Gray-headed Silverbill
Spermestes griseicapilla
A small, chunky, large-billed, distinctively marked waxbill. The gray head is speckled with fine white spots. There is sharp contrast between the brown back, the white rump, and the black tail, which is especially obvious in flight. Found locally in both dry and moist savanna and woodland, usually in grassy areas. Usually in flocks. The most common call is a quiet “tsip.”
Identification
The grey-headed silverbill is a stocky bird with a grey head studded with white dots. Its body is greyish-brown with partly black wings and tail and a white rump. The juvenile can be told by its white rump. Adult male is approximately 11.5 cm in length with wing length 6.5 cm.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Spermestes griseicapilla
- Authority
- (Delacour, 1943)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Estrildidae
- Genus
- Spermestes
Range and habitat
The grey-headed silverbill is commonly found in dry savanna habitat but never too far away from water. It wanders widely, influenced by weather and shifting availability of sources of water.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The grey-headed silverbill is gregarious, moving in small flocks and often mixing with African silverbill.<p>The grey-headed silverbill feeds mostly on grass seeds. But it has been suggested that the species also feed on insects which are more a source of moisture than dry seeds.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Naumann's Thrush
Turdus naumanni
Paler and more orangish than Dusky Thrush. Adult males are the brightest-colored and young females have patchy black on the throat and chest. Note the plain wings without Dusky’s rufous paneling; also note Naumann’s less contrasting head pattern and orange-scaled underparts. Hybrids show a combination of Dusky and Naumann’s features. Naumann’s breeds in taiga and winters in forests and parks; mixes with Dusky on wintering grounds, but less in favor of open habitat. Vocalizations similar to Dusky Thrush.
Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
A medium-sized, sooty-black flycatcher. Marked geographic variation: most North American birds have dull wings and a clean white belly, while South American birds have bright white edging on wing feathers and much more limited white on the belly. Typically seen singly or in pairs, usually sitting conspicuously on a low perch. Frequently pumps tail up and down. Often near water; especially tied to fast-flowing, rocky streams in South America.
Madagascar Jacana
Actophilornis albinucha
Distinctive shape that is typical of jacanas, including enormous feet. Most adults have white on the back of the head and neck, though some are completely dark-headed. Juvenile shows a stripe through the eye. Uncommon at low elevations in western and northern Madagascar, in a variety of thickly vegetated wetlands, especially those with water lilies. Call is a quiet series of “trrr” notes. Distinctive, as this is the only jacana in its range.
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