Dusky Indigobird
NameDusky Indigobird
Common NameDusky Indigobird
Scientific NameVidua funerea
FamilyViduidae
Wingspan (cm)19
Length (cm)11.5
Weight (g)12.5
Plumage DetailsBreeding males are entirely glossy black with a blue-green sheen, a conical whitish or pale horn-colored bill, and reddish-orange legs and feet. Females and non-breeding males are streaky brown above, buffy below, with a pale supercilium and a pale bill.
Vocalization / CallMales mimic the calls and songs of their host species, typically Red-billed or African Firefinches, incorporating these into their own complex vocalizations.
Primary Dietgranivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland, urban
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound across sub-Saharan Africa, from southern Nigeria east to South Sudan, and south through central Africa to Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and eastern South Africa.
Identifying FeaturesGlossy black plumage (breeding male), Pale, conical bill, Reddish-orange legs and feet, Mimics host species calls
Description
The Dusky Indigobird is a small, finch-like bird native to sub-Saharan Africa. Breeding males are notable for their glossy black plumage, pale bill, and reddish legs. This species is a brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of other finches.
