family. Shows fine buff barring below, mostly yellow wings, and red on the rump and tail. Males have a red face and females an entirely gray head. Found in moist broadleaf woodland, overgrown cultivation, and thickets, often along rivers. Generally uncommon and inconspicuous, seen singly or in pairs. Sometimes joins flocks with other birds. Similar to Green-winged and Red-winged Pytilias, but separated by the yellow wing. The call is a simple “teew” note.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pytilia hypogrammica
- Authority
- Sharpe, 1870
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Pytilia
Range and habitat
The finch has an estimated global extent of occurrence of 250,000 km2. It is commonly found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Togo.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Lavender Waxbill
Glaucestrilda caerulescens
A tiny gray finch with a red tail and rump and a purplish bill. Male is bright silvery-gray all over with a pale throat and chest. Female is similar, but has darker underparts. Sometimes joins flocks with other small finches. Inhabits thickets in open areas such as hillsides and field edges. Call is a high, thin “see”, often given in series. Native to western Africa; introduced to Hawaii island, where it inhabits brushy and grassy areas.
Blue Eared-Pheasant
Crossoptilon auritum
A large gray terrestrial bird with an elegantly frilly tail. Bright red face and upswept white facial plumes (“ears”) are unique in its range. Found in both subalpine and alpine areas, preferring open forests in the former and scrubby meadows in the latter. Forages in small groups for most of the year, pairing off during the breeding season. Hunted in much of its range, thus wary and found in remote areas, far from settlements.
Okinawa Rail
Gallirallus okinawae
A candy-red bill, curving white head stripe, and lacey black-and-white striping make this a unique and attractive species. Found only in and around the Yanbaru Forest on Okinawa Island, where it forages on the forest floor, often in pairs or small flocks. Most frequently seen as it crosses roads, trails, and clearings. Gives a variety of different calls, typically given during dusk, dawn, or nighttime hours. All are somewhat terrifying, a medley of shrill yelps, high-pitched squeals, and a laughter-like clattering.
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