Green-winged Pytilia
NameGreen-winged Pytilia
Common NameGreen-winged Pytilia
Scientific NamePytilia melba
FamilyEstrildidae
Wingspan (cm)13
Length (cm)12
Weight (g)12
Plumage DetailsMales have a bright red face, grey crown and nape, and olive-green upperparts and wings. The underparts are yellow with distinctive white spotting or barring. The bill is conical and red. Females are duller, lacking the red face and having a greyish-brown head.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include soft, whistling calls, often a repeated 'swee-swee-swee' or 'tsee-tsee-tsee', sometimes interspersed with chattering notes.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Gambia east to Ethiopia and Somalia, and south through eastern and southern Africa to South Africa.
Identifying FeaturesRed face (male), Grey crown and nape, Olive-green back and wings, Yellow underparts with white barring/spotting, Red conical bill
Description
The Green-winged Pytilia is a small, colorful finch-like bird found in sub-Saharan Africa. Males are particularly striking with their red face, grey head, and olive-green back contrasting with barred underparts. They forage primarily for seeds and insects in dry woodlands and savannas.
