Red-billed Quelea
Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/65695019@N07">Bernard DUPONT</a> from FRANCE (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
Plumage DetailsBreeding males feature a bright red bill, a prominent black facial mask covering the lores and ear coverts, and a reddish-orange crown and nape. Their upperparts are streaky brown, and the underparts are pale buff to whitish. Non-breeding males and females are duller, lacking the black mask and reddish head, with a yellowish-orange bill and more uniformly streaky brown plumage.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations consist of a variety of chirps, twitters, and buzzing notes, often produced in a cacophony by large flocks. Common calls include a characteristic 'chick-chick-chick' or a 'tsweee' sound.
Primary Dietgranivore
Primary Habitatssavanna, grassland, shrubland, agricultural land
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across sub-Saharan Africa, south of the Sahara Desert, inhabiting open grasslands, savannas, and cultivated areas, typically avoiding dense forests and extreme deserts.
Identifying Featuresred bill, black facial mask (breeding male), reddish crown (breeding male), streaky brown upperparts, gregarious behavior in large flocks
Description
The Red-billed Quelea is a small, highly gregarious weaver bird, notorious for forming massive flocks that can number in the millions. Males in breeding plumage, as seen here, are striking with their red bill, black facial mask, and reddish crown, contrasting with streaky brown upperparts and pale underparts.
