Vidua funerea
The Dusky Indigobird (Vidua funerea) is a captivating passerine belonging to the family Viduidae, renowned for its obligate brood parasitism. Males, during the breeding season, are striking with their glossy, iridescent blue-black to purplish-black plumage, offset by a distinctive white, conical bill often tinged reddish at the base, and dark brown eyes. They measure approximately 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 inches) in length and weigh 11-15 grams (0.4-0.5 ounces). Females and non-breeding males exhibi...
Primarily found in savanna, scrubland, and cultivated areas, including forest edges and suburban gardens. It typically occurs at low to medium elevations, favoring areas with sufficient grass and scattered trees.
Mainly granivorous, consuming small grass seeds, particularly from dry grasses. They supplement their diet with insects, especially during the breeding season, foraging primarily on the ground.
Dusky Indigobirds are diurnal, often foraging during the cooler parts of the day and roosting in dense vegetation. Foraging is predominantly on the ground, where they glean seeds and insects. Males establish small, non-overlapping breeding territories characterized by prominent song posts from wh...
The Dusky Indigobird is widely distributed across Sub-Saharan Africa, exhibiting a fragmented but extensive range. Its distribution spans from Angola eastwards through the southern Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Malawi, extending south into Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, and eastern S...
Least Concern
- The Dusky Indigobird is an obligate brood parasite, meaning it lays its eggs exclusively in the nests of other bird species. - Its primary host species are firefinches, such as the Red-billed Firefinch and African Firefinch. - Male indigobirds learn to mimic the specific songs and calls of thei...