African FirefinchLagonosticta rubricataSmall brown and reddish waxbill with a blue-gray bill and black under the tail. Varies geographically, but in many areas, has a mostly gray head. Found along forest edge and in cultivation, thick woodland, and scrub. Usually in pairs or small groups. Call is a short, low trill. Quiet song is a mix of low trills and much higher-pitched whines and whistles. Similar to Red-billed and Bar-breasted firefinches but shows black under the tail. Subspecies without gray on the head can be extremely similar to Jameson’s Firefinch, but they are darker and less pinkish overall.Estrildidae bird family
Order Passeriformes · 6 selected species
Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.
African FirefinchLagonosticta rubricataSmall brown and reddish waxbill with a blue-gray bill and black under the tail. Varies geographically, but in many areas, has a mostly gray head. Found along forest edge and in cultivation, thick woodland, and scrub. Usually in pairs or small groups. Call is a short, low trill. Quiet song is a mix of low trills and much higher-pitched whines and whistles. Similar to Red-billed and Bar-breasted firefinches but shows black under the tail. Subspecies without gray on the head can be extremely similar to Jameson’s Firefinch, but they are darker and less pinkish overall.
Black-bellied SeedcrackerPyrenestes ostrinusColorful, chunky waxbill with a massive, conical bill. Both sexes have a red hood and tail, but males have a black base color and more red, and females a brown base color. Found in a variety of lush habitats, including forest edge and understory, moist scrub, marshes, and plantations. Shy and inconspicuous. Often in pairs. The call is an explosive, metallic “zink” and the song a quick, explosive jumble. Similar to bluebills, but separated by the all-bluish bill.
Common WaxbillEstrilda astrildTiny finch with short wings, a red bill, and a long tail. The body is largely gray with subtle dark bars, a prominent red mask and a dark vent. Bill is dark in juveniles. Normally encountered in noisy flocks in grassy and reedy areas; listen for distinctive descending wheezy calls. Often found in urban areas outside of its natural African range; introduced widely across the world, including the Iberian Peninsula, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and various Indian and Pacific Ocean islands.
Red-cheeked CordonbleuUraeginthus bengalusSlim, long-tailed, pretty waxbill. The upperparts are pale brown and the underparts and tail blue. Males have a distinctive magenta mark on the cheek. Generally common in a wide variety of open habitat, including dry thornscrub, all types of savanna, villages, and cultivation. Usually in pairs or small flocks. The common call is a high-pitched “tsee-tsee.” In the area of overlap, females are very difficult to separate from Southern Cordonbleu. They tend to show more extensive brown on the cheek, but are most safely identified by association with red-cheeked males.
Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataAttractive small songbird of grasslands, gardens, fields, and agricultural areas. Native to India and Southeast Asia, with introduced populations scattered elsewhere around the world. Typical adults dark chestnut-brown above, white below, with fine dark scaly pattern on belly; some populations duller brown. Juveniles plain brown all over with slightly paler underparts. Typically found in small flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of munia.Scaly-breasted MuniaLonchura punctulataAttractive small songbird of grasslands, gardens, fields, and agricultural areas. Native to India and Southeast Asia, with introduced populations scattered elsewhere around the world. Typical adults dark chestnut-brown above, white below, with fine dark scaly pattern on belly; some populations duller brown. Juveniles plain brown all over with slightly paler underparts. Typically found in small flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of munia.