African Firefinch
A species of Firefinches Scientific name : Lagonosticta rubricata Genus : Firefinches
African Firefinch, A species of Firefinches
Botanical name: Lagonosticta rubricata
Genus: Firefinches
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Nigel Voaden 
Description
The African firefinch is a small red or red and brown species of estrildid finch. The male has a lead grey crown, nape and neck, merging on to an olive brown mantles with the scapulars, wing coverts and tertials also olive brown, sometimes with a grey tinge. The rump, uppertail coverts, outer tail fathers are deep carmine red, the rest of the tail is black. The underparts from the chin to the belly are deep scarlet, with small white spots on the upper breast and flanks, the scarlet of the flanks continues to the side of the rump. The centre of the belly is greyish becoming black on the vent and the undertail coverts. the short, pointed bill is blackish-grey with a pink base to the lower mandible. Females are similar to the male but they are less intensely coloured, juveniles lack any red on the underparts. The African firefinch measures 10–11 cm in length and weighs 8.6-11.7g. 
Size
11 cm
Feeding Habits
African Firefinch primarily consumes small grass seeds and insects, foraging mostly on the ground. It exhibits a preference for certain seed types and may have unique adaptations for seed husking, though specific behaviors are not detailed in the given reference.
Habitat
African Firefinch typically inhabits areas with dense vegetation, including tall grasses, bushes, and forest edges, both evergreen and deciduous. Their preferential habitats extend to riverine thickets, montane bracken, and hilly woodlands. Additionally, they are found in cultivated lands that are not heavily manicured. Geographically, their habitats range from lowland areas to highland regions, with altitudes spanning from the lowlands up to 2,400 meters, adapting to areas with significant rainfall. African Firefinch thrives across various regions characterized by humid environments in the continent's plateau and escarpment zones.
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
The African firefinch occurs in patches across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal east to Ethiopia then south to the southern Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania south through Mozambique to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Photo By Nigel Voaden 
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Estrildid finches Genus
Firefinches Species
African Firefinch 
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