Red-billed Quelea
Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/42646706@N02">New Jersey Birds</a> (CC BY-SA 2.0)
NameRed-billed Quelea
Common NameRed-billed Quelea
Scientific NameQuelea quelea
FamilyPloceidae
Wingspan (cm)12
Length (cm)12.5
Weight (g)20.5
Plumage DetailsMales in breeding plumage, as seen in the image, have a distinctive bright red bill, a pinkish-red mask covering the face and throat, and a blackish-brown body with streaky upperparts and a paler, buffy-white belly. Females and non-breeding males are duller, lacking the red mask, and have a yellowish bill.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a variety of chirps, twitters, and buzzing notes, often given in a noisy chorus by large flocks. Common calls are described as harsh 'chick-chick' or 'tsip-tsip'.
Primary Dietgranivore
Primary Habitatsgrassland, savanna, shrubland, agricultural land
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across sub-Saharan Africa, south of the Sahara Desert, avoiding dense forests and extreme deserts.
Identifying Featuresred bill, small finch-like size, male breeding plumage with pinkish-red facial mask, streaky brown upperparts, highly gregarious, forming large flocks
Description
The Red-billed Quelea is a small, highly gregarious weaver bird native to sub-Saharan Africa. Known for forming massive flocks, it is often considered an agricultural pest due to its consumption of cereal crops.
