Magpie Mannikin
NameMagpie Mannikin
Common NameMagpie Mannikin
Scientific NameLonchura fringilloides
FamilyEstrildidae
Wingspan (cm)13
Length (cm)11.5
Weight (g)12
Plumage DetailsAdults have a glossy black head, throat, and upper breast. The back and wings are dark brown, with distinctive white spots on the wing coverts. The belly and flanks are white, often with a buffy or rufous wash on the lower flanks and vent. The tail is black, and the bill is pale bluish-grey and conical.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include soft, high-pitched 'tseep' or 'tsit' calls, often given in flight or while foraging. They also have a quiet, chattering song.
Primary Dietgranivore
Primary Habitatsforest, grassland, wetland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound across sub-Saharan Africa, from West Africa (e.g., Senegal, Gambia) eastward to Ethiopia and southward through central and eastern Africa to Angola and South Africa.
Identifying Featuresblack head and upper breast, white belly and flanks, dark brown back with white spots on wings, pale, conical bill, social behavior in flocks
Description
The Magpie Mannikin is a small, striking finch characterized by its contrasting black and white plumage. It is a social bird, often found foraging in flocks in its preferred habitats of open woodlands and grasslands.
