Bar-breasted Firefinch
NameBar-breasted Firefinch
Common NameBar-breasted Firefinch
Scientific NameLagonosticta rufopicta
FamilyEstrildidae
Wingspan (cm)16
Length (cm)10.5
Weight (g)10
Plumage DetailsMales have a crimson-red head, throat, breast, and belly, with a dull brown back and wings. The rump and tail are crimson, and distinctive white spots are present on the flanks. Females are similar but duller, with less extensive red and fewer spots. The bill is pinkish with a dark culmen.
Vocalization / CallSoft, high-pitched 'tseet' or 'tsip' calls are common. The song is a quiet, warbling series of notes.
Primary Dietgranivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, urban, forest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Gambia east to Ethiopia and south to Angola and Zambia.
Identifying Featuressmall size, crimson-red head and underparts, dull brown back, white spots on flanks, pinkish bill with dark culmen
Description
A small, plump finch with a short tail, males displaying vibrant crimson-red plumage on the head and underparts, contrasting with a dull brown back. They are typically found foraging on the ground in open habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, often near water.
