Vidua camerunensis
The Cameroon Indigobird (*Vidua camerunensis*) is a small, fascinating passerine of west-central Africa, renowned for its obligate brood parasitism. Breeding males are striking, sporting a glossy, iridescent violet-blue to greenish-blue plumage that shimmers under sunlight, contrasting with duller brown flight feathers and a pale, conical bill; they typically measure around 11-12 cm in length. Females and non-breeding males are more cryptically colored, appearing streaky brown above with a pa...
Primarily found in forest clearings, woodland edges, savanna mosaics, and often near human settlements and cultivated areas in sub-Saharan Africa. It prefers areas with scattered trees and grass, generally occurring at lower to mid-elevations.
Mainly small grass seeds, which it gleans from the ground, supplemented by termites and other small insects, particularly during the breeding season.
During the day, the Cameroon Indigobird is primarily diurnal, with breeding males being particularly active and conspicuous as they sing from prominent perches. Foraging strategies involve gleaning small seeds and occasional insects from the ground, often in open grassy areas. Males establish and...
The Cameroon Indigobird is primarily found in west-central Africa, with its distribution extending from southeastern Nigeria eastward through Cameroon, the southwestern Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea, including Bioko island. Its range also potentially includes northern Gabon, tho...
Least Concern
- The Cameroon Indigobird is an obligate brood parasite, meaning it never builds its own nest but lays its eggs exclusively in the nests of other bird species. - Each species of indigobird typically specializes in parasitizing a single host species, with the Cameroon Indigobird often targeting me...