Amadina erythrocephala
The Red-headed Finch (Amadina erythrocephala) is a striking, small passerine bird native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Southern Africa, renowned for the male's brilliant crimson head. Males typically measure around 12-13 cm in length and weigh 16-20 grams, displaying a vivid red head and throat contrasting with a cinnamon-brown body heavily spotted with white on the flanks and belly. Females are slightly duller, lacking the red head, instead having a plain brown head and underparts wit...
Found in arid and semi-arid savannas, dry grasslands, and acacia scrub, the Red-headed Finch typically prefers areas with sparse tree cover and readily available water sources, often at low to moderate elevations.
Primarily granivorous, feeding on small grass seeds and other plant seeds, supplemented with insects (especially termites and ants) during the breeding season.
Red-headed Finches are highly gregarious birds, active during the day, often seen foraging in large, noisy flocks outside of the breeding season. They primarily forage on the ground, gleaning seeds, but may also snatch insects from vegetation or in flight. During the breeding season, pairs become...
The Red-headed Finch is widely distributed across Southern Africa, primarily found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and eSwatini. Its distribution is largely continuous across this range, although populations can be locally nomadic, moving in response to rain...
Least Concern
- The Red-headed Finch is an opportunistic nester, frequently taking over the abandoned or even active nests of Sociable Weavers (Philetairus socius) in Southern Africa. - Males possess one of the most vividly colored heads among African finches, a bright crimson red that gives the species its na...